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My Best Christmas Gift Ever!

In May 2013, at age 42, I received a call from the doctor to return for a follow-up mammogram. That night I went with my boss to a Ladies' Night Out event about breast cancer. I remember leaning over to her and saying that I hoped that wasn't an omen. The following day I returned for the mammogram, followed immediately by an ultrasound, and biopsy referral. I saw the tumor on the ultrasound, and somehow knew I was dealing with something. I started praying while looking at that little tumor and thanked God for making me strong and asked that He use this experience to strengthen me and my family. I needed the strength. On May 21st I was told that I had invasive ductile carcinoma and DCIS in my right breast. On July 3rd, I had a bilateral mastectomy, the start of reconstruction, and a sentinel node biopsy. The biopsy during surgery looked fine, but the next day they found cancer cells, so I had to return to surgery on July 17th to have several lymph nodes removed.
I went through 16 infusions of chemotherapy. My last infusion was December 18, 2013. That was an amazing Christmas gift! Physically this journey has been hard. But I decided to be open about it and I have been blessed. The support and generosity of others has been amazing. I continued to work as much as possible through out it all, and I kept a smile on my face - although there were tears too. My family and I maintained a sense of humor, making jokes about missing nipples and losing my hair in mass while my husband was watching the conehead movie (surely there is some irony there!). My husband, parents, brothers and three children were there every step of the way when I needed them. I'm learning that cancer never leaves you, even when it is gone. I feel like I'll be holding my breath for years, waiting to see "what if." But I also know this experience has made me a better person.

Sherry McGuire
Clay Center, KS

Not The Plan

I was 40 years old when I decided to get the Breast Cancer gene test done. My Mom and both of her sisters were diagnosed, as were several other members of my family. So both my cousin and I made the decision to get the test done, pretty much knowing what the results would be. And we were right. I was advised to get both a hysterectomy and double mastectomy. The hysterectomy went well. A few months later I went in for my double mastectomy. I was scared, of course. For years I had mentally prepared myself for this day though. I knew that if I ever had the chance to do this "early", I would. I have Polycystic Kidney Disease, which is going to continue to get worse and I thought that if I could "prevent" breast cancer from happening to me, that would make my life so much easier. So, I'm back in my room after my double mastectomy and my doctor comes in. She has a look on her face that I'm not expecting. She tells me they found two tumors on my right breast and I have Cancer. I think I just stared at her while I thought to myself, I had mammograms, an ultrasound and even an MRI, nothing was found. I ended up just saying,".Ok, what's next?". I was taken back into surgery to remove 13 lymph nodes, all negative. I had 16 weeks of chemo. But the hardest part has been the reconstruction. The physical pain, the emotional pain, wanting to feel like myself again. But I'm making it through it. It's been a year since I was diagnosed. I feel good! I'm almost me again! I'm not wearing a hat anymore! And I couldn't have done any of it alone!

Kristen Jenson
Rapid City, SD

Truly Blessed Survivor

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer in April of 1999. The doctor told my Husband and I that it was a very aggressive cancer and that he suggested a mastectomy. I had already seen this Cancer in my family and I was almost sure that he had made a mistake. When it finally sunk in I cried for quite a while. I had already had Cervical cancer at age 26yrs. and I believed that I could not be going through this again. My Family, were the rocks that got me through this and my strong faith in God. I prayed to him and asked him to please help me through this that I could not do this alone. I had a mastectomy and did not have Chemo or Radiation, (that was my choice) I took Tamoxifen for 5 years. I was recently Diagnosed with Bladder Cancer and I am doing well. I would just like to tell anyone who is going through this to keep your head up, Pray a lot and stay Positive, Fight with all you got and Lean on your Family and Friends for Support. My Prayers are with all of you. God Bless.

Maureen
Delaware City, DE

Just diagnosed with breast cancer

I have no history in my family of pre-menopausal cancer. At 43, I went for my second mamogram. My physician felt a lump in my left breast. I had ultrasound and biopsy and it was negative. It was a cyst. Around, March I felt a lump under my left arm and assumed it was a cyst also. Around July , I started feeling tired after just running a 1/2 mile. Went to the doctor. I told him about my tiredness and he took my bloodwork. I also mentioned the lump to him. He felt it and said that it could be just part of my ribcage. He said just to make sure that I would get a diagnostic mammogram. I started getting colds easier. At work anytime anyone was sick, I would get sick also. That too was unusual also. I got a mammogram and ultrasound. The radiologists also found a lump. I went in and had the biopsy on both lumps. My doctor called me and asked me if I could come in. He said that the lump in the breast was benign but biopsy of the lymph nodes showed cancer. I think at that point I was in shock. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer on 11/26. Now trying to find the primary tumor in the left breast. I had a cat scan done and a suspect area was found. Had 2 more biopsies done. Went to my first appointment with my oncology doctor in December . All of the biopsies came back negative but since it has spread to the lymph nodes. She was going to start my appointments to start the chemotherapy. She also said that it may be inflammatory breast cancer. She wanted to do a punch biopsy to test. I am scheduled for my punch biopsy on dec 30. I sure hope they can find the primary tumor this time.

If you think something may be wrong, don't assume that it is nothing. Go to the doctor and let them confirm it for you.

Anonymous
Concord, NC

My miracle

In October 2010 I found a lump in my left breast. I was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. The lump turned out to be a fibroadenoma with a cyst attached and was benign. I had the cyst drained. However, in my right breast they found DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) stage 0 breast cancer and because it was widespread they recommended a mastectomy with reconstruction. This came as a huge shock to me, but with the support of my husband and family I decided to go ahead with the surgery. I told people "If a bomb was placed in your house and you were told it might go off, but it might not!" what are you going to do? Of course you would get it out of your house and quick!! On February 14th, 2011 (yes Valentines Day) I underwent a 6 hour operation to remove the breast tissue and reconstruct my breast using my tummy tissue! The surgery was successful and I did not need chemo or any further treatment. It has almost been three years since my surgery and I continue to have yearly mammograms of my left breast and am in the all clear. I continue to trust God that my left breast will not become a problem, and I am thankful to God that a benign lump had me go for a mammogram early. 80% of the breast tissue they thought had DCIS was infected, so I am glad it is out of my body now! It is a tough surgery to recover from, but I have no regrets and still have my health and I know I am a much stronger person because of it. What doesn't kill you, definitely makes you stronger.

Helen Furness
Brisbane, Australia

Please don't forget monthly self exam, it saved my life.

On September 2012, I received the result from my annual mammogram. It was a negative result. Fast forward to January 2013, I found a lump on my left breast during my monthly self exam. I called my doctor to make an appointment, and was referred to have a diagnostic mammogram, and ultrasound. I was told afterward that I need to have a biopsy. The biopsy result confirmed that I had breast cancer. We scheduled for the lumpectomy surgery immediately, the surgery went well, the lump was removed, 3 lymph nodes were removed as well. Four days later, went in to meet with the doctor again and was told that there wasn't a clear margin all around. The good news was that the lymph nodes showed no sign of cancer. So, there are two options; one was to go back to try to remove the lump some more, and if we have a clear margin, then I will need radiation afterward, or two was to have a mastectomy and no radiation afterward. And the recommendation from both the surgeon and the oncologist was to have double mastectomies, with reconstruction and I will only have 2% chance to ever have to worry about breast cancer again. As a mother of three young children, I want to be there for them evrery step of the way, we decided to go with option two and took the doctors recommendation. With the love and support from my husband, my family and friends, and after four surgeries this year...I am now cancer free!
As my surgeon said I was lucky to have more options on treatment because I found the lump early, but if the lump was to be found a year later, I would have lots of catch up to do.
So, please don't ignore the monthly self exam! It saved my life and it can save yours too.

Chi Jones
Pflugerville, TX

My mother in law

My mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer last year at the age of 72. She worked hard as a waitress her entire life up until her illness. She great up in the era when it was cool and acceptable to smoke. Her Dr.
told her she needed a double mascectomy but wouldn't do it unless she quit smoking. She cold- turkeyed her habit, had the surgery, went through almost a year of chemo, lost her hair and got severely week. This past month she just had full reconstructive surgery. Every day she is feeling stronger, walking further, her hair is growing back and she is thinking about going back to work. She is our living proof miracles happen and God is real. We are surely Blessed. There is hope for everyone no matter what age. Believe, have hope and faith. Pray. Be grateful and love. We are Blessed. Merry Christmas.

Anonymous
Santa Rosa, CA

My Diagnosis

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (triple negative stage 2a) in October right at my 47th birthday. It was hard. I had my double masectomy on December 4th. They told me I wouldn't have to do chemo but now have to do chemo for 20 weeks as a precaution. They got it all as a little went invasive. I am considered NED (no evidence of disease). I will have to have outpatient surgery December 31st for port then a CT scan on January 2nd. Nothing in lymph nodes or blood stream. Just feel so alone and overwhelmed. I am so thankful for this page as it is so encouraging. This is a picture a few hours after surgery. The lady that is behind me I have known since 1st grade. She has also been through breast cancer as well.

Darla Litton
Humble, TX

My mummy ❤️

This is my mum, 37 years old and got diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer 3 weeks ago. The news was a huge shock to our family.
Today is her first chemo treatment and I'm her number 1 supporter! My mums a fighter and I know she'll get through this! Love you mummy ❤️

Derian ismailoska
Melbourne, Australia

Surprise

On 03 Dec 13 I arrived at Hospital for a routine procedure to remove a swollen lymph node. This day would change my life forever.
When I woke up My husband had to break the news to me. The doctor found 4 swollen lymph nodes with Cancer in them. They weren't sure what kind of cancer or where it came from. They would have to send them out for a biopsy and we would find out by next Tues 10 Dec.
I don't remember crying. I think I was in Shock. That was the longest week of mine and Jeff's life.
On 9 Dec we went back to the doctor's office. The biopsy was in....It is Breast Cancer. My doctor was clearly upset...he said he never had this happen to him before and him and his nurse said they would help in any way they could.
My next appt was with the oncologist. on 10 Dec. and this is when the tornado started. I can't remember the whole conversation so it's a good thing Jeff was there and they give you a nurse interpreter.

Next was to meet my Breast specialist and a PET Scan.
My Mother-in-law went to that Dr appt with me. He did two needle biopsies. He stuck a needle in the spot that he thought was cancerous and looked at them under a microscope and sure enough they were the cancer. He than ordered an MRI to look at the right breast.
So the PET scan showed that the cancer spread just below my collar bone but that was treatable too. So I am Stage 4 and the strategy is Chemo .... Mastectomy ..... Radiation.
On 17 Dec I had a port put in my chest, this should save my veins and be less painful.
Dec 18 My chemo began. 4 1/2 of treatment. The nurses are awesome, The Chemo treatments were not that bad. Well until Saturday, I got a little sick in my belly but not as bad as I thought. Next treatment on 7 Jan.

Stephanie Probst
Knightstown, IN