Share Your Story

There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.

In the summer of 2012 my life changed - I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer at age 25.

I didn’t quite know what to feel, I just wanted get all the details and next steps for surgery. I did not want to feel sorry for myself, but just be alone. I was embarrassed to have breast cancer. I felt like everyone looked at me like a sick person, and I stopped being me.

After surgery I treated cancer like a bandage I had ripped off. I thought that by approaching it like a business transaction, I could stay strong and cope with my feelings. I later learned that I needed to take time to myself to evaluate what I was going through and reassess my life. I started a new job that respects and stands by family and health and moved into a new home.

Sometimes I feel like my 20's have been stolen from me. Dating as a cancer survivor who still goes through treatment is difficult. I love to flirt, to go on dates, to meet new people. But I always worry when I have to share what I went through, and what I still go through, and if someone will still want me after learning about my diagnosis.

I share my story because I want to be a means of education and an outlet for other women. Sometimes I feel like I've come so far and gone through enough side effects from medication to last me a lifetime (hot-flashes, loss of sex-drive, fatigue, depression). It's a reminder that my body is fighting for its life to stay healthy. I share what medication does to me because I know there are other women out there who go through similar things and I want you to know you are not alone and I can take a bit of humility for the greater good.

I think whether newly diagnosed, cured, or going through treatments, we are all survivors. Our stories are shared with others to bring hope to those who struggle every day.

Jessica Cudlin
Columbus, OH

...but I'm only 29! I can't have breast cancer!

In 2012 I noticed an indent on my right breast. Being only 28 years old at the time, I never thought anything of it. In March 2013 I mentioned this dimple to my doctor after my annual physical and she sent me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed a large mass so the doctor sent me for a mammogram and did a biopsy that same day. When he finished, he sat down beside me and said "Candice, this is more than likely cancer." And that is when my world went still. Cancer? I can't have cancer, I'm only 29 years old!
On April 22nd, 2013 the doctors suspicions were confirmed, I had Breast Cancer!
I opted to have a double mastectomy, mainly because I never wanted to have to worry about this again in my left breast. The plan was to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction during the same surgery. I decide to go with implants for my reconstruction. After the surgery, I had a very hard time healing and had to have an additional 3 surgeries resulting in the removal of my implants and a lot of scars. I finally healed and it was time to start my chemotherapy.
Chemo was quite the experience. I was very nauseous and had a lot of bone pain, but I made it through. Unfortunately, I gained 36lbs and lost all my hair. Being a single young lady, this was the hardest part for me. I felt like I completely lost my femininity! I felt hidious!
I am now recovering from my chemo treatments and waiting to have a consultation with the plastic surgeon to discuss my options for reconstruction. I am still off work and get a lot of anxiety at the thought of returning. In fact, I get anxiety every time I leave my house. My self confidence has plumetted! It will definitely take some time for me to recover from this experience. It has not been an easy road but I have a great support system that I could not have come as far as I have without. LYF

Candice
Barrie, Canada

My dog jumps on me and it all begins!

February 2010, my dog jumped on my chest in the morning while laying in bed & that morning started a change in my life. I went to the doctors to get checked to be told that the lump that they thought was a possible calcium deposit should have a biopsy done. Mid February at the age of 33 I was told that I had breast cancer and needed to start seeking treatment. Insurance at the time wasn’t helpful. I walked into Premier Hematology & Oncology at Celebration Hospital with my records and said “I need help!” Within an hour, an oncologist saw me, ordered tests, told me I had stage 2B breast cancer and I started my first chemo treatment on March 3, 2010. I went through a left breast mastectomy in April 2010. I had the DIEP procedure and 6 breast reconstructive surgeries as of April 2013. I have just now lost the weight that I put on during my treatments and have never felt healthier!

During chemo I stayed positive and that helped keep my spirits up along with creating a website where I tell my complete story along with photo’s from all of my surgeries. There are no books, videos or support groups that can prepare you for what you are about to go through mentally & physically. By creating my website, this was the only way I knew how to help others while helping myself and spreading awareness.

The one thing I did do, during my chemo and radiation was keep my faith! And that is the most valuable piece of advice I can pass forward.

I am now 3 years remission free and getting ready for reconstructive surgery #7!

Cari Lanier
Kissimmee, FL

I owe my life to my dad

Had a nice lunch with my mom and dad. For some reason my dad asked me if I had my mammogram. Feeling a little silly I said no and promised him I would make an appointment. I went home that day and made an appointment for March 20th on March 16th I lost my dad to a brain bleed. The 20th of March came and I was not up to having my mammogram but because of the promise I made to my dad I went. After another mammogram and ultra sound and biopsy I was Dx with Stage 2 breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy and now am cancer free 1 1/2 years. Thank you dad for giving me life and saving my life. I love you 💗

Julie Pingley
Hemet, CA

Finding Strength in the Struggle

March 14th, 2013
Was the official date
I joined
“Team Pink.”

And from the very beginning
I heard God say,
“Start a Cancer Diary”

Which I did
And people tell me
It’s the first thing
They read
To start their day

That it has helped them
Get through their own
Life challenges

And while Cancer hasn’t been easy
And I’ve had to be creative
On how I explain it to my four-year old son

I have been able to see
The blessing in disguise
Even on the days
When I not really feel like getting out of bed
Or
Cooking breakfast for my boys

As humans
We so much want to move from
Uncomfortable situations
We want to hurry though them
We want them to be over

But God has shown me
There can be strength
Found in the struggles

And I have come to find
That this time with myself
Is a time of learning
And contemplating
And rebuilding
Like a caterpillar
In a cocoon

And soon enough
I will hear
“Your time’s up
Your wings are ready”

And I will emerge from this
Stronger and more beautiful
Than when I entered
And so too
Can others

Jennifer
Streamwood, IL

My Son's Battle with Cancer.

It started shortly after Mark came home. He had been living in Canada for about 10 years and he came home. He was a very heavy smoker and had been since he was about 16 just like his father was. He died of lung cancer in 2006. Mark had been coughing a lot for a long time so I took him to the dr. she did an xray of his lungs and also a ct scan. the doctor to let us know that Mark had Stage 4 lung cancer. he immediately started Chemo and Radiation at the Cancer Center. They were so nice down there. I went with him for every appt and his chemo and radiation treatments. we got assistance so we could get an apt down there and be close to the hosp. he had chemo and radiation both 5 days a week and it was too far to travel every day, so we moved into an apt. next to the hosp. the first treatment made him real sick.. they put him into the hospital for several days. after a few days after he got out of the hosp. he started his treatments again. this went on till nearly Christmas last year. In the mean time he was in the hospital 4 times with pneumonia. they said he was more likely to get pneumonia with his lungs being compromised . he finally finished the treatments the end of Dec and we came home. I stayed with him the whole time he was getting treatment and when he was in the hospital. I slept in a chair every night right next to his bed. he wasn't getting any better and they put him on a morphine patch for the pain. On March 30th we were in the living room and he was on his bed sleeping and he started coughing and coughing up blood. it was horrible. he fell on the kitchen and died there before the paramedics could get here. it's been 9 months now and I stilll miss him like I did the day he died.

Anonymous
pembina, ND

I am a Cancer Survivor.

It was 2008 and before my yearly mammogram when I found a small lump in my right breast close to the nipple. I went to the doctor and she said I should go ahead and get my mammo right away. I had a few months before it was due. I have had a mammogram for many years as there is breast cancer in my family on my mother's side, so I knew I had to be careful and get them every year. got my mammo and about a week later the dr. called and said I needed to get a biopsy done. it looked suspicious. got my biopsy which really hurt and within a few days the dr. said I needed to see him right away. went into the dr's office and he said it was cancer, and I needed surgery within the next few days. I opted for a lumpectomy. the surgery was done and in about a week I had another appt. He said I have some good news and some bad news. I told him to keep the bad news and give me the good. he said the good news was that no lymph nodes were cancerous. they took out two when they did the surgery. he did say that he didn't get it all so I would have another surgery, so they completely took the breast. was suppose to have reconstructive surgery but I was allergic to what they put in there to stretch the skin. It only two days and I knew something was wrong. went back to the dr. and he said I was allergic to the expander, so I had to have it taken out. he said I could try again later and I said hell no, so it stayed like the dr. left it. he didn't fix it at all. It has been 5 years now and I was recently taken off my cancer pill I've been taking all this time. I feel pretty good most of the time. my arm does hurt a little sometimes but I'm still alive.

Anonymous
Pembina, ND

SURVIVOR

MY LIFE WAS TAKING BY STORM ON FEBRUARY 26TH 2013 WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM MY DOCTOR AT 6 IN THE EVENING WITH NEWS TELLING ME MY TEST RESULTS CAME BACK FROM THE BIOPSY POSITIVE FOR BREAST CANCER I WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK IT WAS SO MUCH GOING ON MY MOTHER WAS ILL SHE HAD UNDERGONE EMERGENCY SURGERY IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 AND WAS IN A COMA FOR A WEEK THE DOCTORS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HER WISHES BE SHE WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT WE DIDN'T GIVE UP HOPE SHE MADE IT THROUGH AFTER SEEING HER WAKE UP AND FIGHT I KNEW GOD WAS ON OUR SIDE TILL THE DAY I GOT DEVASTATING NEWS I WAS POSITIVE FOR BREAST CANCER ALL TYPES OF THOUGHTS RAN THROUGH MY MIND I WANTED TO QUESTION GOD WHY ME BUT I CAN'T QUESTION HIS WORK I HAD 2 LUMPECTOMYS SURGERYS STILL DIDN'T HAVE CLEAR MARGINS AFTER DREDDING GETTING A MESECTOMY I GOT A SECOND OPINION STILL WAS THE SAME SO I TRIED GETTING MY MIND OFF OF IT HEAL FROM THE 2 LUMPECTOMYS I HAD SPEND TIME WITH MY MOM WHILE SHE WAS STRUGGLING TO GET WELL WHILE I DECIDED ON A DATE TO HAVE MY BREAST REMOVED I GOT SOME DISTURBING NEWS APRIL 2013 MY MOM PASSED AWAY THE BREATH WAS TAKING FROM ME I THEN DECIDED TO GO WITH THE SURGERY. I HAVE HAD 4 CHEMO TREATMENTS INSTEAD OF 6 START RADIATION THE 23RD OF DECEMBER I KNOW MY MOM IS LOOKING OVER ME SHE HAS BEEN MY STRENGTH THROUGH THIS I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT THIS BATTLE AND PRAY THAT ONE DAY IT WILL BE A CURE.

Michelle Mooney
Milwaukee, WI

Im a Survivior

My name is Lisa Sutton age 43. This March 2013,was diagnosed with stage2 Breast Cancer. I thought my life was over. But on May 28,had my surgery, Dr. seem think got it all. I thank God every mintue. Go back December 26,for my first mammogram, forsure my mind will be put to ease if shows no cancer. But until then going be Best Christmas ever. Please pray all will be ok. Member all ladies and even men have regular mammograms . And if your ever dignosote, FIGHT -FIGHT...... GOD IS ON OUR SIDE..

Lisa Sutton
Strawberry Plains, TN

Survivor!!

Just a note to say I'm an 18 year breast cancer survivor!!! I only knew one person who'd had BC when I was diagnosed. I was scared! I would have loved to hear some survivor stories then. So I know how encouraging it is for those of you just diagnosed or going through chemo to hear about positive outcomes!!!
Hang in there!!!

Linda

Linda Owen
Salem, OR