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How I beat the boobie monster

Hi my name is frances am from Puerto Rico am a three year breast cancer survivor. When I found out I had breast cancer stage 2 I was devastated for about two hours then I realized I was still breathing while going through radiation I saw that in my country we had many organizations working on early detection but non on prevention so I decided to do something about it so I opened Guerreras contra el cancer foundation orwarriors against cancer and we went to towns with health profecionals who volunteered giving free check ups and testing for hemoglobin and teaching how to check your boobies we gave over 200 mamograms the first year and we have gone to schools universities and private companies talking about breast cancer and how to prevent it by eliminating risk factors we have been workin non stop ever since we run a tv show educating women on how not to get breast cancer

Frances justiniano
Mayaguez, PR

A Long Fight

I was 25 when I had cervical cancer and at 26 years old I received my first biopsy and every year after another biopsy or a lumpectomy. I still remember the day I was told the first time I had Breast Cancer and went on tamoxafin, I moved to another state and another doctor and had a ultrasound and the words came you have Breast Cancer and we need to do a mastectomy and I had no time to even adjust to those words given to me, within a month I had a double mastectomy with no reconstruction it was a recovery that was long and hard not realizing the out come after healing would be more devastating to me, 17 lymph nodes from left side and 12 from right side, I can not do alot because of the swollen, pain and I was very active I loved life and it took so much from me let alone to find out my doctor did a bad job, I can not even look at myself in the mirror or undress in front of my husband, I call them my hangers where I have skin hanging from the sides and under my arms, I use to lay on my stomach to sleep and can not do that at all ,I would love to find someone to show them what a women with my condition could sleep better because there is nothing out there. on top of all this I had no-one to help me through my recovery no family there for me my x sister-in-law would come and give my husband a brake. My husband had a 5 way by-pass and could not do alot,To this day it is hard very hard physical and mental for both my husband and me, we live on my disability while waiting now 3 years for him disability we have tried so hard to make it ,I am a fighter and I will always be a fighter and that is what all of you need to do FIGHT we will WIN THIS...I AM A SURVIVOR

Becky

Becky Specht
Fraser, MI

Agonizing Decisions

My breast cancer story began this past July. I went in for my mammogram as I faithfully do every year( yes, mammagrams do save lives!) and was suprised to get a "call-back". After a biopsy, I recieved my diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in-situ, grade 2. I was shocked to say the least!

The whirlwind of doctor's appointments began. I met with an oncologist who explained the course of treatment as she saw it : lumpectomy,radiation, and anti-estrogen drugs. I was thankful that the cancer was most likely contained, and could be removed, but I did not like the idea of radiation and anti-estrogen drugs which are both hard on the body . I then met with my surgeon and she introduced the idea of mastectomy because of my young age. I asked her if mastectomy meant no need for radiation or the anti-estrogen drugs and she said yes. Dr. Clark then gave me the single best advice I recieved through out this experience: what is best for you will come from your heart.

It was a terribly difficult decision but at least I had choices. The surgeon's office gave me a book about DCIS and the various treatment options with their corresponding chances of reoccurence. Bilateral matectomy would provide the lowest chance of further breast cancers. This is what I chose with complete agreement from my husband. I had my surgery September 4th. A sentinal lymph node biopsy confirmed the cancer had not spread but pathology upgraded the cancer to Stage 3. My reconstructive surgery was just done on December 4th and I am healing well. I have never questioned my treatment decision and I look forward to enjoying the rest of my life free from the worry of breast cancer.

Friends have asked me why more women don't choose mastectomy. It is a highly personal decision and every woman has to choose what is right for her. My hope is that research will shed some light on this epidemic of breast cancer and our daughters and granddaughters won't have to face these agonizing decisions.

Michelle Meyers
Puyallup, WA

Susan's "Pathway to Recovery"

Days before our wedding, I had a stereotactic biopsy on my right breast the end of July 2013. This transpired after having my annual mammogram in January 2013 with some concern so a six-month followup was scheduled for July. The day after my biopsy I received a phone call from my doctor informing me it was cancer. During the past year, I had fought to overcome a stroke last September, which affected my right side and speech, and lost my mother in January after loosing my father in January 2010. I'm an only child and had been a single mom for 10 years. But in February 2013, I met the man who I knew I'd marry. In May, we became engaged. Despite the news of my breast cancer, we lived out our fairy tale wedding, a destination wedding on Wrightsville Beach on August 10. On August 24, we celebrated at home with approximately 200 of our closest friends and family. Our reception was the week following our first trip to the Cancer Treatment Center in Chicago where we had gone for a second opinion yet decided to pursue our "pathway to recovery" there. Since that time, I've had a surgical biopsy and a bilateral mastectomy with the beginning stages of reconstructive surgery after not only knowing it was in my right breast but an MRI found a more evasive tumor in my left breast. On Monday, December 30, I am anticipating my last chemo treatment, which will allow us to be home for New Year's Eve. After completing the genetics test a few months ago, we learned I have the BRCA2 gene and a one in 10,000 mutation. Following my last chemo, I will have a hysterectomy as a proactive measure against my increased likelihood for ovarian cancer. At the same time, my expanders will replaced with my implants. Despite all of the traumatic emotions and experiences associated with breast cancer, it has been a wonderful journey. As my husband reminds me, this is only temporary. God is using me, and I know He has great things planned for me.

Susan Crum-Teague
Greeneville, TN

not a normal symptom

In April 2013, at the age of 45, I noticed an occassional leaking in my right breast. It was clear and very minimal. Like many of us do, I 'googled' it and discovered this had a 50% chance of being nothing. With no family history of cancer and the fact I had been receiving annual mammograns since the age of 40 (with normal results), I wasn't concerned. In a casual conversation with my sister, she insisted I have it checked. I made an appointment with my family doctor and she immediately referred me to a surgeon. My surgeon ordered a mammogram and an ultrasound, both showing nothing. Because the leaking was continuing, my surgeon wanted to do an 'exploratory' type surgery to see if she could find what was causing this. In August 2013, I had this surgery and discovered it was cancer, invasive ductal carcinoma. I then had an MRI, where it was discovered I also had a large section of DCIS. Because of the size of the DCIS, a masectomy was recommended. I decided to have a bilateral masectomy. I did not want to worry about this ever happening again. On October 1, 2013, I had a bilateral masectomy with reconstruction, and lymph node removal. I am very thankful to have caught it early. No chemo or radiation was needed, as it did not spread to my lymph nodes. I am also thankful I made the decision to do a double masectomy, as atypical cells were found on the left side. It seems as if all we hear about are lumps. Do self exams, get mammograms to check for lumps. While these are very important, we need to let women know there are other things to look for as well. I was getting my mammograms, but this wasn't visible. I am thankful I didn't ignore the discharge and caught the cancer early.

Rhonda L
PRIOR LAKE, MN

Early Detection Saved My Life

It all started in Oct 2012, I work for a Urology office and we call a local Imaging office on a regular basis to schedule patients for Imaging tests all the time and I was reminded it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I decided its been a few years I should get checked. So I made my appointment. Heck it would only take a few minutes. Well that Friday my mammo that I thought would only take about 15-20 minutes ended up taking 2 hours, as they worked me in for a more intense mammo and then an ultrasound. And by the time we were done with the ultrasound, we were scheduling a biopsy. The biopsy came back positive for Stage 1 cancer and it was a small 1 mm lump. But if I would have waited until I felt it, it probably would have been into Stage 4, & maybe spread further. Luckily I had a lumpectomy and only radiation. And now CANCER FREE, So ladies please go routinely for your annual mammograms. Early Detection Saves Lives. And if a doctor tells you, they don't do mammograms before age 50, goto another doctor. I'm only 44, was diagnosed at 43, no family history. Early Detection Saves Lives, Get Your Annual Mammograms Done!

Marlo Sullivan
Leesburg, FL

Inflammatory breat cancer survivor! !!

In 2010 at age 36 I was diagnosed with Inflammatory breast cancer. It was the biggest shock of my life! While taking a shower I noticed a firm lumpy area in my left breast. Thinking little about it I still decided that I should have it checked. After all the test were done my world was turned upside down. I was now facing the biggest struggle of my life. It was stage 3 IBC, HER 2+. I had my first chemo on my 37th birthday. I suddenly was unable to work and faced a long road in the medical system. IBC is a rare more unusual type of cancer and it was hard to find info. Even some of the medical professionals knew very little about it. I underwent neo adjuvant treatment, meaning I had chemo and radiation first and surgery last. I opted to have both breast removed with reconstruction done at the same time. It is now three years later and I am cancer free! I was blessed with the support of my husband and two beautiful boys, other family and my friends. I tried to be as positive as possible and laughed often:)

Christina
Port Alberni, Canada

My Journey

My journey started in October 2013 ( birthday) when i called to set up my mammogram as I do every year. I decided i should do a self exam which i do not do and the first thing I touched was a lump! Shocked but thinking it was a cyst I checked it daily to make sure it was a lump. Called my Nurse practitioner to see if she could get me in sooner. After a mammogram & ultrasound I was told I needed a ultrasound guided biopsy still thinking another cyst! Waiting for biopsy results when one evening I saw my Practitioner pull-up in front of my house- I told my husband "This isn't good!" She was crying coming in my house and I knew it was bad. I have triple negative breast cancer. Grade3-Stage 2. You can truly never be prepared to hear that!! Since then I have had numerous tests and a lumpectomy. They feel all margins are clear and it hasn't gotten in my lymph nodes. I have had 1 chemo 5 more to go then 33 radiation treatments. One thing I have learned is I will now be a teacher about the importance of self -exams and mammograms! I am so blessed with so many loving family and friends and even strangers have reached out to me! It is a scary diagnosis but I plan on kicking cancers ass!

Tammy Nicola
Great falls, MT

Pregant with Breast Cancer - age 27

At the age of 27, I was pregnant with my 2nd boy, Aaron. I had another son, Ammon who was almost 2 years old.

About 4 months into my pregnancy, I noticed a lump. I didn't think much of it. I had breastfed my first boy, Ammon, for 15 months and was used to getting clogged milk ducts. I also lactated a little while pregnant, so I naturally figured it was a clogged milk duct.

After several months of trying to make it go away, it was still there.

6 weeks before I had Aaron, my husband lost his job - and I talked to my OBGYN (who sent me to a radiologist - my doctor and I were both convinced it was just a clogged milk duct).

4 weeks before Aaron was born, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Me, age 27. WHAT?! Major shock.

We decided that I would wait to have the baby before we would do any treatment to my body.

That was an interesting month - waiting for the baby.

My cancer doubled in size in that month. My son was born by C Section, then I started surgeries, 4 months of a dose dense chemo regimen and then radiation. 2 weeks after my cancer treatments were all done, my husband and I divorced, and I started my journey as a single mother.

I learned lessons through cancer that prepared me for single motherhood.

"Why should we mourn, or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so, all is right. Why should we think to earn a great reward, if we now shun the fight. Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, our God will never us forsake..."

I want you to know that I know that God lives. And through our trials, we can become closer to Him.

Kristy
Salt Lake City, UT

13+ year survivor - stay strong

I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in January 2000. I had a huge mass in my chest. A year of chemo and 22+ days of radiation later and the cancer was gone. I had numerous side effects - the worst being fluid around my heart. I had to go in for surgery to remove the fluid. Surgeon ended up removing a qtr of one of my ribs to perform the procedure. Very painful. The hardest part was I was not married, no children. I was told I wouldn't be able to have children. Broke my heart. ....... My story has a happy ending. I have a. 9 year old healthy, happy and awesome son. Against all odds I'm a mom and cancer free. I participate in the American cancer society relay for life every year. My ordeal makes me appreciate life so much more. I love my little boy he's a gift from God.

Nancy Morris
Clark, NJ