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I'm gonna live to be 92

I am a 47 year old mother of 4 and grandmother of 2 and another on the way. These are the reasons that i will fight my hardest to beat this cancer. I was having pre-menopausal symptems and decided to see my general practioner for sensitive breast. After an exam she orderered an ultrasound to ease my mind. During my ultrasound the tech decided i needed more test so a biopsy was done on the spot. The following week my results came in positive for breast cancer. According to my mammogram though it was just a small mass in situ. No problem. My choices were lumpectomy or remove 1 breast. I choice to be aggresive so on October 22 i had a bilateral mastectomy. In the long run it was the best decision i have made. After my tissue was tested i ended up having a rare form of cancer and its stage 3. So, now i will have to have both chemo and radiation. My 1st chemo treatment will be next friday the 27th of Dec. I will have radiation when my chemo is done. I have already started my reconstruction process so hopefully if all goes well i might be able to get my implants within the next couple of months. I have been very positive throughout this whole process. I will not let this illness get me down. My gradmother was a breast cancer survivor and i will be too. She lived to 92 and i will too.

Lisa Fierro
Indio, CA

My second time

On 12-4-13 I had a mammogram, on 12-9-13 I had bilateral needle biopsies and ultrasounds done. On 12-11-13 I got the news that I have breast cancer, again. First time was in 1999, this time they didn't catch as early, now they're talking mastectomy and possible chemo. I find myself scared to death and angry cause instead of spending the holidays with my family I have in the back of my mind what this holds for me. I meet with the surgeon on 12-19-13, I'm scared to death.
And I think the worse part of all of this is that my dad is in the end stages of heart failure, how do I tell him I have cancer?
That and my 5 yr. Old grandson is a major part of my life, how do I tell him?
I have always been the head of the house and taken care of everyone else, what if I need some one to care for me, what then?

Joann
Des Moines, IA

Young men and women are at risk, too!

When you were 16 what were you worrying about?
Homecoming? Boys?

When I was 16, I was faced with worrying about a lump in my breast.

I was diagnosed with a phyllodes tumor in spring of 2005. I required only surgery (lumpectomy) and several scar revisions, followed by a reduction several years later.

Young men and women, of all ages, should check themselves.

I have grown to be able to have a wonderful and curious son who is now two. I'm due to get married December 30th, 2013.

Fast forward to this year.. Both grandmother's in my family were diagnosed and treated, as well as finding Ty father carries the BRCA 2 gene. One I have my testing, I will be opting to do a mastectomy with repair. All before the age of 26.

Hopefully, my story will inspire you to tell your sons and daughters to give themselves an exam monthly!

Keep calm and fight breast cancer!!

Jessica
Columbus, OH

A Call In The Darkness

It was dark as midnight in my hospital room, as I cried tears of despair. I had stage lV breast cancer and was dangerously neutropenic and desperately ill with blisters broken out on every mucous membrane. Exhausted from lack of sleep and my battle with cancer, and in terrible pain I cried out to God " heal me Lord or take me now cause I just can't take this anymore!" The next thing I knew the sun was streaming through my window and my pain was gone. My white count was still low, but had dramatically increased overnight. My desperate cry had been heard and answered.

Teresa Costanzi
Oxfod, PA

jeris story

In nov i found a lump in my right breast have surg 12-23-13 to have my right breast remove and my limp node then i start chemo for the her 2 gene they found in me im a 48 year old woman with a hubby and 2 biys and 6 granbkids

jeri white
mattoon, IL

18 year survivor who believes in angels!

18 years ago I was diagnosed with high risk stage II breast cancer with 15 cancerous lymph nodes. I was told my chances were not real good. A new aggressive procedure was having good results. and doctors encouraged me to have it.:High dose chemo followed by a peripheral stem cell transplant.This sounded scary and risky. I was afraid to do it, and afraid not to do it!

One night I started crying while meditating.....and then I felt like angel wings brushed my shoulders! I went to sleep and had a dream that I was "gambling" (probably for my life) in a casino. I looked out into the hallway and my older sister (who I had a very strong bond with) had just received a phone call from a doctor. I saw her knee give out so I really thought the call pertained to her. The next morning she called and said "I had this dream. My knee kept twinging all night so I kept waking up and I KNEW I had to tell you about it. The message I received was that you would be okay either way!" Somehow she had received the message to give to me!

I was shocked beyond belief! I had not been a religious person but this made me believe in guardian angels. I then had the strength to think it out, get more details on the procedure, and make my decision. I went with the more aggressive option and did very well. Here I am 18 years later and cancer free. Although this procedure has turned out to not be not as effective as they originally thought, it still may have saved my life. I will never know. But my advice is ALWAYS go with the most aggressive treatment out there. The treatment needs to be just as aggressive as the cancer is...in order to beat it!.

Around the holidays I tend to remember this miracle and how much I believe that EVERYONE has a guardian angel! Love & Happy holidays and never ever ever give up hope!!

Carol Chaplik
Round Lake Beach, IL

Infinite Hope for Sandra

I am 38 years old and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer. After finding a large lump in my right breast while taking a shower, I immediatly called my doctor.
After mammograms and ultrasounds, a biopsy was order on both breasts and under my right arm. It was determined that I had double breast cancer and cancer under my right lymph nodes. Ct scans and bones scans were ordered and done.
Upon meeting my Oncologist, He confirmed the worst. My breast cancer had metastasized. They showed 4 spots in my spine and spot in my liver. My liver was then carefully biopsied and I began chemo that following Monday.
I am on a 6 dose, 3 drug treament an I am half way there. I have recently finished my 3rd round of chemo and the tumor in my right breast is almost gone!!!
My husband is my ROCK! My parents and my sisters are my strong hold! I could not have done this alone. With the faithfulness of the God, the love, support and encouragment of my family and friends and all their prayers, this would not be possible.
This will be an ongoing jounery for me until I am cancer free!

Sandra Frank
Brooklyn, OH

Last day of chemo for breast cancer recurrence-31

Yesterday I completed my latest chemotherapy regimen for recurrent breast cancer. I was 26 the first time around and 31 during the latest bout. It was the best feeling ringing the bell with my husband Zac, mother in law Laurie, brother in law Dustin, and good friend Whitney. Such a cathartic and emotional release! I'm so proud to say that I'm a two-time breast cancer survivor and so ready to start a life with my wonderfully supportive and adoring husband. Today is my PET scan. Here's hoping that I'm dancing with NED (no evidence of disease) once (and forever) again.

Kelli Parker
Bella Vista, AR

DOES what the PATIENT wants not Count?? This is my body and JESUS is My Chief PHYSICIAN!

After hearing the devastating news that my 32 yr old niece KeeKee was diagnosed with Stage IV aggressive Breast Cancer, I scheduled my overdue mammogram. I have always had fibrocystic breast changes and pain during certain times of the month for years. After my 2nd NEGATIVE Needle BIOPSY, the Holy Spirit urged me to get an EXCISIONAL BIOPSY and definitively find out what this CALCIFICATION really was. So I consulted a Surgical Oncologists who surprisingly recommended a THIRD Needle biopsy. I explained that was not what I wanted and since she was a surgeon to just simply excise the calcifications to be sent to pathology for testing. The doctor said again she does not recommend Excisional Biopsy surgery due to risk of Anesthesia, then bleeding and infection. As a RN, I knew very well the risks and was willing to proceed with JESUS as my Pilot on this journey. Finally, the doctor agreed to perform the surgery and I was dx with DCI Stage 0 Left breast...EARLIEST form of Cancer!!! Long story short, the doctor called me in her office and told me I had CANCER and pointed out that I came to office alone. I calmly reminded her that "JESUS was always with me and I am NEVER alone...I may have BC but BC don't have ME! I belong to JESUS and by His Stripes I AM HEALED!" My surgery was successful (left breast Total Mastectomy with 5 node removal) and I had very little pain during recovery (numbness). GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE!!!! I AM HEALED!! NO MORE CAN THE ENEMY Attack my Left breast! #stay Prayed up ya'll #EARLY Detection SAVES LIVES...listen to your inner Spirit Woman...let it be your guide too!
****Sadly, my niece transitioned on my actual Birthday nine months after her chemo began. She is truly my GUARDIAN ANGEL! :-)

CYNTHIA RN
BIRMINGHAM, AL

The Adventure Begins

I was diagnosed Jan 2008, and I will never forget that day. It took a minute or two for the word 'cancer' to sink in. Then I looked at my doctor and said let's do it. And so the adventure began: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation. I am now five years cancer free. It was a hard adventure: the chemo and radiation made me sick. It was a great adventure in that I meant some wonderful people along the way. God gave me hope, He gave me great doctors and nurses, He walked with me every step of the way. Breast cancer was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but it was also the best thing that ever happened to me. I saw such compassion and goodness in the people I came in contact with. If you are just now beginning the cancer journey, hang in there; you have hope. If you are a survivor, hang in there; you have hope. I click every day, and always say a prayer for those affected by cancer.

Anonymous
Atlanta, GA