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My families dance with cancer

I am 28 years old and was diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer. I felt a lump in my right breast in the beginning of this year (2013) but was reassured that because of my young age it was more than likely fibrosis tissue and was completely normal. I was seen by a doctor in early September as it was becoming more and more worrisome. This doctor ordered a mammogram and the turmoil began. I had four tumors in my right breast and underwent a bilateral mastectomy. Surgery confirmed I had a positive lymph node which was a bummer to the treatment because it ensured I would need to go through chemotherapy for 16 weeks, starting November 6th. I will then go through 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week. After radiation I will have a couple reconstruction surgeries.
My husband was diagnosed with malignant melanoma September 2012. He underwent two surgeries at which point they determined that the melanoma had spread to his auxiliary lymph nodes. He had lymph nodes removed and after two surgeries he started chemotherapy in January of this year, 2013. His initial treatment consisted of IV infusions 5 days a week for 4 weeks. After that he went directly into giving himself injections at home 3 days a week which would last 11 months. His treatment makes him feel like he has the flu. It is hard sometimes for him because with his treatment he did not loose his hair making him seem "normal" on the outside but feeling like a 90 year old man on the inside.
We have been through so much but through it all have stuck together and made the most out of our situations! There is no other path I would rather travel and am lucky to have my husband by my side. It has taught us so much about life, love and family. My husband and I are currently going through treatment together. He finishes up the end of December and my dance with the red devil (AC-T) will end mid December and chemotherapy will end February 13th!

Danielle Sweazey
Gresham, OR

Surviving and Smiling

This is taken in the middle of my cancer treatments I had 4 chemo and 28 radiation treatments this last year. My lovely daughters stuck by my side the whole way. My sister and her husband came and spent 5 weeks with me. They shaved their heads when my hair came out. My boyfriend shaved his ,too. I love them all! The nurses and Drs. could not have been better. My hair has grown out but still short. — with Larrie Ann Brown and Tracie Brown Seabaugh.

Sheila K. Brown
Cape Girardeau, MO

To Hell With Cancer

Hi, I am Diane Russo, a one year Breast Cancer survivor. I can't believe it is a year already, boy time goes by quick when you are having fun LOL. It was pretty difficult, first all the testing, then Chemo, surgery, and finally radiation. I had one breast removed, I often wonder if I should of had my left breast removed also? It is always in back of my mind, what if, but I get a mamo every 6 months. I have the support of my amazing family, and my friends, god bless them all. I have been reading other stories, and all these women and some men inspire all of us, thank you. A month ago I wrote My Journey Through Breast Cancer, To Hell with Cancer!!!!!!, in Image Magazine the Oct./Nov. 2013 issue, it is a heart warming journey of my step by step account of my year with breast cancer, and my as it is, then and now life, read it you will enjoy it. So everyone, keep smiling, and remember be kind, because life is to short, and enjoy every moment of it, Thank You Diane Russo.

Diane Russo
Bayshore, NY

Cancer? Not me!

At the end of August of this year I found a lump in my right breast while in the shower. Soon after, I had a mammogram and ultra sound, which showed an abnormality. A week and a half later, I met with a breast surgeon. He did an exam and a needle biopsy right then. The next day, October 3, I got the news. How can this be? I am only 39, I teach full time, I have three kids...there is no family history. Two weeks later, I had a lumpectomy and lymph node biopsy. The results showed the first 3 nodes were positive, the last four were negative. I also am a stage 2B and "triple negative"! I had PET and bone scans and luckily they were clear. My first chemotherapy treatment was last week, November 6th. I will do 8 rounds, once every 14 days. The first four are Adriamycin/Cytoxin and the last four are Taxol. So far, the nausea wan't bad and I am mostly tired.

I am not a vain person, but for some reason, knowing I have to have a mastectomy isn't an issue, it's losing my hair! I did find a wig, and that's what I have on in the picture. So I am ready :) On top of all the diagnoses, I also found out I tested BRCA 2 positive! I feel lucky that, even though this is difficult, I have the opportunity to get better and fight this, and to be aware for my children, so they won't have to go through this. My love and prayers to all those who are fighting this fight and to those families who lost loved ones to this ridiculous disease. I am staying positive and my support system is amazing. Hang in there girls! We will win this fight!

~Jenn :)

Jenn DeYoung
Binghamton, NY

The shock of my life

My sister fought breast cancer for 4 years and what a fight she had! She passed away July 11th 2013 on my birthday. I always knew she had waited to long to see the doctor when she had asked me to feel her lumps on her breast I pleaded with her to get a mammogram but she just keep saying when I have insurance. My sister waited two years to get that mammogram. I was just grieving her and my father got bladder cancer so I was caring for him but was really tired and not feeling right myself thinking it was depression and had not lumps on my breast! no not breast cancer for me. I received a call from my Doctors nurse pleading me to come in and get blood work and a mammogram so I thought ok I will get the blood work and next time the mammogram since I have no lumps it is fine. I was in getting the blood drawn and right next was the x-ray department so I asked for a same day mammogram and boy did I get the shock of my life I have a mass when I got the call after two weeks I just sat there in shock. I have breast cancer and now on Nov. 21st. I have to have a lumpectomy and lymph nod removed to see if it has went into my nods. I am trying to be strong but scared still. If you are thinking it can not happen to you wrong so do not put off the mammogram it is not worth it. Again the drama of my life continues.

michelle murphy
moorpark, CA

THE MONTH OF THANKFULNESS

I am thankful for. . .

1. my diagnosis of breast cancer 3 1/2 years ago;
2. the discovery of Herceptin about 12 years ago, which is used to treat HER2NU+ cancers—before then, there was NO treatment;
3. the answer to my prayer that God use my cancer journey to help other women traveling the cancer road;
4. God leading me to start His project—The Sparkle Caps Project—in 3 years, we have given out over 600 sponsored gift bags of blessings to women battling cancer;
5. my husband Gary, family and friends who supported me on my breast cancer journey;
6. the new friends and acquaintances that I have made because of cancer;
7. the support (in so many ways) and encouragement of others, which lights a fire to my passion to help other women dealing with cancer;
8. the wisdom to listen and the desire to follow my boss’ instructions;
9. the tears that flow too freely and the deep-seated compassion that allows me to pass on God’s love to our Sisters in Pink, Green, Yellow, Black, Burgundy, White, Orange, etc.
10. God, who loves me like no other can.

We are blessed, each of us, in so many ways during our trials. When we get to the light at the end of the treatment tunnel, we experience life with more appreciation; more compassion for others; less judgment (walk a mile in my shoes), and a greater joy for life. We do not know our time on this earth. Our destinies can be shaped by cancer but not determined by cancer.

Susan "Victorious" Heimbigner
Sumter, SC

My Story

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my left breast on May 2, 2011. Prior to my work-up for surgery I was Stage 1. My breast surgeon informed me I would need a lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and six weeks of radiation. My first breast surgery was performed on 7.12.2011. The pathology came back - Stage 2a - 31 lymph nodes lit up, but only one was confirmed for cancer. The next morning she told me I would also need chemotherapy. At my follow-up appointment she told me she could remove more tissue and see if she could get clear margins or I could decide on prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and immediate breasts reconstruction with tissue expanders. I chose the mastectomy because cancer scared me more than losing my breasts. I consulted with Dr. Allen Gabriel who would perform the breast reconstruction. This surgery occurred on 8.31.2011. An Oncotype Test was performed and a Radiation Oncologist was consulted. My Oncotype Test result was 13 meaning chemotherapy would not benefit me; I have a very low probability of breast cancer recurrence. The Radiation Oncologist told me no need for radiation because my breasts were removed and my chest wall is healthy. On 12.7.2011 the tissue expanders were replaced by breast implants. Cancer-free since 8.31.2011!! My breast reconstruction was complete on March 14, 2013.

LINDA MOORE
BATTLE GROUND, WA

My story of my journey

My journey started in April, 2009 and I was 59 years old. I had my yearly mammogram as I have had for many years before. My family doctor called and said something was suspicious and I needed to go back and do another mammogram and ultra sound. The next day I was doing just that. A few days later my doctor says I need to send you to a surgeon for a biopsy. A few days later, I did just that and deep in my heart I knew what it was and my worse nightmare began when I got the call a few days later that I had breast cancer. If that was not enough, 4 days earlier, the bank I worked for was closed and my job was gone. The tumor was very small and the oncologist surgeon was going to do a lumpectomy until my MRI showed two more small tumors that the mammogram did not discover and we chose to do a masectomy of the left breast and results being Very early Stage 1. I had surgery again in August 2009 to remove all lymph nodes as a precaution and begin reconstruction. Unfortunately I developed lymphedema in that arm . I did not have to have any chemo or radiation so I was a lucky one that only had to take Arimidex for 5 years which in June of 2014 I will celebrate my 5 year anniversary of cancer free. I thought I would be done but my oncologist whom I trust so deeply is putting me on 5 years of tamoxifen. I have had a rocky road since 2009 with the breast cancer, reconstruction and the lymphedema but there is not a day that goes by that I don't thank God above for all the doctors who brought me through this and my family who gave me a reason to stay strong. Please always get mammograms and never ever doubt the good Lord above. If he brings you to it he will bring you through it as a better and stronger person.

Brenda
Palm Bay, FL

Breast Cancer Story

I was never someone that did monthly self-breast exams and I put off my mammogram for two years. I had a shoulder injury and couldn’t bear the thought of lifting my arm. I scheduled my second shoulder surgery and the mammogram for August 2012. While I was lying in bed one night rubbing my aching shoulder and under my armpit, I found a lump. It was kind of large and sore. When I went in for the mammogram, I told the tech about it and she had me put a sticker were I could feel the lump. Things happened in fast motion after that day, visits to the various doctors, another mammogram, an ultrasound, a biopsy and then the words I didn’t want to hear.
“You have cancer”
On August 24th 2012, I became, not just a wife, a mother and a flight attendant; I became a Warrior! I knew I had to be strong for all those people around me.
I also started a blog. I wanted people to know the importance of mammograms and self-breast exams. I wanted people to know the good the bad and the ugly of what we were going through.
It was through this blog that I realized how important my voice and my experiences were to others. Readers were finding courage to share their story or to go without a wig. Having cancer is something that WILL change your life, but not necessarily for the worse.
I took a very aggressive approach to my diagnosis. I opted for a double mastectomy and the doctors found that I had stage 2A triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma. I had the mastectomy 10 days before my daughter’s wedding. I started 8 treatments of chemotherapy, which I completed Feb. 14th. I had reconstructive surgery in May and finally after putting it off, I had my shoulder surgery this September. So now, after all the medicines, the doctor’s visit, my new hairstyle, boobs, and lease on life, I am ready to share my story and spread the word about this horrible disease.

Traci
Marietta, GA

Don't Quit

In May of 2013 I had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrostomy or VSG. Being overweight most of my life and with morbidity’s like Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and two little girls to chase after for years to come, I knew it was time to make a change! And that change saved my life in more ways than one!

In July I felt a lump in my right breast. I thought to myself, “Where did that BIG thing come from???” It was as if I went to bed the night before and awoke in the morning to what felt like a ping pong size ball under my nipple. I let it go for a week as I was in my “womanly time of the month”.

Needless to say, it didn’t go away. I saw my PCP on July 30th. Her response was she didn’t think it was anything, it was moveable and it hurt and itched, Breast Cancer usually doesn’t do that. So after justifying with my insurance company why they should cover a mammogram on a 39 year old woman I was set up with an appointment the next day. I was told that day by the Radiologist he was, “pretty sure there is Cancer in there.”

I think a lot of Cancer patients from what I have heard have the “Why Me?” phase… not me and I still haven’t over two months later. See for me I always knew thought and believed that I would have my turn with this wicked disease. For me it wasn’t “if”, but “when”. But at 39, five and a half years into a beautiful marriage and two young girls… I just wasn’t ready.

As my husband and I talked, we knew we needed to beat this beast and we needed to do it with confidence, determination and as my husband tells our girls and now me, “Walker’s never quit!” I have added in a little or a lot as some have thought, Humor. As the saying goes, “Attitude is everything!” and that was what we were going to use to win this fight.

Jennifer Walker
Hot Springs, SD