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Story of a Breast Cancer Survivor. This is my story

During that moment in my life, I was a 28 year old mother of two and married to the love of my life. My husband is active duty in the US Navy and required our family to move from Virginia Beach to New Jersey. Looking for a quick weight loss answer a dear cousin of mine urged me for a few months to find a family physician a get a medication she was taking to loose weight. I finally went when I found the time to go. While meeting with him, he asked when was the last time I met with a OB/GYN. I felt that question was strange because it totally came unexpectedly. I was due so he recommended a great doctor whom, I never thought would be the Doctor that saved my life. When I meet with my OB/GYN, he checked everything and said all was great but because my mom was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in her 40's, he felt it was a good idea to get a baseline mammogram for future reference, so I went. I was advised by the technician doing my mammogram that I may get called for further pictures and not to worry much if they do, so when I was called for more pics, I did just that, not worry. The worrying began when I was called for a biopsy but again, I was reassured by the radiologist that I was young and all will be well. When I received the call 24 hours later by the same radiologist to tell me that in fact my biopsy resulted calcification a on my left breast, all I could think of was my kids, my husband and how I was going to die. A nurse then called me and informed me that I was diagnosed with a curable cancer called DCIS. I then regain the strength I needed to fight. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. When pathology report came in, it also showed calcification a on my right breast. Now, 5 years later remaining cancer free and forever counting my blessings.

Jocelyn Perry
Virginia Beach, VA

My Fight

In June I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer, with lymph node involvement. I started chemo in July with 4 AC treatments and currently nearing the end of my 12 Taxol treatments. Double mastectomy surgery December 17th with partial reconstruction, 4 days after my 40th birthday. I guess you could call it a free boob job ;) Radiation and reconstruction to follow.
My faith and family have been my strength. Without them I do not know if I would have it in me to fight. But I am here to kick cancers butt, I don't have time for this!!!

Lori Minnema
Juneau, WI

You're never too young to take care of yourself

I am a married mother of 5 kids, in my early 30s. I have no family history of breast cancer. But I spent half a year in 2011 fighting to get that diagnosis.

I spent all summer exhausted for seemingly no reason, then finally went to my general doctor when I started leaking blood from my right nipple. I was told it’s just an infection, but insisted on scans and was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound. My radiologist also told me I was fine, there were just a few benign fibroids. He said I was young, it’s no biggie, just get an antibiotic and come back in a year if it isn’t cleared up. Huh? I asked my general doctor again for another opinion, and he sent me to a surgeon, not one who specialized in cancer of any kind, who said I didn’t need any other scans or even a biopsy. He said I’m young, don’t worry. I was frustrated, but about to give up. My husband reminded me we have 5 kids who depend on me, and I need to find out what is wrong regardless of what it is. I needed answers. So I asked once again and was finally sent to a cancer center. I explained what had happened, and said I don’t care my age or family history, I want to keep going with tests until I know what it is. Big or small. After another mammogram and ultrasound, a ductogram, MRI and biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 2 idc, into my lymph nodes. Sure glad I didn’t cave and didn’t wait a year for a recheck.

After a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and over a half dozen reconstruction surgeries I am still not finished. It came to the point where I needed a break from recovery times. But we are moving forward with our new normal. Don’t let any doctor tell you that you don’t know your own body, or treat you as if you’re overreacting and wasting their time.

Sara Jurgens Grubb
Kansas City, MO

Stick it to Stage 4

Not too long ago I was living what I always dreamed of - MY perfect life. I married the man of my dreams in January 2013 and we blended our family of 3 boys - 12, 13, 14. In August 2013 everything changed. Right was left - up was down.

I went to the Dr thinking I had a kidney stone. A CAT reviled that I had a rib lesion and an MRI was ordered. The MRI showed a large spinal tumor on T-12 and confirmed again the rib lesion. It was clear to my Dr. I had cancer but not clear if it was bone or coming from somewhere else. On August 28th I had a PET/CT scan. When your Dr. calls you 8 hours later after a PET/CT you can expect the news not to be awesome. She told me that the PET/CT showed Breast Cancer in my right breast and that it had already metastasized to my spine and rib. That diagnosis put me right at Stage 4 - the finish line if you will. Everything after that was very fast. September 4th was my biopsy. I spent 5 hours getting a Mammogram, ultrasound and core biopsies that were NOT fun. Two days later I received my 'official' diagnosis - Invasive ductile Breast Cancer. My cancer is Estrogen and Progesterone positive, but the good news is that I'm HER2 negative.

Believe it or not the actual Breast Cancer isn't the main concern for my doctors. It's the large spinal tumor that brought me to the Dr in the first place. The spinal tumor is 1MM from my spinal cord and was sitting on the nerves which was causing me intense pain. I felt like I was getting shocked every time I moved. Radiation started September 30th. My Radiologist Oncologist gave me 8 weeks worth of radiation in 5 days. It was a very aggressive approach and very necessary. I went in for 30 minutes for 5 days. I'm currently taking monthly Lupron shots and a nightly chemo pill to put my ovaries into a chemically induced menopause.

Susan Rahn
Rochester, NY

I always knew I'd get it but I never expected to

My mom was 43 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she passed away just shy of her 60th birthday. A few months after my mother was diagnosed,my great aunt was also diagnosed with breast cancer, and my grandmother had a suspicious lump in her breast but passed away from a stroke before cancer was confirmed. Needless to say, my family history was strong. I began getting mammograms at the age of 24 and throughout the years, twice the results showed suspicious areas but the end result was cysts caused by hormone pills. I was about to turn 50 and have my wellness visit, everything is routine except the results of my mammogram which warranted an ultrasound which in turn warranted a biopsy. When my doctor called and asked for me and my husband to come in, we knew then. My husband and I sat there in silence. After the words, "It's cancer," I tuned the world out. I remember saying, "I always knew I get it, but I never expected to." He nodded and I saw his mouth moving but I didn't hear a thing. Stage 1c Invasive Ductal Carcinoma was the official diagnosis.

May 14, 2013 - Double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. That was the plan. Surgery went wonderful. No cells in my lymph nodes. No chemo. No radiation. Just a tiny pill for 5 years and lots of prayers. Over the next 3 months, I endured 2 more surgeries and 4 procedures for 2 very different types of infections: staph-removal of left breast expander on July 1, 2013 and strep-removal of right breast expander on August 12, 2013 along with 11 weeks of antibiotics.

The end result: I am now healthy and I have decided that won't have any reconstruction and that I am absolutely fine without them and my husband, my rock, my strong hold...my touch-stone was there every step of the way and loves me with or without breasts. They do not define who I am.

I am a survivor and a fighter! I expect to win!

Monica Caldwell
Huntington, TX

My Mom

I am a strong supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness and have an obsession with anything pink just ask anyone that knows me. I Lost my Mom to Breast Cancer 10 years ago on August 24, 2003. She was diagnosed and passed away 8 months later to the day of being diagnosed at the young age of 57. My Mom's name was Joan and she was the most amazing, kind hearted loving person with a heart of Gold! Growing up my Mom always told me that a Blue Butterfly was someone shining down on you from Heaven. Since she passed every summer I have seen a Blue Butterfly and I just smile because I know it's her. This past year I got myself a Blue Butterfly Tattoo with the center of the Butterfly being the Pink Ribbon for Mom. <3

Lisa Ellis
East Falmouth, MA

Celebrating One Year Cancer Free!

I was 52, an outdoor enthusiast, a runner, rarely ate sugar and a vegetarian. I was SHOCKED to actually hear the words "you have cancer." I had a palpable lump since 2005 and was told each year that my mammograms were negative. After my annual mammogram in September [2012], I insisted on a biopsy when I was told the ultrasound looked fine ["just a cyst"]. Several days later, Sept. 19, 2012, I was diagnosed with breast cancer (invasive ductal carcinoma).

For the next month and a half, I was in a daze; my vision narrow. With the support of family and friends, I prepared myself for the November 1, 2012 bilateral mastectomy. It's been a tough year of healing from the breast reconstruction, and the emotional journey continues. My healing has been greatly influenced by my passion for the expressive arts, especially painting and dance. My goal when well enough, was to dance on the beach. Well I made it! I made a video as an expression of gratitude and grace as I honor my one year cancer free. It can be viewed on youtube and is called Celebrating One Year Breast Cancer Free. http://youtu.be/gqWPYTKdjlo

May inspiration and grace be a beacon along your path to wellness.

With love.

Lorri Hanna
Homewood, AL

Eye of the tiger - Hear me roar!!!!

I found my lump in October 2012 was sent for mammogram and ultrasound, they both confirmed it was a mass and not a cyst. But appeared benign? I chose to have the lump removed since it shouldnt be there. I got the call from my Surgeon in May 2013 yes 7 months later!! I could not have a biopsy due to breast implants so My surgery was to be May 29, cells came back suspicious and I was told I had stage 1 breast cancer and that I would need to have radiation, so my fight began August 1 2013, 6 weeks and 35 radiation treatments later and I am happy to say I rang the gong on Friday September 13th 2013. I have since had a follow up mammogram and still have micro calcifications they are watching and I have to still do followups with oncologist but happy to say I am cancer free!!! I know not really able to say cancer free until the 5 year mark but.........I am saying it now! I will travel the world far and wide and preach how important "early detection" is!!! Advocate for yourselves cause no one and I mean no one knows your body like yourself. And this is my story!!!!

Terry Kivell
Wallaceburg, Canada

I'm a survivor!

Last year October 2012 I discovered a lump in my right breast. I kept putting it off and I wasn't going to make an appointment to have a mammogram but my friend Teenia convinced me to go. Another thing that convinced me to go was I got to thinking about my Mom who is also a survivor and so I decided to make an appointment to have a mammogram. I had the mammogram the end of October and got the call that confirmed I had breast cancer. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer and thankfully I caught it early enough that it didn't spread to my lymph nodes. All I could think was I'm only 32 how do I begin to deal with something like this. So, after several doctor visits, ultra sounds, and MRI's I had a lumpectomy in December and the doctor removed two tumors from my right breast. I got through the surgery and at the end of January I started chemo. The chemo made me very sick and I was ready to call it quits but my mom wouldn't let me give up. After chemo came the radiation which wasn't bad at all. Now, I'm doing hormone therapy. My doctors were truly amazing.

This whole experience has definitely made me appreciate life a whole lot more. My Mom has been with me every step of the way and I love her dearly for that. My friends and I were suppose to have a girls weekend the first weekend in November and little did I know they surprised me with a fun filled celebration of life weekend. We all were suppose to wear white shirts and take pictures and they surprised me by wearing pink and I had on white, it was truly amazing and I thank my friend Monica for putting together a great weekend. Everyone's support was very much appreciated but I would like to thank my friend Theresea as well. When somone is going through breast cancer having support is a must and I am thankful for my support system.

Nicole Hay
Summerville, SC

Life after Breast Cancer is a Life worth living

I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Invasive Ductal Carcinoma DCIS on Feb 23, 2012; I am not good remembering dates however, this is a date that I will remember for the rest of my life. I work for an Oncology Practice and I see many patients from all walks of life suffering with different types of Cancer & no matter how much we see hear and study we never really know until you have to live through it. Not having a family history of Cancer made it even harder to comprehend. I’m a single mother of 3 and I have 3 beautiful grandchildren communicating my diagnosis to my children proved to be the hardest thing I have had to do in all my life. The fear in my children’s eyes was heart breaking however; I remembered the one word that stuck out shared with me by my Oncologist “curable” that being said I reassured them that we were going to get through this. Appointments came and went quickly and I knew I would have to come in touch with an inner strength that I never knew I had, I relied on my faith and the love of my family and a few friends I asked for help when I needed it and I stayed busy. I never stopped working although Chemo is accumulative the more treatments I received I noticed the more fatigued I became and therefore I made some modifications to my daily routine but I was determined to win this fight. I underwent 6 cycles of chemo, I had a bilateral mastectomy followed by a 6 week course of radiation therapy and now I am on Tamoxifen for five years a very small price to pay in exchange for my life. My attitude had a lot to do with my ability to overcome Cancer; I have started my reconstruction process and it’s probably the part that just drags along but it’s ok because I’m here, I won. My scars remind me of a fight well fought and I’m proud to say I am a Breast Cancer Survivor.

Joanna Ruiz
Katy, TX