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My Big Sister

On October 28, 2010 my big sister Mandy was diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer and Bone Mets. She was 42 years old. She had been complaining about a pain in her hip for nearly 6 months by this point, I noticed she had lost some weight but I thought she was "trying" to. Our mom got ahold of me while I was at work to tell me-Mandy is in the hospital. I told her I was on my way. Mom then texted me "they found lesions on her spine and pelvis" and I replied, "it's cancer isn't it?" She said "yes". Our family is familiar with breast cancer. Our moms sister passed in the 1980's from it and our dads sister did in late 2000's.
When I entered the ER, Mandy was sitting on the bed smiling....yes smiling!!! So of course I had to "harass" her for dragging me out of work. Her skin had turned yellow and we weren't sure why. After the many tests doctors informed use that her bile duct had collapsed amd she would need a stent immediately. Within the next week she had her stent placed, her spine cemented due to the lesions. Doctors ordered 10 rounds of radiation on her pelvis but she had been in so much pain that they did the 10 rounds in 2 days. She went from having to walk with a walker, to using a cane and now she is off and "fast walking!"
She lost her hair within 6 weeks, right around my birthday. She cried, I cried. She told me that was the hardest part, I told her I would shave my head if she needed me to...I still would.
Through this journey I have seen my sister defy doctors expectations, I have seen her become a warrior. I have seen how a diagnosis becomes a families diagnosis. Not only does she fight this, we fight this. She is now able to fly to California when she has a weeks break from chemo--which is every 3 weeks! Live your life to the fullest!!!!

Jennifer
Farrell, PA

breast cancer survivor for 18 years

I had a mastectomy 18 years ago and was on tamoxifen for 5 years, got the all clear 5 years later. after 18 years my breast cancer reoccurred in the same breast area with 3 areas in the lymph glands, also have undergone a laparotomy and was diagonosed with cancer of the omentum, which they said usually occurred within 3 to 5 years after a mastectomy, it has metasised to the lower spine. I am on femara tabs which is keeping it t bay at the moment, (for the last twelve months) hoping ut will help me for a little longer

Anonymous
albury nsw., Australia

A short version of my breast cancer journey that started after my miracle baby...and my determination to fight for my girls.

I was diagnosed January 30th, 2013 with stage 3 grade 2 triple negative IDC. Diagnosis came 1 month after my 31st birthday, an engagement on Christmas Eve, and the birth of our youngest daughter.

It started toward the end of my pregnancy, I noticed a painful lump under my arm. My OB/GYN excused it as a blocked milk duct, but the pain grew intense and the swelling worsened. After giving birth, it became difficult to hold my baby without excruciating pain. At my 4 week postnatal exam, I insisted on an appointment for an ultrasound. At my ultrasound, I was asked to stay, have a mammogram and speak to a surgeon. He sent me for a biopsy the next morning, and a day later I had my results. The excitement of our new addition, and our engagement stopped. I was devastated and afraid. Our daughters were 6 weeks and 6 years old.

After exhausting amounts of appointments, I met my oncologist and was given a treatment plan of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. My cancer was aggressive, so within 2 weeks I started chemo, all while finishing up a school year with my 1st grader, and adjusting to life with a newborn. It was heartbreaking and difficult, but I stayed strong.

I tested positive for the BRCA-1 gene. These results, my type of cancer, and lymph node involvement, is what pushed me to the decision of a double mastectomy. My surgery was July 17th. Double mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy and reconstruction. Surgery went well, but recovery was complicated for me with the girls. All I wanted was to hold my baby. Fortunately, I had amazing support.

I started radiation October 1st. I am looking forward to my future as a survivor and excited to start planning a wedding. This journey has been challenging, but great support and a positive mind have been my best medicine. I hope I inspire others to never give up and to always have hope. I can't give up! I have to be strong! My girls need their mommy and I am going to be here.

Daniela Attinato
Cleveland, OH

cancer don't care

I am 28 years old and 5months pregnant with my third child. With no trace of breast cancer in my family, I was devistated to find, I was just diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer with a tripple negative. I start my journey tomorrow with a battle I refuse to loose!! I get my port placed tomorrow and start chemo on wednesday november 6th and will receive it every three weeks for 3 hours untill the baby is in a safe zone to deliver early around 30 weeks. I will have a bit of time to recover and then we will be doing a masectomy. Then chemo/radation as nessacary. I am keeping away from the negative and only looking forward. I have a life to live not a life to surrender! :-) the power of prayer, support from family, friends and even strangers have amazed me. I have many challenges since I'm a single mother and unable to work now due to treatment and high risk so the support has really helped. I still have fears of how I will make ends meet and provide but everyone assures me not to worry god will work it all out. So here I go, placing my life in gods hands trusting he will guide me and keep me strong! One day at a time and greatful for every breath I'm given!!! :-)

Jesica Ruchti
menlo, IA

With God all things are possible.

It was January 5, 2012 when I heard the three words that no one ever wants to hear. "You have cancer". The overwhelming feeling of emptiness is undescribable.
Rewind a few months to September 9, 2011. This was the day of my first date with the man who would shortly become my husband. He propsed three months later on the night of December 9, 2011. A week before Christmas while at work I leaned down to pick up something that I had dropped and while doing so I felt a knot under my armpit. My heart sank and I paniced. I knew it didn't feel right and I had a bad gut feeling about it. I had my first mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy done. A week later my resuls were back. I had stage 2 breast cancer. After much crying and talking we decided to go ahead and get married before I had my surgery and began my treatments. I knew that I could fight this thing and be strong as long as I had him by my side through it. We were married on January 21, 2012 and the follwing week I had a lumpectomy, 13 lymph nodes removed and a mediport put in. I started the first of my 8 chemo treatments on February 14, 2012 (yep, Valentine's Day!). As I sat at the Cancer Center I had never felt so out of place. I was the only young person there and I didn't look sick like those around me. Chemo has to be the hardest thing I've ever been through. It literally takes the life out of you. I lost my hair a week after my second treatment. It ruined my confidence and no woman should have to go through that. I also had 33 radiation treatments. 2012 was definitely an eventful year for me but everything happens for a reason. I now appreciate life and all the little things. My faith has strengthened and I feel my purpose. I learned that with my husband, my family, friends and most importantly God ALL things are possible.

Amy Lemaster
Hagerhill, KY

Atchafalaya River Kayak Trip 2013

I did a two day 39 miles paddle down the Atchafalaya river. I had over 100 names on my pink jacket and over 3/4 of them are breast cancer survivor or lost to it and the ones who lost a love one for cancer is a survivor now!! Cause we are the one now fight it every day from loosing some one!! The other 1/4 are people who was lost to some other kind of cancer!! So everyday we are hit with cancer! So just don't be aware about it in Oct. cause cancer never stop to take a break!! Y'all have a Bless Day and Love each and everyone of y'all. :)

Billy Tiger Guidry
Lafayette, LA

I am a surviver

I am proud to say I am a survivor. I had breast cancer I did chemo and radiation. I think what Id like everyone to know
is when you find a lump don't listen to what you read or what people tell you. Please go to your family doctor right away. Let him check it out. I had a very painful lump in my breast . I read in a well known magazine that painful lumps are not cancerous. I had a friend at work tell me that not to worry she has five and she plays with them. I didn't go to the doctor right away. The lump just kept getting worse! So I decided this is something. I went to the doctor and from then on my life went crazy for a while tests checking the lump as it turned out it was cancer and had I listened to them completely I probably wouldn't be here today my lump was fast growing . I was very lucky I am a survivor. I just want to let people know don't listen to
friends innocent comments they mean well but check for yourself go to the doctor . Get those mammograms on time. Be strong be proud be cancer free!
One more thing Id like to say is the magazine said painful lumps were infected milk glands. Not always true! The friends lumps that had five and she played with them turned out to be cysts. From what I understand cysts are not cancerous but you really cant be sure. Please please have it checked by a doctor and be sure!

Donna Longabaugh
Leola, PA

HER2 Positive HELL

Cindi & Lurch were diagnosed with HER2 Positive Breast Cancer, June 2, 2008. Lurch waited for months to get "that call" from the lab, your results were mixed up...you don't have cancer. Our first round of treatments, Taxiteirre, Carboplatin, Herceptin June, 23&24, 2008. One we realized Cindi's fragile system could handle the medicine, we did all three in one treatment, rather than one medicine per day. This was once monthly, concluding August 2008. Next step is planning the long-term of the chemotherapy & preparing for surgeries.
The composttion of the three medicines made Cindi so sick, she stayed on the couch & the bathroom was her best friend.
September was various visits with specialists and preparing for surgeries in October & November. We agreed to a double masectomy as the cancer was in the left breast and calcifications in the right breast. Lurch explained to the love of his life he was unable to go through this twice. Cindi had already made that decision....God Bless her!!!
We took 50 weeks of from October 2009 until October 2010, when our cancer returned. Back to chemotherapy and trying some new additions to elevate the herceptin. This was very bad. Herceptin stood alone and Cindi was very weak. Our (INCREDIBLE) oncologist, from Vanderbilt scanned everything available to him through work, schhol, and connections in the medical community.
During 2011 our cancer became stage 4. This means the cancer has progressed (or spread) to other organs in the body. Our doctor once again went to bat and qualified us for TDM1 (trials) and we did this independently.
We have GREAT SUCCESS with TDM1 maintaining the cancer. No growth, no more spreading. Simply MAINTAININthe cancer (in check).

Lurch & Cindi are so GRATEFUL for a young BRILLIANT doctor from Vanderbilt!!!!

Cindi (WolfWindSpirit) I LOVE YOU!!!

Lurch
Mount Holly, NC

29 with breast cancer

Twenty three years ago became a nightmare I will never forget. I found a golf ball size lump on my left beast. I wasn't worried but went to the doctor anyways. I thought it can't be anything, I have two small kids but the doctor said otherwise. He did a biopsy two days later and then I got the dreaded C word. I had a total radical mascetomy and thank God it wasn't in my lymph nodes. I took 12 rounds of chemo as a safety precaution and have been cancer free ever since. It doesn't matter what age u are or how small your children are. This disease does not discriminate. If u find something suspicious, get it checked out. It just might save your life.

Susie Nolen
Lexington, TN

Love will get you through the toughest Battles

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in Nov 2011 I spent 2012 fighting Cancer double mascetomy 16 weeks of chemo 25 days of radiation and reconstructive surgery People wondered how I got through such a difficult time !!! I prayed everyday all hours not for me but my daughter and my husband I wanted to protect them from my pain and suffering And God listened and helped my family!! By surrounding me with real Angels in my life the outpouring of Love that came through my communitity was amazing and an act of God! And we survived Thank You Heavenly Father for letting me live another day,

Barbara Lund
San Jose, CA