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Coming out of the Pink Ribboned Closet

Just over 3 years ago I started the Blue Wave and began an effort to being awareness to Make Breast Cancer. Today I am proud to say that I have meet some truly amazing men and strong supportive women who are fighting for this as well. This is why I am starting the very first Make Breast Cancer Coalition on an effort to unite all if our efforts and voices and to be heard by Washington and gain the 3rd week of October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness week nationally and open the eyes of everyone to the need for more pec checks.

Cheri Ambrose
East Hanover, NJ

Krista's breast cancer story

I was only 24 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It all started when I was just 18 years old. I had discovered a lump in my right breast. From there they had told me that it was just a cyst and not to worry about it. When I was about 20 years old I went in again to have the lump checked out. This time they ordered a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy. They did the mammogram and ultrasound but decided from the results they were not going to do the biopsy. It was 4 years later that I would finally push myself to go in and get a biopsy done. I had noticed that the lump was getting bigger and I knew something was not right. My fiancé told me to go in right away and get it checked. I went in and they did the biopsy on a Thursday and I received the horrible news on Friday January 7th 2011 while I was at work. From January 7th till February 2nd 2011, every day of the week consisted of doctor appointments. On February 2nd I had a double mastectomy removal of both breasts with reconstruction. I also had 18 lymph nodes tested to see if it had spread. It did spread to one of my lymph nodes but it was only a small bit. I found out that I was Stage 2b cancer. March 4th is when I had to start chemotherapy. I had to have 4 rounds of chemo once every 3 weeks. Chemo is the worst part of all of this. It takes everything from you. Im also on medication for 5 years called Tamoxifin.Throughout all of this process I have truly appreciated life more than anything and I take one day at a time. Breast cancer didn’t take over me I took over breast cancer! . Please do not ignore any symptoms of any sort because it is your life and cancer does not discriminate. I am glad to say that I have been cancer free for over 2 years now!

Krista Mondahl
Waseca, MN

Two years and still going.

Its been 2 years since I was 1st diagnosed. Chemo, operation, radiation and Chemo again. Cancer is still contained in my arm. My 2 Dr.'s have helped me so much, I cant thank them enough. 2 years longer than I ever thought possible, Stage IV breast cancer and still going. My mistake was not having a mammogram often enough. I hope more women have mammograms they are so important. I do alot of praying now and hope this cancer doesnt spread. They are keeping me alive to give me more time. Chemo twice a month, very tired but able to function somewhat. I pray for everyone to get help its so important. I will continue being grateful for every day that I have. I thank God for another day. God Bless everyone going through this awful disease. Their is always hope. My support group helps me so much, they are always their for me with words of encourement, its important.

Janet Hamilton
Port Saint Lucie, FL

Bon Voyage

My journey started 1-27-12 when I was getting ready for a cruise .. I am 51 years old and when I was diagnosed I was 50.
Went for a well being check before leaving the country upon my exam a mammogram was ordered only 9 months after my last mammogram then a biopsy ... After all of this I was diagnosed on 2-8-12 with invasive breast cancer in my left breast HER2/neu+ The Dr said to go on my cruise nothing would change..On 2-21-12 our cruise started.
We named our cruise "Bon Voyage to the Boobie Cruise" --because we said goodbye to the boobies at each port.
Came into port on Sunday 2-19-12 .Went in for a double mastectomy the next day 2-20-12.
So after the surgery and the diagnosis of Stage1 b HER2/ neu ( + ) breast cancer, I started my Chemotherapy.
Since then, after chemo and a year of Hercepin, I'm back running and working out ....and finding out there is life after all of this.
I Ride my motorcycle, hike and ride my bicycle.
I have a great support group with my family, friends, and my Fire Service family.
Baseline and early detection is the key
I continue to grow strong.
Thank you for taking time to read my story ..

Denise ( Dee ) Wooley
Winchester, KY

My angel

I am 22 years old and I have a 20 year old sister. In 2010 my mom was in the final stages of breast cancer for the second time ... I've never seen a woman fight so hard and stay so strong. Don't get me wrong she had her moments of weakness but who doesn't... The day after my son had his first birthday on may 2nd 2010 my mother had flown up to heaven with the angels... Everyone said that's what she was waiting for to complete her journey in life and every year some friends family and myself walk at the Susan G. Komen race for support and constantly pray and support other strong beautiful women who are or who have had to fight cancer... Fight for the cure until the day I die. R.I.P. mommy... We know your watching over us

Jessica
Glenrock, PA

Finally Someone Cared

Last year in march I had felt a lump under my breast didnt think much about it until I started feeling some pain. Went to the er the doctor said go get a mammogram take tylenol for pain. Well nobody told me in order to get a mammogram you have to have a referral thought the doctor would know that. The pain started getting worse went to the er again they said we gone get you an appointment with the surgeons office. Couple of days later went there saw a surgeon they sent me to the breast center at this one hospital. By this time its November now. Go there the doctor played around with my breast then said oh its nothing its all in your head. Note all he did was an ultrasound. So I said it must not be nothing but then the pain got worse it was unbearable. Went to the er at a different hospital this time and this was may of this year 2013. The doctor gave me a referral to there breast center got seen did a mammogram and ultrasound it showed nothing. Next did a biopsy on May 30th I was told that it was stage 2 cancer in situ. Had a lumpectomy on July 1st. Results came back that I would need a mastectomy on August 28th got a bilateral mastectomy. Since that day I am cancer free at the age of 28. Still trying to understand a lot but hopefully one day I will.

Monica
Columbia, SC

My daughters..my inspiration...

I've always kind of blinded myself to pain. Pretend it didn't happen. Well. The loving and caring hearts of my two girls, gave me the compassion I have today. A very close friend of theirs, mother, passed away from cancer. And the years of pain they all felt for this woman was unbelievable. I couldn't help but feel for them all. They began to participate in fund raisers instead of typical kids stuff. I'm not saying other kids don't do this. What im really trying to say is, other than all of the other people my two girls cared for and inspired...They changed their own father and helped mold their younger brother as well. Their brother insisted on having his head shaved for them. .. As alot of us say.God works in mysterious ways. Well I just want the world to know..and Ms. Kristen in heaven. That she has been more of an inspiration than she would ever have imagined.

Javier Del Castillo

Javier Del Castillo
Palm Coast, FL

Why not me?

When my best friend had a radical mastectomy 40 yrs. ago I remember her asking me,"Why me?"; I had no answer.
I was thankful it wasn't me and a little disappointed that I couldn't give her a viable answer. Four yrs. ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. I immediately called her and cried and asked, "Why Me?" to which she answered, "Why NOT you?"
I am 4 yrs. Cancer-free. My best friend had a second mastectomy this year, after 40 yrs. Cancer-free!! We continue to fight the good fight.

Kathie Bursaw
Saint Paul, MN

Why not Me?

I was diagnosed on 5/24/2006 at age 44 with invasive lobular carcinoma. I endured surgery, a summer/fall of chemotherapy, radiation and tamoxifen/arimidex. It was a massively eye opening journey about the global epidemic of breast cancer. I've since become a loud and proud advocate for the cause and take any/every opportunity I can to use my voice, my body, my words and my mind to heighten awareness. I want to do my part in kicking the CAN out of CANcer. I'm a 7 year SURVIVOR. My tumor didn't show up on my yearly mammogram. It was a subsequent breast MRI that potentially saved my life because my type of tumor hides, grows and spreads, FAST. It never would've been detected on a mammogram and my prognosis may have been very different today had I not had the MRI. I credit my doctors, my family, my community and my dismissal of negativity with motoring through. I took the last year and 1/2 to document my journey in my new book, 'Why Not Me, cancer isn't picky...it just picks.' It's exclusively available on Amazon. I'm hoping that some of the vehemently personal issues I tackle in my story will resonate with women who may have suffered in silence like I did. It's not War and Peace, it's simply MY account of MY battle. I'm so grateful for the color pink now and listen intently when my body is speaking out. Namaste xo

Noreen Taranto
Mansfield, MA

When I found out ...

I went for my usual yearly mammogram in December 2011. As usual, they had me wait and called me back in for additional pictures. I looked at the Radiologist's face and something told me something was not right. The next evening I got a call at home from my primary care doctor and, when I saw her number on the phone, I knew the news was not good. I have known my primary care doctor for many years and when she said "She hated making the call," I believed she did. Prognosis could have been a lot worse -- Stage 1 lumpectomy. Met with the Oncologist and she suggested options. I was 58 at the time and my husband went with me. He was worried about the effect the chemo would have and, when she explained everything, I too did not know what to do. However, I said to my husband "So, if I do nothing, am I supposed to take the chance of not being here in 10 years?" Of course I went with the Oncologist's and my doctor's judgment (my own doctor had breast cancer). What followed was four treatments of chemo (one every 21 days) followed by 6-1/2 weeks of radiation. I cried when I had to shave my head, hated the wig and wore a hat for a while. In December 2012 I was one-year cancer free and, of course, will sit on pins and needles when I get my next mammogram in December this year. I have to put it all in God's hands though and trust He will take care of me. I ask God to take care of each and every one of you who are in a worse situation than I was and commend you for your bravery and courage. It is not easy news to take.

Karen Visone
East Boston, MA