Share Your Story

Learning Patience and Dependence

Two weeks following my routine annual physical in October 2012, I found a large lump in my left breast. Fortunately my doctor took my concern seriously and got me in to be seen and sent to mammography ASAP. My mammogram along with ultrasounds not only showed the lump I felt, but also one in the right breast that I had not felt. I had 3 biopsies (2 on December 27th and 1 done January 7th) done as well as nuclear imaging (done January 4th) and was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. Unfortunately, it also infiltrated my lymph node(s). I began chemo January 17 and finished April 25. I had bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy on May 21 with no reconstruction. I had 15 lymph nodes removed and thank God only 2 were positive for cancer. Radiation began July 10 and ended August 23. My biggest learning curve was learning patience and dependence on family and friends. It was an adjustment after always being there for others and very independent, but by God's grace, love and mercy I accepted all the support my friends and family gave me, which was the best blessing and boost I needed to get through my journey with minimal and limited side effects from chemo and radiation. KICKING CANCER'S ASS BY GOD'S GRACE LOVE AND MERCY - thanks for teaching me patience and dependence!

MP
Washington, DC

From the Outside Looking In

My mom was the cancer patient. I was the only thing she had that kept her strong and fighting. The first time she beat it went into remission and in her last year she was rediagnosed. It was breast cancer but in other organs. I was a senior in high school. Was told she wouldn't make it to my graduation. She was there! Her treatments would work and then quit on her. All the while she would fight. She fought til she couldn't. She never gave up until her body gave up on her. In the end she was tired.
I will never know how much pain she went through. I can only imagine how she felt. I could only see her pain through her eyes. I felt helpless. I wanted to do so much and just didn't know how. All i could be was the rock she needed to lean on.
But she fought for her life with every bit of her soul, strength and body that she could. She really did show me what faith, trust and fighting can do for you in life. Her fight showed me that you have to fight for what you want in life.

Miranda Bruce
Oklahoma City, OK

Fighter survivor but not a victim

From 2009 to 2012 fought breast cancer and had thirteen surgeries diagnosed with uterine cancer in March 2013 still fighting the fight for my beautiful daughter. I'm a survivor and I fight like a girl but I will never be a victim stay strong ladies we will all beat this!!!

Jill
Chicago, IL

My friend's fight

Its so very easy to loose touch with a dear friend. Many moves as a travel Nurse was an easy excuse for not returning her calls. The day I found out my friend had been diagnosed with breast cancer, immediately humbled me . She didnt deserve this. This unknown journey she was about to embark. Then the guilt. Damn. Who was I hurting for? I couldn't imagine what she must had been feeling. What were her husband and children feeling? And this amazing woman's giant circle of friends feeling? She called me one day, telling me that her family and friends were putting on a fundraiser, since she had been unable to work since her diagnosis. They raised a whopping $ 6, 000!! Her angels are here. We will all wrap our loving arms around her, for strength, but mostly for love.

Amy Yessin
Mt Pleasant, SC

A survivor

August 2006 returned from a cross country train trip with my two children; awaiting arrival of friends from France, found small lump on left breast. doctor on Monday she had me in for mamo and ultra next-day, surgeon the next, day before school starts, had little time to be afraid, boy was I afraid! I knew little about cancer, had lost my father in law and several friends to cancer, funny thing was I didn't think I knew anyone who had survived until I began my own journey. survivors seemed to appear from nowhere. They shared moments of hope, strategy and their own special wisdom of cancer...cut your hair before you lose it, get a port, take someone with you to take notes and listen to dr. because you can't focus on your own, be happy for each day, and just listen to the song of life. My two children ages 16 and 11 at the time feared my death too. Sharing my chemo and the knowledge shared with me gave them hope. We also found counseling. My faith, love of very close friends, family, a couple hundred 7th and 8th graders from my classes at school and greatest administrators ever - helped me weather the storm and climb my mountain. Left breastless, with very few senses of taste and smell, and a whole lot less hair, I am here in 2013 to share my story. Those things are not nearly as important as spending special times with my brother while he was dying of cancer a year ago and seeing my newborn grandson breathe new life into my family in recent weeks. Though I do miss the smell of fresh cut grass and new baby smell as well as the taste of chocolate, I feel my heart and my soul is a little softer and in search of greater happiness than ever before. The early morning sunrise is more beautiful with each passing morn than I could ever imagine. I find myself wondering why I'm not smiling today and I have to smile if only to laugh at myself.

Teresa Jordan Mitchell
Myrtle beach, SC

Scared me!!!

I had a breast cancer scare a few years ago. Now I support any way I can including a breast cancer ribbon tattoo on my breast.

Terri
Holyoke, MA

Fighting for my daughters. They already lost their dad to cancer.

I found out that I had breast cancer after my yearly mammogram that I always have due to the fact that my dad had breast cancer. Even though I knew I was higher risk because of my dad, I never expected to hear those words...you have breast cancer. My world stopped for a minute. I had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction in September and then had to have my lymph nodes removed because the cancer had spread to them. I start chemo tomorrow. I haven't fallen apart or questioned why me because I don't have the time or energy because I need all m energy to survive for my two young daughters. They lost their dad three years ago to leukemia. I can't leave them now. They need their mom more than ever and I need them. I will win this fight for them and the rest of my family. I am a survivor.

Amy
North Ridgeville, OH

My " PMA " Story

Advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I go in for my yearly Mamo and get called back. Oct 26, 2012 Those 4 Dreadful Words "You Have A Lump " and so my Journey began diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer the same day that my friend was diagnosed 6 years early & had just past. I felt her presence and belive she gave me my inner strength to stay strong and keep my PMA "Positive Mental Attitude". I went everyday to the Cancer Center 5 days a week for 40 treatments and befriended many in more serious conditions than me and that gave me the strength to come each day and Smile, Pay It Forward with conversation,Gifts of Chocolate to the ladies on Valentines Day, Margarita's to go on National Margarita Day and parting gifts for those who Rang The Bell Their last day of treatment. A Lady especially touched me she was withdrawn,angry I spoke everyday and one day she so emotional from blistering and in pain I bought her the Heart Pillow (beads inside you freeze) for comfort. From that day on she spoke to me and on my last day we sat waiting our turn and she said to me " I will Miss You, Everyone here Loves You, You are Always So Positive" She grabbed my hand as we both cried she said " You Truly Are An Angel On This Earth" I Rang the Bell for my last treatment and walked out that day and I GOT IT !! God knew I could handle this challenge and still Spread My PMA and Pay It Forward to those not so strong!! I just had a ALL CLEAR MAMO and Proud To Be A Survivor That Will Continue to Spread My PMA !!!!!

Kelly Myers
Manassas, VA

Kroger 509 support breast cancer

Hello this is a picture of a very caring person. His name is Ben and he dyed his hair pink to raise money for the breast cancer research. He is a seafood manger at Kroger in Dallas Texas on maple and medical district.

Lillian Cotton
Dallas, TX

My Journey My Victory

The year 2010 was a year Iike no other year! My mother was diagnosed with Lung Cancer on April 6. I found a lump in my right breast on May 6.My Aunt Brenda passed away from Liver Cancer August 9th. My Aunt Arlene passed away from Ovarian Cancer on August 23rd.I went for my mammogram and fine needle aspiration also in the month of August, the lump indeed was there but it was benign. It returned in September aspirated again, benign again. On October 15th I lost my MOTHER to Lung Cancer, this blow hurt me to the core. She was my everything! The lump returned November, aspirated again, again benign. It returned again in December, I went to have it aspirated AGAIN on December 29th ONLY TO BE TOLD I HAVE BREAST CANCER! All I could think of were my 3 children and brothers and sisters who had just endured losing our Mom and their Grandmother. I then started to speak to God and ask why, but my why turned into OKAY GOD I'M READY TO FIGHT! I drew my strength from God and my family. My family wouldn't not allow me to fall into a PITY PARTY and I THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING THEM TO BE THERE. I did the chemo and radiation, even though on some days I couldn't even get my head off the pillow I PUSHED MYSELF. When I lost my hair, I decided to take on the term and song "I AM NOT MY HAIR" as my TEAM NAME AND THEME. I thank GOD for this JOURNEY because it has made me STRONGER. I encourage other women and men who have to endure this Breast Cancer journey do it with a BRIGHT SPIRIT, HAPPY HEART AND A POSITIVE MIND! It is so important to SURROUND YOURSELF WITH POSITIVE PEOPLE. I will never stop bringing awareness and fighting for a CURE! I thank the American Cancer Society for all of the help and positive energy they bring! TO THE WOMEN AND MEN WHO HAVE TO ENDURE THIS I SAY TO YOU "NEVER, NEVER STOP FIGHTING.

Valerie Freeman
Paterson, NJ