Share Your Story

Always believe, always love, always forgive and always live for today.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 her2 positive breast cancer in 2012, I was 40, single two beautiful children Taryn and Calyn. I remember clearly the words from the doctors mouth, please do not hate me you have breast cancer. I remember looking up at him with tears rolling down my face, and next half hour I sat in the room with my best friend Jeanette and cried. On the way home I called my big sister and as a nurse she bravely said we will get through this. I was numb, alone, scared and I just kept hearing those words. How could I tell my kids and family we were already going through lung cancer with my dad, finally calling my big brother we told mum the news, the look in here eyes and she was in shock, we left it to her to tell dad and from that moment the bond between me and my parents became the strongest it had ever been, especially me and dad. I moved in and we went through treatments and appointments, we shared some of the most amazing and private moments. Over the next few months he got worse and In June he went back in for a blood transfusion and he got worse, we called in the family and spent the next three nights by his bedside, and were there when he took his last breath we played slim dusty for him. Saying goodbye was not easy, and then a gift was given to me from my dad , a picture of me and my kids with love dad on it, I cried for hours. I decided I can not keep going through this and all though I had chemo and radiation and had no sign of it returning at my recent mammogram and biopsy I feel I can not take any more chances. Am now eating healthy, exercising and in the new year will have my double masectomy and reconstruction. Now everyday I live with more love, hope, determination and positivity then I ever have.

Carol Ward
Ingham, Australia

My Pink Road

June 13, 2013. I felt a lump in my right breast, not too big but not too small. After an ultrasound, a mammography and a biopsy the doctor told me I had Cancer. My world came down, I thought that my life would end at my 37... I cried, and it was hard to understand and to explain to myself Why me? I thought about my little girl daughter who was 13 and what would she do if I died.
One week later I had a lumpectomy T1A Her-2+ was the name of my lump, and It was a successful surgery, three weeks later another surgery to put a catheter which was a difficult surgery, I am dancer since I was 5, before I received the C news I was training for a new theater performance, so I decided not to quit the idea to be in the stage, I promised myself that no matter how hard it was or the difficulties I had to pass through I will be on stage dancing for me, for my daughter, for my sisters, for my friends and all the ladies in the world.
It was hard, the chemotherapy made my muscles got thinner and weak, I started getting weight and most of the times I felt swollen, but that did not stop me, I knew that I could be a winner and God was holding my hand. The day came and the stage was the proof of my effort, belief and faith. I did it, I shined and dance with my soul, I showed the C I was stronger that it. Now, after all those difficulties and happiness I finished my treatment, but a new news appears, the cancer decided to stay a little longer, the doctors have told me the they will practice a double mastectomy, that it is the best, once again I will fight stronger than before, I won´t quit dancing, loving or living, I have many reasons to, the first my daughter, the second my husband and family and third one ME. I will be a survivor.

Temilie Arias D
San Jose, Costa Rica

It's worth the battle

January 9 2010 I was lying in bed talking to my wonderful husband, as I rolled over onto my back I raised my right hand and laid it on my right breast. ( I don't know why I did this only that it happened) That's when I noticed something different, I had a lump that wasn't there before. I was only 34 years old and I thought there was no way it could be cancer. I was too young but my past told me other wise. At the age of 20 I had cervical cancer, so I knew I better have it checked. I called my Doctor that Monday and he saw me the that Wednesday. At that appointment he didn't like the feeling of it and sent me over to have an ultra sound done right away. I went and had the ultra sound done and the wonderful person that was doing the test went to get her supervisor and he said it didn't look right and wanted to do a biopsy right away. So I got ready for it and I can honestly say that it hurt and I was terrified, and by myself because I truly was hoping the outcome was so different. The fallowing Monday I got the call at work that I needed to get the doctors office to go over my results. My husband picked me up and that was when I was told I had breast cancer. I couldn't speak, all I could do was cry. I was so scared I had 3 beautiful children and my wonderful husband. I went to see a surgeon and decided to have my breast removed. I than started chemo and that's when I decided I needed to have my other breast removed as well because the chances of the cancer coming back was very high. I also decided to have a full hysterectomy so that the cancer couldn't come back there as well. I am happy to say I am cancer free! It is worth the fight

Sandra Corbitt
Dolores, CO

Making Sense of It All ... an excerpt from laurasjourneyofhope Blog

Before you start chemo, you have to attend Chemo Education. Chemo Education is scheduled with a nurse. My nurse was the sweet nurse from Dr. Wonderfuls office. I am going to refer to the Hematologist-Oncologist/Chemo Doctor as Dr. Wonderful. Doug, my husband, went with me to Chemo Education. The clinic suggests that you bring at least one of your care givers. I had my calendar with note paper in the back and I was ready to take notes.

As I returned home with handfuls of information, I realized that I needed to organize all of this information so I could find it as needed. I had a couple of small piles already. chemo info, notes from two doctors and my mammogram and CT report. I decided to organize the information in a 3 ring binder.
I set up the notebook according to the following categories:
1. Meds
2. Doctors visits I took notes at every conversation with each doctor, filed it by date in the notebook and put a copy of the notes and the lab reports in a plastic sleeve.
3. Copies of all TestCT Scans, PET Scans, MUGA Scan, Pathology Reports, Echocardiogram, etc
4. Miscellaneous Information

I took my notebook and calendar to every visit. I had questions written ahead of time so that I didnt forget anything. As I sat in the chemo chair receiving the infusion of chemo, I organized my notebook. One more tip about the organization of the notebook. In the front of the notebook, I had a 3 ring pencil pouch so that I would always have my writing tools and a 3 ring business card holder. I kept a business card from every doctor and everyone affiliated with my treatment.

The most important thing that I want you to remember is that you are in charge of your health care decisions. You can research your doctors, be an advocate for yourself or designate an advocate. You are more than a statistic.

Be Blessed.

Laura Starner
Lakeland, FL

i ll fight

i ll write in Arabic
بدأت القصة منذ سنة عندما لاحظت انى اعانى من شئ غريب بالثدى وذهبت لعمل الاشعة والمموجرامم وذهبت الى الطيب ومن ثم قال انة ورم حميد ثم خلال العام ظهرت اعراض غريب مثل كبر حجم الثدى واحد غير الاخرواحمرار وزراقة بالثدى فى بداية الامر عرضت لىطيب جعلنى افكر فى الانتحارلانه قال سوف نجرى جراحة لاستئصال الثدى تمام والرحم وثم نبدا جرعات الكيماوى وانا للازلت صغيرة انا عندى 29 عام ولم اتزوج وليس لدى مال لصرف على عمليات التجميل وماذا افعل هل سيقبل بى على هذا الحال اى عريس وماذا اقول لوالدى الكبار فى السن وماذا يكون رد فعلهموقررت انى سوف استسلم ولن اقبل بالعلاج على مر النحوولكن ارد الله ان يرشدنى الى الطريق الصحيح وقررت على الموقع اننسبة الشفاء عالية وهناك من ينجووعرفت الاخطار الاستسلام ماذا سوف يحدث وكنت فى الطريق الى ذللك حيث بدا السرطان ببعث ثانويات الىالعظم وذهبت الى طبيب اخر وطمئن قلبى بانى يوجد امل ولكن يحتاج منى ايمان بالله وعزيمة وثقة بالله ثم نفسي وبدأت العلاج الكيماوى فى البداية كان الامر صعب وكانت حوالى هواجس كثير وكنت حزنت على شعرى عندما سقط كله ورايتى نفسي فى هذه الصورة لكن يوجد شئ عجيب اسمه الايمان والاحتساب ذللك الالم النفسي والبدنى عند الله والدعاء المستمر لله يجعل منكى بطلة امام كل الالم والياس والحمد لله تمكنت التقدم فى العلاج ولان انا فى اخر مراحل العلاج وان شاء الله سوف اجرى جراحة تحفظية بعد العلاج الكيماوى لاستئصال الجزء الذى كان به الورم السرطانى انى اريد ان اقول لكم لا تيأسوا واردت ان اكتب بالعربى لان لا يوجد من لديهم الجراءة لذلك كثيراو

samrsayed
cairo, Egypt

Blessed

After 14 years of going for my annual mammogram, on May 23, 2014 I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This was the day before my 54th birthday. There was not any breast cancer in my immediate family. I remember those words when my Dr called me. I was shocked and felt like my whole world was shattered. At first there was some concern that it had spread to my lungs and lymph nodes however after having a lymph node biopsy in July it was determined that was not the case. Some what of a relief but I still had Breast Cancer. On August 1st I had a lumpectomy and it was determined that it was Stage 1 and had not spread to any of the lymph nodes.

Thinking I was going to start 6 weeks of radiation my Oncologist wanted to have the Onocotype DX Test done to determine my chances of re occurrence. Since it was caught early and it was small I was expecting to hear that my chances were low however the test determined that I had an intermediate chance of re occurrence. My Oncologist recommended 4 rounds of chemo (Taxotere & Cytoxan) every 21 days followed by 6 weeks of radiation. My first chemo was Sept. 30th. Two weeks later my hair started to fall out. It was emotionally devastating. It was recommended that I shave my head before it got worse so that I would have control of it and it would not control me. This was great advice. I feel so blessed to have the love and support of my husband of 24 years (who has been by my side through all my appointments and surgeries) my two sons ages 21 and 15 and all of my friends and co-workers.

I have found that it is so important through this whole journey to maintain a positive outlook, to continue to fight and keep the faith as I have no doubt that I WILL beat this.

Teresa Choma
La Quinta, CA

My Breast Cancer

Hi my name is Leslie in 2012 Dec. I went for my mammogram and in July 2013 I felt a lump on my left breast I call my doctor to make appt she made appt for a mamammogram on july 15 and a biopsy on the 26 and August 5 I had appt with a cancer doctor that is when I was told I have breast cancer I was 50 yrs old I said ok what is are plan on the 29 I had a bone scan and cat scan October 23 I had mastectomy on January 9 2014I started chemo for 4 months then I started radiation on may 12 I started herceptin July 10 and still doing it for a full year I'm doing good.

Leslie Bierschwal
Cleveland, OH

4 year Breast cancer survivor!

This is my 4th year as a breast cancer survivor. My dad past away May 17, 2010. After being told he ad lung cancer October 2009. October 4, 2010 I had a mammogram done. Later that week my family doctor called and told me that there was a spot on my test. I set up a visit with my surgeon. He let me know that there was indeed a spot on my right breast. 10 years before that I had one and in was not cancer. This time when he got the results back it was positive. I had noninvasive breast cancer. Because my breast were so large he said it was better if he did bilateral mastectomies. On November 4, 2010 I went into the hospital and had both breast removed. As well as one of my lympnodes removed. Later I went to a cancer doctor to see if I needed any other treatments. The cancer doctor told me that I would not have to take treatments or pills. That I was cancer free. There is a 99% chance that the cancer will never come back.

Anonymous
Piedmont, AL

20 years and counting

I was diagnosed in May, 1994. Had a mastectomy and 6 rounds of chemo, ending just after Thanksgiving. Last week I had my yearly visit with the Oncologist and I am still cancer free. I had wonderful, caring doctors and, the single MOST important person: my wonderful loving husband. He repeatedly assured me that a wife with only one breast was never a problem. His hardest challenge was when I lost all my hair, but he took me to buy THREE beautiful wigs, which buoyed both our spirits. I love that man.

Charlene Roberson
Weatherford, TX

KNOW YOUR BODY

In early January 14 after a rigorous upper body workout at the gym my arms and chest were very sore, As I was rubbing them, I felt hard spot, at the top of my bra line on my right breast. I was scheduled the next week for my annual mammogram, so waited on it. The tech went over my paperwork and we discussed the spot, she did the mammogram which was NORMAL, she then ask if she could feel the spot. She then sent me for an ultra sound. The radiologist came did the ultrasound and felt the lump, then they told me it was a fybroid cyst, and to have it rechecked it 6 months. The next week I went to my Gyn. After checking me he too said its nothing. I had this feeling, I said please recommend a surgeon for a biopsy.
Surgeon says its nothing but scheduled the biopsy to put my mind at ease. After the biopsy, he came out and told my husband the Initial test show just a hard fatty cyst, but we are sending it to path anyway. After 2 days,the phone call came. I was told I had DCIS and would need a lumpectomy, and then radiation. Went in for lumpectomy on February 18, where they found a 6mm and a 2mm tumor that was IDC, did a partial mastectomy and removed 5 lymph nodes (all negative). I was then told it was triple negative and I would need Chemo and Radiation. By March 20, I had my first chemo. I ended up having 4 cycles of adriamycin/cytoxan and then only had 1 cycle of taxol. My body couldn't take anymore, after fluids twice, 2 units of blood and the loss of 15 lbs, the doctors and I decided enough it was doing me more harm than good. After a 6 week break I then had 34 radiation treatments.
The picture was taken after completing radiation.If you think something is not right, push until you find out for sure. If I had waited my prognosis would not be so good.

Rachel D Lindsey
GROVE HILL, AL