Share Your Story

/courage and Bravery

Please indulge me with my story. It is about my sister and that is why I do not have a photo to include with her story. In 2002, she was diagnosed with a nodule on her lung. She regularly went to her doctor so they could keep track of it. Each year, we could all see the decline in her and she was hospitalized many times. Finally, last January 22, 2010, my beautiful, 57 year old sister passed away with her whole family in the room. The cancer had metastisized all throughout her body, including her breasts. And, the doctor said she would never live through any chemo treatments, so we all had to watch her trying to take a breath or cough the most awful cough I have ever heard in my life. I am glad I was there and her 3 daughters were there when she left this world. I hope and pray she is now in a place where she can reunite with her husband and our parents. Ladies, I want to strongly urge you to get your mammograms thanks to this wonderful website. All of us who participate by clicking and purchasing merchandise do it out of love for our fellow sisters. God Bless each and every one of you and may you have a Happy, Healthy New Year.

Karen
Allen, TX

My "Bump in the Road"

After neglecting my yearly Mammo for 5yrs, I was diagnosed March 2010, with stage 2 IDC Breast cancer, ER,PR+ Her2nu-.

My Husband and I had just celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. Not the news to get when you are still a newlywed ! We had just survived a 15 month Iraq deployment (1 month after getting married) and the loss of my Mom.

I had 2 lumpectomies on my right breast, the 1st surgery, June 1st, showed a mass and cancer on top of my lymph node. The cancer had spread to my chest muscle as well. The 2nd surgery, June 29th, the Dr. had to remove a 2nd mass, 19 axillary nodes(which were negative for cancer cells) and to clean the margins from the removal of the 1st mass.

I have just finished undergoing my 4 a/c and 1 taxotere (severe allergic reaction to) and the remaining 3 taxol treatments the end of November. I didnt lose all of my hair until the last treatment. I must say October was a rough month , however , I got thru it with the support of my Husband and family.

I am now in the process of receiving 36 radiation treatments. We travel to Syracuse daily(mon-fri) for these treatments. I really could not have gotten thru all of this without the help of my Wonderful Husband, My Family, All of My Doctors and Their Staff.

A POSITIVE ATTITUDE IS A MUST when going thru a "Bump in the Road" such as the one I have just gone thru and am still experiencing.

Good luck to everyone going thru these treatments, Take care, and just remember that the side effects do not last forever!! I am 1 month out from chemo, doing awesome, and going back to work this week - YEAH!!!

Suzette Lentz
Watertown, NY

Guardin Angel on earth

October 2009 I went to have a regular yearly check up, my doctor told me I needed to have a mamogram. I told the doctor I have no medical insurance and could not afford to get a mamogram. The doctor then told me I will give you a free mamogram so go. I went for my mamogram and did not think much of it as there is no history of any type of cancer in my family. My mom had a few sists and fatty tumors over the years but they were never cancerous. I received a letter about two weeks later advising me to go for another check up and mamogram. That new mamogram turned into a biopsy and a discovery of Invasive Ductal Carsonoma Stage I....Lucky for me it was only a Stage I and I had a lumpectomy, 4 chemo treatments and 33 radiation treatments. So far cancer free today but there is no telling where I would be today if it weren't for my Guardin Angel on earth offering me a free mamogram. Please get your mamograms even if you have to go to your health department to apply for a free mamogram or ask your doctor if there are any programs that offer free mamograms.

Patty
Oklahoma City, OK

I could never have done it alone

After getting a reminder call to do my annual pap smear, I thought I might as well schedule the mammogram on the same day. This was in October 2009. After the call and postcard to return, my life has changed completely in so many ways. It was Halloween Eve when I got the news over the phone: invasive ductal cell carcinoma. In brief: biopsies, mastectomy of the right breast and TRAM Flap reconstruction,left breast reduction and then reduction of a "hernia" that resulted from the reconstruction. Four surgeries in one year. I'm on tamoxifen to reduce the 15% risk I have of it returning.
But, it was my husband, my sister and family and a wonderful circle of priestesses who helped me through it all. Meals were delivered the first month and taking time off of work was not a problem.
It took over 8 months before I could say, " I had breast cancer".
What scares and upsets me everyday is news of another woman who has died of breast cancer. Even in my rural area, women die and it makes me want to scream.
My wish is this : no one else will ever die from breast cancer.

Christina
Gualala, CA

My story-Deanna

In 2001 I had bilateral lumpectomies. I was told they were benign. I 2002 I had another lumpectomy in my left breast. Again, benign. 2003 another lumpectomy in my left breast. Benign...or so they kept telling me. In 2006 I had extreme changes to my left breast. I had pain, red areas, itching, bruising and a new hard lump that did not move. I was new to the Dean Health system in Wisconsin. I was not believed that something was very wrong and I fought so hard and I ended up losing my job also. There were two failed biopsies of the lump in my left breast (first report said inadequate sampling, second attempt-completely missed, imaging proved it and I could feel all of it.) I insisted on mastectomy because I did not feel well and the symptoms were progressing. My left nipple had inverted by this time.I lost my job. My insurance refused to pay for the mastectomy and reconstruction by I went ahead with the surgery. My surgeon told me, in front of a witness, that he removed the tumor and submitted it separately to the pathology lab, along with my remaining left tissue. The tumor "disappeared" and no diagnosis was given! No person was held accountable because they covered up the FACT that biopsies errors had been made previously. Soon after this, similar symptoms began in my right breast. I had bleeding from the nipple, itching, burning, redness and pain. I insisted on a mastectomy. DCIS was found in this breast. Second and third pathology opinions were done of the previous biopsies dating back to 2001 and those opinions proved that I had atypical ductal hyperplasia as far back as 2001 in both breasts! My state insurance ended before my reconstruction could be finished. Pray for me.....

Deanna C. England
Columbus, WI

Dont give up, not EVER.

In 2005 i was told i had breast cancer, within 2 wks i had been in hospital and had a masectomy, and received treatment. I survived that, but in 2007
the cancer came back in my bones. Im still having treatment, i cant be cured of it, but im not going to let it take me without a good fight, im stronger than IT, And with my family and friends love and support i know im never giving up the fight.xx.

deborah lewington
worthing sussex, United Kingdom

Cancer at 46 But now 47

Today im beating cancer but it hit me like a ton a bricks no family to pull me through it except my children and god and his will for me to live but today i am in my old positive humorous mood and that is why im winning my fight but i was born to fight just ask my friends Aint no challenge hard enough not even cancer I believe that i can stay a champ till the wheels fall off so any of you who has experienced or had someone with it let them know that they got to keep a smile and a positive attitude to be a champ god bless and keep the faith

Geanie Pico
Adelanto, CA

My Story

I had my yearly mammogram and they saw calcifications I had no idea what that meant but 6 months later I had to have another mammogram.. They found cancer. Intraductal carcinoma. This means none of the cancer nodules were touching the wall of the milk ducts. I was so very blessed. I was eating healthy and doing aerobics and thought I was in great shape so when this news was given to me I was quite shocked. I had a lumpectomy, 13 lymph nodes removed and 33 radiation treatments Early detection is so very important. I thank God for my wonderful Doctor's, my loving family and my fellow employees at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in Lakeland, Florida for all their support.During my career at LRMC a new program opened up called Patient focus.I signed up for this and requested to be placed on the Oncology floor. I was chosen for this position as requested and it was the most rewarding time of my life. Having had cancer, helped me to calm a person's fears when they entered the hospital for treatment .I loved every minute working with the Dr., nurses and the many wonderful patients and their families. I see having cancer as a blessing as it has made me a better, more caring person.That mammogram was in 1999. The mammogram that changed my life forever.

Barbara R. Janzen
Lakeland, FL

Loving someone who has cancer

Thank you for all of the inspirational stories ! I do not have cancer. However , someone I love very much does and it is difficult to watch her try to cope with it. She is also upbeat and very thankful for each day she has. She is one of the most stubborn women I know ( this sure has come in handy ) !
I admire her spirit and her positive attitude. She is a fighter and will beat it !!!! of this I am certain.

Anonymous
Boise, ID

My Journey

I was diagnosed with Paget's disease, cancer of the nipple, in May 2010 at 24 weeks pregnant. I am 36 years old. I had a left mastectomy at 26 weeks pregnant to learn I had a 6.5cm tumor and 3 positive lymph nodes (of 29 taken). I delivered our beautiful baby girl early at 34 weeks, and began treatment a week later. I am going for my 8th round of chemo this week, and will continue with Herceptin, radiation, tamoxifin and reconstructive surgery in the months to come.

I am blessed to be alive and "cancer free" and I am enjoying every minute with my friends, my family, and my beautiful baby girl.

Reading through all the wonderful stories makes me happy and hopeful, but it also saddens me that so many people at all ages are dealing with this terrible disease.

Please share your story to help fund research to find a cure for this disease.

All the best to each of you in your journey!

Kelly
Maple Ridge, Canada