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My name is Maura, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast cancer, underwent a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation, through all of it my family and friends were amazingly supportive and wonderful, but it was my then 8 year old that made me fight the good hard fight and live, and be strong and be with her for many many more birthdays...my now 10 year old Renee...
Last Year, 2009, I lost my Mom and then 1 month later they found a mass in my right breast. I went through 2 mammograms, while they kept an eye on it all along telling me there was nothing to worry about. Finally in June of this year, 2010, I had another one and everything came back clean, the mass was gone.
I know that this isn't a survior story, but it really scared me because my mom had Cervical Cancer, my Sister, Uteran Cancer, and my Aunt had to have a double mascectomy 18 years ago, so it runs in the family.
Now after my scare, I am keeping up on all appointments and check ups that need to be done. Before all this, I didn't care if I got sick, but now it has changed my way of thinking about living and what other people go through when they find out they hace Cancer.
I AM A SURVIVOR--I HAD A WONDERFUL , KIND AND CARING DOCTOR.MY CANCER WAS DISCOVERED THROUGH A SCREENING.WHILE MY CANCER DIAGNOSIS CAME IN THE SAME WEEK AS MY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY AND BIRTHDAY I SOMEHOW REMEMBERED A FEELING OF HOPE. MY HUSBAND, MY BEST FRIEND WALKED THIS ROAD WITH ME. MY FAITH IN GOD HELPED ME GET THROUGH THIS. I PRAYED, I WENT TO THE RIVER EVERYDAY TO VISUALIZE THE CANCER CELLS FLOWING AWAY DOWN STREAM. IT WAS A PEACEFUL TIME OF THE DAY. WHAT I LEARNED FROM THAT EXPERIENCE WAS THAT I AM A STRONG PERSON,AND THAT I AM ALSO A LUCKY PERSON. I LOOK AT THINGS IN LIFE NOW AND CHERISH THEM A LITTLE MORE SWEETLY THEN BEFORE. YES I LEARNED I AM A SURVIVOR
I have two sisters that live in Monroe, Michigan that have Stage 4 Breast Cancer at the same time. They were in submission with it for many years and now it has returned in a more aggresive form. I ask each and everyone of you to include them in your prayers. They are incredible fighters against this malady that has attacked more than one person in this world. Please support all causes to find a cure for this form of Cancer.
i had my left breast removed on the 29th if November,and didnt realize how tough this was gonna be for my family,but my 30 year old daughter has gone above the call of duty and I want her to know how much she is loved and appreciated.Her,her husband David and son Alex are a God send and I have felt like such a burden.We start chemo in 2 weeks and will hopefully finish in June.I am not able to work due to illness and infection,plus the chemo,so cant do anything nice for them this Christmas,and I am so sorry for this.I love you and if I had the money they would get the wii gaming system that they have so badly wanted.I am sorry guys and I love you dearly.Thanks for being here for me and I could not ask for better treatment.Cyndi Copeland
I woke up one morning to such pain in my left arm, I couldn't use it. I was only 34 yrs. of age. I asked my husband to please find a doctor to do a mammogram. I was denied by several places because of my age. Needless to say with my husbands persistence, low and behold he found a place that would do a mammogram that day. The worst day of my life lay ahead of me. A spot was found on the mammogram but it was on the right side. The day before my sons 16th birthday, I had the biopsy. Two weeks later I was in the operating room having a radical mastectomy. I'm still here 21 yrs. later because of my husbands persistence !
Well, in June of 2006 I was diagnosed with stage 3 Breast Cancer, and I found the lump myself and I was very persistent with the doctors. You see Cancer runs rampid in my family all different kinds, but I had to be different and have Breast Cancer. I went through 10 rounds of Chemo, a mastectomy on the left side and then 53 radidatioin treatments....So I thought I was in the clear...WRONG!!! In July of this year I was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer in the right side...I have finished my chemo, and my mastectomy, but lots of complications and problems this time...but I dont let it stop me....I beat this once and I will beat this a second time...with the help of GOD .....You have to have faith, hope, and a will to fight...for all others out there....Never Give Up...
I noticed an irregular hard ridge in my breast which was painful to touch, just as I was about to celebrate my 40th birthday, I left it a couple of weeks as I felt sure that it was probably nothing to worry about and would settle down soon.
I was diagnosed the middle of June 2010 with three lumps, 2 in the breast and 1 in the lymph gland. I decided to have 6 cycles of chemo first to shrink the cancer and an operation later. I am at this moment recovering from a mastectomy and lymph gland removal. It is likely I will need radiotherapy in the new year and another operation to finish off the reconstruction in 6 months time.
Before finding the lump I had suffered many colds and infections and really felt at an all-time low. I used to be so active, running 2, maybe 3 times a week, I had put on 2 stone in weight and stopped running altogether. I think that maybe these factors may have brought the lump to my attention quicker and saved my life! Breast cancer was not in the family and I had always lived a healthy lifestyle.
I have a caring husband whom I love very much and three young children, who have coped remarkably well, they are my inspiration! Life is now even better than before as being ill makes you realise not to take things for granted and not to dwell on trivial problems or people who feel sorry for themselves.
I am looking forward to a healthier 2011 with my wonderful family, friends, colleagues and neighbours who have supported me through a very difficult 2010!
My experience with cancer started very early. My family, unfortunately,is all too familiar with this disease and what it can do. Nearly every woman in my family has battled cancer in one form or another. My grandmother lost her fight when I was a teenager. My mother has survived both cervical and breast cancer. My oldest sister lost both her breasts by the time she was 31. Now I'm 35. I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Oct and now breast cancer. I have to be honest here and tell u that I have never in my life been more afraid than I am right now. Its a little complicated for me because I have no job, and no insurance. Because of my age and I have no children,I am ineligible for medicaid and similar programs in my state. So I have had quite a bit of trouble finding help as far as treatment. But, with alot of prayer,phone calls, and help from a new friend I made on Facebook of all places!!, I found a place near the town I live in that has agreed to help me. God bless 'em! They said they don't turn anyone away even if all u can pay is 25 bucks a month! So I have an appt there next Friday to see an actual doctor! God works in wondrous and mysterious ways my friends. I have also been blessed with a truly wonderful man in my life that in the past few weeks has shown me the true meaning of love and what a REAL man can be! So I start this fight...afraid? Yes. Beaten? HELL NO! I will win... Cancer.....you picked the wrong country girl! Ima whoop ur butt!!!!!!
I would not be here today if it were not for the "Love of My Life" my husband & partner for 38 years. Due to a self breast exam, in the Fall of 2001 I found a small lump that seemed suspicious. However, being unrealisticly healthy my entire life, I dismissed it as nothing since I do have fiberistic breasts. At the same time my youngest son was diagnosed with testicle cancer and it scared me so much at the thought of losing one of my 3 children, I put myself on the backburner to focus on him. He went through surgery and treatment like a trooper. Now it was time to have myself checked out. I had stage 3 breast cancer in my right breast.
Right before Christmas, I had a right mastectomy & started chemo in January. Through it all, my wonderful Husband Tom was right by my side, taking care of me, encouraging me, being the perfect nurse.
I did not opt for reconstructive surgery, as my husband said that was the
least of our concern & it did not matter to him at all, that I am not defined by my breasts. I stayed healthy and active for the next 9 years and recently my breast cancer came back as tiny tumor on my collar bone hidden & wrapped in a bundle of brachial plexis nerves. If not for the excruiating nerve pain every night for a year, I'd not have even known about it. My sweet husband would sit up all night taking care of me. He is with me for every monthly bone infusion, holding my hand, encouraging me as he always has been. I'm looking forward to many more years with this wonderful "Love of my Life."
What a blessing.
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