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Balloon lauch for the cure

Recently, my squad for cheerleading supported breast cancer. We all bought ribbons and facial stickers that we wore to a game. the ribbons were 20 dollars each so thats 200 and the stickers were 1 so 10. $210 all together. Then, during our game we sold ballons that we launch at the end of the game we raised about 100 dollars off of those. $310 all together we raised for breast cancer. We donated it all we didnt keep any of it. I felt so proud of myself, and our squad. We did one amazing thing & i plan on helping more!!

ashely
geneva, IA

Early Detection!!

I am 48 and lead a very active and healthy life. I've had routine mammograms as prescribed due to my age. My mother was diagnosed with Stage IV Lung cancer when she was 60, and passed away 50 days later. I was with her when she died, and then became active with the Relay for Life. This past summer, I earned the Pacesetter award for raising more than $2500, and the American Cancer Society sent me a nice fleece jacket with their logo on it.

This year, after my screening mammogram, they requested diagnostic exams due to calcium clusters. Once those were viewed, I was sent for a biopsy.

On Nov 15, 2010 at 6:30 PM, I was ironically diagnosed with breast cancer after being so active in my fundraising efforts. I have Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, which is a VERY EARLY non-invasive kind of cancer. So early in fact, that the doctors feared they did not get the "clusters" during the biopsy and warned that it might need to be re-done. The surgeon who will be removing "it" on Dec 13th remarked that he was surprised they saw it on the film!!!

My message is that it is important to get your yearly exams. I am now even more humbled and thankful for the cancer research that goes on by dedicated doctors every day in this battle. How could I have predicted that the cause I have been working so hard to support may have saved my very life???!!!!

Please take action to save your own life too!! Get your mammogram!!!

Sue McCarron
Shirley, MA

Survivor-in-training

I'm here to say it can happen to you, and listen to your body! A year ago, I felt a lump in my breast and called my doctor. He said it was fibrocystic breast disorder, nothing to worry about. He said no tests were needed, as I was 36 and have no family history of any cancers. Then, October 7, 2010, a year later, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3a, with a 5.5 cm tumor, hormone positive, HER2 neg. I was diagnosed by a MAMMOGRAM... THE MAMMOGRAM MY DOCTOR SAID I WAS TOO YOUNG TO NEED!!! Please trust yourselves here ladies, and stand up for yourself... insist with your doctor that EVERY LUMP BE CHECKED...EVERY TIME...NO MATTER HOW OLD YOU ARE... EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT AT RISK!

I start chemo (6 rounds of TAC) next Tuesday, November 19. After chemo, surgery will follow. Five years from now, I will be telling the story of how I beat it. :)

Christina
Camas, WA

The importance of mammograms

I'm here to stress the importance of a mammogram because that is how my breast cancer was detected at a very early stage in 2001. Since my sister was in her early 40's when she had a lumpectomy, I faithfully had annual mammograms and, thankfully, the doctor noticed a slight change on one of the films (something I never would have noticed by doing a self-exam). A biopsy was done and, consequently, I underwent a lumpectomy and radiation therapy. That was 2001 and now it's almost 11 years later and I am cancer-free. I visit my doctors faithfully and have had 2 more biopsies and several MRIs whenever something looked different or suspicious. I still have some anxiety each time I go for a mammogram as I sit there wondering if they'll call me back in for more pictures, but I know how important the screening is as a tool for early detection and I encourage all women to please, please make that appointment for your mammogram.

Wanda
New Tripoli, PA

I made it.! :)

I was diagnosed with triple negetive BC May 26,2006. The tumor was 3.5cm, and I was good and scared. Family, friends, and faith got me through the tough times. Come Jun 20th 2011, I'll be celebrating 5 years Cancer free..I thank God for every day I have on this earth to share with my love ones. Praise God! Our God is an awesome God indeed. I pray for us all, that one day a cure will be found so no more women and men have to go through what I and so many like me have gone through. Keep clicking people, and keep praying for the cure to all cancers.

Vickey Matthews
Talladega, AL

More to the Story than Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2007. I had an outpatient biopsy surgery and then the real surgery and the lymphectomy in the space of about a month.Nine weeks of aggressive radiation began after my stitches healed up.After radiation, I started on tamoxifen. I noticed strange things happening to my body. My legs would not work at all, I had a back pain so severe I went to several doctors for help.I was so weak I could not get out of bed. I seemed to have chemo brain and worse, my stomach pain was out of control. None of the doctors I saw had any explanation.I suffered for three years as a complete invalid. I saw doctors at university centers, oncology hematology experts, and every kind of doctor in between. No one could be of any help. Then came COPD, anemia & more health crisis. In the end it turned out to be Systemic Lupus, which I am fighting now. All the cancer treatments tripped a lupus flare that I will not forget anytime soon. If there is any possibility that you have an underlying condition when you are about to start treatment, make arrangements to have it managed while in treatment.I was unlucky and suffered a long time before I knew what was wrong. I am heading to the rhuemotologist soon to begin a plan to manage systemic lupus.

Bea Coleman
Ellensburg, WA

My sister saved me!

I was diagnosed in March 12th 2009 with invasive ductal adenocarcinoma, previously I had been going to Indiana to take care of my sister who had Colon cancer and had been fighting it for over 3 years. I moved to Florida with a little convincing of my ill sister and was no longer able to care for her being so far away, but I broke the news to here about my Cancer and she was beside herself. My first surgery was March 19th and they did not get all the Cancer. My sister passed away on the 21st on the 23rd I had a dream that an Angel had come from heaven stood by my sisters bed leaned over her and ask her if she would die for me and she responded YES. I had my 2nd surgery on the 24th which was the same day as her showing, as I lay there in the bed getting ready for my surgery I felt my sisters presence all around me. I could feel her spirit telling me I was going to be healed and to never give up. It has been 20months and I am still Cancer Free. So to all who have been struck with this terrible mean little cell never give up and strive to be the light and teacher for others for within us is something special. My fear of death is no more and I am stronger and even more positive then I was before, so God Bless you all and may your story inspire or help another who is fighting.

Marty (Martha) Wilson

Marty
West Palm Beach, FL

The fight of my Life

I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in november 2007. I was married for fourteen years and have 2 young children. My husband left us in feb 2008 to move in with his girlfriend which i did not even know anything about and this was the first day that i had my first chemo treatment. i was a stay at home mom for 10 years not only did my husband leave us he took all the money and never looked back not even for his children. The cancer returned with a vengeance in july 2009 in the lymph nodes behind my liver now i have terminal cancer. This is the fight of my life - i have terminal cancer, 2 young children that i take care of all by myself, bi weekly chemo treatments, leukine shots, my family(sisters and brother have also removed theirselves from my life since i was diagnosed with terminal cancer without even giving me any kind of explanation, I have now lost all my hair etc but you know what I am alive!! I am thankful for that everyday that I see my beautiful children!! I take one day at a time because life does not stop just because i have cancer. I still have to deal with all life's ups and downs daily some good some bad. But i am thankful everyday to be alive so if i have to fight then that is what i will do because life is worth that fight no matter what!!! Life is beautiful and worth living every minute of everyday good and bad. Please know we can all fight this battle we might not always win but it is worth the fight.

trish shireman
Sarasota, FL

Its been 9yrs....

When I was 32,I found a lump during my normal check at home. I waited 9 mths. to go to the doctor.Sure it wasnt anything,I was too young. Went for mammogram and found out in Sept.2001 that it was.I was numb and didnt know what to do.I went thru the normal emotions but quickly put my trust in my doctors.They removed the breast and I started chemo shortly after.I am very thankful to my husband,family and friends that were with me thru it all. I realized how short life could be and to enjoy it all. It has been just over 9 yrs. and I am healthy and cancer free.

Anonymous
Fort Wayne, IN

I knew

As a preteen I was told by God that I was going to die early. Every new year I sneared at God. I was also fasinated with the number 4, everything in 4's and thought when I reach 44 something special is going to happen to me like the lottery. On my 44th birthday I was told I had breast cancer. I snearned no more but was floored of what I just heard my boss a Dr. said "you have carcenoma of the breast" Oh as a asst. in a Drs. office I had access to my results and pulled them out on my own and after reading them wrong 4 hr later I was giving my proud results to my employer and what like I said was a shock. I lived thrugh it well and now 4 yrs later am diagnoised again. A radical mastectony at a single age of 48 was not in my plan either. Its been hard this time. My family expects me to get by it like a breeze like I proved the first time, but its not. I had more chemo than last time, Im older, and with first cancer and loosing my job and loosing my house, everything. Even my precious cat "BOY" who helped me through the first one. Im a cancer ridden, no boobs, no hair no eyebrow bag lady. But as I ponder maybe 44 was a lesson and not a gift. I now have to pull up my boots depend on people be humble and start a new life. Maybe this time I will be happier, maybe live a little slower. But in 4 yr Im going to have my own home, anew car, new breast and maybe be alot smarter not to snear at God.

Tammy
Homosassa, FL