Share Your Story

My Sister

When my sister fist went to her GP with a lump in her breast, pre Chrismas last year, he said it was nothing to worry about...post Christmas celebrations and well into the New Year, my sister went back to the doctor, due to the lump having changed and being more painful. After further testing, March this year, my sister was diagnosed with stage 4, triple neggative breast cancer, which had also spread to the lymph nodes in her kneck, chest and armpit. Initial diagnosis, wasn't good, although we all rallied and my sister has fought for six months through intensive chemo, undergone a mastechtomy and has 4 weeks of radiotherapy to get through. More Chemo may be needed after that. Again, the doctors have confirmed that the type of breast cancer my sister has, can not be cured, although they are overwhelmed at how well she is doing and have encouraged her to keep fighting. We are all so proud of her for the way my sister has approached her illness and make the most of every day. We don't know what the future will be bring, but we keep fighting and keep hoping for good news...

Anonymous
Midlands, United Kingdom

Found by accident. God has so richly blessed me.

My cancer was found totally by accident. It had been on my mind to go get a mamogram done-but didnt.Id gone to my Asthma Dr. for a Asthma problem and mentioned a lump under my arm.(I figured it was just an ingrown hair) He suddenly looks at me and said, when was your last mammogram? Now this Dr didnt do this sort of thing.I had lost my Mom to the diease in 1984.This happened in Aug of 2000. Id gone for mam exams,but not regularly. Id seen what Mom went through,took care of her daily through it all,and just didnt want to face the fear that It could happen to me.But ,do to the unusual reminder from the Dr.,I went for a Mammogram..They found Stage 1 cancer in my left breast.Nothing in the right.To make a long story short,I insisted my surgeon would do both or none, and I would go somewhere else if need be, to get both done.He even brought my family in to see if this was just a knee-jerk re-action.It wasnt.I had decided I was not going to go through this twice.I just KNEW -deep inside me-both HAD to go.Surgery was done on both,and when he came in with the Path reports he looked a little stunned.He HAD found abnormal cells in the rights tissue as well!! That my friends was Divine Intervention ,not once ,but twice! Its now been 10 years this past Aug, and praise God,Im still cancer free.Please-to all the women/families reading these posts,dont ignore or put off your check ups. PLEASE. May God Bless us all.( foot note,the 3 little ones in the picture were born AFTER my surgery.1 is a gr-child; 2 are gr-gr-children;with 2 more greats on the way.) Just look at what I could of missed out on.

Carol Riffle
Ypsilanti, MI

Profalactic Breast Removal

I was diagnosed with the BRCA1 gene and my mom and grandmother died of ovarion cancer. I chose to have a complete hysterectomy and just had both breasts removed three weeks ago. It still really hurts and I am so emotional, I really hope I did the right thing. I know I did, but I still wonder. None of my other family members have the gene except me, which is a good thing. The only thing that worries me is now my two boys might have the gene, they have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene, then they have to worry about Prostate Cancer. Keep on smiling everyone, I will one day again, after all this pain.

Cindi
Toronto, Canada

Early detection is key

I was soon to turn 48 and I was going for my annual mamo. THey spotted something on it and then I had a biopsy, the call came in it was malignant, my heart sunk, I had always felt my odds of getting breast cancer were in my favor as I am from a family of 5 girls..It was stage 0 but in more than one duct so I needed to have a mastectomy. I had faith in the lord and a wonderful husband along with great family and friend support. It is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life,but I am glad it was me and not one of my sisters..I dread every 6 months that I go for my checkups, but You wont see me skip one either. Loosing a breast is not an easy thing, but it sure beats loosing your life..Please have your annual momo's and do your self exams..Just had my two year anniversay...

Anonymous
Lyndonville, NY

miracles

My story? went for my yearly physical, no sign of anything wrong--no lumps, bumps or anything that went boo in the night-(its halloween, isnt it?!) Went 3 weeks later for the normal (just to be sure) mamogram and found a walnut sized lump (that grew to tomato size within a month) that came out of nowhere. long story short, had a double mastectomy, chemo and have been cancer free for 3 1/2 years--early detection girls--thats the key!!!! Love and pray for you all.

Debbi
pueblo west, CO

Two Surgeries and Reconstruction = 11 Year Survivor

It was nothing unusual going every 6 months for a mammogram for calcium deposits on one side. This was to be the last of the 6 month checks but now it was one year since the opposite side had been mammogramed. Thinking the lady would be out any minute to say, "you can dress and go now", she came and asked me to come back for a manification picture. Then the 3rd time she came out to get me, I knew there was a problem. After an ultrasound I took the films to my surgeon and he confirmed my worst fears. I couldn't go home and face the family and it was the week of Thanksgiving. I drove around the big city for hours thinking. The next morning I told my husband. After Thanksgiving dinner, I told the family. My husband freaks out at hospitals although he loves me, so my daughter and daughter-in-law went with me to every doctor visit and for two surgeries plus reconstruction. Family IS important and they have a right to know. I couldn't be a 10 year, 11 month survivor if it hadn't been for my family's support. The mammogram found my cancer. Please get yours today!! Today I still attend breast cancer support meetings hoping to lend encouragement to others facing what I did.

Phyllis Looney
Mansfield, TX

Breast cancer journey

In October of 1996 I started the most interesting, and scary journey of my life, after almost two years of treatment, including conventional chemo, a stem cell transplant, and radiation, I was cancer free and able to celebrate my life, watc...h my 4 yr old daughter and 7 yr old son grow into wonderful, caring and productive adults, enjoy my husband, and all my animals! Most of all I am able to mentor other woman going through this jouney and be there during the tears, and the joys! I give all the glory to God, for without my faith I dont know how I would of made it through! I now see a flower and enjoy the brilliant colors, i see a baby and am amazed as the innocence and I see good in every vibrant living human being! It truely puts thing into perspective!!!!!

regina
colombus, GA

Phyllis's Story

It was a Sunday morning same as always, I was in the shower and did my usual monthly self-exam. Boom, I felt a lump the size of a green pea. Within two weeks I was in a surgeon's office, next a biopsy. He called me at home, it was malignant. After discussion I decided on a lumpectomy...it was stage 1. My surgeon said it looked like a kornel of corn. I had 44 radiation treatments. It has been 3 years and I am cancer free. EVERY woman should do monthly breast exams, it might save your life. God is good!!

Anonymous
Jacksonville, AL

Second Time Around

In April 2006 I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. Through chemo treatments and radiation I won the battle. In May of 2008 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. After surgury it was discover that it was NOT cancer. How lucky can you get! Then in May of this year, my cancer returned. I am now at stage IV. My breast cancer moved into my bones, tumors throughout my right side and into my liver. At this point I had to face my own mortality. So many things running through my mind. Will I see my youngest child graduate from high school? Will I see my children get married? Will I see and play with my grandchildren? Being the fighter that I am I said: "Yes I will!" Currently I am going through 15 days of chemo and then I get 6 days off of chemo, then I get to start all over again. I have done 9 series of this regement and I have 6 more to go for sure and maybe more if this does not eliminate the cancer. Do I sit and cry and say why me? NO!!! I look at this as another experience in life. I am thankful for everyday that I have on this earth. I go to work on a part time bases and do the best job that I can do. My biggest issue is financial. But I will get through this too! Because I live in a small rural town, I have to travel 3 1/2 hours one direction for my treatments. It will all be worth it in the end. I send my prayers to everyone who has to fight the cancer battle. Hold your head up high and face it each day with vigor and grace.

Teresa Burdick
Ely, NV

Live like you are dying!

38 years old, I felt a lump but didn't think to much about it. I went in for a yearly exam two months later. The doctor did his exam and said nothing. I questioned him regarding the lump. So he said "I'm sure it's nothing your only 38 but I will give you an order for a mammogram" A few months went by dealing with the holidays and life. I got laid off my job and decided I should get checked. Hmm the rest is history. Had surgery then chemo- now cancer free since March 2006. Life is short, don't put off your dreams live them everyday.

Stacie Carroll
Willis, TX