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My Mom's Fight

After getting out of the tub and drying under her arms, my mother discovered a lump the size of a golf ball. In order to feel it, I had to stick my finger in her arm pit to the second knuckle. Surgery followed with a masectomy and the removal of 17 lymph nodes. Mom fought hard for 7 years. There were good years in there but in the end she lost her fight. It will be 6 years the 24th of this month that I lost my best friend. Let's find a cure so nobody has to lose their mother, daughter, father, brother, or anyone to this terrible disease. Prayers for everyone fighting the battle!

Pam
Jefferson City, MO

cancer at 31

At 31 I never thought of breast cancer, my mother had died from lung cancer (nonsmoker) and there was no other history. But during my annual check up the nurse felt a lump. I was shocked that I hadnt noticed it myself it was obvious. Well it was cancer and it had spread to my lymph nodes. A lumpectomy, 8 cycles of chemo and 6 weeks radiation, 5 yrs tamoxifen and now Femara. This year they decided to do genetic testing. I was positive. My mother had been adopted so I never considered the unknown family. My sister has since also tested positive and I am waiting for the other to take the test. Now I have had my ovaries out and a full hysterectomy and am waiting for the bilateral masectomy surgery date.

During this I have continued to work and live my life, I missed one day of work during chemo because of pnemonia. What helped me is that I did not dwell on the fact that I had cancer, but was grateful that I was alive and had such great doctors. I did not let cancer have me, stay positive and strong and fight.

I am thankful for everyday I have with my family and would not change a single thing in my life.

Heather
Santa Clarita, CA

God's Blessings

I am 51/2 years cancer free. I was detected with stage 4 breast cancer, which also was found in my lymph node. But to this day,i feel great. I attribute my cure most of all to my LORD JESUS. With out him i would not of made it, and to mention my wonderful doctor's, staff, and surgeon, along with my wonderful significant other. The key cure is HOPE AND FAITH!!

Michelle
Clewiston, FL

It will never happen to me.

That is what I used to think. I remember hearing that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer. So what are the odds it would be me? I found a lump when I was 16 years old. For years there was never a doctor that said we should check this out. When I turned 40 and had my first mammogram, all of the sudden this lump that I had for over 20 years was a concern? I knew it wasn't breast cancer, otherwise I would have long died. They removed the lump and it came out benign. I went every year faithfully and had my mammogram. So when I found the lump in June of 2009, I wasn't worried. It was in the exact spot the other one was. I was about to go to Maui on vacation. I would worry about it later.
Well that August I had the surprise of my life. I had stage one infiltrated invasive breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and some lymph glands removed, all came out clean (thank you Lord). Then I had 35 radiation treatments and no chemo.
Since then I have had a hysterectomy, got an infection and was in the hospital for 2 weeks and also got pneumonia. I have been on tamoxifen and now aromasin I have been through a lot and I still feel very blessed. I am alive, a survivor and I have a wonderful husband and 2 wonderful teenagers who love me very much and keep me going. I am not afraid of getting breast cancer again because I will come through it.

Kitty T
Oceanside, CA

Breast Cancer

I was told I had breast cancer at the end of June. I had a lumpectomy July 12th and then was told I had triple negative breast cancer. I don't carry the gene for breast cancer and was told this was an invasive and aggressive cancer. I am stage two and am half way through my chemo. This is probably the toughest thing I have ever gone through in my life. Without God in my life and my family and friends, I don't believe I could handle this. After chemo I will have six weeks of radiation. The toughest part is the fatigue and also the emotional roller coaster. Also, lack of appetite and then when you do try to eat something it tastes awful! My prayers go out to all who is facing breast cancer or who have. You are in my prayers.

Anonymous
Naples, FL

Thought it would never happen to me...

I do not have breast cancer in my family and have gotten my mammogram every year for 20 years. Did not find a lump and was not worried about cancer, but then....Was diagnosed Dec. 2009 with DCIS. Had 3 biopsies, 1 was "wire guided". The wire guided was the most painful experience that I have ever had (and also terrifying) had no nurse advocate with me. Had 2 surgeries, 1 February 19th then found out they didn't "get a clear margin" so had 2nd surgery March 19th. Got clear margins but also a partial masectomy. Went through 6 1/2 weeks radiation (thankfully, no chemo). Still having pain in breast, still have trouble sleeping and eating. Have lost 26 pounds and trying to keep upbeat, but still have down days. My best friend was diagnosed a few months later with stage 2 cancer, so had double mascectomy and now going through chemo. You don't really think about it until YOU get it. Didn't know anyone with breast cancer until I was diagnosed, now know 3 people, all close friends. Still angry - why did this happen to me? Thank God for my husband, I would never have made it through this by myself. First mammogram after surgery in December - 1 year later. SCARED!!! What will they find this time? If I get it again, can I go through this again? Don't know.....but I DO know this --- I WILL survive!! This awful, horrific disease WILL NOT GET ME!!!

Anonymous
Washougal, WA

Prevention Time

My mother(60) and grandmother(47) both died from Ovarian Cancer many years ago. I had the genetic testing done almost 15 years ago, and as I suspected, I was positive for the BRCA 1 mutation. Next step was a (complete)Total Histerectomy, at the age of 40.
Just 10 months ago, after some Atypical Hyperplasia groths in both breasts were detected, I opted for a Bilateral Mastectomy with the Abdominal Flap Reconstruction. Everything went well, just awaiting the final construction procedure.
Thank G'd for modern Technology and innovative Physicians!!!
Please, be on top of your health, if possible get that genetic test done and save yourself a lot of nightmares.

Margaliet
Tenafly, NJ

It is NOT Hereditary!!!

I am actually sick of hearing about Family History. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 13 years ago this week at the age of 46.. I currently have a Living 86 year old mom, 2 sisters(ages 63 and 54), my Mom has 3 living sisters(Ages 91.90,82), I have 4 living female cousins on my Mom's side of the family(ages 66,65,55,50)etc, etc. NONE --I repeat NONE -- of them have ever had Breast Cancer------So I say again--- I am sooo sick of hearing about it being a heredity disease!! Everyone needs to wake up and realize it CAN AND DOES STRIKE ANYONE AT ANYTIME!! Recently on the Today Show Nancy Snyderman said if you don't have family history you could wait until you are 50 to have a mammogram--A MAMMOGRAM SAVED MY LIFE at the AGE of 46 !!!--If I had waited until 50--I'D BE DEADTODAY!

Kathy Drennen
Columbus, OH

A Sister's Hero!

I was diagnosed with stage 3a breast cancer in August 2009. That was when my nightmare begin! After the shock was over I realized I had the strenght to fight and win! The times I wanted to give up were the times when my family and friends walked in my back door! I realized not only for myself but for the ones I love so much I had to keep going no matter how bad it seemed! I was a HERO to my younger sister! So 8 chemo treatment and 35 radition treatments later I AM A SURVIOR!!!!

Kathy Barker
Bucyrus, OH

A family history

My paternal grandmother had breast cancer when I was a young girl, and she suffered for a long time. My mother was diagnosed with stage 4, metastisized breast cancer, and it took her in under 2 years. My niece was diagnosed a year before me, but cannot complete her treatment because surgery puts her into a high risk for death. I was so lucky, as I was diagnosed at stage 1, and only had to have surgery & radiation, and my hope is that if you can't avoid cancer, at least catch it like mine, where there is an easy solution, with a minimun amount of inconvenience. Science has come so far - everyday you hear of new treatments with great results.

Anonymous
Frankfort, MI