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It couldn't happen to Me

Diagnosed with Breast Cancer December 9,2009. Couldn't believe it could happen to Me. Even though I was getting yearly Mammograms, doing self examinations, I miss one year getting a mammogram. My surgeon said it took about ten years to develop as large as it was. All I could think is I want this thing out of me, no matter what, I have Grandchildren I want to see grow up and go threw college. I was and am not going to let this horrible thing beat me. Life is a precious and wonderful thing. With the support of my Daughter, Cousin, Friends and All my Co-Workers. I am making it through the Chemo treatments, Surgery and Radiation. I AM A SURVIVOR. God is truly Amazing.

Roxie
College Park, GA

Thanks to Ultrasound

I was long overdue for a mammogram but I had just moved to another state and the local center was unwilling to go forward without a copy of my baseline xrays. Since I had moved I couldn't remember the place of my last mammogram so I kept putting it off.

One New Year's Eve I made my resolutions list. Mammogram was number one so first of the year I called and explained that I did not have the xray they needed but wanted to still come in for a mammogram. After my appointment I went back to work. When the nurse called me to tell me there was something on the xray and that I had to come back in, I thought it was just scar tissue from a biopsy I had many years ago. They said it looked suspicious enough to warrant an ultrasound. The ultrasound gave them the confirmation they needed for a biopsy. The biopsy results came back positive. Since I had moved I did not have family nearby to support me as I went through this long mentally and physically exhausting process.

To this day I think back to when the center decided to go forward and do an ultrasound in spite of the fact that no lumps were found during the exam. Had they gone simply on the exam and the mammogram I wonder where would I be.

Anonymous
New Britain, CT

Surviving and living with cancer.

I thought the day I was diagnosed with BC was the worst day of my life, like most other people do naturally, but the day my husband was diagnosed (Non- Hodgkins Lymphoma , Folicular ) was by far ! i had just come through 6 chemo's and 35 radiation treatments when this happened. So the man who had been my rock through those dark days needed his own rock ! He's been through several chemo's the last being the hard'est , many test's , scans, and nuclear radiation ect. and we got through it untill now by lots of laughing (he's good at that ) which is great medicine so they say; surrounding ourselves with the positives, a great family full of support, and a lot of prayers ! Yes, we cried, for ourselves and others, as there allways are people worse off than you, but I think we've become stronger and much closer and definatly do not sweat the small stuff. For all the devistating things cancer brings with it , it can bring out some good things, strange as that may sound. We celebrate birthdays to the hilt, not ever saying as a lot of people do " Ugh, another birthday " as we are blessed to still be here to celebrate it whilst so mant don't ! I am a 7 year survivor whilst my husbands is ongoing and we shall live our life to the full'est and be grateful for each moment, just as we allways have, since cancer . If only we had before !!!

Joan
Mauldin, SC

My mom and I

5 years ago I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, less than 2 weeks later, my mother was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I was living in Ohio and she was living in Florida. We did genetic testing however it wasn't genetic. She was hormone positive and I was hormone negative. Unfortunately, my mothers cancer came back with a vengence and she lost her battle with it on November 6, 2009. She was not only my mother, she was my best friend and I miss her terribly! This has been a long rough year without her! I stayed by her side for almost 4 months 24/7 and was holding her hand when she took her final breath. I would give anything just to hear her voice one more time.

Brenda
Rising Fawn, GA

SURVIVOR

My husband and I moved to TX. from AL., bought a home and was landscaping our yard. I had picked up a couple of landscape timbers and pinched my breast. A few days later I was doing a self exam and found a lump. I shrugged it off and told myself it was because of the accident. I told my sister who is a breast cancer survivor and she told me I had to go and get it checked out..I did not want to go but with a lot of coaxing from my husband
I went. I was told I needed to do a biopsy and went to BAMC(the techs and doctors were the best....moral support and explained everything) for the biopsy. It was a needle biopsy and they removed some of the liquid to run the test, later contacting me with the results and sent me to Surgery to see a surgeon. I was then told I had to have the lump removed to have a biopsy on it only to be told with the result that I had that dreaded C word....CANCER. They had to go back and remove more tissue and after treatment I can now say I am a SURVIVOR!

Elizabeth Glass
La Vernia, TX

Six Years After

In 2004 I started riding Saddleseat with my daughter: one of my passions as a kid was riding horses, and now that she was 7 it was time to share that passion with her while I reengaged in the sport. After riding for a few months, I felt a large lump under my left arm. I had just had a clear mammogram so was sure it could not be BRCA. Finally saw the MD because the axillary lump kept getting larger. I was diagnosed with Stage III, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, underwent mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I managed to continue riding horses with my daughter through treatment.

I survived and thrived. It has been six years since diagnosis and I have no evidence of disease. I continue to share horseback riding with my daughter and we both enjoy the mental and physical health benefits the sport provides. Riding horses literally saved my life - without that constant posture required by the discipline the cancer would not have been found...

Terri Williams
San Marcos, CA

My friend Karen

Im writing this story about my friend Karen L. Henley. her boyfriend was opening the door for her and accidently hit her in her breast area. She swelled up and finally went to the doctor. Un fortuneately she found out she had breast cancer. If he hadnt hit her with the door, she would have never known. Any way myfriend Karen had to have double mascectomy, but she is a survivor and still with us today. She is a strongr person now with the help and support of so many, Im glad she is a survivor along with many other women I dont even know. May God Bless you all.

Marsha George
Waverly, NY

A Disguised Blessing...

I knew something was wrong when I felt a rock in my breast. I told my friends and they told me it was probably a cyst. That it what I wanted to believe. Eventually the rock grew and pain began. I immediately contacted my primary doctor and thereafter - a mastectomy, chemo (ACT) and radiation for IDC Stage 3C. I was referred to the most compassionate team of doctors and nurses. It was amazing because I had the most support from my family and friends. Cancer was a journey to build a stronger spirituality and to learn to fight. I no longer keep thoughts to myself, but speak them openly. Cancer is a manageable disease like other diseases and I continue to surround myself with positive energy. I have a new job for the rest of my life and that is to advocate and continue helping others. I realize the importance of well-being (body, mind and soul), because for the past twenty years, I was a workaholic trying to help others. In order for me to give of myself, I have to learn to take care of myself. This experience brings a new day of hope, believing and growing stronger with the help of my family and friends upstairs who give me strength each day. Compassion for others is the key to a healthy life!

Kris Darnell
Horton, KS

15 year survivor

I found a lump in 1995. Mammogram confirmed it and in January 1996, I had a lumpectomy. It was a rough time, but I focused on the end date and that got me through my treatments. Yesterday I had my annual mammogram and my doctor told me I'm the most "unlumpy" person she had seen that day. I thank God everyday for my survival.

Joanne
Philadelphia, PA

Fight for yourself

It still feels unreal, over 7 years later. At 31, during a moment of intimacy with my husband, his thumb hit a lump and then started us on a whirlwind of me fighting with doctors. First fight, PLEASE let me get a mammogram, second fight, PLEASE give me my records so I can go to a surgeon. I had no family history, my only risk factor was being a woman. My gut told me to keep pushing though. It took months, but after a surgeon saw me, he took action immediately, and I was able to get surgery, chemo and radiation to treat my Stage II, Grade 3 breast cancer. It's a horrible shame you can't trust the doctors alone and have to be your own advocate, but that is the reality. It guarantees nothing, but every bit helps.

I am now 38, no evidence of disease and thriving. Not a moment goes by I am not grateful for that.

Jennifer
Kissimmee, FL