Share Your Story

It is a TEAM effort - ALWAYS perform self breast exams

I was lying in bed next to my husband and decided to perform a self breast exam. That is when I found a tiny area of my breast that did not feel "right". After comparing the area on my left breast with the right breast while trying to convince myself I was imagining the difference, my husband looked at me and said "promise me you'll make a doctor's appointment tomorrow". So, I did. The doctor said "I don't feel anything overly concerning, but let's put your mind at ease and schedule you for a mammogram and ultrasound". At that time, I was 37 years old and trying desperately not to freak out. I am a mom of 3 beautiful girls and 1 handsome son (who is on the Autism spectrum), so it was even more scary because I kept thinking "God, please don't take me away from my kids. They need their mom. Please." I had my mammogram and it showed NOTHING, just dense breast tissue. Then I had my ultrasound. The technician said put your finger where you think you feel it. I did. She put her wand there and found a lump the size of a baby pea. Can you believe it? I felt something that small. I was referred to a surgeon who said "You should be proud of yourself to find something that small." I was diagnosed with breast cancer on July 7, 2008. It was Stage IIIA because it had traveled to 4 lymphnodes when I found it. I completed treatment that included surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation on March 10, 2009. I would not be where I am now, if I hadn't done my part to take care of myself. Doctors and patients must work together. I won the battle and will win the war.

Candice
Chapel Hill, NC

two time survivor

I was was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993, I was only 26 years old. I found the lump myself and was later told by the doctor that it was a solid mass, but it was most likely non-cancerous. I decided to have the lump removed, just to be safe and ease my mind. I had stage 1 breast cancer. I had a mastectomy and choice not to have reconstruction. Then in 2000, during a mammogram, they discovered a few suspicious spots, and scheduled me for a lumpectomy. The spots were not cancer, however they did discover a stage 0 tumor. At this time I decided I wanted to have my breast removed, just to be safe. I'm so thankful that I did, because once they did the mastectomy, they found a stage 1 tumor under my nipple, that WASN'T dectected by the mammogram. I have since had reconstruction surgery, and I've been cancer free for 10 years now. I was so fortunate that I didn't have to go through cemo or radiation. So, ladies, please make sure you know your bodies and get early detections. It can and will safe your lives!!!

Tonya
Hamilton, IL

My fight

i frist found out i had breast cancer when i was 31...i had two lumps on my right breast and one on my left... they did a test and the ones on my right side where cancer....so i had too do keymoe and radation for about 1 year...and then when i was 33... found out it was in remission....i wasnt surprise by getting it...cause women in my family have gotten it before..after the age of 30...when i turned 30 i was scared....im lucky i still have my breast most women dont....one of them is alot smaller...Now i am going threw cervix cancer...that is not crueable...i have done keymoe and radation and come too find out it was makeing me worst...so they tryed removeing some of my inside...they trmove my right ovral and then my kidney shut down...i have really bad dibeties....so now they are trying a new drug out there that is made from viper vemon...i know it sounds wried but it actully works...it eats up some of the cells and makes them smaller...but it wont crue it......everyday i get up and thank god that i am here another day...my family is very good at helping me with every thing...i think what keeped me going with the breast cancer and now cervix are my kids....i have two boys that are not ready too lose there mom....So thats my stroy....if u are battle breast and cervix cancer dont give up.

Anonymous
rochester, NH

Early Detection Saves Lives!

I will be a one year breast cancer survivor on October 13th. My mom passed away after a 13 year battle with breast cancer, so I was pretty diligent about getting my annual mammogram. I went in for my annual mammogram and didn't think twice about it until I got the phone call saying I needed to go in for more pictures. This was my first digital mammogram. So after more pictures and a biopsy I was informed I had cancer. Everything went so quickly. I met with my surgeon and opted for a double mastectomy and on November 19th I had my surgery. I had a terrific support system and would never have made it without my husband. I have a great family and wonderful friends. I thought my life would never be the same, and in some ways it isn't, but truthfully, I don't really think about the cancer anymore. On August 15th I participated in my first Triathlon. The Maine Tri For a Cure, and it was spectacular! I am honored to be able to do this and next year I hope to be a much stronger athlete! Early Detection Truly Saves Lives! I'm an example of that!! I want to celebrate a lot more birthdays!!

Jodi Peterson
Limington, ME

Miracle

When I was 34, I made an appointment with my doctor for a yearly physical. He told his assistant to go ahead and schedule a mammogram. WHAT!?we both asked, for one I was too young, and for two I had no compalints about knots or anything. He had not examed my breast so no way he could have felt a knot. He insisted though, so I went. I had been told already after the first most everyone gets called for a second, do not worry. Something told me though, to take someone one with me. I go for a second mammogram on my right breeast only, they immediately call in the ultrasound tech. I have a knot. A rather large one, about the size of a large marble. Though concerned now, not really worried, I am sure it is fibro cyst like all my aunts have had. I go to the surgeon, and set up for a lumpectomy. I get the lumpectomy, and go back in two weeks for follow up. I will never forget the look on Dr Norris face, nor his first words to me as he sits down. "We have bad news", my first thought was NO it can not be bad news, because that puts my sisters and daughter at a greater risk..I know dumb thoughts right!? Long story short my diagnose was a mid gradel phyllodes tumor. It require a partial masectomy, to remove a larger area that was around the initial tumor. I am only thirty four. This can not be happening. He goes in and removes the affected area. and Thank God I have had no new growth, this year is two years.

Marina
Gatesville, TX

my son saved my life ....literally

in may of 1992 i gave birth to my 2nd son. All was well but i would not stop lactating. went to the dr who thought it was a staph infection, went on antibiotics but it would'nt go away. He decided for precaution i should get a mammo, but said that i was too young, but he could rule that out after the test results...well it turned out to be breast cancer! I had a double masectomy and chemo. and was fine for 14 yrs until they found that the chemo meds had done damage to my heart, so now am dealing with congestive heart failure. So even though the chemo was meant to help me it wound up costing me anyway.
thanks for allowing me to tell my story
lisa whitworth

lisa whitworth
st ann, MO

In This Together

My sister (Marsha Cross) was diagnosed in 2009 @ age 51 of breast cancer with no family history. She has since had many surgeries including a double masectomy and chemo. She is scheduled for reconstruction on Oct 26th. I have endured fibroid cysts since 2004 and have had a mammogram every 6 months since then. In Oct 2009 I had my scheduled mammogram and was advised during my appointment that a MRI was strongly suggested. I had the MRI which led to a biopsy which led to a lumpectomy in Nov 2009. While I have not been diagnosed with breast cancer I have been told that I am likely to get the disease within the next 5 years. I am currently on Tamoxifen in hopes that I will not get cancer. My sister has been an anchor during all of my worries although she was the one with the actual cancer. We are in this TOGETHER.

Loreen Derr
Charlotte, NC

You never know!!

A small ache in my right breast turned into Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I thank God for allowing me not to just sit on it, but instead get my check up and follow through. What would turn out to be a double mastectomy; 18 bouts of Chemo and many prayers I am cancer free.
October 9, 2010 will make it an entire year since my last Chemo treatment. I still have a long road ahead, but I can assure you we can make a difference and we will find a cure one day very soon for this dreadful disease.
Let's continue to fight a good fight. Let us never forget those who paid the untimate price. May God continue to help those all affected and families of those who have lost love ones. "You Never Know!"

This is my story, Angie

Angela Ragas
Denton, TX

A mother's Story

I am a single mother of a 5 year old. At the time that I found my breast cancer my child was 3 years old and I was 34. I went to the Doctor and he sent me for my mammogram. The radiologist told me that it was a swollen milk duct and to come back in 6 months. When I came back 6 months later I had stage 2 ductal breast cancer. It had reached the lymph nodes under my arm. I cried but I fought through the Chemo and the surgeries and the radiation. I have been cancer free now for 2 years this month. I learned that when it seems to be the darkest moment of your life, it's actually the brightest. I would never change my fight for anything. It has shown me not to give up, and to live life everyday. But most of all treasure and love your family.

I

Terra
Colorado Springs, CO

Crystal's Story

In May 2007, I made a trip to the radiologist for my annual mammogram and found a lump in my breast. After having a biopsy, the cancer was confirmed. I underwent a mastectomy and 4 rounds of chemo. I lost all my hair and my full time employment. After treatment, I was able to again find full-time employment. Without my husband and other family, friends and my church family, I don't know how I would have made it through. I thank God for the mammogram technology, research and skill of the chemo team and doctors.

Anonymous
Owings Mills, MD