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mammograms

I can't believe there is a controversy over having mammograms yearly. Thank God I had mine. They found a lump on a routine yearly mammogram and told me they would be shocked if it wasn't cancer. It came back cancer and I had surgery the next week. It was contained and had not gotten to my lymph nodes. My surgeon told me that it would have taken a year or two for me to have ever felt it. I am so thankful that I had my mammogram. Ladies don't ever put off something that could save your life. With medical help and GOD the future looks bright...

Kathy
Cushman, AR

Know your boobies !

I had a normal mammography 7 months prior to my Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma diagnosis. In the shower one day I said hmmm.... this lump feels different. (it had been biopsied 2 times already) I was going to wait the few months till my next mammography appointment but something told me not to. Thank god! I had a double mastectomy which also discovered DCIS in my "good" breast. I underwent 16 weeks of chemotheraphy. I am now 1 year out from that life altering cancer diagnosis. I am back to exercising, eating healthy and growing some hair. Hearing the words "you have cancer" are something no one should have to go through, but fight the fight and know it is no longer a death sentence. Life life to the fullest and know your boobies !

Anonymous
Saint James, NY

Pink is my Favorite Color!

This is why Pink is my Favorite color!

The last day of March at age 37 as I was getting ready for a day of fun with my kids, I did a quick breast exam before getting dressed. I found a lump, fear and panic ran through me. A day off to spend with my kids turned into a night mare. I was at the doctors in an hour, then a mammogram/ultrasound within two days of that, and a call from my Doctor the next day. I had a good chance it was cancerous, and I was schedule to see a surgeon that afternoon, which then led to surgery the next day. By the time the surgery was over they removed a lump the size of a Bic lighter and found another that had formed after my Mammogram. This lead to a mastectomy and 6 months of Chemo, which ended Oct 13th 2005. I had stage 3 cancer estrogen positive. 5% of women under 40 get this type of cancer. No one in my family ever had breast cancer.
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I am alive because I did not wait. I am alive because of research that has improved treatments and extended survival rates. I am alive because of faith, pray and the will to live. I am more Thankful then angry or bitter! I have seen my kids graduate from High school, my Son get married, graduate from the basic training in the Army and enjoy my beautiful grand-daughter.

Thank You to everyone who helps!!

Susie
Westland, MI

Mammograms really do work!

My breast cancer was found on a routine mammogram. I had surgery in July and it was very small. The surgeon said she got it all and the lymph nodes were all clean. I am taking radiation and pills for preventing its return. I am doing great. I tell all my friends to be sure and have their mammograms each year. It really works.

Anonymous
Clio, SC

YEA...MAMMOGRAMS

My mother died at 63 1/2 from diabetics and heart problems. I had no one to ask, "does cancer run in our family?". Well here's my story.

In August 2008, I went for my birthday gift to myself, my yearly mammogram. After having to go back twice, I was told to see a surgeon. Well I was upset and came to work. One of my co-workers told me of a very good man who she had once gone to for some tests. After making my appointment, he told me that he was 99% sure it was nothing to worry about. On Sept 3rd I was informed that I had stage zero cancer. Yes ZERO. I underwent 2 lumpectomies and 7 weeks of radiation. I have been cancer free since then.

Mammograms are not fun and they hust for a matter of 45 seconds, but they can save your life. I am living proof.

Lynn Jackaway
Doylestown, PA

My Mother

Back in 1963 my mother found out she had breast cancer. They discovered it while she was giving birth to my younger sister. She had asked God to "please see her children grow up "..She did. In 2005 she was admitted to the hospital and found out the cancer was back. She passed away exactley one year to the date she found out. I now make sure that I have my check ups due to this factor. I now support breast cancer and any other kind of cancer hoping that one day they'll find a cure...

Jackie Darling
Bushnell, FL

my beautiful red head( jillian clanton )

my daughter found a lump in her breast at the age of 25. The doctor told her not to worry she just had lumpy breast to come back in a year. When she did it had grown massively. It was cancer, she had a mestatomy and started chemo and radiation. It stayed at bay for 11/2 yrs then came back in her bones then her organs. The second round of chemo was horrible for her. She lost her battle at the age of 30, her life revolved around her son and her singing. She had a band she named RUMORHAZIT. She has 10 videos on youtube. To see her type in fancy22777. That was her life and she sang 10 days before she passed away. I miss my little girl so bad, my husband and I are raising our grandson now. I still have a piece of her with me everytime I look at him. She had the brac 2 gene. Her little sister also carries it, the only option they gave her was to remove her breast. She did so at the age of 22. Our grandchildren will be tested when they are old enough. I just want to tell women to always always get a second opinion about a lump they find!!! both my daughters grandparents died of cancer and both aunts are suvivors of breast and ovarian cancer on her dads side. The doctor never looked at her history.

Anonymous
pisgah, AL

Thrive!

As strange as it may sound I never really thought I was going to die. I was diagnosed with cancer that had spread to both breasts and lymph nodes. I knew it wasn't going to be a cakewalk. However; I never said why me. My family already had quite a history of cancer. My Mom had breast cancer, my Dad had NHL, my brother had throat cancer and my two other siblings have had a lot of skin cancer removed. So far none of us have died from it. We all have "survived". I have found that when God puts you on a path you have two choices. One is to give up, or the other is to walk with God knowing he has a greater plan. I made a choice the day I was diagnosed I didn't want to just survive, I wanted to thrive! God has a plan for all of us. We are not alone unfortunately; someone dies of breast cancer every 69 seconds. We don't have time to be scared we must be shining examples of strength and bravery to help others through to the other side. I am truly grateful for my journey, and because of it I am a better person.

Cindy Myatt
Colorado City, CO

In Memory of Mee-Maw

My mom got diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. They gave her two weeks to two months, with chemo. She lived till August 25, 1998. She met two of her grandchildren, one of which, Darian, was her main reason for fighting so hard and long. She saw my brother & I graduate high school. She saw two of her children get married. She saw so much more than the doctors ever expected her to. And I know she welcomed my daughter, Kylie, to heaven when she passed unexpectedly in 2004 at 3 1/2 months old. I know both of them are waiting for me. And I look forward to seeing them both. I think of you, Mom, every day!!! And miss you so much! You are never, ever forgotten!!!! Will see you soon!

Stephanie
Chipley, FL

IT IS NOT AS EASY BEING ON THE OTHER SIDE

I HAVE WORKED FOR 18 YEARS AS A CHEMO NURSE GIVING PEOPLE THEIR MEDS AND HELPING THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THEM. I NEVER KNEW I WOULD BE IN THE SAME POSITION LISTENING TO THE DOCTORS EXPLAIN MASTECTOMY AND HORMONE THERAPY. I KNEW WHAT THEY WERE BUT I DIDNT KNOW WHAT I HAD TO LOSE.I AM SO LUCKY I DIDNT HAVE CHEMO OR RADIATION. BUT I DID LOSE MY BREAST AND HAD TO GO THRU ALL OF THE SAME EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTERS. I KNOW I WILL BE A BETTER NURSE ADVOCATE FOR MY PATIENTS WHEN I HEAL AND I WILL NEVER HURRY WHEN THEY NEED TO TALK FOR IT IS DEFINATELY HARDER ON THE OTHER SIDE.

Marie
Cedar Grove, TN