By the time Breast Cancer invited itself to our house, we had already been through so much; Autism and Epilepsy with our twins, breast and thyroid cancer with my mother, prostate with my granddaddy, ovarian with my aunt, and squamous cell with my grandmother. Even after Breast Cancer left, thyroid cancer with one son. After all of this, you can still be grateful, not bitter, and come out on the other end smiling. God is Good and Life is Good! Now go live it!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 32. It was about 2 months after I lost my mother in law to cancer. It was a total shock to me and my family. We dont have a strong family history of breast ca..we only found one person on my dad's side that had breast cancer. So of course I was totally confused and completely lost. I wasted no time and scheduled my appointments i needed to move on. I decided to get a double mastectomy with reconstruction. My decision was based on the docs telling me there was a good chance of getting cancer again in my left breast and possibly in my right again. In my mind there was no other choice. To this day i believe it was the right choice. Eventhough I have lost my real breast, I am just happy to be alive. It was a long process, lots of pain and lots of doctor appointments, but i am feeling better and soon going to have my second surgery. The second surgery is to put in the permanent implants, once that is done I feel like I can move on with my life. I have come to realize that you cant take life for granit or anything for that matter. I wake up just happy to be here and hug and kiss my children and husband. I just want to put this in the past, but i do need to get genetic testing done to see if i am a gene carrier, if i am i have to get my ovaries removed. So possibly one more surgery....but i will do anything to keep cancer out of my body!! Be proactive and know your body.
I have just been diagnosed with breast cancer; I have given God to do His will and pray that He continues to give me the positive attitude I have. My husband is incredible; while we wait for my treatment plan, he has been the total caretaker; don't know if I could face this without him. Between God, my dear husband, and friends I feel that I'm going to beat this disease and come out of it a better person.
September 23rd.2009 I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
I underwent 29 chemos, masectomy surgery, and 6 weeks of radiation after that.
I had surgery May 4th. 2010, and then my pathology report on May 13th of 2010 to reveal I am Cancer free.
For those who continue to struggle with this disease, DO NOT ever give up, don't give into it, and live like you are not sick. Pick good doctors, which all of mine are from Swedish Medical center in Seattle Washington and I owe my life to Doctor Kristian Rhinn of oncology there. The nurses were absolute angels too. I was carried, I was loved, I was supported by my other Pink Warrior sisters.
Pray life crazy and decide to live, for life is waiting for you and the finish line never looked closer.
Candy
I WAS IN DENIAL THAT ANYTHING BAD COULD HAPPEN TO ME. THEN CAME THE WORDS YOU HAVE BREAST CANCER. IT KNOCKED ME TO MY KNEES. THE HOPE CANCER CENTER IN ASHEVILLE,NC CAME TO MY RESCUE. THANKS TO A WONDERFUL CARING DOCTOR ASHLEY CASE. I HAVE BECOME A SURVIVOR AND NOT A VICTIM. I REFUSE TO STOP DOING WHAT I LOVE SUCH AS MY JOB AND SEWING AND BAKING TO WORRY ABOUT IT COMING BACK. I BEG EVERY WOMAN AND MAN 50 AND OLDER TO BE SCREENED FOR THIS DISEASE. MY HUSBAND ,FAMILY AND MY WALMART FAMILY WERE THERE FOR ME. I WANT TO BE THERE FOR THEM. NOVEMBER 17 IS MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY. YOOHOO THINK PINK.
I am proud to say, I am a cancer survivor also. God has spared me and I am walking proof that there is hope. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. I had a radial mastectomy and had to take approx. 16 doses of chemo. I also gained so much through my experience. Your attitude means a lot. There were so many people that supported me and I am ever so thankful. This has made me a stronger person and has gotten me through so many challenges that followed after. Staying positive and staying away from negativity is one big plus in the healing process. "BY HIS STRIPES, I AM HEALED" - Through our weakness, we become stronger. I am just so thankful to be here today to share my story to other cancer survivors. Just remember there is HOPE and DON'T ever give up.
Col had stage 1V colon cancer, he was 47 years. A brilliant man and mentor to so many of his Math students, they loved him. Col had an amazing and wicked sense of humour. Often I didn't "get" it, he would explain.
He found lumps on his neck. After investigation, it was Colon cancer and was everywhere. Symptoms? Yes, but ignored.
His battle lasted 11 months. Chemo, and Radiotherapy. Then he left us, but it had to be at home. So it was. He was 48.
After no work for both of us for a year, no money. I lost our 4 houses and declared bankruptcy. That was 5 years ago. Help? There wasn't any. My bankruptcy was for 3 years, that finished 2 years ago. Many people still hold it against me. Still see me as that bankrupt woman. They don't remember all the love and caring for Col. He was happy, just to be able to be at home. The paliative care nurses called in each day, they were a God send. Why are people so un-caring? Do they just not understand?
Col told me I was the best nurse in the world. (I am not a nurse).
That was a wonderful compliment.
Cancer is cancer, his wasn't breast cancer, but was overwhelming cancer.
We gave him a beautiful send off. Love you my Col. xxxx Your Di
I was diagnosed at age 40. I was a single mom and totally scared too death. In the days before the surgery I was so scared and felt so alone, I wasn't sure if I even wanted to fight it...but then I looked at my son who was only 8 years old and my daughter who was 18 but still needed her mom and knew they needed me to fight. He needed me to be here so I pushed all the negative thoughts out of my head, said a prayer to God and met this challenge head on. I learned alot from this scary experience. I am tough!!! I am strong!!! There is nothing I can't get through now and I LOVE to see my birthdays come and I am blessed with some pretty awesome friends and family!!! There is Nothing you can't do!!! Take it one day at a time and let your friends and family help you...they really want too! The first Susan G Komen walk after treatment was so special to me. I was surrounded by friends and my daughter stood in the middle of the road and sang You are the wind beneath my wings to me....I wasn't alone and I wasn't scared anymore. I made it! Breast Cancer...I had it, I fought it and I beat it!!!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago. When you receive news like that, you have no idea how you are going to deal with it, and what follows. At the time, I was a keen amateur actress so I immersed myself in rehearsing and performing. Sometimes I would go straight from a chemotherapy session to a rehearsal. I was determined that the cancer was the enemy, and I would fight it. It had to fit around my routine, NOT the other way around.
Soon after my fifth chemo session, I performed as the Witch in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe". Luckily, I had to wear a long black wig, so my grey, thinning hair did not show!
After 6 sessions of chemo and 33 sessions of radiotherapy, things were looking up and now, 6 years later, I am just on tablets.
However, the biggest change in my life is that I have now become a professional actress, something I would not have had the nerve to do before the cancer.
I have been in 3 feature films, several TV programmes, commercials, voiceovers and much more!
There is no doubt that, without having had the cancer, I would still be an amateur actress, playing to village hall audiences!!
I Survived!!
My story begins in July 2000 on a hot sunny morning, just a normal sleepy start to the day, curled up in bed when i dreamily put my hand on my right breast and jumped up when i realised i had a lump!
Once i was fully awake and out of bed i checked again and yes this was a lump for sure. Later that day i called my GP who assured me it would be nothing to worry about, i was 33 years old, a non smoker and fairly fit......and the chances of cancer were slim. How wrong could he be 4 weeks later after a scan, 2 biopsys and then a partial mastectomy i was told i had a clear cut cancer of the breast. I was terrified to say the least but although the cancer was a grade3 it was in its early stages so the journey began!
At first i was gripped by fear, as a mother of 4 i had to beat this disease so in October 2000 i had an operation to remove all the lymph glands from my armpit and began 6 months chemotherapy and 27 radiotherapy sessions......not very pleasant but i needed to take as life insurance policy for myself. I spent weeks on end being sick, losing hair and feeling ill, i was told i wouldnt have any more kids and my body would probably age 5 years.
Finally the treatment stopped and i have been fine. In early 2003 i asked my cancer team about the posssiblity of having another baby and the said although they werent banning the idea it probably wouldnt happen...... How wrong they were! In December 2003 i gave birth to a healthy baby boy Spencer, now 6. Proof there is life after breast cancer!
