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AlWays on my Guard

Back In 2001 I found a lump in my underarm, I had gone to my dr as I wasnt feeling good and I pointed it out to him. He refered me to a surgeon which then lead to the next horrifiying 3 months. The first Dr (surgeon) removed the thyroid under my right arm. I woke up in recover and he said your good go home. Before I got home there was a message on my phone from the hospital stating a mistake was made, neddless to say that Dr no longer practices. The next 6 weeks was spent with MRI's, Mamograms and biopsies. Well there were a total of 7 lumps removed, all was contained in the lumps removed. I had 3/4's of my right breast removed. I worry all the time of the reaccurance of the nasty monster but am happy I survived. I was worried for my two daughter's but have gone thru the Genetic counseling and testing and I do not carry the gene for breast cancer, so that is a relief. I try to support breast cancer sites as much as I can but have suffered three TIA's (mimi Strokes) and just lost my job so financially I am limited but love all this site does for the cause. I wish all the woman and men out there that have to face this evilness all the luck in the world. Stay stronge and keep the faith,,,,,

Anonymous
Deltona, FL

7 year Breast Cancer Survivor

I am a poster child for baseline mammograms. My doctor talked me into getting a baseline mammogram at age 35. When I turned 40 in 2003, she made me start yearly mammograms. Well, that mammogram showed spots that were not on the baseline mammogram. I had to go back in and do more extensive Mammograms on my right breast. I was sent to a surgeon who said it looked like calcifications but we should biopsy to be sure. Well it was Ductal Carcinoma Insitu. I had a mastectomy in November of 2003. It it wasn't for my baseline mammogram, those little tiny spots would not have meant much. I did not have to do chemotherapy or radiation because it was caught early enough. I thank God that my doctor pushed me to get a baseline mammogram.

Rita
Alexandria, MN

me and Breast cancer

In 2003 my oldest daughter and I found out she was having my first gandchild and I had breast cancer on the same day....Wow what a special gift to help incourage me to stay strong and positive!!!!Ive always been a happy person and cancer didnt change that!!!I had surgery a couple weeks later... then four rounds of chemo...yuk what a drag made me really tired...but not really sick... 33 radation treatments ... lost my hair ...my appatite...... but never my smile...I worked at an exxon store and was working my way up...I only missed a total of 16 days... including surgery...through it all I remanined positive and was only "permitted " one good breakdown.The love and support from my family and friends, helpt me get through what could have been an very unpleasnt time in my life a learning experience. thank you for the opportunity to share my story...Sincerely

JoAnn L. Iddles
taylorsville, NC

A life changing moment...

When I was diagnosed the shock took my breath away. I was 44 and had never known anyone with breast cancer and thought it meant I was soon to die. I grabbed tight to the 23rd psalm 'The Lord is my Shepherd" and reapeated that prayer, silently, as the Dr. gave me the news. Shortly after that I met women who were in the fight and many who were survivors. They were an inspiration and I began to learn about this complex disease.
My friends and family gave me encouragement and my faith grew leaps and bounds.Now it has been 14 years and although the cancer recurred, I am here to say that I am grateful for the lessons and value each relationship along life's journey. God is so good, all the time!

Anonymous
Orange, CA

FB Friend

I want first to say I admire all survivors & all fighters!
I met a lady on FB "Tamara" she is a Breast cancer Survivor...
She touches my heart in one way or another each time we correspond.
She is strong...
She is posititve...
She is a survivor...
She is my friend...

I have a whole new outlook on the words:
Live...Love...Laugh....Hope...Fight...Cure...Strength...

Laurie
Lakeland, FL

10 Years and counting

A mammogram with follow up ultrasounds and a core biopsy saved my life. I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer 10 years ago. My heart sank when the doctor called and said, "I am sorry to have to inform you of this, but your biopsy confirms our diagnosis. You have cancer." My first feeling was fear, not for myself, but for my family who might be left behind. And then I think anger and confusion set up camp for a while. But we have been blessed in so many ways since that time. We choose to do a lumpectomy with removal of the sentinal node and the two on each side of it. My pathology report came back with the great news that the cancer had NOT spread to the nodes. I was required to do 30 consecutive radiation treatments, but did not have to have any chemotherapy. I also had to take Tomoxifin for 5 years, and then was switched to Femara for another 3 years. We had great doctors all along the way, and my cancer has not returned for 10 years. My family was the biggest support I could have ever hoped for. The promise of our first grandchild (Alaina) was just more reason for me to keep fighting this battle. God Bless all of the doctors and nurses who deal with Breast Cancer patients on a daily basis. I hope my story will inspire hope to someone who is feeling like this is the end of their road. Cancer is not the threat it was 20 years ago, and definately not a death sentence. Let this be a door to a new beginning. Never lose hope! You have brother and sisters (survivors) who are willing to share your burden. Let us do that for you!

Lorrie Coffey
Columbus, IN

MALE BREAST CANCER

I am a 65 year old man who has survived brest cancer. I was diagnosed in 2005 and was shocked when the doctor told me. I would urge all men to begin a self-exam of their brests once a month. Just pick a day and stick to it. While brest cancer in men is rare ( of 100 women diagnosed only 1.1 men are diagnosed) why take the chance. If you do find a lump it doesn't mean it's cancer. Just get it checked out ASAP! Just remember these four words, EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES!.

WAYNE LALLIER
PHOENIX, AZ

My wonderful sister, Carmel

This is in honor of my sister, Carmel, who battled sarcoma for 4 1/2 years when the doctors only gave her 3 months to live. She lived her last years to the fullest, pain, suffering every single day but didn't let the cancer take her before her time. Carmel, love you and admire you so much. We'll keep on fighting this disease until there is a cure.
This is for all the victims of cancer and hoping and praying for a cure. United we stand against it. Thanks!

Teresa
Brentwood, CA

husband

My husband (Gene Moore) of 37 years was diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2005. In the year 2006 he had a mastectomy done on his right breast they took 21 limph nodes and 5 of them were Cancerous in the year 2007 he was diagnosed with lung Cancer a continuation from breast cancer from there it went into his bones then traveled up into his brain. After 5 years of Cancer and 8 different Chemos later he was put on Hospice at home on September 3rd 2010 he lost the battle of cancer.

Dorothy Moore
LaPorte, IN

my mother

my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer recently ..she had to have a mastectomy an is now free of cancer doesnt have to have any treatments that s the power of prayers.. thank u god

deborah davis
tyronza, AR