Share Your Story

I Should Have Known Better

To write my story I would need 1000 words but will cut it short.

It all started in October of 2006. I had a complete left-sided stroke and was admitted to a great hospital; they also diagnosed left-sided breast cancer. No one wants to admit that they knew something was wrong, but I did. Enough said, and to this day, will never know if one lead to the other. It was a a very difficult 30 days in the hospital. I received tons of therapy and my family gave me the support I needed to go on. I left the hospital 30 days later, walking with a cane. Finding that there are always others worse than you and seeing little children with cancer was a wake-up call for me. Thank the Lord I was right-handed, tho.

After release from the hospital, I had four rounds of chemo, a mastectomy with lymph node removal, and 33 rounds of radiation. Lymphedema resulted. My husband was my savior as he stood by me, attending to my every need. He and my two children were my strength to get through.

On a separate note, I started driving again, in Fall of 2009. On the day before New Years Eve Day, someone ran a red light and totalled my vehicle. The airbag went off and I sustained 9 fracture ribs. I literally thought I would die as they had to pry me out of my car. Then I had to recover, in a sense, all over again. I've had to purchase another car and, lo and behold, I am back to driving again.

It has now been three years and I am cancer free. For that I thank the Lord I want to be a good example for others. God helps those that help themselves.

Arlene L.Hill
Franklin, WI

my sister was my angle

i am a brest cancer suvivor it was a long road but i made it with the help of my sister she was my angle with out her i would of been so lost thank you julie when god sent angel to earth tou were one of them

Anonymous
beaverlodge, Canada

My Grandma June

My Maternal Grandma June was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1980, a year and a half after I was born. She had a double mastectomy, recovered from her surgery and then moved from Erie, PA to Arizona to live her dream of living out west. 2 years after her move my Father died from brain cancer and left my Mother a single Mother of 2 little girls (I was 4, my sister 9 months). My Grandma gave up her life in Arizona and promptly moved to Ohio to help my Mother raise my sister and I. My Grandma lived in remission for 18 years, when a mamogram discovered a small tumor on her breast bone. She underwent hormone therapy and radiation and fought a brave fight for 6 years. She finally succumbed to the breast cancer in December of 2004. My Grandmother was my bestfriend, my second Mother and my hero. My husband and I were blest with a little girl last year and we named her Lucy June after my her.

Rachel Hoermann
Cincinnati, OH

My breast cancer miracle

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in February of 1996. I had 10 surgeries that year, including both breasts removed. When I found that lump, all I could think is, "You'd better know where you stand in Christ." I thought it was a death sentence. I refused to worry about it because I couldn't control it. I went through the surgery, chemo and radiation, along my daily routine, and nobody around me knew, except for family and close friends. I would throw on a wig, some makeup and go to my college classes days after surgery, even in pain, sickness and the diarrhea, because I wanted everything to be normal. The doctor told me my at that my attitude is what kept me alive. In retrospect, I felt alone, and wished I hadn't been embarrassed about telling somebody else, or going to a support group. Afterward, I felt a lot of guilt because some friends and/or movie stars died of breast cancer, and I survived. I wasn't able to share it for a long time, but now, after breast reconstruction, with my own body fat, I feel better telling my miracle story. For months and years after my surgery people would stare obviously at my chest, and I would get angry or embarrassed. I wasn't hearing to have reconstruction until about 12 years later. I am, glad I waited. The photo shows me graduating, with my wig, and knowing I was blessed to be there.

Marilynn
Muskogee, OK

Susan's Story

A person never knows how they will react to the words YOU HAVE CANCER. My mom had breast cancer but I never thought that I might get it. When I found a lump in my breast while taking a shower, I put it out of my mind and didn't go to the doctor for several weeks.
Well, I finally did go and here I am to talk about it 7 years later. Breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Early detection is key. Please pay attention to your bodies!!!!

Susan Grossman
Brooklyn, NY

MY MOM

Around 1999 my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in her right breast. She ended up having it removed. She didnt even care aslong as it was gone. As was i. My mom & I were like sisters, best friends. We did so much together. We were really close. In 2003 found out it came back, this time it was in her head, She had a lump there.Also her ribs,liver, it ended up everywhere. That was the last christmas with her. I spent over 3 months in the hospital with her. 8am till midnite everyday, alot of overnights too. I was in denial all the time. I lost my mom May 25, 2004. I was devestated. I know she is in better place and all her pain is gone. She is a grandma now, August 12, 2008 i had a little girl, which i got the name from her(long story lol). It is hard not having ur mom there thru having a baby, but i know she was with me. I miss her all the time. I love her dearly. You do find the strength to go on. I got my strength from my mom. RIP mom love ya.

Janice
London, Canada

I click because

I click as a survivor and as a supporter. I've had 2 family members who survived, my grandmother was diagnosed and had a radical mastectomy, 20 years later she had to have the other breast removed, she survived both times and lived until the age of 97. My sister in law was diagnosed in 2001, had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation, today she is doing great. In 2007 a coworkers wife was diagnosed she had a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation, unfortunately the cancer returned and spread so quickly. She died in 2008. Mine was discovered in 2007, I had a partial mastectomy, and mamosite radiation, I'm great. Had reconstructive surgery in 2008, a little disappointing, things that shouldn't be done after radiation, but I'm still doing great. Lastly I click for my daughter, she's 15.

Elizabeth Freeman
Triangle, VA

batteling

first of all i wanna say GOD BLESS EVEYONE...my name is veronica im a single mother of four boys 18,7,9,4 and im 37 years old, last year in november i was diagnosed with stage 4 mestatic breast cancer my cancer has spread to my liver, bones, and cervix!! ive been on chemo therapy almost nine months now ,,not only am i battleing my cancer my two youngest sons are also sick, one with sickle cell disease and thallesemia major. all three of us are battleing a different illness..i pray to the LORD THEY FIND A CURE FOR ALL OUR ILLNESSES..BREAST CANCER HAS ROBBED ME OF ALOT, BUT IT HAS NOT TAKEN AWAY MY FAITH...STAND STRONG STAND TOGETHER AND HAVE FAITH IN GOD AND HE WILL SEE US ALL THROUGH,,,MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO EVERYONE ,,,VERONICA

veronica kish
dania beach, FL

Survivor

I was diagnosed on September 2005. I was married then with three children 16, 10 an 6. My children were my caretakers most of the time. Since then my sister and mother have been diagnosed. I have many other new conditions because of chemotherapy but I have now been cancer free for 5 years. I'm able to see life with a different view, live every day as it was the last one and tell the people you love every day that you really do love them. I thank all my family specially my mom, dad, brother and sister, who never shed a tear in front of me giving me the courage to face this disease as you would face any other and also giving me the faith that all would be better in time. To all my family I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will always love you.

Elizabeth Montes
Mayaguez, PR

Breast Cancer Survivor

My mom has always been there for me so when she came to me and told me she had breast cancer I knew I was going to be there for her. I was so scared, but I knew God was on her side. She made it through the surgery and only lost a small part of her breast and all her lymph nodes under her arm. She was so brave and through it all she knew she would be okay. She is now a cancer survivor of 16 years. She has 4 great grandchildren, 12 grandchildren and four children that she can love and spoil. All due to the love of God and her being so strong. We praise God for her everyday and know that it was all in Gods Great Plan!

Pictured with her granddaughter Pamela and her husband Gene the day Pamela graduated Clemson.

Lynda Benden
Simpsonville, SC