Share Your Story

I'm a survivour

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33, I had had a lot of pain in my left breast for many months before finding my lump I had 3 grade 3 tumours in my breast. I was in total turmoil my daughter had just turned 3 the day before being diagnosed, my whole world felt like it was falling apart. That was six years ago and today I am fit and healthy and have just celebrated my daughters 9th birthday a day I wasn't sure I would see. I underwent a mastectomy followed by chemo, my cancer was triple negative so I also opted to have my right breast removed something I have never ever regretted. After 18 months I had tram flap reconsruction and not only got fab new boobs but a flat tummy aswell. My Mum will be 25 years clear this year, I was 15 when she was diagnosed. Breast cancer has played a huge part in my life and my mums and it has brought so many positive things into our lives, we never would have met the people we have met or done some of the things we have done. It's a very hard road to travel down at times but I wouldn't change a thing. Stay positive and believe in your dreams because they can and do come true.

Jo
Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom

Forever Fighting

I am 47 and just before I turned 41, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a mammogram at 40 and was told to come back for compression views on the left. Sent a letter stating everything was okay and to come back the next year. Before the year was out, I felt an area in my left breast that was firm to the touch, not necessarily a lump. When I didn't wear a bra, it would hurt and indent. Went to GYN and he sent me to surgeon who did a needle biopsy. Needle biopsy came back negative so my surgeon suggested removing it. A week later he did the lumpectomy. He told me it was cancer to the edges and recommended mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. A week later he did the mastectomy. A month later I started chemotherapy which lasted for 6 months, after which I did radiation for 6 weeks. I had reconstruction 6 months later. I began having pain in my shoulder, thinking it was only muscle pain. I went to see my surgeon for a recheck 6 months after my reconstruction. He suggested getting a bone scan to check out the pain in my shoulder. I was then diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to bone. In the past 5 years, having started in my rib, it has spread to my spine, other ribs, hip, and skull bones. I have been on an oral chemotherapy until recently, when my cancer showed progression. I started back on IV chemotherapy. I have been battling this cancer for almost 6-1/2 years total, almost 5 years metastatic. For me, it has become a way of life. I have 3 children, one who is not yet 18, and I will not give in to this monster ever.

Zita Bailey
Summerville, SC

My sister Cindy

My sister Cindy was diagnose on June 23rd, 210 with stage 4 with brain mets. The disease had not only spread to her brain, it had also spread to her lungs and liver. My sister is only 52 years old, and breast cancer does not run in the family. We were very shock to hear she has this deadly disease. I realize now that breast cancer does not have to run into your family to get this disease. My sister's doctor had originally told us that her life expectency would be about 1 year due to her age. A few weeks ago she had a set back and the cancer had spread further in her lungs. I asked the chemo doc would this change her life expectency and she told us yes.. They are only giving her about 6 months. It is so hard to see my sister go through what she is going through, but I also so grateful of her for fighting. I have started a team up for the MARYLAND RACE FOR THE CURE. Oct 3rd, 2010 Our team name is CINDY'S CRUSADERS.. If you happen to be there and you see us, stop by and say "Hello" Cindy would really like that... PLEASE KEEP MY SISTER IN YOUR PRAYERS!!
Thank you for taking your time out to read this.

Sisters,

Stacy & Kathy

stacy
baltimore, MD

A Survivor Story..

I found a tiny lump on my left breast in 1997, I did not want to believe it and wish it would go away. But I decided to go and see my doctor, who sent me for a mamogram and there was something there, I went for a lumpectomy and my test came back postive for cancer and my surgeon wanted to take more tissue plus check the lymph nodes so I returned for more surgery.. That was in August and by November I was taking radiation. This was a very scary journery for myself, husband and 3 daughter's, plus I had to leave my home for 6 weeks for treatment in a larger city. in my journey I met wonderful people and stayed at a home for clients who where going throug cancer.

That is going on 14 years finding a lump early can save your life because it saved mine.

Becuase I am a first nation woman I decided to do traditional healing combined with the western medicine. This made me more stronger to go through what ever was coming my way.

I woud ask that you check your breast every month and have your yearly mamogram if you find any thing your self get the help right away. You can build your own support system it is important to share with other's who are going through what you are going through so you don't feel that it is only you and that will help you.and be an advocate for your self don't be afraid to ask your doctors questions that you may have the more you know about your canser the better for you and it will not seem so scary.

Thanks for listening- Diane -"Strong Standing Bear Women"..
I

Diane
thunder Bay, Canada

Jean Fights For Life

I learned I had Breast Cancer in the fall of 2008, stage 3, I'm a 2 yr Survivor. It was found in my right breast only. After 11 Chemo treatments, 33 radiation treatments, then I had a radical mastectomy. Unfortunately, they missed the cancer in my left breast. So in January of this year, I had a surgical biopsy, then a lumpectomy. Infection set in, I had to have a second radical mastectomy. It was a long hard battle, fighting a vicious monster called Cancer. But, not once, did it ever cross my mind that I would not beat it. Death certainly was not even an option.
With the help and strenght of my daughters, Amy and Samantha, I never stopped fighting.
Death knocked on my door 11 times during chemo, and all that did was make me beyond angery. So if you are fighting cancer don't feel sorry for yourself, that won't help you, get pissed off and fight for your right to live!
My name is Brenda Jean Solomon and I want to say............. CANCER PICKED THE WRONG DIVA!!!

Brenda Jean Solomon
Las Vegas, NV

Peggy Jean

My mother recently lost her fifteen year battle to breast cancer when it returned and masticized in her spine, in November of 2009. When she was first diagnosed with forth stage breast cancer in 1992 she was entered into a study of 36 women and a new cancer treatment drug. I feel it was essential in her living another fifteen years! Information to the public and donations were crucial in her treatment and enabling her to continue her life for 15 more years!

carol ann
Gatesville, TX

Info commerical do work!

I was leaving the house when the lady on TV said you don't have to find a lump the have breast cancer. So I sat back down and watched, a Doctor said you can have itching of the nipple area, discharge from the nipple or invertaded nipple, those are also signs of cancer. I had all three but no lump. I made an appointment for a mamagram, after it was over the Doctor came in and told me I had a problem and need to see a surgon. I had the lump removed and went to see an onocologist. I had stage one breast cancer my lump was only 1.3cm. I was very lucky that I was watching TV that morning. I did chemo and radiation.
I feel that I had a Angel watching over me that morning. I was home only because my best firend had died from cancer one month to the day and I was moving very slow because of missing her. Other wise I would of already been out the door. I also learned I had breast cancer on her birthday. I feel it was a gift from her that I heard that information on TV that morning. God works in strange ways sometimes.

Patsy Hays
Channelview, TX

I click because

I click because my grandma Juanita had breast cancer. She beat it and for 17 years was cancer free. It ended up taking my beautiful grandma before I was 2. I sleep at night knowing she got a chance to see me and meet me and that she is watching over me, my mom, my daughter and my dad. Love u and miss u grandma Juanita. One day we will find a cure.

Kayla Flossic
Manteca, CA

Trainning for the biggest challenge

I have always been very active and athletic. I'm a fitness and gymnastics instructor and I strive to have a healthy life style. Still, on December 1, 2005 I received the news that I had Stage II Breast Cancer. My immediate thoughts went to my daughters who will take care of them? who will be there for them after school, homework, boyfriends, college and so forth...? The doctor was telling me all of these things that i need it to do and I just couldn't focus. After a while in the parking lot, I cried, cursed, screammed, and then little by little remember that I need it to do WHATEVER IT WAS to be here for my daughters. A mastectomy, 12 rounds of heavy chemo, breast recostruction, an amazing team of doctors, and 4 years later I can tell you what I learned from this:
1. Never, ever give up. YOU fight with everything and anything you can...we are women strong, beautiful and fabulous
2. Keep the faith...it goes a long way especially when you cannot keep anything down or you just feel exhausted or when you don't see the end to this crazy ordeal
3. Bold is beautiful...and very practical..you never have a bad hair day..plus the amount of money that you save in waxing is crazy!
4.Stick to your routine: I kept teaching dancing, aerobics, and gymnastics as always and that make me feel powerful...besides I got to receive so much love from my students and especially from my ladies at the gym..that I would not change for anything!
5.Don't hide; become a voice, empower others to take charge of their body and their life
6.My daughters became my power and strenght, they are my light, and the reason to live...Now I'm a survivor...for them :)

Blanca Cecilia Soto
Laredo, TX

My story

I had just turned 60 years old when I found out I had breast cancer. What a shock! There is no history of breast cancer in my family. I had gone for my annual mamogram and a calcification was found that was .08 centimeters in size. I then had a biopsy and it was postive, stage 1 breast cancer. All my lymph nodes were clear. I had a lumpectomy followed by seven weeks of radiation. This happened in April of 2008. I have been fine since. I can't express enough how important that annual mamo is!

Karen
Elgin, IL