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I Am Blessed

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 14, 2002. On Sept. 4th I had a modified radical mastectomy of the left breast and had reconstruction at the same time. We found out the cancer had spread to 2 lymph nodes, I was scared because I had always heard that if it went to the lymph nodes you died. "Not so anymore," was what my oncologist told me. "You have an 85 - 90 % chance of survival and we'll get you there."
The most touching moment was waking up after the surgery and my family being there. My son was 10 years old and my two sisters had taken him shopping. He had picked out a white bear, dressed it in a safari outfit with a gold cross around it's neck. He gave it to me and said,"Here Mom....this is so you won't be alone."
Three days later I was home and it was at that time I knew I had to completely give this whole thing over to God and trust Him.
I went through five months of chemo and joked about my bald head, told people that I just cleaned my head with Endust and a rag, less time in the shower and didn't have to worry about shaving my legs. :) I would go to my son's school to eat lunch with him and the kids would ask what happened to my hair. (I had worked there before) They would then tell me about a family member who had had breast cancer and lived. Total strangers would talk to me and tell me about family members who had lived through it.
I'm an eight year survivor now and looking forward to many more. :-)

Jackie Buie
Crowley, TX

Had it and now it's gone

I had been without health insurance for the last 9 or 10 years due to a pre-existing condition. So, I did not have a well woman or a mammogram for the last 10 years. My primary doctor pushed the issue and I had my mammogram in June of this year. By July 2nd I was hearing "You have breast cancer". What? I barely have breast was my first thought. My doc said "Don't worry, a little radiation and a lumpectomy and you will be fine".
After all the test were run and results were in, I had it both breast but, it was early. After talking with my kids and my best friends and a whole lot of soul searching I made a decision. I was going to have a bilateral mastectomy. I had my surgery August 24th and my reconstruction started immediately afterwards. I realize that I have been blessed and that I am one lucky woman. There are many who didn't have a choice or a chance. From this moment on I will forever be a poster child for annual mammograms and check-ups. I am a testament to what your donations to breast cancer research can do. I donated ever chance I could and I never knew where my money was going or even if it helped. I know now, there has been major break-throughs in research and development. I don't mind this journey that I have been on just as long as my daughter never knows what fear and doubt entered her mother's heart and mind. I am a survivor.

Elaine P.
Balch Springs, TX

I TOO AM A SURVIVOR

I am a 5 year BC Survivor today! I had a left mastectomy . At first I was really self consence about only having ONE girl but I got over that with the help and love of my daughters, family and friends. Now I look FORWARD to each and every birthday and my Survivor Anniversary and participate in all the BC walks I can and Relay for Life walks and I did the 3 Day walk in Seattle with my youngest daughter. Every year my oldest daughter and granddaughter do the walk for me in Virginia. . I am proud to say and show that I am a Survivor and appreciate all those with me and all those that support the cause, all the nurses and doctors that took care of me also especially Carrie Mallory RN at St.Francis Hospital in Charleston WV.

Sharon Foster
Scott Depot, WV

Breast Cancer Survivor almost one year.

In Nov of 2009 I found out I had breast cancer and to top it off it was my daughter 14 birthday what a way for her to remember that one,had the surgergy,chemo,radaition,and some exersices to help with the arm.I can say that chemo was the worst part and the others ok,just glad to have it all behind me now and start trying to get back to the normal self which is a slow procress but I am working on it.It helps reading others stories to see that there are survivors out there,and maybe one day we will have a cure for it.

Billie Jo
Lexington, GA

Oh what a difference a year makes

I had my first mamogram at 48 last June as urged by my new gynecologist. Breast cancer did not run in my family and I was told by the tech after the test that things looked good; not to worry so when I was called back, I wasn't initially concerned. After that test I was given an immediate ultrasound. Then I was told to wait for the radiologist who needed to talk to me. That's when I realized that something was gravely wrong. When I got the news that I had breast cancer in my right breast, I was alone. The room turned black and two nurses rushed in to be supportive after I got the news. The next two weeks I took a myriad of other tests; blood work, biopsy (ouch), pet scan, mri. My parents and I met with a top surgeon and after being cleared medically, I had surgery on July 27th. Because the tumor was small, close to chest wall, and caught early, it was necessary for another doctor to place a 12 inch guide wire thru my breast while I was awake, at another location, a few hours before my surgery. My parents took me thru all of this. It broke my heart to worry them. I was always referred to as "The Golden Child", and the GTC is not supposed to get sick. Radiation started on my 49th birthday August 20th and lasted for 8 weeks, every day; 33 treatments. It was exhausting. By the middle of treatment my skin was raw and black. Scarey to look at, and painful to touch. Looking back, the experience was humbling, and life changing for me. I am now Cancer free and urge every woman to start getting tested by 39 if not sooner. God bless you!

Lori
Naples, FL

My prayer for Latrice

Courage ofthe lion and strength of a bear is my prayer while gazing at her minus her shing black hair, Courage of a lion and strength aof the bear my mantra over feeling powerless as I watch the pain she now quietly bears. GOD grant my courage of the lion and the strength of the bear the same as youv'e given her to endure and not shad a tear. the same courage ofthe lion and strength of the bear that allows her to stand on your promises and never fear.Lord, I know youre watching I know you're there cradling her in your tender loving care, As she pulls on a wig to cover where once was hair. I pray for the courage of trhe lion and the strength of the bear.a trayer for my loving Daughter Latrice from your mom Gloria

Lorraine
St. Petersburg, FL

A Mammogram Detected my Breast Cancer Early!

I just celebrated 6 years cancer free this month, YEAH! I was 45 when I was diagnosed and my lump was too small to detect during my exam. My doctor was surprised when the results of my mammogram came back showing something suspicious. Thanks to that mammogram my cancer was detected early, so I LOVE that I can click to give women in need mammograms. One of my sisters and a good friend were just recently diagnosed, both the same week! PLEASE do your self-exams regularly (or let your husband, boyfriend or significant other do it :) and have your annual exams and a mammogram every 2 years after 40. Encourage other women you love to do the same! Early detection is the key to surviving this disease!

Sheri McCandless
Loxahatchee, FL

Very blessed!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July. I was only a stage I; then they found one small malignant lymphnode and now I am a II. I only had to have a lumpectomy...... only have to have 38 treatments of radiation and I am down to 20. Breast Cancer is not always a death sentence it is sometimes just a bump in the road. I am truly blessed!

Not only was I truly blessed with being diagnosed early my friends and now sisters rallied around me and made me feel so loved. But....I don't want anymore sisters. I don't want anyone to have to hear those words and tell their daughters or sons and husbands that they have cancer. '
Eventhough it is NOT a death sentence it WILL change your life forever.
Thanks for all my sisters that have gone ahead of me and made my treatments so much better!

Thanks for this opportunity to tell my little story.

Janice
cumming, GA

A journey.....

My maternal grandmother died of Breast Cancer at at 52 (2 yrs before I was born). My mother died of Breast Cancer at age 42 (when I was 8 yrs old). I was absolutely fearful of developing the same disease and I had regular mammograms all my adult life. I was diagnosed with very early Breast Cancer at age 41 in Nov 2001. I was advised to have a bilateral mastectomy by my Breast Surgeon who felt that given the family history it was a sensible thing to do. I agreed to this on the basis of an immediate reconstruction. Unfortunately I had complications and my reconstruction failed. This was removed and I have yet to have it redone.
It was after this that I tested positive for BRCA1 and was then advised by my genetic counsellors to have a hysterectomy with bilateral oophorectomy. This was a tough choice but I went ahead for the sake of my health. My priority was and always has been my two boys and being around for them.

I would dearly love to have my reconstruction fixed but am not sure if this will be possible. This was the toughest challenge of my life, besides losing my mom when I was 8 yrs old. My heart goes out to any family who deals with this.

Rachelle Harris
Sydney, Australia

G-mother, mother, two sisters and myself

After this long history of Breast Cancer in the family, and NO genetic component...I was diagnosed with IDC in 2009. I had a lumpectomy and my nodes were clear. With my first (and last) dose of chemo I experienced a very rare but known side effect called Neutropenic Colitis (or Typhlitis). Within a week of receiving the treatment I was airlifted to the nearest city to find that it had entirely melted my colon, stopped my heart and kidneys and ultimately put me in a coma for 2.5 months. It was 8 months before I was able to return home. As my family was told that I would not survive, I fought, and I am here with a smile on my face because I was given a rare second chance at life. I am still cancer free and I will start radiation soon. I Will continue to fight and I WILL win! No matter how hard it may get or seem...think of me and how hard I have fought and know that YOU are in my thoughts and prayers. There is strength in numbers and we must all fight this together!!!

Marcie Walton-Ballard
Port Angeles, WA