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My Hero

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago. Her strength, courage and faith in G-d was inspirational. She is now cancer free and every ache or pain she experiences as she gets older she looks at as a blessing. She says "you have to be alive to feel the pain". She refers to herself as a 74 year old woman with 35 year old breasts (due to the reconstruction). She exercises 3-4 days a week and crochets blankets for the Linus Project so no child, who is sick in the hospital, should be without a blanket.

I admire her stamina and willingness to learn from whatever experiences comes her way. She is my hero!

Sara Stern
Oak Park, IL

The Positive Side of Cancer

I was diagnosed with Stage IIA breast cancer last July when I was 50 years old. The past year has been difficult -- surgery, chemotherapy, radiation -- while simultaneously balancing two part-time jobs and family responsibilities. Yet, I learned that for most bad things the cancer brought, at least one good thing happened, too.

> Losing my hair from chemotherapy was traumatic ,,, but not having to fuss with washing, drying, and styling my hair was liberating. Accessorizing with hats was actually fun.

> Nausea was unpleasant. Food tasting "funny" for so long was frustrating ... but I lost the 20 lbs that I had accumulated as part of middle-age spread.

> Not being able to do everything I used to do for my kids (ages 10 and 15) made me feel inadequate ... but it empowered my kids to do more for themselves and take pride in helping Mom out.

> Thinking about my own possible death was depressing ... but I developed a keen awareness and appreciation for what I could sense with the body I have now: hearing my favorite music, seeing my husband's smiling face in our wedding picture, the physical sensation of hugging my children.

The two biggest lessons I learned during my cancer journey are:

1. Be kind to yourself. This is a long process -- be patient. Rest when you need to. Accept help when it's offered. Ask for help if you need it. Give yourself permission to take the time you need to heal.

2. Pray for strength to face whatever happens, not for a miraculous cure.

Charitable Organization: SHARE of New York, NY -- a supportive network of breast and ovarian cancer survivors providing telephone hotlines, support groups, and education in English and Spanish -- all free of charge.

Susan Harden
Wayne, NJ

My Mother

A few days before my 12th birthday, my mom, Ann, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. It was SO difficult to watch her get sick and lose her hair and not be able to eat for days.
Mom went through chemotherapy treatment for a year and then had a mastectomy and radiation treatment for about another year. It was a long, grueling process for our whole family, but we learned and we grew from it.
In December 2009, about two years after Mom had been done with treatment, she went back to the doctor because she was experiencing some pain in her sides and abdomen. It turns out that the cancer not only had come back, but it had spread to her lungs and her liver as well.
The sad thing is that Mom hadn't smoked for thirty years, and she was one of the best people I knew in terms of constant volunteering and kindness towards everyone.
After five months of struggling against the disease, Mom passed away in April 2010. It was so hard for our entire family. Mom had always been the one who told us what to do when we didn't have any idea, or the one who encouraged us when we needed it most. For me in particular, I didn't realize how important those last few months of caring for her were until I didn't have her anymore.
Now I'm seventeen years old, and I don't have my mother. Sometimes I call her cell phone and leave her messages to tell her what's happening in our family, that my sister just got contacts, or just that I miss her. Sometimes I write her letters.
I hope that nobody else ever has to go through what I went through. We HAVE to find a cure.

Allison Sulouff
Clarendon Hills, IL

the toilet

when i heard my mom had colon cancer, last year, i was scared. i thought she eas going to die until she had the operation. i got to visit her there afterwards when the cords were gone. she didn't want me to see her tied up. she was thrilled she got to be in there long enough to get flowers. there were several bouquets. mom always said if she went to the hospital she wanted to stay long enough to get flowers. i was so relieved when i saw her and new she would live. i sat down on what i thought was a chair. suddenly, she jumped up and shouted get up! get up. i have to use the toilet. that was so funny because it looked just like a pretty chair. another reason i was worried about her was because my grandma on her side died of breast cancer when i was less than 2yrs.old. that was about 44yrs. ago.

rebecca Butcher
st.pete, FL

I was the one in eight who got breast cancer

Since with my diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer I did not have the pathos that I know so very many cancer patients experience I felt that my story was not worthy of sharing in comparison. However, I have changed my mind.

Considering that 95% of early stage cancers have successful treatments I am an especially great spokesperson for advocating the importance of regular mammograms. My personal 9-11-2009 saga began when my doctor called on that date to say that my annual screening had found that I had bilateral breast cancer. Although the "garden variety" tumors were both small and no lymph nodes were involved they were growing aggressively. My story would have ended quite differently if I had not had my annual mammogram because these cancers were nestled deep inside by my breast bone and not palpable.

But thanks to early detection and modern medicine I am now cancer free and I'm optimistic about my long term health with no recurrence. Hopefully, you also will get checked regularly to assure your future well-being.

Be proactive!!

Marilyn Shadid
Bayfield, CO

My Mom is My Hero!

Yesterday I turned 40. I broke up with my boyfriend the day and drove from Michigan to Texas non stop and had not slept in 2 days.I also found out my mom has Breast Cancer! When I got to her house she said she needed to tell me something and that it wasn't a big deal. I broke down and started crying. All she could say was that it will be fine and that she is just worried about me and my daughter who just turned 13. All I could do was cry. I do not have any insurance and have already had a lumpectomy a few years ago. I have not been to the doctor since because I had lost my job. My mom is my hero and the strongest woman I know and that is where is pull my strength from. God does not put more than you can handle on your plate and I pray he has a strong grip on my family right now. I will take care of what is on my plate and wait patiently for dessert! Chin up and Chest out!!
God bless....

April White
Dallas, TX

Cancer is cancer

I am recently in remission from another type of cancer. There isn't much talk or help out there for the type of cancer that I have. At times I thought that I would never get through it. The horrible pain and being to tired all day, every day from the chemo and the radiation, to talk to anyone, but still had to go to radiation on a daily basis. I couldn't wait for the weekend, because they didn't do radiation on weekends! But I did it, with help from my soulmate, friends and family. They helped me keep the faith. I wore a button every day that read "Cancer Sucks". That was my way of saying that cancer wasn't going to get me. I was going to win this battle and so far I am! For those of you out there suffering, you have to say to yourselves "I am going to win this fight"! You can beat it too!

paula
port st lucie, FL

Love can make you stronger!

In August 2004, I was diagnoses with Breast Cancer. I was alone in Hawaii, with my husband in Iraq and my family on the Mainland. A Red Cross message was sent and my husband came home from his tour in Iraq and my Mom came in from Arizona. They were with me 24/7 during all the Chemo and Radiation, My husband was supposed to return to Iraq after 2 weeks, but his Command allowed to stay home and not to return to Iraq to help my Mom deal with me and the the situation. Without their love and support, I wouldn't have been able to fight the good fight. There were alot of rought times when I couldn't eat, couldn't move off the sofa, couldn't get myseof to the bathroom, but they were both there to help. Helped my in and out of the shower, dried me off and dressed me because I couldn't lift my arms. I underwent 15 different surgeries to remove the cancer and infected lympnodes, The doctors would think they had it all, but it would creep in again.Each time I went to the Oncologist or the Plastic Surgeon, I knew I was in for it again! The look on their faces told it all. It took 5 years until the last surgery was completed and the last medication taken, but they were there for me the whole time. Without their help, love and support I would not have had the strength to fight the cancer and become the Warrior I am. For my 5th year anniversary, my husband bought me the Breast Cancer Mustang as a reminder of the WARRIOR I am! I can never thank them enough! Love makes you stronger!!

Danielle Neal
Wahiawa, HI

Thanking God for my cancer

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. When I was told the news I said, "why me?" After thinking about it for a while, I said, "why not me, I am nobody special?". As I went about informing my children, my son who was a Pastor asked me if I had thanked God for the cancer. I was taken aback by his question, but as I pondered his words I realized he had a point, so I thanked God and praised Him for what He would do on my journey.

After my lumpectomy and during my radiation, I decided to make a bracelet for each daughter and granddaugher, asking them to pray for me each time they wore it. As time went on, friends saw the bracelet and asked if I could make them one so they could be on my prayer team. Now four years later, we are all still wearing the bracelets and whenever someone sees it and questions the meaning, I can tell them of the hope that is in me and the encouragement I am to others who are walking where I have walked.

Being a breast cancer survivor has brought me into contact with many women and it has allowed me to comfort and encourage them along their journey.

God has been and is faithful to walk with me as I continue to travel this road.

Linda Schneider
Taylors, SC

Two Time Winner

In March of 1995, I had selective surgery done. When I went back for my followup, they told me they found cancer. I went thru six weeks of radiation treatments and am now cancer free from breast cancer.The good part was that had I not done this surgery, they probably would not have found it early. That was 15 years ago. Then 3 years ago I was diagnosed with a somewhat rare form of cancer called liposcarcoma. This is a cancer of the soft tissue. I went thru radiation treatments again, having problems from radiation burn that is still causing problems, but I am cancer free. I don't think I could have made it thru the second time without the support of the people I love and work with every day. Had they not stood behind me and held a fundraiser for me to pay for my co-pays for each treatment, I would not have been able to financially have my treatments that have saved my life. God Bless each and every one of them, especially my best friend, Joey, and the cancer society for helping to save my life.

Mamie Reid
Conyers, GA