Share Your Story

I am a healthy 39 year old with no cancer in my family

Hi my name is Jennifer I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 3rd of this year and how I found out about it was my sister went in for her Mammogram because her insurance was changing and her doctor suggested it so she went in and came back with a sist so my mom told me I should just get it over with, because I was going to wait till I was 40 years old, but thank goodness I didn't. I had a Lumectomy on 2/12 and 4/13 now I am going through radiation which is 6 weeks straight not fun at all but it beats the atlturnative. My breast cancer is invasive I have very good odds. I thank my lucky stars because someone was definitley watching over me I also have a great support team my family and my boyfriends family and friends have been great and very supportive thru all this I have kept a positive attitude I have my days, but pretty much positive.

Jennifer Knight
Waterford, MI

Susan

Hi I just want to say I lost a dear friend to breast cancer 15 years ago at the age of 35. she found a lump and ignored it for too long and sadly it took her leaving 2 lovely girls. So I urge everyone NEVER to IGNORE anything even if it turns out to be nothing.

Helen Blackburn
Staffordshire, United Kingdom

It Runs In My Family

I am a 44 year old wife and mother of 5 amazing children. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2007. After having a lumpectomy, I was informed that they didn't get it all. I went back in to have my left breast removed. During this time, my older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.
When I was a teenager, my mother had a mastectomy and recieved Chemotherapy. It was a very scary time for me. As I went through my treatment, I communicated often with my then 13 year old daughter, as well as my older children, that it was the treatment making me look and feel so sick. I didn't want my children to go to bed at night worrying like I had done when I was a teen, that their mom might not be there in the morning.
I have been blessed with support from friends, family, and neighbours, who cared for not only me, my my family as we have gone through this trying time. Their love and support was, and still is appreciated, as I have learned that the whole family experiences the illness together, not just the patient.
It has been almost three years now, and I am still waiting to get my reconstruction surgery. I still suffer from side effects from my treatment. I sometimes wonder if I will ever wake up and not think of the loss of my breast, or the possability of my children going through the same struggle.
At the end of the day, I thank God that I am still here with my family, and that my sister and mother have also survived.
Let's all help out in finding a cure.
Sincerely,
Linda deJager
Grimsby ON
Canada

Linda deJager
Grimsby, Canada

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR

HI MY NAME IS RONNA COLLINS AND I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AT THE EARLY AGE OF 28. I WAS MARRIED TO MY BEST FRIEND ON AUGUST 15TH 1998, MY DAUGHRTER WAS 1 1/2 AND SHE WALKED DOWN THE ISLE, THIS WAS THE HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE, BUT ON DECEMBER 29TH OF THE SAME YEAR I WAS TOLD I HAD BREAST CANCER, MY LIFE CHANGED ALOT, I WAS SCARED BUT MY HUSBAND AND FAMILY STUCK WITH ME THROUGH IT ALL, I DECIDED TO HAVE A FULL MASTECTOMY AND A REDUCTION ALL AT THE SAME TIME, IT WAS A VERY HARD 2 YR RECOVERY, BUT AS OF TODAY I HAVE BEEN CANCER FREE FOR 12 YRS. I WAS LUCKY THEY FOUND MY CANCER AT THE VERY FIRST STAGE AND I DIDNT NEED CHEMO OR RADIATION, AS OF TODAY I AM A LOVING MOTHER AND A WONDERFUL WIFE AND I NOW HAVE A DIFFERENT OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

Ronna Collins
Springfield, MO

I find strength in your products.....

I was recently diagnosed with Paget's disease. I had symptoms for over 3 months. I decided to ignore them. Classic symptoms of the disease. I knew ignoring them was unwise. But I figured "HEY NO LUMPS, right?" and I just turned 39.

I went in for my yearly physical. My doctor, the normal talkative person he is. Kind of reminds people of Dr. House. Became quite quiet when did the breast exam. When examining my armpit area, he asked me. "So how long have your nipples bothered you?"

In the back of my mind, I had one reminder. My mother had breast cancer at age 39. I was about to turn 39 myself. History like this doesn't repeat itself does it? My aunt had breast cancer at 35, my cousin at age 33. Come on, I have to win some sort of genetics lotto, so far my luck has not been good.

Well, the prognosis is not great. I've had mammograms, scans, removals of lumps, DNA testing of myself and my two daughters *who have both won the DNA lotto*, Then one morning I woke up with stains, my breast decided to leak overnight. They sent a sample of the discharge and it's been confirmed. I have Paget's disease at age 39. AND I am scared for my life. I am scheduled surgery on June 24th.

Your products have kept me strong. I've found strength in the ones that say "one day at a time." and the pink ribbon items. Without you, I'd feel so alone. You are my support group. I don't reach out, I don't speak often, as this is still new to me. Thank you for being there for me. Without you, I'd be lost.

Anonymous
Seattle, WA

my sister

My sister had breast cancer and had to have her breast removed..You would not know it. She has had 5 bouts with cancer in her life. This woman is so strong that nothing will ever get her down. She wasn't in the hospital long when this happened until she was out and back to work and taking care of her family. I know the lord had a purpose in life for her. She is so amazing to me that wished i could be like her. She is there for everyone. she puts every ones needs in front of hers. If someone needs anything she is there to lend a hand. This woman should be a spokesperson for cancer with all that she has been through. She is god's gift to everyone especially me. She is my should to cry on,a voice to talk with me, and my power to go on. She is a wonderful wife,mother,grandmother. please try and do something for her for me.

thank you :
Debbie Robey

Debbie Robey
Elkins, WV

I'm PROUD of my Mom, too

I enjoy reading the daily stories of the moms, sisters, aunts, relatives and friends who were fortunate to survive their cancer experience. My story is different because my Mom did not, but I am just as proud of her. My Mom was young, widowed, the mother of 7 children when her breast cancer was detected. She went through all the treatments available at that time, including surgery and radiation. She'd drive her children to their schools, take the youngest to a sitter, then go to radiation treatment. When she got back home, she'd make lunches and deliver them to her children at their schools. I wish this story had a happier ending, but after a couple of years of fighting cancer's progression throughout her body, God called my mother to him. I was too young to remember her, but I cherish the remembrances my brothers and sisters have shared. None of us have had to deal with the type of cancer mom had and the couple of incidences of cancer amongst us were successfully treated. This is being written many decades later and we, her children, are survivors for Mom.

Anonymous
Lutz, FL

My Cancer Story

My name is Lisa, and in 2006 I found out I had Melanoma cancer in my neck and had several surgeries to remove it. Glad to say I am okay today. On December 24th 2009 I got the phone call that I have breast cancer stage II. I knew as soon as I found the lump that it was indeed cancer, I knew this in my heart. I was sent in less than a week to Anchorage to see this cancer doctor to go over my options. I choose to have a Lumpectomy. On January 22,2010 I had surgery and all went well I am now about 2 chemo's away from being finished, then have 6 weeks of radiation. This has put a lot of stress on me and my family. Both my parents passed from cancer lung and melanoma, so I was pretty scared. I had the genetic testing to see if I carry the cancer gene and that came back negative thank goodness. There is so much cancer on my mom's side of the family 5 of her 7 sisters have had or passed away from some form of cancer.
I have a lot to live for and I know that I will beat this illness and live a full life.If you have a history of cancer please get the genetic testing done so you will know and your children will know what they need to do to help prevent this. Hope this story helps you in some way..

In this picture as my hair was falling out, I decided to have my son shave the rest off...now that is power....

Lisa

Lisa Hunt
Saint Petersburg, FL

Breast Cancer????

I am like most men. We see the pink ribbons and think of a woman in our lives that is battling breast cancer. I'm 37 years old and the father of 4. Three days ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I have been absorbing a lot of information over the past few days. Statistically, a higher percentage of men die from breast cancer than women. It is because men do not catch it early enough. Nobody is looking for breast cancer in a man.

I noticed my first lump over a year ago. I went to my doctor and asked him about it. He told me that is was a lipoma and that I had nothing to worry about. He said to watch it and look for a change in size, color or if I experienced any pain. A year later I bumped my chest against a door frame and I experienced some strong pain. Much more pain than I thought I should have felt. I went to see a doctor again. I had moved since I first discovered it so it was a new doctor. He also told me that is was a lipoma but he saw that I was concerned and told me that he would order some tests to help ease my mind. Right now my chances of survival are in the 90%. I wonder what would have happened if I had not pushed to have it tested.

Great work has been done to raise awareness for women. Men need the same awareness.

Brent Thomas
Mesa, AZ

I Did It

I found my lump 4 years ago and ignored it, 3 months later I found the second lump in my armpit. I was dianosed with stage 3 breast cancer 2 days after my 49th birthday. Thanks to the great nurses and doctors at my clinic I am now a 4 year survivor. I had no support from my family but now I am the support for breast cancer patients.

IMC

Anonymous
Redding, CA