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Turning 45

Turning 45 helped save my life. Because I was turning 45 this summer I decided to have a full physical/mammo done. I went through 2 sets of mammos and a stereotactic biopsy. I was diagnosed March 25 with grade 1 DCIS in my right breast. It was caught so early it wasn't even to a stage. I chose to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction and that was done on May 12th. I am almost 3 weeks into my recovery and have never regreted my decision to have a double done. My pathology reports showed a marker in my left breast showing I was at a high risk for getting a more invasive type of cancer. Because it was found so early, I do not have to have chemo, radiation or even the pill. I have survived, all because I am turning 45. My family and friends have been such a great support group too!!

Michelle S
Ashland, NE

Spouses of Survivors of Breast Cancer

As I was reading Becky's story at age 29, and how family and friends helped her and her family through that hard year of 2007, I thought, if Becky was closer to Lexington Ky our support group Spouses of Survivors of Breast Cancer might have been able to help Becky's friends and family through the trials and tribulations of that first year.

I am a spouse of a survivor and when my wife Sue and I were going through her decisions and treatments, I realized I needed some support, someone to talk to. When I found out that there really was nothing for the caregivers, not just spouses but sisters, BFF's, mom's, neighbors and everything in between, I decided when Sue and I had made it through what I now know is usually a year long journey, that I would do what I could to help someone else who was a caregiver and needed someone to talk to. I could help guide them through the torturous challenges of caring for some one they love.

Spouses of Survivors of Breast Cancer has been formed here in Lexington Ky. We are three spouses who have gone through 6 months of education and training to help guide caregivers and family members through the challenging road of treatments and emotions that we caregivers have. We have four quarterly meetings a year and one of us can try to help or support throughout the year. All of the local breast care centers and their nurse navigators have one of our brochures. Maybe we can help you or someone you know.

Anonymous
lexington, KY

Faith and Friends

After fighting tonsilar throat cancer four years ago with chemo and radiation, I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. I chose lumpectomies followed again, by chemo, radiation and herceptin. I credit my faith, my wonderful doctors, and the prayers and love of a wonderful husband and loving and supportive family and friends, to successfully help me through this trying time. Prior to my last diagnosis, we had opened our home to foster children. We have been blessed to take foster children again. I pray that all women are as blessed as I am.

Andrea
Sunland, CA

Thanks to You

When I turned 40, my doctor arranged for me to get a mammogram. I knew I couldn't afford it, so I started asking questions. Someone told me of the Susan B. Komen fund and the Breast Cancer Website. Thanks to you, I got my mammogram without stressing about the cost. That led to a discovery of cancer elsewhere in my body. If I'd not had the mammo, I never would've agreed to other tests. Thank you.

Deanna Shoemaker
Yakima, WA

The Letter That Changed Everything.

I became involved in the 3 Day almost by accident. After moving to Chicago with my husband from Los Angeles, we were looking for a multiday event to do together. He always waxed poetic about the California AIDS rides and how great and life changing the events were. Well, there was no multiday AIDS ride here, but he stumbled upon the 3 Day. We signed up for Gear and Tent, and did the event. It was hard - that was the year there were dual camps, and in our case, dual relocations. Lots of rain and mud and tired angry walkers yelling at us, and more rain. Oh, did I mention it rained? I found the experience...well...exhausting. I met lots of people, some who had been affected by breast cancer, and was satisfied that I did my philanthropic duty for the year.

That December, my husband and I dutifully sent out our holiday letters to friends and family, telling of our summer adventure. A few weeks later, I received a letter in the mail from my grandmother in Germany, hastily written in broken English that in 1973, she had a double mastectomy. My jaw hit the floor....I was not aware that this ever happened. I immediately called my parents and asked why this was not ever mentioned. In typical German denial, my father simply states..."she had it. Now she doesn't. End of discussion. We didn't feel like it was important". Jaw...floor...again.
I looked atmy husband and said..."sign us up again".

Six years, and 10 3 Day events later...I am still at it, and every year become more and more attached to this event.

This year, Dora celebrated her 96th birthday, a 36 year survivor. Her strength, courage, and tenacity is admirable. And for you Oma, I fight.
.

Anonymous
Chicago, IL

Carol Houston's Journey

My Journey with Breast Cancer began my baby boy's Senior year in High School and right around my 58th birthday the year 2007. I went to the Dr. for a mammogram that was 3 year's late at my mother's prompting. She needed one too so we went together. I got a call the next day and it said to return to the hospital for a closer look at something that looked suspicious. I was just wanting to get it over with because I hate mammograms and my life was so busy with Brett's senior year and my precious grand-children, my mother who needed me a lot with her failing health. I didn't have time for this. When I returned the Dr. called the same day and said to go to the surgeon immediately. My daughter-in-law took me and I got a biopsy in the office that showed up negative, but they knew it was cancer and sent me for another biopsy with a sonogram to get the right tissue. It did show up and my journey began. I was in shock. I had lost my precious and youngest "Aunt Saundra" to breast cancer17 years ago and my sister-in-law "Janet" had been fighting breast cancer for a few years too. So I journeyed with Janet one more year and she died. A dear friend "Karen" had fought this battled for a number of years and walked me through the hospital and actually led me to the finest Dr. available. She and Janet, and my family were so strong for me, my best cheer-leader. I had "a mastectomy" October 29th, 2007, I went through the procedures of having re-construction and backed out at the last minute. I'm just glad to be alive, and praise the Lord for each new day.

Carol Houston
Festus, MO

Bret Miller 1T Age 24 BREAST CANCER JOURNEY

Below is when Bret's Journey began it was MY Mothers Day Gift this Year and now I am able to Share this with all other Mothers of the World!

As a Special Gift to all of use Mothers with Sons this was a rude awakening to me. Bret had the knot under his nipple since age 17 he found it when he was a Junior in hs He went for his checkup to go into college and showed it to the doctor and because of his age 17 he thought it just to be a calcuim based knot and said lets watch it closely for changes in size or anything that does not seem right. Long story short he did not have any changes now 7 years later. His Dad and I have been bugging all of our 4 kids now that they have health insurance through their jobs please go get check up. I pray it has all been caught in time! Only time will tell. WE should make more AWARENESS to all of the Men! So all of the Men in MY Life Please do this for YOURSELVES 1st then for the women in your lives! Check YOUR boobs TODAY! Love ALWAYS MOM!

PS: Men if you have any colored oooozing thru your nipple please please donot think it is nothing it is and GET to a DOCTOR

Peggy
Prairie Village, KS

My Mom.....a True Survivor

Today May 24 is my Mom's 89th birthday! She is a 19 year survivor of the dreaded Breast Cancer. Her mastecomy was without complications and she was lucky to avoid any additional treatments. Her life has been rich with many blessings, family, and lots of friends. She was always very active and has participated in all types of activities. Biking, walking, swimming, boating, volunteering, and she was "Bubbles", a Lady Shriner Clown. I am proud of my Mom for perservering in spite of her breast cancer. She never let it stop her from living a good life. This story demonstrates that breast cancer doesn't always win!

Susan
Linden, MI

Mom Turns 90!

I was four when my mom, Ida, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I only remember parts of that summer when she was in the hospital and then home and back at work full steam in her garden on our farm. Her determination to beat the cancer and see her six children through to adulthood was fierce.
Now forty-two years later, we are gathering together this month to celebrate her 90th birthday! We are so blessed to have had her remain cancer free for so many years.

Cindy Biesecker
Dallas, PA

Mamograms are important

I was very good about getting my mamograms each year. I was told each time that I was fine. So I skipped awhile. While working was able to get a ins with afflac..actually only got it because I wanted the duck..I used their wellness deal. thinking yiipee money for Christmas of my own. Thought the test would be my Christmas present to my self but that year I was diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer, Now I tell ppl don't let a year or two go buy...every year get your mamogram. I'm very positive and been married for going on 37 years and plan on reaching my 50th with Gods Blessings. Be happy.

Nancy White
Toppenish, WA