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I fight for my girls

In April 2008, at the age of 30, I was diagnosed with Stage II Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was married and had two daughters (ages 5 and 7). I had found a lump and was sent for a mammogram "for peace of mind." I then had a biopsy, bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, 6 rounds of chemo (lost my hair), and total hysterectomy. Through all of the battle, my first response was, "I will do whatever it takes to see my daughters grow up!" When confronted with tough treatment options, I always asked what would give me the best chance of being around for them. My girls, along with my husband, were my strength, motivation, and inspiration throughout the battle. The hardest part of being ill was the impact that it had on my girls. However, I tried my best to approach the rough times with grace and dignity as it was a constant life lesson for them.

I just reached my 2 year mark last month. With Mother's Day approaching, I am reminded what a blessing it is to spend the day with my wonderful daughters. Since we are not guaranteed tomorrow, I count the blessings of today....my Savior....love....medical professionals who took great care of me along the way.....the hope for prevention and treatment so that my girls may never have to go through what I have.....a husband and daughters who support me through thick and thin. In reflection, I have realized that my girls taught me more about life as they walked with me down that road called Breast Cancer than I could ever teach them. I am so blessed!

Jenny Sanders
Camden, AR

Life long Friend

I am writing to tell you a little bit about my Friend Lea Frazier. She was diagnosed with breast cancer three year ago, since her diagnosis she has undergone kemo therapy, lost her hair, gone through so much pain and discomfort she had a double massectomy last November. She lost her mother to cancer and her sister also was diagnosed with cancer and is a Survivor. Her and I grew up next to each other and have been life long friends. With everything she has gone through she has been a pillar of strength both for her family, she has two children ages 13 and 15 and a loving husband, not only has she had strength for herself but for all those around her. She has been there for me countless occations even with her own worries. I click everyday for her and for the endless number of people who suffer from this horrible disease. I hope for a cure in my lifetime, I believe with the help and support of everyone we could find a cure. I encourage everyone to click everyday and show support in some way either by donation of funds or time. Although Lea lives in Colorado and I in Ohio we still stay in touch and I would still give my life for her. I have other relatives who are suffering from this disease. My thoughts of Hope and prayers go out to all those suffering from Cancer and there family and friends who support them. I hope God give them strength to fight the battle for a CURE.

Respectfully,
Laura Bass
Powell, Ohio

Laura
Powell, OH

my fight ( my life )

it all started in may 2009 when i found a small lump in my right breast but brushed it aside as nothing, i should have known better than to do that as i had lost my sister-in-law to breast cancer, i also believed the stories that i had been told that if the lump hurts it is a good sign so not true
any way i went to see my doctor and was sent for a check up at hospital, i had an ultra sound , mamagram then was told i needed a biopcy all the time convincing myself it was nothing
then a week later i was brought down to earth when told i had a tumour then came the lumpectomy followed by chemo, radium and tablets it has made me realise how strong these people are that go through these difficult times and now i dont take things for granted
i would hurge every lady to check themselves regually and please if you find a lump dont fob it off like i did , i was one of the lucky ones as i found it early some might not be as fortunate

lynn sharples
manchester, United Kingdom

My Mother and My best friend

My mom has been fighting breast cancer for 4 years. It has been really hard and now it has just gotten harder.She is getting weaker and weaker and the chemo well we really do not know if it is working. My mom is a frighter but I am scared that she has no more fight left. I live in south carolina and she lives in Maryland and it is do upsetting that I can not see her everyday but I do talk to her everyday. My mom is my best friend. She is a wonderful person, inside and out.this is a picture of me and my mom when I graduated college last year. I love you mom

Michelle Kale
Clover, SC

"Baby Sister"

My aunt Jean is known in my late mother's family as "Baby Sister." She is a 33 year survivor of breast cancer and a feistier lady will not be found. She is nearly 85 years old, still drives, is active in her church, in the Lion's Club, and is a doting grandma and greatgrandma. Since my mother passed away a year ago, she has been a lifeline for me. I salute her and wish her many more Happy Mother's Days. From her loving niece in Israel, Judy

Judy
Ein Harod Ihud, Israel

my Mom

I was bron breech in 59. Mom had breast cancer 35 ago and what happend it came back she is 82 and she beat it once and trying a good

Lizaebth
Franklin, IN

Thriving After Two Bouts with Breast Cancer

I first heard those words "You have breast cancer" in 1996 when my third son was only three and I was 43. The diagnosis came at the peak of my career as a patent attorney for a well established biotechnology company in the San Francisco Bay Area. Like most women who get breast cancer I had no family history. And I was a vegetarian and a runner. But I realized it can happen to anyone.

Back then the sentinel lymph node biopsy technology had not yet been invented to test lymph nodes for cancer spread. So the surgeon simply removed 14 lymph nodes. All were negative for cancer, but I got lymphedema, a swelling in my arm caused by the surgery. Praise God that my lymphedema is mild and I can do most things with the arm if I am careful and wear a daily compression sleeve.

The second time I got breast cancer was in 2003. This time I was more prepared for the onslaught of treatment that ensued. I benefited from the research that had been carried out between my first diagnosis and the second one. In 2006 I received Herceptin, a drug targeted to my type of cancer.

Today I am cancer free and enjoying life to the max. I continue to run and ski and enjoy biking with my grown sons. The biggest joy has been to see my youngest son graduate from high school last year and become engaged this year.

I learned from this journey what compassion really means. I give back to my community by serving as a Reach to Recovery volunteer for the American Cancer Society and a patient-advocate for the National Lymphedema Network. I'm thankful each morning for the sunrises I'm privileged to see. Nothing short of a miracle.

Jan Hasak
Paradise, CA

I Survived Breast Cancer while pregnant

I was 38 and pregnant with my third child when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My baby truely saved my life! Prior to being pregnant with Carson I did not have a lump in my breast that I could feel, although I am certain that I already had cancer for at least a year before being diagnosed. I had a one year old named Ryan that I was still breastfeeding and had been having problems feeding on my left side for many months. I had given up breastfeeding on that side completely & my Ob/Gyn had said it was nothing to worry about. Soon after I found out I was pregnant with Carson I felt a small lump on my left breast. My husband told me I'd better get it checked out & I sort of put it on the "back burner" figuring it was probably a swollen lymph gland because I was coming down with a cold or due to raging hormones from being pregnant. I ignored it. Four days later that small marble sized lump was suddenly golf ball size! I freaked out & called the Dr. immediately. It was stage III invasive ductal carcinoma....in my milk ducts. It was so scary to be faced with the diagnosis at all, but to be pregnant at the same time was absolutely terrifying. I had a mastectomy, got a port and went through four months of chemotherapy before giving birth to my beautiful Carson. After he was born I started three more months of a different type of chemotherapy and one year of Herception and five weeks of radiation. Now Carson is 7 1/2 months old, Ryan is two years old and I am cancer free!

Ginger
Sacramento, CA

Laughing it up to keep my sanity

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer it scared the crap out of me. My mom told me I could beat it as long as I kept a positive attitude and just let God take care me. So I made up my mind to laugh. I decided to get a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy because I did not want to walk in circles. I have large breast and the loss of one would have thrown my body into orbiting around the other boob. Plus I still have not given up hope of getting a job at Hooters some day. Of course I would only be able to work part-time and serve half portions because one boob is good and the other is tainted. A friend and I have talked about starting a charity for breast cancer reconstruction surgery. We are going to call it "Boobs for Babes." Our slogan is going to be "Tit-4-Tat, Boobies Shouldn't Be Flat." You know men all over the world will be more than happy to donate money to a charity that pays for boob jobs. I started a family trend because not long after my diagnosis my aunt had to join the Tainted Ta-Ta's Club. She decided to have a mastectomy. I told her to be sure and wear a floatie on her right arm when she went swimming to keep balance in the water. Otherwise she will look like a fishing bobber bobbing up and down. A couple of things I hate about having breast cancer is the NND (Naked Noggin Disease) and AI (Anal Issues). I need to purchase stock in Imodium and Preparation H. The manufacturer of those products shouldn't need a government bailout anytime soon thanks to me. So in the tune of the Mickey Mouse song "C-A-N-C-E-R S-U-C-K-S".

Tina Beeler
Bono, AR

I'm a breat cancer survivor since 1/28/2010

I'm a breast cancer survivor BECAUSE of the free mammograms and early detection programs this group supports. I lost my husband August 11, 2007 to a sudden and massive heart attack. I was having Thanksgiving dinner with my son and his family 2009 when I noticed that my wire in my bra was hurting my breast. I went to the restroom and that's when I discovered the lump in my right breast. On December 1st, my daughter-in-law called the American Cancer Society, because I had no job and no insurance to have the lump checked. They referred me to a group that assisted me in obtaining the mammogram.

Unfortunately, it was cancer and I was scared. I had no money to fight this disease. My kids were scared, because my diagnosis came 2 years 4 months and 11 days after my husband passed. But because of programs like these, I received ALL the treatment I required to live! I had a partial mastectomy January 28th of this year and have been receiving chemo treatments since then. I AM cancer free now and I have been giving back to these programs so that other woman can be saved as well.

My whole family entered the "Walk of Life" relay on April 17th. Early detection saved my life. I will always do what I can and give what I can to help these programs.

Thank you again for my life,
Mrs. Terry DeLong

Mrs Terry DeLong
Wetumpka, AL