Share Your Story

Know your body and be your own advocate!

I found a lump in my breast in May of 2009. After a mammogram and ultrasound and insisting that I felt a lump, they finally saw it. They then scheduled a biopsy, 3 days later I received the dreaded call... "I am so sorry to tell you, it is CANCER" - 41 years old with an incredible man in my life and 3 teenagers that I adored - there was NO WAY this horrible disease was taking the life out of me!

I had a lumpectomy where they determined it was TRIPLE NEGATIVE Breast Cancer which is a very aggressive cancer . I had an incredible support system. My husband, Carl, was (and is) my rock. When my hair started to fall out, he cried with me as he shaved it and told me that I was beautiful. He never looked at me differently, his love for me is so pure and amazing. I am truly blessed!

My family and friends were so incredibly supportive. I met a special girl through my "journey" who was on the same path as I. We are the best of friends now! After chemo treatments (which put me in Intensive Care), 33 treatments of radiation and another "scare", I am happy to say that I am cancer free!!! Carl, our boys & I try to live our lives to the fullest each and every day, and give thanks to God for all that we have!

My job involves business meetings with customers so I wear a wig and hat to hide my baldness. I had no desire for the sympathy and "poor you" looks. I cannot wait to ditch my wig and hat and be free again! Be your own advocate, know your body and enjoy this beautiful journey that life has to offer!!

Sheryl Ross
Hampden, ME

Laura Young- amazing Woman!

Laura Young is my Mother. She left this world way too early at the age of 53, after a 3 1/2 year battle with breast cancer. She raised my sister and I to be strong, independent women that love life and live each day to the fullest. We saw with her battle what a "strong" woman can do. Even at the end, when she knew it was close to her time to leave this Earth she encouraged us and gave us the strength to go on without her. For a Woman to face death and at the same time give people the strength to face a life without them takes a strong, strong WOMAN! I LOVE her and MISS her more than words could ever explain!

Amy Gallemore
Las Vegas, NV

A tribute to my mother, Frances Joan Hannan (nee Brophy)

What can I say about this beautiful woman, who my siblings and I lost way too early. She was a mother of 12 beautiful children, seven daughters and five sons. Recently we had a family reunion in her hometown of Penetanguishene, Ontario. She has been passed away, unfortunately, for 30 years now.

She passed away of cancer when she was just shy of her 49th birthday, and I sit here knowing that because of the walks that my family and I participate in and the monies we raise, knowledge has been gained in curing this disease.

I too am 49 years old and have just completed my first mammogram successfully and will soon have a colonoscopy to take pro-active steps in my own health.
I have three beautiful daughters myself, ranging in age from 14 to 26. They are so precious to me and I am proud to say I am a third year walker for the cure.

Thank you
Kathryn Hannan

Kathryn Hannan
Toronto, Canada

ONE DAY @ A TIME

My story is similar to thousand but different in so many ways. just turned 40. I woke up & felt a lump. I then went in for a breast check. the DR. felt the lump it was as obvious as a two dollar bill.I went to get a mammogram ASAP and waited a day or two but felt like eternity. when the results were in I was told you have "Breast Cancer" & my reply was But it will not have me! stage-III B Triple negative Invasive infiltrating ductal Carcinoma. so off to do a lumpectomy.then on my way to battle with "chemo" 3 months of persecution. & finally it was done..But after all this was not enough it had took president in my left breast and ownership was no non negotiable my breast was no longer mine. my breast was being occupied by "ductal Carcinoma" and it would be evicting me from my breast immediately. So here we are a Debate over my life or My breast what to do.my vanity is all I have that represent me as a women my breast defines my contribution to life for it nurtured my babies,sexually stimulated my husband & I.without a doubt can I say yes doctor take this that has been my best friend for the last 29 years what has sat up with me @ night what has lead me through the up's & downs what has guided me through motherhood. so here we are 30 day's after my diagnosis my Lumpectomy was done & 9 months later my mastectomy was done. I was broken but not defeated I was Victorious. I was a child of god fearing nothing more then him my lord & savior. from this Day on I will take ONE DAY @ A TIME>

Lanissa Cuffie
Clermont, FL

What happens when your not insured....

My job carried no insurance at the time and I found a spot the size of a pea...needed to get tested but no one would without insurance...free clinic was full of migrant workers wives that were having babies and could not be seen from April (when I found it) until October (6 short months) and by now was the size of a grapefruit!!!
When I was finally seen and tested...I had late stage (3-B) breast cancer and it had spread into my lymph nodes as well.
If I could have been seen and been taken care of in the early stage and the mammogram given then...I would not have had to have both breasts removed and gone thru radiation therapy (36 rounds) and 6 rounds of dose dense chemotherapy (the really evil one that usually kills the user) it was a last ditch effort to save my life...
Now I am cancer free and finished with the cancer drug regime (taken for 5 years) after chemo treatments. I am VERY LUCKY to be alive...I am now unable to work and almost all my major organs have been damaged due to the aggressive cancer treatments that were vital to saving my life..
How much less expensive and physically less costly it would have been just to have been given the mammogram at that early pea size so I could have gotten into a cancer treatment program....I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!! Do your self exams and mammograms and support the breast cancer groups that are trying to save our lives...
Thank you for listening

Ann King Padilla
Salisbury, NC

My friend Starr

Hi!
Last New Years Eve I lost a dear friend to cancer. Three days before she passed it was her birthday and we sang to her and held the celebration of the day she was born in the hospital by her side. She left behind two of the strongest young girls I have ever met in my life - who's smiles continue to light up every room they walk in. This is a sad story but also one of strength and memories. She will never be forgotten and it her life serves as a reminder to why we must continue to "fight like a girl" until we find that cure! To everyone who is facing this battle, you are not alone - stay strong and stay positive - don't ever give up!
Karen Barry

Karen
Forest, Canada

Every Day is a Gift

On July 31, 2008, my life changed forever. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was at that time that I realized, more than ever before, that my life was in God's hands. It was at that time that I became a SURVIVOR, a member of a club I never chose to join but, nevertheless, I was suddenly a member.

I never asked God, "Why me?" However I did ask, "Why did this happen?" I strongly believed that I should write a book in which I could share my experience and my faith with other women, who may have to travel the same path I did. My book, "Breast Cancer - A Nurse's Journey from Diagnosis through Reconstruction," was published in April of 2009.

As a result of my book, I am now corresponding with women all over the United States, who have a need to talk to someone who has been where they are. It is truly a blessing to be able to do that. Now I consider every day a gift. Life is good.

Elaine M. Embrey
Bay City, MI

Yes, I am a survivor!!

I had always enjoyed a robust health. But in May 1999, I felt a lump in my left breast. Within the next two weeks FNAC was done (I was found to have invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast), followed by lumpectomy and further chemo and radiation all in 1999. My axillary nodes were negative. I was out of it all in 7 months, mainly because my illness was diagnosed at an early stage. I was 43 then. My passion for medical science made me read and browse a lot and improve my awareness on cancer.
My two children & husband were with me supporting me throughout. My daughter was my pillar of strength for me during those days. She used to kiss my bald head and made sure I eat my food and took all the supplements on time. My son was away doing his higher studies, he now makes sure that I live a stress-free, comfortable life. My husband completely took over running of the house along with his business.
My boss did not allow me to resign or take long leave, he was right; it saved me from falling into a depression!! I used to take my chemo on Fridays so that I could rest on weekends. Then my colleagues, they were amazing.
I have felt God's presence with me several times in my life and this was one. I am basically a very undemanding person and always lived my life adjusting with other people's needs, which, when I look back is not worth it at all. I have learnt to live my life on my terms now because I do not want to live the rest of my life with too many regrets. Regretting your own mistakes is anytime better.

Usha A K
Chennai, India

My Daughter

My daughter was first diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago at age 26.They did a radical masectomey of her right breast,she had chemo and radiation and eventually breast reconstruction! That was a very scary time! She was cancer free for 7 years,went on with her life-became a RN. She is married and has 2 boys. Last summer she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and we truly learned what scary means!! She almost died last June and is only starting to get back on her feet now! She is truly amazing,she has kept her aditude strong and is the strongest woman I know!! Still fighting! Pray for a cure!! There is no way to describe the pain when you think your child is going to die and there is nothing you can do to "fix" them!! I wish no one had to ever go through this at all! Not the disease or the family of someone with the disease! Once more-Please Pray for a Cure!!!!

Regina Daniel
Jasper, AL

We are all survivors!

My mother was having urinary problems and went into the hospital for a routine bladder tuck. However, when they went in, they found a tumor the size of a grapefruit sitting on her bladder. She was subsequently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. We didn't know how lucky we were. She'd had no symptoms.
Ten years later, when I was 39, I noticed a dark discharge from my right breast. Earlier than year, the radiographer had noticed a small spot on my mammogram and advised me to come back in 6 months. My OB-GYN didn't wait. She sent me to the Medical College of Georgia Cancer Clinic. I was diagnosed with a different cancer in each breast--both linked to estrogen levels. The dark discharge was caused by in situ cancer cells and had not fully formed a tumor. The left breast had a small tumor less than 2 cm. I opted to have a double mastectomy. Luckily, they didn't find any cancer in the lymph nodes they took out. I didn't even have to undergo chemotherapy--although I did take tamoxifen for 5 years.
We also found out my uncle had been diagnosed with breast cancer earlier that year. He eventually died when it returned in the bone marrow of his leg. Because of my family history, I had genetic testing done, which indicated I had the BRCA I mutation. I was not doomed to have cancer, but the risk was much higher than the 1 in 8 chance.
Since then one sister has tested positive and two negative. My brother won't see a doctor, and my other sister is relying on regular mammograms. My daughter will need to have her 1st mammogram when she is 29. My "positive" sister and I have also had preventative hysterectomies. We are all survivors!

Gayla Keesee
Fayetteville, NC