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My mother

13 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 my mother was
with me throughout most of my doctor's visits and subequent chemotherapy treatments so when we found out my mom had cancer I was with her for every doctor visit, chemotherapy treatment and trips to
M. D. Anderson cancer center I lost my mom a year ago to cancer. she
helped me get through my cancer stuff so I helped her get through hers.
right after my surgery to have a modified radical mastectomy of my right
breast the man whom would become my cancer doctor sent me to M. D.
Anderson cancer center and my mom was there when I saw the breast
cancer doctor whom was the one to recommend I take 6 months worth of chemotherapy. the docotor whom was my cancer doctor was also my moms cancer doctor he said she was the only woman in his care to live
for 7 years with her type of cancer which was Ovarian. everyone else under his care with the same disease died after a year or two.

Anonymous
Merryville, LA

My Mother--My Shining Example for Life

My mother is 84 years old and is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She was first diagnosed in 1981, five months before my wedding. She had a radical mastectomy of her left breast. She worked hard at recovering from that very painful surgery and was there front and center at my wedding. Fifteen years later, just one short year after my father's death, she had breast cancer again and it had metasticized to her lung. She had never missed her monthly self exam nor her annual mammogram. It turns out the spot did show up the year before in her mammogram, but her doctor at the time ignored it (he doesn't practice medicine anymore--not because of my mother, but many other things with other patients). She had another radical mastectomy and two weeks later had a portion of her lung removed. Her recovery was long and painful. But after recovery, she went right back to work and didn't let it get her down. She worked until she was 74 years old. Her abiding faith in God and her wonderful spirit for life have never wavered in this journey. She inspires everyone she meets! She greets everyday with a positive attitude and a big smile and a hug for everyone. She continues to be the greatest role model any daughter could have and I love her very much!

Brenda Berry
Stockbridge, GA

My Hero, My Mom

In 1989, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. I watched her as she went through her radiation and chemo treatments and the strength that she had during that time. For 2 years, she fought her battle, but ultimately, the cancer won. I lost my Mom in 1991. I didn't realize at the time what all she went through or the strength that she had and how much she was my "hero" until 2 years ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer myself. I realize the strength that I had dealing with my own diagnosis came from my Mom. I miss her terribly! I love you, Mom. You will forever be "MY HERO!"

Kathy Sweeney
Little Rock, AR

Get your Mammogram

I was told at the age of 52 that I had breast cancer. After losing my first husband to Leukemia and my second husbands first wife to Melanoma I thought for sure I would not survive. BUT---- here I am 15 years later and cancer free. I had a masectomy but no chemo or radiation because it was caught early with a mammagram and with the grace of God and the love of my husband and our childen we all survived. I do all I can to encourage other women who are facing cancer not to give up. Please ladies get your annual check ups and mammograms it will save your life.

Casandra Henderson
Venice, FL

Too Short

My mother was all business first, she made it to the top by being smart, driven, passionate, & this was when women were not prominent in the boardroom unless you served coffee. We lived in RTP and my mom was assigned to a 1 year contract in Boca to start a new department. As she was packing, her life change,she felt a lump on her Rt. Breast 12'o. I was in RN school &thought "this is bad". In Boca, she had a golf ball sized tumor with no lymph node involvement but later we found out it had already metastasized to her bones.I moved to take care of my mom. Through countless radiation, chemo every month, and all the rest of the "agony" that this disease gave to my mummy, she stayed strong! I got to know the women that had raw emotions about life, love, being a mother & gave me gifts along the way. We would fill our days with all stories of her business trips(some made me blush), her lost love, how guilty she felt being a single mom, funny things about myself growing up.Through her almost 5 yr Breast Ca to Bone she finally lost her battle when it hit her liver. I believe if all women in general would take a short time each month to do self breast exams I may have my mother today.See, she was too busy to take her health to heart but when the chips fell she fought the battle of her life and lost. I hope this story can help1 women that thinks "ohhh, I'll check later" or " Mammogram, that's all day". I wish my mummy did think of her past history & take the time(she died at 49). I could be hearing more stories &making memories together.

Melissa Perlman
Apex, NC

Mother

My mother was my best friend and I miss her courage and support as I battle this disease for the 4th time in 6 years. It took her short life just 2 years ago but I know I will see her again one day and we will be cancer free in a better place! I love you mother!

Rhonda Ray
Pataskala, OH

My journey

In August of 2008 I was doing a self breast exzam on myself. When I got to my left side I notice a small lump. I called my doctor to set up a appointment. I had hear of breast cancer befor and I thought it would never happen to me. I called my local hospital where they had a breast cancer center on site. I made a appointment and a few days later I find my self there. My doctor did a ultra sound and found the lump to be quite large. He wanted to perform a fine needle core biopsy. I agreed. It was friday morning of the same week I got the call that would turn my life upside down. I was told that I had to be back at the breast care center first thing MONDAY morning. I had asked if my results were back and I was told yes. So I asked what are they? All I can remember the woman telling me was "THERE NOT GOOD"! All I could think was I'm going to DIE. I'm only 28 years old. Why is this happening to me? I cried histarticaly. My 9 year old son found me in a panic.I was thinking I can't die, I don't want my son to grow up with out his mommy. I was told that I had stage 2 breast cancer and I needed to start chemotherpy ASAP or I could die! I started chemo that Wednesday. In Arpil of 2009 I had my first surgery. I had only the lump removed and all of the lymph nodes in my left arm pit. 2 weeeks later I started radiation. I had to have 33 sessions done. After all my treatments I'm still here today to tell my story.

Alice Russin
Milton, VT

My Cancer Scare

Last year in 2009, I went in for a routine mammo. I received a notice that it was abnormal, but thought it was just calcification which I had on my other side. By chance, one day I received some mammo films in the mail. After viewing the films to my shock, there was a definite lump visible. I called my doctor right away. Then began the scary process of spot compression and the ultrasound of the right breast. Then came the awful news of the diagnosis: Invasive Lobular Carninoma. A lumpectomy and lymph node biopsies were set up. I seemed in a daze. The waiting for results was more than awful. The one real comfort in the dreary process was the awesome support of family and friends, along with medical personnel who were strangers treating me in such caring ways with hugs and truly consoling words. I was amazed. My results were good: the cancer had not spread.
I was a candidate for brachytherapy, a one week daily dose of radiation from a high tech robot. People in the breast cancer treatment field are totally awesome. I do still have to stay on hormone therapy for 5 years. Now that I have a reprieve from the big "C" word, I plan to enjoy my grandkids and children and family and marriage as much as possible in the days ahead.
Ladies and gents remember that yearly and even 2 year mammo checkups work and do prevent more scary invasive and intensive treatments

Josephine Kelley
Happy Jack, AZ

My Diagnosis

I was diagnosed in May 2001, three weeks after meeting my husband through an online dating site. He could have run, but he stuck by me. April 26, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. One month after my diagnosis, Tropical Storm Allison severely damaged the Houston Medical Center. I didn't know when I was going to have surgery. On June 23 (my birthday) I was told that my surgery would be scheduled June 26. The Medical Center was taking only cancer patients and emergency surgeries. My diagnosis was through my routine mammograms (I started at 37 - ever other year and was 43 when diagnosed). My doctor told me if I had waited until I had felt the lump, it would have been too late. I was fortunate to have a mastectomy and reconstruction all at the same time AND only needed 4 chemo treatments with NO radiation. I was truly blessed, and still am. I am celebrating my 9th year as a survivor! I have been one of the top 100 fundraisers (6 years in a row) for a breast cancer organization in Houston.

Lynn Bell
Rosenberg, TX

My Mother Niki and I, Pamela on a snowy mountain top in WV

This picture was taken in 1972, I was 19 and my mother was 37. She was a cervical cancer survior but by taken later in life by Cardiomyopoty. I know this site is deditcated to Breast Cancer Suvivors and 2 of my best friends are surviors. I have also lost many friends to this horrible diease. The very sad part about my mother's heart diease is the she contacted it as a virus when she was a child. Heard diesase is the the leading casuse of death in women and I just felt the need to pay hommage to her in her plight. Not too much was know about this form of heart diease then and she died a long and painful death at the age of 57, which is how old I am now. God bless you mom and rest in peace :) xoxoxox

Pamela Cvetnick Miller
McLean, VA