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Ready to move on....

In Dec 2008 at age 28 I was diagnosed with cancer in my left breast. Exactly a week later I had a mastectomy, and from there I had chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hospitalised for Meningitis and then finally in December 2009 I underwent a prophylactic mastectomy of my right breast with immediate reconstruction and a reconstruction of my left breast using the latissimus dorsi.

The hardest part of all of this was being a mother and a wife at the same time. At the time of diagnosis my daughter was only 11 months old and i found it really hard to no longer be able to be her primary care-giver and to not have her with me all the time. Having said that however I am extremely grateful that she is to young to remember what happened and how sick i really was. She won't remember that for a few months of her life she had to be babysat more often than I would normally have liked.

I have now started back at work partime and although i find i'm still tired at times, it feels great to earn money again and be back in that professional environment and start to feel like me again.

At the time of my diagnosis I found that I struggled to find not only stories but photographs of young women my age that were going through the same thing. I wanted to know where my scars were going to be and how sick i was really going to get so i've started to put my story into a blog, with not only my story but my photographs as well (sarahsbreastcancerstory.blogspot.com). Kitty from Huntington MD I read your story on here which prompted me to write this. I hope my blog can help you.

Sarah Crimmins
Wollongong, Australia

The Gift That Can't Be Return Was Given To Me

What if you were given a gift you did not want? This was a gift that no one would want. Just what do you do with it? That is the position I found myself in and this is the true story of the power of a gift that keeps giving.....because my gift was being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Nearly two years ago, unable to sleep, I began writing my thoughts and fears, as I struggled to wrap my mind around what was the unthinkable, as I wrote --

"Recently, I was given a gift that I do not want. We all get presents from time to time that we do not like,however, this particular one really stunk. I immediately thought about returning it, but unfortunately, I don't know how it was acquired.

I don't even know for sure, who gave it to me. It isn't the kind of gift I would have chosen for myself, or for that matter anyone else. Therefore, re-gifting, selling it, or donating it -- all certainly weren't options.

In fact, I was quite surprised to receive this gift. I had absolutely no reason to ever believe that I would be a recipient of such a life-changing present. If someone had asked me before it arrived, I would have laughed and gave them a list of all the reasons, I personally, would never get such a reward.

I am not the kind of woman given to outward expressions of great emotion, yet upon receiving this gift, I cried." . . . . well if you'd like to hear the rest of the story go to http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Gift-That-Cannot-Be-Returned Hope that my story gives you hope and encouragement!

Jerilee Wei
Lakeland, FL

On my way to surviving breast cancer...

I am a 29 year old woman with a wonderful husband a beautiful step-daughter and a 16 month old. In February 2010 my 16 month old elbowed me and felt a little bit of pain. I checked myself and i found a lump on my left breast. Thought nothing of it cause i am only 29. 2 weeks later my husband felt it and made a doctors appointment for me. Had a ultra sound and mammogram. The mammogram showed it LOUD and CLEAR. There it was! I was told to go for a biopsy in 3 spots. Told me they would call in 48hrs. I got the call in 24. My heart sank when I he told me I had breast cancer. All i could do at the time was call my husband right away cause I was watching my 16 month old that day and did not want to startle her. I go for surgery (masectomy) next week April 29th. I am on my way to surviving this. It took me about a week to get it together. I was done crying and ready to LIVE. I am staying as positive as I can right now. I have a lot of support from my family and friends. The Breast Center that i am going too are also very supportive. I AM READY to fight. I AM READY to survive. I AM READY to keep living. I AM READY!

Kitty
Huntingtown, MD

Living Life to It's Fullest

My personal battle with Breast Cancer started in Dec. 2005. I was diagnosed 2 days after becoming engaged. Just a year before that my husband lost his battle with a vicious leukemia that killed him in six month after undergoing a bone marrow transplant.

My mother is a 15 year survivor so I knew I was at high risk so I was vigilant about self exams. When I found a small lump I knew it was cancer.I really didn't want to deal with it. With prodding from my fiance Cal I went in and then did all of the usual things; mammograms, ultrasound, biopsy and ultimately a double mastectomy with reconstruction, chemo, and 34 radiation treatments. I had a really hard time with it all, I was hospitalized 4 times and have chronic pain issues today.

My cancer is Stage IIIA. I had minimal lymph node involvement.It took me a while to get my life back but I fought hard. I tried to work through everything but ultimately quit my job. That enabled me to focus on regaining my stamina. I walked every day I could and then found a more cancer friendly job that is flexible with my health issues. I'm finally back to where cancer is not on the forefront of my mind. It's always there but it doesn't consumer me anymore.

I now feel like I am at a place where I can encourage women facing this diagnosis - I am stronger than I've ever been and I think my faith and my relationships with God and my family and friends are stronger too. While cancer feels like a curse - it can be a gift in the way it makes you appreciate all you have and live life taking nothing for granted. It's all good.

Ellie
Dubuque, IA

Breast Cancer Face-To-Face

First you think "not me!" I work out six days a week. I bike thirty miles a day on weekends. I eat alfalfa sprouts and drink green tea. When I brought up my kids, I went organic, I crushed up tofu and broccoli for their meatballs. How could cancer be in my body? You are stunned and scared and you walk around shaking your head. You dont know who to trust. You want to learn from it, but its too early to learn. First, you have to have a plan. Until you have a plan, you are lost.

I am among the group of breast cancer patients/survivors whose cancer was identified early. I never felt as though I was fighting for my life. Because there were cancer cells in my sentinel node (but thankfully not any others), my oncologist suggested that I have the chemotherapy and radiation. I went for it. The whole package. If I did not have "chemo," I would not lose my hair and I would not be afforded the complete experience of having breast cancer. I wanted to face it fair and squarehead-on!!

Please check out my blog/website and tell me what you think!
www.breastcancerfacetoface.com........thanks.

Karen Stone
Easton, MA

Take Control of Your LIFE!

After losing our mother in 1975 at age 41 to two different types of breast cancer, it was very much on my mind as I entered my 40's. In August 2001, while massaging my neck and upper chest area, I found a small pea-sized lump in my upper left breast. It was so high that regular mammograms had missed it. Needle biopsy confirmed breast cancer, and subsequent surgery showed no lymph node involvement. Because of our family history, I opted for double mastectomies with reconstruction and high-dose chemo. I was 44 years old. Less than 9 months later, my only sibling - my 36-year-old sister who had a 4-year-old, 3 year-old, and an infant - had a mammogram which showed a suspicious lump. She, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer on punch biopsy, and also chose double mastectomies and chemo. Almost nine years later, we are both cancer free, happy, healthy, and with our families - and loving every day on this planet. Get that mammogram and regularly do self-examination - it can save your life!

Rebecca R
Russellville, AR

4 year survivor in June

04/20/2010- My name is Vickey Matthews. I was diagnosed with triple negetive Breast Cancer at the age of 38 on June 20th 2006. I went through a double mestactomy, 8 treatments of chemo and reconstructive surgery. It was very difficult and scary at times, especially since I had lost my beautiful mother to cancer only 2 years previous after a long 4 year battle. I'll be celebrating my 43rd birthday this year and my 4th year as a survivor in June. I am Healthy, and stronger than ever, physically and mentally. I cherish every day I am here on this earth, and I thank the Lord for my amazing family and friends who stood with me through all of my trials and tribulations. I have seen the Lord working in my life in the most amazing ways. I believe with my whole heart that everything works toward something good in life. Even a diagnoses of cancer and the battle it forces on an indivisual and their family. It is a terrible thing for a person and their family to face. Yet, it brings out the best in yourself and the people around you. That is when their strength and love shines through. The struggle to stop the Pain and suffering Cancer causes has inspired such greatness in people. In turn, those people inspire so many more. It is truly a wonderous thing to behold. I would like to take this opportunity to Thank all those wonderful, strong women out there, and there friends and familes who do so much to help those in need. God bless you all. Thank you , from this 4 year survivor, for all your hard work and dedication toward the fight for the cure. Live Strong, love stronger, and laugh as often as possible.

Vickey L Matthews
Talladega, AL

Triple Negetive Receptor

Hi I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Feb.2008, I had my lumpectomy in Feb.2008 after that was when I learned the news that it was Triple Neg and a very ugly cancer and I would have to endure four rounds of chemo and after that thirty five radiation treatments I finished with all on my birthday July 23rd,I turned 39 ...I have many problems now pain in my back,pain in my right side,tmj on the right side,problems with my spine,pain in my right hip, but thank GOD so far I have had no cancer reoccurence but it is very scary to me because of the triple neg. diagnosis I wonder with every pain I have if it is back and am I going to live to see my kids graduate highschool,I pray that they will find a cure for this and that no other person has to go through what I and many others have gone through...

Angie Watkins
Corbin, KY

MY BREAST CANCER

My breast cancer was found in 2000 on valentines day ! the same day my grandson was being born . now he is ten . i went thru the chemo treatments and radaration treatments . lost one breast and hair but my hair grew back ! i would say ladies get yourself checked . and always think life and not death . and be glad for the ones who are in your life ! not take life for granted .. and listen to your doctor ! i am still here in 2010 . and if you believe in GOD dont stop ! jeanette norris

jeanette norris
modesto, CA

Beth's Battle

Hi --My name is Beth Hanley, and I'm from Albany, NY. I was diagnosed with IDC breast cancer in December 2008 at 38--two years before my baseline would've been due. I had a right breast mastectomy on January 23, 2009 after an attempted lumpectomy a week before--mastectomy was needed because cancer spread to lymph nodes unexpectedly.

I got through chemo marvelously thanks to my doctors, but struggled through radiation. I've since had a clean PET scan and clean mammogram on left breast, and am now cancer-free and in remission.

My thoughts and prayers go out to my fellow sisters with this disease-you're going to be strong and win girls!!!!

Beth
Albany, NY