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Not just a mammogram

I just want to say that there is a lot of talking about doing mammogram
to detect a breast cancer.My BC wasn't detected by mammogram it was
detected by ultrasound. I had two mammograms done and it didn't show anything .Only because I had some symptoms(I lost some weight rapidly) another doctor decided to do one more mammo and ultrasond,than followed by biopsy .There was another mammogram and MRI done before the surgery and again my BC was visable only on MRI.It was a stage 2 Her2+.I had mastactomy, followed by chemo , 1 year of herceptin and radiation therapy.It's been 2 years since the surgery and I'm doing fine. Ironicaly my mom was diagnosed almost at the same time as I was with different type of BC, she is also OK but together we went thru a lot.I just want everybody to know that positive attitude has
a lot to do with getting better even though sometimes it's hard and you feel like screaming . And another thing,I suggest to follow annual mammogram with ultrasound, some doctors do them together but most of the doctors rely only on mammograms. Thank God my doctor decided to go with both otherwise with just mammogram not showing anythig at that time I might haven't been here today.Good luck to everyone..

Margaret
Elmwood Park, NJ

A little to late.

Don't wait to get your mamagram, unfortunately my Aunt had mass in her breast that she ignored because she did not have medical insurance. My Aunt's started having severe back pain, and again did not get treatment, so by the time she went to the Emergency room she could barely walk. As they started treating her, they started running lots of tests.... it was not good news. Stage 4 Breast Cancer that had spread to her bone in her spine. We lost my amazing Aunt to this horrible disease, and thinking that maybe they could have caught had she got treatment sooner just hurts that much worse. Get tested. Thanks

Rebecca McElroy
Edmond, OK
The Beginning

The Beginning

I am a cancer survivor! In June 2007 at 54 yrs. old I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer found by a mammogram. I was called in by the hospital for a recheck only a couple of days after and immediately had a needle biopsy done. I was alone and thought what is going on? After confirmation from the radiologist I was devastated by the news. The "why me" syndrome set it; I was plenty scared and began to pray. I had a lumpectomy; followed by a sentinal node biopsy (no lymph node involvement, thank God) and after my incision healed I started radiation therapy. I am so thankful to God for the expertise of the medical professionals and their caring attitude that helped me. In my search for answers to my diagnosis, my beginning refers to a journey that has led me to God and what he has done for me, not just at the time the cancer was diagnosed, but it showed me how He has been at my side throughout my entire lifetime. I just didn't really know Him then. That summer was a blur to me while I went through the motions of getting up in the morning, going to work, coming home, and spending time with my family. I was in survival mode and God was there for me every step of the way and still is today. Mammograms and early detection are so important. Most important of all is to be diligent in follow up treatments and to never let anything go thinking it will "just go away." I pray to God to give strength and peace to all who are currently going through or have been through a breast cancer diagnosis. God bless you all and thank you for your inspiring stories!

Vicky Martinez
Burbank, IL

my story

I posted some of my story on this site.This time I wrote it ALL down.Like I said I had breast cancer in my left breast.One day my breast itched really bad,and I felt a lump.My mom finally got me to go to the doctor about 3 months after I noticed it.I just knew it was something bad.I was put in remission in 2009 after a lumpectomy and 4 chemo treatments(arithromiacin and tomoxifan).This year in March I was diagnosed again and had a massectomy on my left breast.They did a PETSCAN to see if my cancer spread,it did.To my neck,hips,chest cavity,and liver.They told me if my body doesn't respond to chemo I have about 6 months to live,if it does I could have up to 3 years to live.I asked my doctor if I was going to die,he told me point blank,"yes you will eventually die from this." I am so scared.I have 4 boys:Jace 13,Cayden 11,Kobi 8,and Taber 7.I havn't told them yet.I don't even know what I am gonna say.I am trying to have a positive mind,but its VERY real this time,it seems.Good luck to all and God Bless!!!

kelli rogers
lexington, MO

my story

lm 48 yrs old, in july 2009 l found a large lump in my right breast , after having an ultrasound l was told it was nothing more that a large cyst, l was sent to see a surgeron, who tried to put a needle into it but it was too hard, it took 4 mths to get me into hospital he wasnt worried about it because it was a cyst, after the operation, l waited 6 days to be told it was cancer, Triple Negative, Stage 3, 3 1/2 cms, 3 weeks later l had my whole breast removed, l decided not to have cemo, because l was too scared to have it, l have heard so many stories about cemo and how bad it is, it has been 6 mths now since l found out, lm now having more test's it looks like its in my liver now.l know l now have to start cemo if l want to live and l do. lm not sure if l will be brave, but l will think of all the other women around the world that are going through what l am, and if they can do it then so can l. 2 wks ago l lost my beauitful grandson to cot death at 8 mths old , so l know my family needs me to do everything and anything to fight this . Renee, Australia, Melbourne

Renee
Melbourne, Australia

The Day I Changed A Doctor Forever

When I was told that I needed to have a lumpectomy following a confirmed diagnosis of cancer from a needle biopsy, I was petrified. As a tear came from my eye, the doctor leaned forward and said, "I know what you're going through, dear." I felt relief at her words and looked at her and asked about her lumpectomy. She said, "Oh no, I've never had a lumpectomy." I asked when her needle biopsy was and again, she responded the same. As she went on about what to expect from the surgery, I interrupted her and said, "Wait. You just said you understood what I was going through, yet you haven't had any cancer or surgery or abnormal mammogram. How then can you know what t I'm going through? I thought you were sincere with your words." She took a breath and continued on with what I could expect from the surgery. I left her office and went home.
When I got there, there was a call from her which I returned. When she picked up, she said she hadn't realized how often she said those words to try to comfort patients as she gave them their results and never had anyone ever responded the way in which I had. I told her I truly believed she had been through this and I wasn't trying to be problematic. She said she realized that by the look in my eyes. She told me that I taught her something about herself and she would never say that to another patient again. She then said that I made her a better doctor that day.
I am glad she had the intelligence to not be offended and dismissive but instead she would be more careful when giving this news to others in the future.

Mary K. Snyder
Hamden, CT
"I won't back down"

"I won't back down"

In honor of Women in History Month: Suzanne Sommers, Sheryl Crowe, Melissa Etheridge, Olivia Newton-John, Christina Applegate, Jaclyn Smith, Carly Simon, Kate Jackson, Rue McClanahan, Cokie Roberts, Robin Roberts, Elizabeth Edwards, Hoda Kobt, Deanna Favre, Shirley Temple Black and personal friends Bonnie Sampson, Amy Thorpe, Robin Kraemer and Carol Stokes - I am proud to say that I will be right there with you on this list of Breast Cancer Survivors! August 2009, diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Stage 2(pT2, PNO, mMX), Age 41. Lumpectomy, Chemo and tomorrow, March 30, 2010, I have my last radiation treatment, Woo Hoo!

Melissa Paskvan
Toledo, OH

my story

I am 32 years old and have 4 beautiful boys.In March of 09' I was diagnosed with invasive duct carcinoma(breast cancer).In July of 09' I was put in remission.Then March of 10' they found more cancer in my breast so they did a mastectomy.They decided to do a PET scan.It's kinda like a catscan,it tells you if the cancer has spread.Well mine spread to my neck,hips,chest cavity,and liver.If my body doesn't respond to the chemo,I have about 6 months to live.If my body does respond to the chemo I might have up to 3 years to live.I still havn't told my boys,they are 13,11,8,and 7.I am so scared!!!I just want to tell everyone that gets cancer to beleive you will conquer it,miracles happen everyday.God Bless!!!!!

kelli rogers
lexington, MO

IJust Knew It

I had already had about 6 surgeries on both breasts n most were biopsies n lumpectomies came back with lobular carcimoa insitu several times so i went every 6 months with the same worry for another surgery finally after having all those surgeries and worries i decided i just wanted to be done with the worries and the cutting and the ugly lopsided breasts and asked the dr to just do a double mascectomy and he refused but i was set on doing it cause i felt more lumps and was not letting him do more biopsies again n again . He said he would not do the surgery unless i had full blown breast cancer, so i went elsewhere to get a second opinion, the oncologists had me get an mri of the breast after he checket out all my records n yes it showed possible breast cancer, so he sent me to a surgeon, and they also set me up with a plastic surgeon and 2 months later i had my surgery and they started my reconstruction at the same time needless to say report came back with 2 types of cancers tubular cancer and ductal carcinoma both in the right breast and it was invasive so i am now taking arimidex for the next 5 yrs....the medication is rough makes my emotions go crazy, , but if it helps from stopping the cancer from going some where else in my body i have to take it , so i am glad i made the choice i have made but i still have down days going thru the reconstruction.but for now im healthy and i dont have the worry every 6 months ..... thats my story thank god i have a very supportive Hubby, Son, n Sissy.

Christina Mc Grath
Vero Bch, FL

I will survive!

Two weeks after I turned 30, little did I know that I was about to enter the cancer world! I was diagnosed with stage 3b with four lympth nodes involved. I had a massectomy, under went 6 chemo treatments and 33 treatments of radiation. I have a wonderful husband of almost 10 years and four small wonderful children! I have been blessed to be called a survivor. I just finished all my treatments two weeeks ago and I am feeling better and better every day. God has been my strength thru all this along with all the friends and family and staff that came along on this journey with me. God, thank you for helping carry me thru all this. I am truely blessed! Remember that no matter how dark the tunnel is, there is light at the end. Stay positive! Its the best defense!

teri horton
Charlotte, MI