Share Your Story

I was the one in eight who got breast cancer by the age of 65

Since my diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer did not have the pathos that I know so very many cancer patients experience I felt that my story was not worthy of sharing in comparison. However, I have changed my mind.
Considering that 95% of early stage cancers have successful treatments I am an especially great spokesperson for educating about the importance of regular annual mammograms.
My personal 9-11-2009 saga began when my doctor called to say that my screening had found that I had bilateral breast cancer but that fortunately the tumors were small and "a garden variety." My story would have ended quite differently if I had not had my annual mammogram because these cancers, although small then, were unbeknownst to me, aggressively growing deep inside both my breasts.
But thanks to early detection and modern medicine I am now cancer free and an optimistic about my long term health. Hopefully, you also will get checked regularly to assure your future well-being - be proactive!!

Marilyn Shadid
Bayfield, CO

One year ago today...

I find today much more significant than the day I was actually told by a Doctor I had Breast Cancer. One year ago today, I had a biopsy of a lump I had found in my breast two months earlier. As soon as that needle went into my skin, I knew deep down in my bones, I had Breast Cancer. My mom past away from the disease when I was 10 years old (and I was later told I had unfortunately had the BRCA2 gene). That day and the day I completed ALL of my treatment, I cried. The days in between where filled with family, friends, laughter and love. They never let me feel like the cancer ever had a hold on me. One year ago today, I knew deep down in my bones I had cancer but I also knew, just as deep, I would be a survivor.

Kristina Sanchez
La Puente, CA

Breast cancer age 34

i found a lump in my breast,went to the docotor who sent me up to breast clinic,sitting in the waiting room i thought nothing of it as it was so busy and they said at that time it would be 1 in 10 that got recalled,after i got all my tests done,i went back into a room and there in front of me was a mcmillian nurse telling me i had cancer,the shock was unbearable i thought i,m a single parent aged 34 a mother to 2 daughters age 11+6,my whole world came crashing down in an instant.After a few weeks i started 4 months of chemo followed by a mastemony and full lymph node clearance,radiotheraphy and 18 cycles of herceptin which i,m currently recieving and finish at the end of july,finally there is light at the end of the tunnel and its thanks to all the medical staff,my caring family+friends that has got me where i am today.so i just want to get across the message to all you ladies that if you do find a lump go and get it checked as early detection is crutical,and there is life after breast cancer...love you all.xx

karen dickson
scotland, United Kingdom

Where did this come from?

I was diagnosed with BC the day my son graduated preschool, and the day before my twins promoted from eighth grade. This was a shocking diagnosis Breast cancer does not run in my family so I was not in the least expecting it at the age of 41. I was diagnosed stage IIa invasive ductal carcinoma, triple negative. The triple negative means that my type of cancer does not respond to hormones or react the way normal breast cells do. It tends to occur in younger women and tends to be more aggressive. I was told my only options were, surgery, chemo and radiation. I was told that triple negatives tend to recur more often, but if I can make it past the 5 year mark that I should be home free. That is my goal, I WILL make it past the 5 year mark with no recurrence. I had a lumpectomy along with several sentinel nodes out. They removed a 1.8 cm tumor and 3 lymph nodes. Of the 3 nodes 1 had microscopic metastasis, so I had to have 9 more nodes out. Luckily it was only in the one node, but still put me in the path of chemotherapy and regular radiation. I had 6 rounds of chemo which was not easy. Some people can do chemo with little or no side effects, not me of course. I then completed 33 rounds of radiation. I finished 3 weeks ago and went out to celebrate. The Dr's will monitor me every 3 months for the next 5 years.

In this year I also survived my fathers death from Lung Cancer and my son's diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. If I can do this, I can do anything.

Elise
Phoenix, AZ

It Was A Journey

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2008. I found a lump while showering and it was confirmed after a biopsy. My surgery was on May 5th 2008 it all happens so quickly. You are a bit numb and stunned at first but it doesn't take long before you come to accept what you have and to fight. I started chemo in June and it ended in Nov.2008 I can't say by any means that I am glad I got breast cancer but I did learn a lot along the way. The Lord was good to me and I have a wonderful family and friends that we're all very supportive. And through it I have got to know many wonderful women. I am now active with A Pink Ribbon Network Support Group. Which is a lot of wonderful women out to educate, inform and help other women going through it in our community. I am also signed up to be trained in the Reach To Recovery program through the American Cancer Society. Last Oct. with my Niece Laura we walked in a two day Avon cancer walk in NYC yes I walked 39 miles and I am very proud of it. Between Laura and myself we raised quite a bit of money for the walk. If you find yourself going through the brest cancer journey stay positive. Educate yourself in every way about it. And then be willing to reach out and help others.

Dana Miner
Clarksville, TN

Wrong Diagnose

My mother Julia was diagnose with cancer stage 3 on January 2006. She initially felt a lump on June 2005 when to get checked she was told she had 'dead cells it will go away come back when your next mammogram is' which is in Sept. of the same year. August 2005 she had a life or death spinal cord and brain surgery due to this surgery she couldn't get her mammogram when due because she couldn't move.
While vacationing in Mexico in December 2005 she felt the lump on the same breast much bigger then before. She figured she would come back to the US and get checked.
Everything happen so fast. We didn't believe that the cancer was so advanced we went to get 3 different opinions sadly all doctors had the same diagnose. They gave her a 33% chance of living. This was devastating to all of us. She didn't believe it she couldn't and due to her positive attitude (and god) she is here with us now.
She went through 12 chemos 40 radiations and 8 more chemos before her radical mastectomy. Gained 40 lbs due to all the cortisone in her chemo treatments. They removed her right breast and 32 limphnoeds and 3 from her left. They were able to save her left breast.
My mother is amazing! She has been in remission since April 24 2008. My father was in a car accident and lost his life April 25 2009. My father her rock. Now i feel i am loosing her. She has lost 50 lbs in the time of his death till now. She is strong i know she has it in her some where. I am afraid with all her pain this 'cancer' might come back. Please keep us in your prayers.

Viviana
Los Angeles, CA

My Cancer Year

As of this past week, I finished with the last of my radiation treatments, officially marking the end of my Caner Year. And what a year it's been too -- for it was almost exactly a year ago when I first received my startling diagnosis of Stage II Breast Cancer, at the age of 42.

Well suffice it to say, while I can't exactly claim it's necessarily been the easiest thing in the world to deal with, I haven't been devastated by it either, not by a long stretch -- willing as I've been to simply take each and every day and its challenges as they come, one at a time. And always along with the love and encouragement of my super network of ever-supportive family and friends, plus a wonderful team of health care professionals, backing me up. I may have had Cancer, but it never had me....

Still, a lot of my typical activities, pursuits and interests were put aside these last many months, simmering on the back burner as it were, as I focused on my health. However now with several surgeries and aggressive chemo and radiation therapy under my belt, I'm happy to report my overall prognosis is quite good, and I am at peace -- here as I find myself ready and willing to kiss my Cancer Year goodbye, and get back to my regularly scheduled Life and good health....

Patience
urbana, IL

On the other side...

At 29 years old, only a few months after our 2nd daughter was born, I found out I had aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer. The doctors all agreed that I'd have to be aggressive to fight it. There was so much to live for-- I had an amazing husband, a loving extended family, and two daughters who needed their Mommy! After a double mastectomy, 8 months of chemo, and 2 months of radiation, I was cancer free! I am on Tamoxifen for the next few years but other than that I don't have any more treatments! Last August I got breast reconstruction and my hair started growing back dark and curly--completely different from my previous long blonde locks! I look "normal" now, people who meet me now have no idea what I went through for three years just to be the mom, wife, and woman I am today! Mary Grace is now 7 years old, and Trinity is going to be 4 in a month! After that journey, I guess I felt like we could do anything if we could survive cancer together. So when my husband was laid off from his corporate job, we decided we had nothing to lose and started our own business~! We cashed in every last bit of our savings, put our energy toward promoting his new business, and now we are in our 8th month of owning a very fast growing, successful and popular computer services company! Our family had to go through so much to get to this point, but we MADE IT! I have my life, we have our company, the girls have a mom and dad who love them, and life just can't get any better! I'm so glad I am still around to see each and every day with them!

Kari Moroz
Bethany, OK

my story of generations.

my mom had breast cancer when she was in her 30s,she had a quarter of her breast removed to prevent it from spreading.At 18,I was diagnosed with breast cancer,I beat it the first time.Now I have another lump.My mom passed away in 2007 from lung cancer,and I have lung cancer now. There isnt a family member who hasnt had,died from or beaten Cancer in my family.Im trying to go day by day,and smile so many others have it worse than me.

Elizabeth
Edmonton, Canada

Happy 30th Birthday to Me!

I was diagnosed with Stage IIA Invasive Ductal Carcinoma a little over a month after my 30th birthday and less than two months before my husband and I were finally going to start our family. I had a double mastectomy in Sept 2009, have had 6 rounds of chemo, my reconstruction surgery, and will be starting radiation in a few weeks. For awhile there I was breastless, hairless, and didn't know whether I would ever have children. It is now less than two months after Chemo and I have breast (they aren't real, but they look good and they won't try to kill me), my hair is starting to come back, and just yesterday I came out of the Chemo induced menopause so I should be able to have biological children someday. Throughout all of this I have kept the smile on my face and the spring in my step. I figure that if this is the first day of the rest of my life then I'm going to live it to the fullest. My best advice to anyone battling this disease is to take moments to cry, but be sure that they are just moments. For every half hour you cry, spend two hours laughing. It helps! A LOT! God bless.

Kristy Davis
Schaumburg, IL