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Spa Treatments

I am on my fifth week of seven weeks of radiation, that my daughter calls my daily "Spa Treatments". I was diagnosed Stage 0, DCIS, Dec. 2009. I've come a long way in such a few short months. From going numb, when the surgeon finally told me after three biopsies that it was cancer, to taking my daily "Spa Treatments". I have to have a sense of humor, that's what keeps me going. I was having mamograms every six months before the diagnosis, because of calcium deposits. Never take your mamograms for granted! I click daily on this site to help fund mamograms for other women. Be brave, never give up, and never give in!

Alma Winkler
Massillon, OH

Happy re-birthday to me!

This March 7 marks the beginning of my journey with breast cancer. I had a mamogram after having pain in my right breast. They scheduled the mamogram for my birthday 5 years ago. After a mamogram and ultrasound, I had a biopsy one week later. I got the results one week after that and that began my odessy with a Stage 3b aggressive cancer. Now on my birthday each year since I re-set the clock and have begun my life anew. This November marks my 5 year anniversary of being cancer free, a day I never thought I'd see after my diagnosis. I will be celebrating my "5th" birthday this year!

CAT
Albuquerque, NM

My journey with Infammatory Breast Cancer!

I was diagnosed with IBC May 16, 2009 2 weeks before my 40th birthday. I found a lump under my arm and at first didn't give it much thought, took it to my PC doctor who sent me for a mammogram which I have been getting for a few years now. The mammo came back negative, so he sent me to a surgeon to get the lump removed. That's when I found out it was cancer and not a very nice on...

A couple of days before my surgery my breast became very hot and red and swollen, discolored and dimply...my husband hugged me and said I can feel your breast it's hot...so I looked up the symptoms on the internet I had EVERY symptom under IBC...I had myself diagnosed, scared to death and dead in 6 months before I went for my results.

My surgeon confirmed my diagnoses of IBC then asked me what cancer center I wanted to go to...Cancer center how do I know I never in a million years visioned myself having to choose a cancer center. He said I'm going to send you to MDA Orlando. He said but they are going to want a port and a biopsy so let's get that done tomorrow, more then likely the course of treatment with start with Chemotherapy which I started my 1st visit.

I went for my 16 rounds of chemo, 12 every week, 4 every 3 weeks, then the surgery, I choose a bilateral mastectomy due to the type of cancer I had. Surgery was Nov 24th all went very well.

What helped me thru this is I never asked my cancer stage, I had an idea but never ask for confirmation, I NEVER missed one appt or treatment. I finished radiation last week!

Debra Roberts
Winter Springs, FL

It can be done

I was diagnosed with breastcancer 7 years ago, underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy for over a year and a half. I was 44 and my friends were more surprised and shocked than I was as I would have been seen as very healthy and fit. The gene is in my family with my mother and sister having had the disease also.My sister failing to beat the disease at 40 and my mother hail and hearty at 85!

Thanks to positivity, great caring friends and a few targets of mini breaks I was lucky during treatment.
I managed to focus on getting away for a day or two in between sessions, any longer was not an option, I even managed a trip to the Ryder Cup golf in England after session no 5 of chemo, a definite highlight.

since then I have managed a few longer breaks, Peru, Australia/New Zealand, and PNG !!
I am working outdoors everyday, playing golf and hockey. I even managed a half marathon run a year after ending chemo - tho never again!!
So believe me ITCAN BE DONE
Keep fighting and good luck
L

Anonymous
Dublin, Ireland

I'm Celebrating my 65th Birthday and I had a Radical Mastectomy

You can get Breast Cancer at any age. At age 28, I had a Radical Mastectomy (They don't do Radical Mastectomies anymore). I was devastated and thought my life was over. A wonderful woman of 35 came in to see me from "Reach for Recovery". I felt much better after her visit. I am a fighter & I did all the exercises they gave me to get my arm working again. After many cobalt treatments, I survived. I had another scare last year, but thank the Lord it was OK. Through the years, I have told my story to every woman I've met, so they will be prepared, if it happens to them. Today I am celebrating my 65th birthday. There is always hope!

Patsy
Casselberry, FL

survivor and yet more

Several years ago, a routine mammogram came back, showing a growth in the left breast. My doctor sent me for a biopsy, to the local hospital, who lost the request for 3 1/3 months!
I started complaining, at which point the local hospital said, whoops!!!!!, and sent me to the big hospital 1 1/2 hours away.
The biopsy was done there within 2 days, and it came back malignant. The surgeon removed it, and found the capsule was just short of breaking through and becoming invasive. I had a second surgery,to enlarge the margins, and then a month of radiation. The cancer center is 1 1/2 hours away, so lots of travel.
Went on with life!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last year a very small growth was found in the right breast. Once again a routine mammogram. The surgeon thought it looked good, but the radiologist wasn't happy. He phoned the following Monday, had me in for another mammogram and ultra sound on Tuesday, called Wednesday saying he wanted a biopsy Thursday, and 2 weeks later found out it was indeterminate.
So the surgeon removed it to do another biopsy, and it is invasive this time.
Soooooooo..........back to surgery I go to check whether it spread to the lymph nodes. Depending on the results, it will be another session of radiation, and or chemo.
The cancer center is 1 1/2 hours away, so 4 to 5 hous of my day will be gone....BUT IT IS WORTH IT!
I click this site EVERY day to give someone else benefits we take for granted.
MAMMOGRAMS ROCK!!!!!

shari
Consecon, Canada

My Reason To Go On

My daughters are my reasons to go on fighting this horrible disease. I was diagnosed in December 2005, just a few days after Christmas. I had the biopsy before the holiday and was told to go home and not worry for a week-not worry??? I was scared out of my wits, and couldn't think about anything else. I endured a lumpectomy, followed by bad news- the tumor was larger than first thought and there was a second one not picked up by the mammogram (ladies-do your monthly self breast exam!) and they needed to go back and do a mastectomy and chemotherapy. All of my hair fell out and I was sicker than a dog. When I looked in the mirror I saw someone or I should say someTHING I didn't recognize. I learned NOT to look in the mirror. I took a beauty class and that did help some but it's a hard, hard thing to go through. I have gained a new sympathy for all women going through this mess in their lives and have discovered I have many, many sisters who have also survived. There is an unbroken bond between all of us that we can't let die. We must band together to fight breast cancer. I SURVIVED!!! At the beginning of my story I mentioned my daughters- I have three. I was diagnosed at 42 with no family history and no risk factors. This can happen to anyone. It happened to me, it could happen to you. My youngest daughter was afraid her mommy would die. Don't let it ever get as far as mine was (stage 2). Do your exams and LIVE!!!

Bridget
Davenport, IA

Never Too Young

When I was diagnosed with Stage Two Breast Cancer six months ago nothing could have been more shocking. I felt the lump and the next day visited my family physician. I was told not to worry because I have no family history and I had just turned twenty-two a month ago. Two weeks later I was given life altering news. I recently finished a very intense six rounds of chemotherapy and I am on my way to having a normal life back. Let my story ring through the back of your mind. Always know your body, and listen to it. Doubting anything in my case, could have meant a later diagnosis and smaller chance of survival.

Lauren Mcclure
Dayton, OH

I love my new Ta'Ta's!

What started as my annual mammogram, ended up being the biggest fight of my life. After all the many biopsies, scans, tests and hundreds of needles, I was found to have DCIS along with invasive breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy on October 26, 2009, and was found to have no cancer in my lymph nodes! After 2 more unexpected surgeries that followed, I am still in the expansion stage. Only 2 more expansions to go, and then I get my new Ta-Ta's!
It has been a whirlwind 7 months of amazing ups and downs. But with the help of my incredible team of doctors, my wonderful family and the best friends and support system at work, I feel like the happiest & luckiest girl ever! I am cancer free and so happy to be alive! My best to all of you survivors and your families - I love you all!!!

Barb Travis
Philadelphia, PA

5 Years After

I was diagnosed with DCIS (non-hormone receptive but agressive and multiple spots). I was only 38. Had it not been for a car accident which prompted a check up, they would not have diagnosed it until it was too late. I am a 5 year survivor this year, and enjoying my life and my pets as you can tell by my picture! Early detection is the key. No matter what type or stage of breast cancer you have, never give up on life! Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

Christine
Anaheim, CA