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My Mom!

My Mom had stage 3 Breast Cancer - after 2 rounds of heavy chemo and Radiation her cancer was gone. We were so relieved. How ever the rounds of chemo took it's toll on her and she developed neuropathy really bad in her feet and hands and mouth. She began to have trouble walking and was falling a lot. We had to get a wheel chair. She was in so much pain everyday. She went to Dr.s to no avail they could not help her. There wasn't a pain pill in the world that helped her. Dr.s tried many things but no relief for my Mom. Now I am so sad to say my Mom committed suicide on 12/02/09. I am heart broken. I have cried everyday since that awful day. I wish I could have helped her so she wouldn't leave me! I miss her so much! Her Birthday was 1/13 she would have turned 71. She still had many years. I hate cancer it stole my Mom from me.

Jean Leach
Richardson, TX

What dosen't kill you only makes you stronger ...

On July 29, 2009 the bomb was dropped - You have breast cancer (stage IIIA with 3 positive lymphnotes)..Only 36 years old happy married with 2 boys 3 and 6 years old and NO cancer history in my family. Since then I have with great support been fighting my cancer battle! I had a double mastectomy followed with expanders on September 21, 2009 and has so far had 6 chemo treatments and ONLY 2 left - cant wait for Feburay 10th to come, so I can say I am done with chemo! After chemo I have my implant surgery scheduled for March and then another 6 weeks of radiation - it is a long and bumpy road, but I am keeping up the spirit and looking forward to putting this part of my life behind me. I/we have the best support network of friends and without same I could not have done this - and special thanks to my wonderful husband (who really has stepped us as Mr. Mom) and my best friend Debbie who has been there no matter what I need - love you guys!! To all the women out there in the same boat as me - keep fighting like a girl and stay positive!!! It is half the cure...

Love
Anni Skeete

Anni Skeete
Laurence Harbor, NJ

A First Mammogram Timer

I was 50 years old when I felt a sharp pain at the top of my breast and thought I had better have a mammogram which I've never had. Two weeks after the test, they found a pea-size lump and had to have more tests & biopsy. After 5 days of worry and anxiousness, was told the dreaded word 'Cancer' but luckily it was caught in the early stage so had lump removal plus 3 lymph nodes taken out. Had radiotherapy & still on medication for 1 more year. So far, so good... it's been 4 1/2 years. It sure does put your life into perspective. And one word of advice and I cannot stress it enough ... please have annual mammograms! It can happen to anyone even you as it certainly did to me!

Anonymous
Brisbane, Australia

Lucky in so many ways

Hi . . . My name is Maureen . . . and it has been 1 year, 3 months and 24 days since I heard those awful words, "You've developed breast cancer since your last mammogram." I had missed my yearly mammogram. My husband had back surgery, and I just kept putting my appointments off. Before I knew it, I was a year late in going. I'm lucky though because the cancer hadn't spread . . . I didn't need chemotherapy. I had a mastectomy and have recovered nicely. I'm thankful for medical advancements, thankful for an amazing team of doctors and thankful for supportive family and friends. Through all this, I've learned that we need to take control of our own health. Early detection really IS the best protection. Take control of your health and schedule your yearly mammogram. I'm forever thankful . . . and lucky in so many ways.

Maureen
Lonaconing, MD

Saved by Yearly Mammogram

After having a lumpectomy at 45, my doctor insisted I keep up with yearly check-ups and mammograms. At 65, the mammogram showed up an
area of very early stage cancer, confirmed by an immediate biopsy.
Surgery was within two weeks and following up with radiation, I've been cancer free for three years and am so thankful that it was caught early.

Get those mammograms ladies, caught early makes a huge difference!!!

Lorna Lynch
Vancouver, WA

HOPE

My name is Megan Sheldon. I am only one 15 year old girl, but I am making a change. I make and sell a creation I found out, called Hope Bracelets. They symbolize the combined hope of all the women and men who where them. When you wear one you are connected to thousands of others. You will never be alone in this fight. Age is just a number.Anyone can make a change. I fight not for myself, but for my friend, family and all the others who think they are along in this fight. I can promise you this, you are not. I lived in this amazing world for a short 15 years but i know more than most 15 year olds do. Im not average. My dream job is eaither oncology or cell research. Im working towards a higher goal. im going to hlep whatever way I can. God bless you all.

United we stand.
Stand as one.
One can make a change.
Change will come.
Come join the fight.
Fight to the end.
End this battle.

Megan Sheldon
Elyria, OH

Pink Ribbon Pins

This coming February (2010) I will be a 16 year survivor. I never leave the house without my hat!! 15 pink ribbon pins are scattered all over the top of the hat, each one representing a year of survivorship. Next month(February) one more pin will be added to make it 16 years!! I also have a pink ribbon shoelace in one of my shoes all the time. I have had many people ask what the pins are for or why 2 different shoelaces, and I tell them, "To get your attention, and remind you or a loved one to get your mammograhm!"

Cindy Calendine
Columbus, OH

Thought I was too young

I thought that something like this could never happen to someone so young, boy was I wrong. IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. I was diagnosed with ductal carcinaoma 12 years ago at the age of 22. The whole process was very hard to take in. I had a lumpectomy on my right breast that was a pencil widths length away from my breastbone. All my lymp nodes came back clear. I stayed home to do the treatments even though the doctors wanted me to stay far from home. But no doctor compared to the care of my wonderful mother. She has been my rock through the whole thing. I am now the mother of a beautiful and very happy go lucky little 6 year old boy. he is my joy.

Nancee
Bay City, MI

I can't believe it has been 5 years

I can't believe it has been 5 years since my husband Brock died from breast cancer. AND I still don't see much being done to let people know MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO. I realize more women get breast cancer than MEN but why should it matter who gets breast cancer. On any breast cancer site or commercial, one little sentence MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO would help to get the word out. The number of men getting breast cancer is going up and more men are dying.. The numbers on this site are for 2007. They need to be updated. AND people need to know MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO.

Kriss M Bowles
Land O' Lakes, FL

My Brave Friend

My friend and neighbor (and my daughter's mother-in-law) was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 months ago. She had a mastectomy and because the lymph nodes were clean, opted to have an implant inserted simultaneously. Now she is hospitalized with an infection at the site of the implant. She is so very brave and I want to pay tribute to her courage and good humor in the face of illness. I pray for her total recovery so we can continue to share our grandchildren.

Anonymous
Ein Harod Ihud, Israel