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The Gift of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer was a gift that I received January 2001.

Understandably, I was reluctant to accept it at first. The words "You have cancer," threw me into an abyss of terror, and the chemotherapy and radiation therapies threw my body into shock. Once the treatments ended and the effects from the therapies wore off, however, I realized I was lucky enough to survive this disease, and I quickly made life-changing decisions.

I divorced my abusive husband, chose another career, and have since become an advocate who helps others by sharing my story and encouraging medical advocacy. See, I was the one who found my own tumor by doing a monthly breast self exam.

Breast cancer set me on an unexpected path toward helping others, as well as building friendships and love. This disease made me the strong, courageous person I am now, and it has given me the gift of appreciating each day and never taking anything for granted.

I would never have chosen breast cancer, but I am glad it chose me.

Beth L. Gainer
Glendale Heights, IL

As of 12-11-2010

I will no longer have a port a cath planted inside of me. I wrote my story before, I think, but the port a cath refused to work yesterday, and they took three tubes of blood from the side of my right arm. So, the oncologist said that it had served it's purpose, and needed to be removed. It was inserted surgically in April of 2000. It is to be taken out 12-11-2010. I will no longer be going every three months to have it flushed. I will only be seeing the doctor once each year. I just had to hug him. He loves the same Lord that I do.

Anne Hood
Atoka, TN

Breast Self Exams are NOT Useless!!!!

I am a 45 years old mother of 3 beautful girls. We have all been breast buddies for several years. In September they reminded me to do my monthly exam. When I did so, I found several "lumps". I had my annual mammogram done in October - ironically Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Indeed they did find the same lumps on the mammogram - one mass in particular being of concern. I had a second mammogram done - ironically named the "Compression Mammogram". Then an Ultrasound. Then the "Ultrasound Guided Needle Biopsy". It was thru that test they confirmed I had invasive lobular carcinoma. I am scheduled for an MRI with contrast and then the surgeon will determine our plan of attack.
Had it not been for the regular breast self exam I would not have acted so quickly on this. We are hoping it has been caught early enough to completely rid my body of this awful disease. Please continue the fight against HHS for the promotion of breast self exams and annual mammograms starting at 40. I have always supported this site, and have been clicking daily for years. Thank you.

Anna Rose Nix
Locust Fork, AL

A Life Forever Changed

In 2004, I had just lost my 97 year old grandmother. I was, and still am a single Mother and was working as an EMT. I found a lump in my left breast and didn't tell anyone for a week. It was a month away from my 34th birthday.
I finally went to the doctor and instead of telling me it was nothing, he told me to go get a mammogram right then. He could call and make me an appointment. But, I told him I would do it and it was scheduled for a week later.
I am adopted, I was as an infant. So, I have no family history that I know of. I felt so scared and alone. I told myself this isn't happening.
They did the mammogram and an ultrasound. A week later was the biopsy. It was cancer. I was 33 years old!
My surgeon did a lumpectomy first. But it was bigger than they thought. So a week later they removed my left breast. Two of three lymph nodes were positive. Stage 2.
The chemo and radiation lasted a year. I tolerated the chemo well, the radiation not so well. For you see, I am a fair Irish lass and I burn easily.
The whole year I was 34 I spent fighting the cancer. I tried re construction in 2005 and it didn't work out well.I cannot go back on the rescue, the lifting isn't good for my left arm.

But! The cancer didn't take my life! My hair grew back and I made it to the other side. I am grateful for everyday. My daughter is 13 and she knows she has a family history, we will be careful with her. I am a 5 year survivor now. And life is good!

Erin McCrone
Warwick, AL

Five Years & Counting

When I discovered my lump right after a negative mammogram, I was a little shocked, but since I had been typing about breast cancer research for a continuing medical education company for about 10 years at that time, I wasn't surprised. That was one poster child I never wanted to be. At the time, two of my friends from church were also having biopsies and I actually prayed that if one of us had cancer that it would be me, because I knew I was armed with all the information I needed to make a decision that was right for me. My prayers were answered.I believe that any cancer diagnosis is harder on the family than the patient, because while we are allowed to go through all the stages of dealing with the diagnosis, they quote-unquote have to be strong for us. That's hard to do when you've lived a lifetime with someone and you are terrified of losing them. In the beginning, I let the diagnosis take over my life, but quickly realized that I didn't want to live "with" cancer every day that I have left, so I threw the diagnosis to the side of the road and moved forward with my life. I still type about cancer research and the cutting edge technology and therapies that are being tested and I pray that my three daughters, if they have to experience breast cancer, will have a better road to travel than we do today. Keep clicking for those free mammograms. They are sorely needed.

Anonymous
Miami, FL

Who's more scared ? Me or my friends and family?

I live in a small town, so the news of my Cancer spread faster than the truth. I heard I had 2 months to live before my 2nd Chemo session! I know most of the 960 people who live here, in this mining town, and most of them wouldn't know a positive attitude and it's value if it was on the front page of the local paper!I learned a long time ago that your life is mostly the attitude you choose to live in. Fortunatlly, mine is a very positive one.The realization that I had the right to choose my own attitude was a great epiphany in my life. All of a sudden, negative people no longer rubbed off on me, feeling helpless, hopeless were no longer acceptable to me.Seeing the good of life and all it's possiblities seemed endless, thier was no more time to waste on alll the bad things. Plenty of other people were doing that and not even realizing it! I on the other hand brought my imagination back to life and began to see the world less limited and more open to positve ideas. One of the best was a simple smile with eye contact,hardly a person doesn't reciprocate one, and in one day I can collect a giant bouquet of them, along with giving so many away. I love to see the sparkle in the eyes of someone I know hasn't had a good smile come their way in a while, what and easy and united gift for free! If I could pass this positve philosophy on to anyone and make a difference in their lives it would be a pleasure in my heart because the more it happens , the more happy people. Sincerely,

Susan C. Boren
Wallace, ID

My Breast Cancer Story

My name is Teresa Solano I'm a personal trainer, mother of 2 beautiful daughters 15 & 9 years old, and wife to an amazing husband. In October of 2002 one month after I celebrated my 40th birthday I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My head reeled with the numbing news that I must have a mastectomy. On January 10th, 2003 I went through over 5 Â½ hours of surgery to remove my left breast. This was the first of 3 reconstructive surgeries that occurred over the next 10 months. It took six weeks of recovery per surgery before I could do any kind of physical activity. My left arm was severely numb and tight from 2 drain tubes protruding under them which limited my range of motion for several weeks. For the first time in my life I felt weak and unable to do the simplest of movements without help. Getting out of bed, taking a shower and sitting up were some of my biggest challenges. As the painstaking weeks passed, I was faced with the harsh reality that I still couldn't't pick up my baby girl and hold her in my arms or give my 6 year old big long hugs because of my surgery sites (I had 5 incision sites in various areas of my body) which would throb and burn. It has taken me over 6 years to get my body back to feeling "normal" and strong again thanks to my family's encouragement and strong faith. I am now 47, cancer free and just completed my third Susan G. Komen Race for The Cure where I received a 2nd place survivorship medal and was recently awarded a 3rd place trophy in a NPC national qualifier figure competition. My motivation is helping others be healthy & strong!

Teresa Solano
Oviedo, FL

My Mom is a cancer Servivor

My mom is a cancer survivor for almost a year now . She went through kemo and is now a survivor. Its been a hard year but we made it through. She now tells every women young or old to get a mamagram every year because it helps save lives.Especially if it runs in your family. Me and my mother just got done with a walk for the breast cancer walk. My mom has been a real inspiration and because of her I helped raised a lot of money for the women that have it now and to help find a cure for the young generation. I feel so sorry for the women that do have it but you will be a survivor and don't give up my mom didn't. God bless you!!!

Tara Dietrich
Naples, FL

My story

My cancer was found in 2005, I had a lumpectomy in Jan. 2006. I was 41 years old. I'm now 46, and just had another cancer scare. Thank God, it wasn't ovarian cancer. Please, women over 40, get your mammograms, no matter what the government says. My mother died at 39, and I had no idea of her medical history. I was 13. I'm grateful my doctor suggested mammograms because we didn't know what my mother might've gotten.
So far, I'm a 3 year survivor. Keep clicking for those who can't afford insurance.

Terry Davis
Newark, NY

A self breast exam saved my life

I am outraged and very scared over the new guidelines for mammography and self breast exams published by the US Preventative Services Task Force yesterday. These doctors and scientists working for the govt. stated that it is not necessary to perform self breast exams or for women under the age of 50 to have routine mammograms.
At age 42, I found a lump in my breast and a mammogram and subsequent biopsy confirmed stage I breast cancer. Had I not found the lump and waited 8 years for my first routine mammogram at age 50, I would most likely be dead right now or living with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer! According to their report, these doctors claim that the results for routing screenings prior to the age of 50 are not statistically significant. Well as one individual who benefitted from self breast exam and mammogram, I am significant!
I cant help but wonder if regressing back to guildelines prior to 1980 actually have a lot to do with reducing health care costs.
They also say that mamograms prior to age 50 lead to anxiety in women and many false positives. Let me tell you, breast cancer produces a lot more anxiety than having a mammogram.
Ladies, perform your self exams and get you routine mammogramsyou have nothing to lose other than your lives!!!!!!!

Lauren Penn
Boston, MA