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Two time breast cancer survivor

Hi,
I am Nicolle Muller,I live in NYC, I was 1st diganosed with breast cancer of the right breast in 2000 I was 39 and my Mother had BC 2x in her life, i had always thought it skipped a genreration,I was wrong. Being an only child made it hard to understand, although my parents were both with me all the time, I was working during all this. I had a right breast mastecomy, a implant placed that was never completed, I took AC- the strongest chemo I ever knew , lost my hair, lost my job, lost my fiance who died...Always had my Mom, my best friend.....
Then in 2005-my Mother got very sick after she fell and broke her hip, I took care of her night and day with my dad, and she died Dec 11,2005. Three days later I went for a new mamogram of my left breast- and they found a new Bc- before this I was told I had the BRCA gene- so in June of 2005- I had a full hystercomy- couldnt have children. the left breast surgery was jan 06, and my dad has been my pillar of strength through all this and losing his wife of 58 years. I had a different chemo stronger a CMF because when the plastic surgeon put the tissue expander in- there was an infection of MRSA, and re placed a expander 2x before it was finally taken out, I have to see a Infectous disease doc my whole ife and always wonder if I get to near a sick person. I can never have a implant placed in my left side.... I lost all my teeth becasue of this and all my self esteem. My dad is with me and I love him...Dont ever give up!

Nicolle Muller
New York, NY

Support Helps

Hi my name is Kimberly. My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and was a 3 year survivor when it came out of remission. she fought it for almost a year, but when it came out of remission it was not just in her breast it was in her lungs and her liver and was starting to get to her bones. she tryed going to the Cancer treatment Centers of America but they wouldnt take her. she went to a hospital just after thanksgiving and passed away on Dec. 23 2004. I have been an avid supporter of breast cancer awareness ever since then!! Keep it up ladies!!!!!

kimberly tillman
Elk City, OK

I'm Too Young

I am 26 years old and I was diagnosed with breast cancer on October 1,2009. I am a single mother of two little ones that I take care of by myself. I work at a law firm full time as a legal assistant, I am in school full time for my bachelors degree, and I am aslo in the U. S. Naval Reserve. I was like I have so much to accomplish in life that I don't need this right now. I found a lump around the begining of September. I went to the doctor and they did an ultrasound. The ultrasound did not look very good so they scheduled a biopsy two days later. I had to wait a week for my results. That was the longest week of my life. Everyone kept telling me that nothing is wrong and that evrything is going to be ok. I knew deep down inside that it wasn't. The day of my results the doctor came in and told me the bad news. I cried and cried. I said this can't be true. I still have so much of my life to live. Every day it is hard but I try to keep my head up. I don't have a problem telling my friends because they need to know that this just doesn't happen to older women. Breast cancer has no set age. The physical concept of all of this is the most disturbing, the way this going to change my body. The only thing I am trying to do now is to be strong and still be there for my kids. I am surrounded with support from family and friends which is great.

Crystal Anderson
Carencro, LA

Strength for Life

In the past, people receiving a cancer diagnosis were told to get plenty of rest in order to stay strong and fight the cancer. Today, people living with cancer are advised to get out, get moving, and get fit in order to fight their diagnosis. Research has shown that cancer patients can and should exercise. Exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life for people living with cancer, turning cancer patients into survivors

Strength for Life is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting cancer patients and survivors reclaim their life by providing them with FREE exercise classes and wellness weekends. Each group session is lead by a Certified Cancer Exercise Specialist who has the knowledge and experience to safely train persons who are in cancer related treatment or have recently ended treatment. Classes consist of aerobic conditioning, progressive strength training, range of motion exercises, and flexibility/stretching moves. In addition, the program educates cancer patients and the public on the benefits of exercise in reducing the risk of certain cancers, improving survivorship and enhancing functional activities.

Strength for Life was formed in memory of Evelyn Knapp, co-founder of the Personal Training Institute. Evelyn spent a lifetime promoting exercise and proper nutrition to thousands. Her knowledge, motivation and dedication helped inspire countless individuals to engage in a healthier lifestyle. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Evelyn continued exercising throughout treatment. She would say it gave her a feeling of control in an uncontrollable situation. From there she made a new commitment to promote exercise for cancer patients so they too would experience the benefits. In 2005 Evelyn's passing ended her battle with cancer. Her mission, however, was not forgotten and Strength for Life was born to make her vision a reality.

jacqui errico
Port Jefferson Station, NY

I Feel Lucky! !Soy Afortunada!

Yes. I feel lucky.
Six months ago, after a routine mammogram I was diagnosed with breast cancer (the lump couldn´t be detected otherwise)....And now, I can say that I was lucky...No, I am not crazy! At the beginning I was devastated, mainly because I had to tell my very old Mom that I had cancer. But when the surgery was over, and the doctors told me that the mammogram saved my life, I started to feel lucky. Lucky because I had the possibility of having a yearly mammogram. Lucky because it was detected very soon. Lucky because I had wonderful doctors and nurses. Lucky because a had very supportive family and friends....Can you say the same? Then, even if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer....YOU ARE LUCKY!

Sí. Soy afortunada.
Hace seis meses, después de una mamografía rutinaria, me diagnosticaron un cáncer de pecho (el tumor no se notaba al tacto). Y ahora puedo decir que soy afortunada. ..No, !no piensen que me he vuelto loca! Al principio estaba hundida, principalmente porque tenía que contarle a mi anciana madre que tenía cáncer. Pero después de la cirugía y de que los médicos me dijeran que la mamografía me había salvado la vida, comencé a sentirme afortunada. Afortunada porque tengo la posibilidad de una mamografía anual. Afortunada porque fue detectado a tiempo. Afortunada porque me atendieron magníficos médicos y enfermeros. Afortunada porque tengo una gran familia y amigos que me ayudaron a superar los malos momentos...¿Pueden Ustedes decir lo mismo? Entonces, incluso si han sido diagnosticadas con cáncer de pecho,
!PUEDEN SENTIRSE AFORTUNADAS!

CANDELARIA PEREZ-BARRETO
WALNUT CREEK, CA

Family History

My grandmother died of breast cancer. She battled it for years, having to have her whole left breast removed and many chemo treatments. My aunt and great grandmother also battled, both of them surviving. A family friend also battled breast cancer a few years ago, but didn't let it take her life. I don't remember my grandmother, but was old enough to watch this friend go through her battle, shave her head, and often couldn't even go to her school to teach her students, who I know for a fact were praying for her every day. I am only a teenager but have had this fear that because I have a family history that I too will have to battle this mysterious disease. I just want everyone to help in any way you can, and if you don't have the money to donate, or are too young, you can say a prayer, believe in God, and support those who battle cancer everyday.

Anonymous
St. Joseph, MO

Never too young to have a mammogram.

My grandmother was detected with breast cancer more than ten years ago, she had a surgery, thar removed one of her breast, my mom and aunt had to removed tumors on their breast. Tha'ts why my doctor sent me to Memorial Regional Hopsital to have a mammogram.
I am 32 and I was thinking to receive a follow up fo next year. But instead I got and prescription for an ultrasound , today I went with the same expectations. Unfortunally I need to have a biopsy. So just time will tell.
That's why never is too soon to get a check up with a mammogram.
Jessica Santillan
Hollywood, FL

Jessica
Hollywood, FL

Breast Cancer Survivor

I had a biopsy in June 2005. Life was going great for me; I had bought an investment home, a car, and I was starting a new career. I remember receiving a call on the last Friday of September 2005. The message said that I had an appointment that Monday. Not knowing that that appointment would change my life, I went to the doctor to discover that my file was misplaced and I had breast cancer. Through all of my surgeries and treatments, I knew the only way that I would make it was to trust God and stay positive. Remember no matter what challenges you are going through, you must always put God first and he will make a way.

Priscilla Davenport
Decatur, GA

What i am doing to help-----Free housecleaning

My name is Barbara Whittaker and i own Above & Beyond Cleaning Services, i work in the West Pasco area, i just became a partner with a non profit organization that you all need to know about, it is called "Cleaning for a Reason" Cleaning companies like my self become partners and volunteer House cleaning to Women under going chemo or radiation for cancer. We get nothing out of it other then spreadng the word and pure satisfaction that we can help in some way, lift some of the burden that these women are going thru,
i have been blessed with perfect health and want to help others..

You can learn more by going to Cleaningforareason.org

I have also participated in the 3-Day in Miami in 2002, i will in 2 weeks have completed 3 walks with the Making Strides against Breast Cancer, i have done one Carnival cruise "On Deck for the Cure" walk and have participated in the "Pitch for Pink" 2009, and as long as i can, i will keep doing these events till they find a cure or when i can no longer do them, hoping the cure comes first :)

Barbara Whittaker
New Port Richey, FL

I have cancer, cancer doesn't have me....

Last fall I was diagnosed with breast cancer...at the age of 22. I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer which had spread to my lymphnodes and lungs. I did chemo from November '08 to May '09, and had a bilateral mastectomy and right axillary node dissection at the end of June. I know that a lot of people really have a hard time with treatment...but for me, it really wasn't bad. I had to shave my head the day before Thanksgiving and was bald until May. But it wasn't so bad. I've had hardly any side effects. I've had the BEST people around me, supporting me all the way. I actually came to enjoy the quiet and peace that my time at chemo provided. God really worked a miracle in my body. Without chemo, I wouldn't have survived 6 months from diagnosis. But I'm alive and well, and basically cancer-free. I have full faith that God will complete this work in me and that I'll live a full life. I'm almost finished with my undergrad degree and will be continuing on to get my Master's degree. So, for people that are just getting into this whole process I would say that breast cancer will always be an important part of who I am and who you are...but it doesn't define us. We have cancer...cancer doesn't have us. :)

Anonymous
Terre Haute, IN