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brens story

i was diagnosed with breast cancer may 2009. i only know on one person in my family to ever have this it was my grandmother on my dads side.i always got my mammograms done faithfully every year. so this year i thought it was just like any other. boy was i wrong. my doctor called me and said they found something on my mammogram so she wanted me to come in for an ultrasond and other tests so i did. i thought nothing of it i was fine. but then when she called me she told me to come to her office she said you have breast cancer its not the bad type its only the size of a grain of salt. well all i heard was your dying. i was so scared. she did the biopsey it had not spread any where else. on june 30 she did a lumpectomy. and i have done my radiation treatments for 6 weeks .monday the 28 2009 will be my last radiation treatment. i wont say im still not scared because i am. i only know that life is so precious to me. and with gods help and my familys im going to make it. this will be the first year for my cure for cancer walk. i pray that by next year i will be running for the cure. im still afraid but i just take one day at a time.. i wanted to get a full mascectomy when i was first told but me and my doctor had a long talk see she is a breast cancer surviver herself hers was so bad she had to have a full masectomy. so i felt she knew what she was talking about... i was 49 when diagnosed. god bless you all.

brenda
toledo, OH

I'M A SURVIVOR

I found a lump in my left breast in late August 2005. I went in for a mammogram on September 1, 2005, and was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. It was such a shock. I have no family history of breast cancer and never would have imaged this in my wildest dreams. I was numb with fear. However, I was blessed with wonderful, caring doctors and the best medical care I could hope for. Within two weeks I underwent a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and then radiation therapy. I was 55-years-old. I am now 59-years-old and looking forward to my birthday in two weeks. I am a four year survivror. My strong faith, family and friends have made this a tolerable journey. I look forward to each day with a definite sense of hope and I look at all things in my life differently now and with much more appreciation.

Thank you God and thank you for continuing to bless us all.

LaVerne Hicks
Rex, GA

My Survivor Story!

It was January 2006, when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I was 49 years old. I had a lumpectomy and Sentinal Node Biopsy,13 nodes were removed and were tested positive with cancer. 1 month later I had a 2nd surgery to remove more lymph nodes all together 20+ were removed, and several were cancerous. Diagnosis - Stage 3 Breast Cancer (Estrogen Receptor Positive). At that time there was no sign that the cancer had metastisized anywhere else. I started Chemo 2 weeks before my 50 birthday (every 2 weeks for 4 months), and 6 weeks of Radiation. I continued with 3 month follow-up doctor visits, all good until April 2009, when my tumor marker blood tests came back elevated. Bone Scans and CAT scans identified the breast cancer had metastisized into my bones (a few spots on my hip, and sciatica). New treatments (and no chemo - Yahoo!). My circle of friends, family and faith in God continue to help me through the journey. I am a survivor, each and everyday!

Shannon
Upland, CA

Early Detection Saves Lives!

I was 39 years old when I discovered a lump in my left breast. It was 4:45 am on 4/25/08. I called my doctor the next morning at 8 am. I was given a mammogram, an ultrasound and referred to a surgeon. I had a masectomy and reconstruction on June 9 and started chemo in July. I finished my chemo in October of 2008. Early detection is key. My cancer was stage I, but growing very fast. Had I waited, it could have become life threatening in a very short time. I know how terrifying it is to find a lump, but if you do, see your doctor right away. I could be the difference between life and death. I also know how hard self-examination is after you've had cancer, but it too could save your life.

I'm doing well now, all my tests are normal and I'm trying to make life style changes to keep it that way. I have three children and hope for many grandchildren to spend my days with.

La Tonya Boike
Cullman, AL

Persistence

I was 35 and leaking fluid out my right breast and went in for a mammo. They found something unfamiliar in the left and did a biopsy, of course they found nothing and told me to come back when I was 40, but felt compelled to keep getting mammos every year. I went in to have a mammo in June 2007 and ended up getting an ultrasound a few days later. Then I got a biopsy and they found cancer, I was 39 years old. My Doctor did a lump-ectomy and only had to have Radiation Treatments. I never lost my hair, but shave it in support of everyone with any kind of cancer. I am a 2nd Generation Down-Winder with no family history of Breast Cancer, and was born too late in the 1960's.

Stacie
Cedar City, UT

A Journey Begins

My journey with breast cancer began just a couple of days ago with that "dreaded" phone call. I am confident, and sure I will have a difficult journey, but I am also very blessed with an unbelievable support system. Family & friends, are with me, that, along with their prayers, love & strength will get me through! I thank each of you who have endured this before me, but together we will find a way & a cure! Let's stick TOGETHER and kick some butt!!! <3 Debbi

Debbi Ruggiero
Berkley, MA

Beating the Odds

I'am twenty seven years old and a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in March of 2009. I beleive I can beat this because I found it early and had a successfull right breast mastectomy surgery. I'am currently going through chemo to make certain this will not return. I was very lucky in that I have the most aggressive type of cancer, that I caught it early. There is NO FAMILY HISTORY of brest cancer in my family. Don't always count on your genes to tell you your story. I beleive I'am here today to spread the word to young woman that it can happen to us and to please DO YOUR MONTHLY EXAMS. It could possibly safe your life as it has mine. Don't take life for granted enjoy every breath and every loved one in your life. :) Jodie

Jodie
Pasco, WA

my 'new' cancer

I was just diagnosed with breast cancer in August. On 9/24 I had 6-8 lymph nodes and a tumor removed. In four weeks I will begin radiation. If it wasn't for early detection in my mammogram, I may have reached a 'stage' in my cancer. From July to July this was diagnosed. I encourage ALL women to have their yearly mammogram done to prevent this dreaded disease from entering their life. Hopefully when I walk for cancer next year, it will be as a survivor!

Anonymous
Weymouth, MA

I'm a Breast Cancer Survivor

I was diagnose with breast cancer on november 10,2008, my cancer snuck up on me. B4 my last surgery on november 24,2008 i had 2 other surgery in my right breast b4 the last surgery. I was released from the hospital 1 day b4 my birthday, i was suppose to have been celebrating my birthday but instead i was in alot of pain from the surgery but what i want 2 say is every woman should get their annual checkup/mammogram every year i was only 38yrs old at the time when i was diagnose, now i will be 40yrs old in 2 months n i'm going 2 celebrate my birthday this year because i am in remission from breast cancer and i thank GOD 4 givin me the strength 2 go through it all with the chemo n radiation. So that is my story.

Antoinette F.
philadelphia, PA

Breast Cancer

I was thirty years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was in my left breast and I woke up from sleeping to a pain in my breast within a few days I had a radical mastectomy. I did not have to have chemo or radiation because I chose to have my breast removed. I am now 52 years old and have been cancer free for 22 years. My doctor asked my permission to use my case at medical conventions because at the time they were not seeing women my age get breast cancer, so if I helped anybody back then get breast exams then I happy. I have never felt the need to have reconstruction surgery because this makes me who I am.

Terri Shaw
Green Bay, WI