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Cyberknife

My wife had breast cancer and beat it. She then got secondaries in the brain. 9 tumours, no hope said the doctors. But we found Cyberknife overseas. She went once and had this treatment over a few days. 9 mths later had scans and still 4, yippee they had gotten rid of 5. So off she went again. Had Cyberknife in USA for the second time. Came back, was successful. 6 mths later she died of liver failure.
Now if we had known about Cyberknife and she had been able to have it earlier I feel things would be different. Cyberknife uses no drugs, no side effects, no healthy organs harmed (such as liver) accurate, treats kids. Why have we not heard of this in Australia. Why dont we have it in Australia. I am rectifying this. I have a Facebook group - bring Cyberknife to Australia with over 700 members (doctors, patients, families etc) and a petition to get it to Australia. Wont help us but may help others

ash mackinnon
byron bay, Australia

I'm sorry to tell you, "You have Breast Cancer"

This month I turn 62. In 2006 my PCP told me I could skip my yearly mamogram, because the past 3 had not change. I did skip 2007. In 2008 my gut feeling told me, "you had better go have a mamogram", so I did. The cyst that had been discovered in 2003 was gone and in it's place was an irregular shapped mass that was 3 times the size of the cyst. I didn't want to spoil my family's Christmas holiday, so on Jan. 2, 2009, I had a biopsy.
My cell phone range at work on Jan. 6, 2009. It was my doctor. She said, "I'm sorry to tell you, "You have Breast Cancer". What a day that was. Three weeks and 2 MRI's (one a guided biopsy) later, on Feb. 2, 2009, I went into the Women's Center of Northside Hospital in Atlanta and came out the next day minus my right breast. I didn't realize how numb my chest would be and how flat I would look. It's one thing to have an organ removed. But, when you start taking away visable body parts, that begins to play on your mind. I choose not to have reconstruction. I wish now that I had. As most 60 something women, I have plenty of donor tissue.
If I had listened to my PCP, my cancer would have been discovered a lot later and my out come might have been different. I live another day to enjoy my children and grandchildren.
I will be taking Arimidex for the next 5 years. Maybe for my 63rd birthday next year, I might see about getting me a new boob! In the mean time I will take care of the girl I have left.

Judy Huff
Clarkesville, GA

Who Me? WOW!...... WOW!... God will provide!

The day began like any other in May 2009. The alarm went off at 5:30 am...it's Friday (my first thought) and I'm taking my class out for a Special Olympic picnic. I teach students with special needs and we were celebrating with an end of the year picnic with the entire county. What a day! It was great. As we returned from the picnic my cell rang and I saw it was my doctor's office.

It took a moment to sink in... "Who me?" I asked. Cancer... the big "C"... wow! All I could think was WOW! .... then I was brought back to the here and now when I looked around and saw my stuents waiting for me to get them back into the classroom. I could not think about me... I smiled thank the doctor for calling and mentally noted the appointment set for next week and began getting what was important to me (my kids) back to the room. I asked my parprofessional to take over for a minute and walked to the front office. I spoke with my principal, told him the news and asked for the next Tuesday off so that I could make my appointment with the surgeon. I stayed at school until the last period, which was my planning period then asked if I could go home to speak to my husband. "God will provide!" was his message. He was calm.. we cried, then prayed.

Support is all that I have received both from family, friends, and colleagues! WOW! Bilateral surgery went well and I am cancer free as of 4 months! WOW! God did provide... strength, will, and love to over-come! WOW!!! GOD is Great!

Terresa Shubert
Commerce, GA

By the grace of God

My story starts with my Mother in 1999. I was 29 years old when she was diagnosed with dcis. I was devastated. The fear that comes with the words "breast cancer" can be too much to handle. On July 13, 2006 at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma stages 2 and 3. I had two tumors, one in each breast and both were malignant. I was a single mother of a 10 year old son and all I could think about was how frightened he must feel. It has been three long years since my diagnosis. We went through bilateral mastectomies, 15 months of chemotherapy, 5 week of radiation, a full hysterectomy (which threw me into full blown menopause at 36...really, really, really no fun), a free tram flap reconstruction surgery & my older sister's diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma as well. My mother, my sister and myself all diagnosed with breast cancer. Genetic testing showed negative for the BRCA genes. We are all still here, living our lives fully. Only by the grace of God. I don't know how it is decided who lives and who dies from this terrible disease. I only know that I thank God for every day I have with my son. And I see God's footprints through my story every step of the way. Awareness and self examination is the key. Please, please, please do self exams. It may save your life too.

Julie Kempf
Richland, WA

Ximena, peruvian

I was detected breast cancer when I was 22 years old, My youngest daughter was 4 months old by that time. I had a radical masectomy, them quimiotherapy, radiotherapy and Herceptin. After 6 years I had my breast reconstruction, not because I didnt feel complete, but because it was a bother with shirts, bikinis, etc, I was young and didnt want to feel limited. I faced all this with strengh and faith, sometimes I got depressed but was able to overpass it. I had my two little children that need my and that helped me to continue. I also had a wonderful doctor that gave me the correct treatment and my family that supported me.
Now, 9 years have gone by and Im feeling great, full of life. I try to enjoy everyminute of my life and put lots of love in everything I do

Ximena Villa Garcia
Irvine, CA 92602

ximenavgb@hotmail.com

Ximena
Irvine, CA

Mommy Has Cancer

Over 11 years ago, I found a lump while doing my self exam. The day of the biopsy, my surgeon came out of the operating room and told my husband that everything looked great and that the frozen section tissue sample was benign. Imagine our shock and surprise — and the surgeon’s, as well — when he called me at work eight days later to tell me that the final pathology report was in and that he was sorry to tell me that I did indeed have breast cancer. I was 35. There wasn’t a lot of time for consideration, and the hardest part of the entire ordeal was thinking about the impact this would have on my two small children. Ben was 7 and Catie was only 4.

So we sat them down on our bed and I said: You know how you had a really bad sore throat and the doctor said you had strep throat? And we talk about washing our hands to get rid of the germs so we don’t get sick as easily? Well Mommy has some cells that are kind of like germs in my body. They call them “cancer cells” and I’m going to have to take some nasty medicine called “chemo” to try and get rid of them. It’s not good-tasting like the bubble gum medicine you had to take when you had strep! And guess what? It’s going to make my hair fall out! So Mommy’s going to be bald — but I’ll still be the same Mommy.”

I’ve promised my husband and children that if it does come back — I’ve done it once, I can do it again! I won’t let it win.

Rhonda
Jacksonville, FL

Joy Journal

On March 16, 2008 my oldest sister Joy found out she had Stage Two breast cancer at the age of 53.

It didn't seem real, the words "Joy's Diagnosis."

Joy skipped one mammogram because she was busy although she was always diligent about getting them every year.

That's when the doctors found the lump.

She planned to get her biopsy results March 26 but they came back early. Then she got a second opinion. It was invasive lobular carcinoma.

On March 20 Joy had a consult and they scheduled the surgery for two weeks from then. At that time they would also inject dye to see if the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.

Joy had a choice - take medications for four months to shrink the tumor with or without a research study or go with a radical surgery.

She wound up getting a lumpectomy and some lymph nodes removed that were cancerous. The doctor said it was surprising that the cancer hadn't spread to the rest of her nodes.

My sister, mom, step dad, and I made separate trips to Illinois to help take care of Joy after her surgery. She wound up eventually get her head shaved and buying a wig. In the middle of it all her oldest dog Candy was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and had to be put to sleep.

Joy went through chemo, two surgeries, and had to be on medication but she is a survivor as of a few months ago. Her liver enzymes were elevated at first so they had to put the chemo off initially while they ran tests. The cancer drugs caused her to develop osteoporosis and she still has to go through more reconstructive surgery.

But she is a miracle, a survivor, and that's what counts.

Terri Rimmer
Fort Worth, TX

2 Year Survivor

June of 2007 I found a lump in my left Breast, I went to the doctors and found out I had cancer it was just two days after my 42nd birthday. I went through surgery, chemo and radiation. I'm in the Marine Corps and I am so happy that I had the support from my Marine Corps family I couldn't have done it without them. My husband John was by my side all the away through and still here supporting me. I am now two years cancer free and still holding strong. Thanks to everyone who support the cancer research and that click it everyday on the website to donate to the cost of having a mamogram done. Chemo was the hardest time of it all, I lost all my hair was extremely sick and lost weight I didn't need to lose. Being strong and of course having a support network of friends to help you get through this is the key to your success. I am back to full duty now and just return from Iraq. I refuse to let this beat me!

Joanne
Beaufort, SC

It was then that I could see life through the patient's eyes

Fighting Against Cancer was founded in 2008 by Velvet Howell. Ms. Howell is a patient advocate with over 20 years experience in the field. With experience at all levels of hospital administration, Ms. Howell's expertise lies in her extensive knowledge of HIPPA Guidelines, Financial Counseling, Central Scheduling, Pre-Certification & Insurance Verification procedures, Coding & Billing Errors, and Cancer Consulting.

Velvet became an advocate when she herself was diagnosed with a papillary lesion. Although the lesion was later found to be benign, her concern for her health and well being led her to pursue a career guiding and assisting others through one of life's most challenging changes.

"Before receiving the initial diagnosis, so many things went through my mind. It was then that I could see life through the patient's eyes."

Since then, FAC has helped several people and their families focus more on their health by allowing someone else to take care of the red tape.

Velvet Howell
Sicklerville, NJ

Breast Cancer is No Longer A Death Sentence

I was diagnosed in 1996 with early stage breast cancer, had a mastectomy and thought that was the end of it. To my shock and terror, in 2003 I discovered a lump under my left armpit and was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic disease. I was treated with hormone therapies for three years and then began chemotheapy treaments.
My quality of life has remained absolutely normal including extensive world- wide travel with my husband. I have been practicing Kundalini yoga since my 2003 diagnosis and feel that has been my saving grace because it keeps me focused and balanced emotionally, physically and spiritually. In addition, I have worked out with a friend and personal trainer twice a week for the past seven and a half years. That has also kept me strong. However, the most impactful force of being a successful survivor has been the enormous support of my family and huge network of friends, especially when I had a bad patch in the hospital this past winter. But, as Dr. Elizabeth Tan-Chiu, my superb oncologist, said, I survived because of my yoga and physical workouts as regular regimens.
I meditate and have a very strong connection to my spiritual power and really feel blessed that I am here today walking every year in two breast cancer fund raisers.
Yoga, physical training and a strong spiritual connection along with a very healthy diet all contribute to my success. I make daily conscious choices about what I put in my body and that is a huge part of my success, as well. My doctor cares strongly about her patients and I have the best family who cares, and are just always there for me.
Everyday is a gift filled with gratitude.

Judith Baker
Margare, FL