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Walking for a Cure

I have not personally fought breast cancer but my children's beloved daily caregiver has. She is the most amazing woman I have ever met. At 62, she single-handedly runs an infant and preschool daycare out of her home. She cares for 12 children daily in addition to her 5 grandchildren. Three years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer, had surgery and radiation and beat it. However, last spring she was diagnosed again. She had the lump and lymph nodes removed closing her daycare for one day and using the weekend for recovery. She was back up and running on Monday. After a brief healing period, she started 8 weeks of radiation therapy. She scheduled each of her daily treatments during nap time so that a neighbor or family member could come and simply sit with the sleeping children while she ran out for her treatments. She never closed once, even tired and in pain from radiation burns. Today, she is cancer free again. She still cares for my kids and many others and plans to for years to come. She has inspired me to join the Seattle Breast Cancer 3 Day - a 60 mile walk to raise funds and awareness. If you or anyone you know would like to support this walk please go to the link provided on the "Walk Events" tab. To support my efforts donate to Shannon Ergun. To all the women out there fighting this disease, I support you and with the effort of all of us we will find a cure.

--Shannon Ergun
Breast Cancer 3 Day Walker
Seattle, WA

Shannon Ergun
Tacoma, WA

I wish you well

I am a two time breast cancer survivor. I was first diagnosed in 2005, and with the support of my wonderful family and friends had a mastectomy and was declared cured. The cancer returned in 2007. I had further surgery on my chest wall, radiation and chemo therapy, and the continued support of my family and friends. I was again declared cancer free. Since my diagnosis, two friends and two aquanciences have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are in various stages of treatment and survivorship. We cannot find the cure soon enough. I have gone on with my precancer life, with these exceptions: I take every opportunity to hug a breast cancer survivior, petition for support for finding the cure, always wear a pink ribbon, and thank God for my blessings especially my two grandchildren. I wish you all well. Lucy

Anonymous
Putnam, CT

My Breast Cancer Story

I was diagnosed with Invasive "fast moving" Ductal Carcinoma In-situ in Oct. of 2001. I did not have a lump - so there was no "knowing" of the cancer... the only way that I found out was I had a mammogram that caught a small section of it. The majority of the tumor was up by my arm pit. I went in for my biopsy and sure enough it was cancer. I was to have chemo and radiation therapy. The chemo was to be aggressive. When I had the lumpectomy about two weeks after the biopsy my diagnosis had changed to pre-cancer... I was in shock! I believe that I had a miracle take place - I did not have to have the chemo - I ended up having the radiation therapy which I finished up in the Spring of 2002. All has been well since then. I feel very "blessed" to have had this happen to me - it could of been so much worse.

Cheryl Brown
Riverton, UT

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)

I was diagnosed with IBC on Sept 17, 2008 after my right breast engorged, the nipple inverted, and there was a pink rash.I was 48. I had my normal mammogram in Feb 2008 and had 2nd mammogram on left breast in August 2008, due to calcifications. IBC is so aggressive that 1 day it wasn't there and the next it was. It doesn't show up on the mammogram or sonogram as a tumor. Just suspicious area. The MRI showed the tumor behind the inflammation was 8 cm. After the dreadful diagnosis, I immediately had to have tests and port placed and my 1st chemo was Oct 1st. Every other week I had 4 AC treatments and 3 Taxol (the 4th was not done due to severe Neuropathy caused by the Taxol). I had Bilateral Mastectomy on Jan 28, 2009 and 33 radiation treatments and more chemo for 3 months. IBC is very aggressive. There were 4 lymph nodes and breast tissue still with cancer cells. Hopefully the radiation and extra chemo killed any remaining. I live with the knowledge that IBC used to be a death sentence and now with all of the research, there is a higher percentage of women beating this. This month marks my 1 year anniversary since diagnosis. I have problems with my hands and feet and short term memory lapses, but I am ALIVE! I plan on being here to see my Grandkids (if my 3 boys decide to bless me with them). My boys are 23, 21, and 18 and they are my life, along with my husband of 24 years. I have so many friends and family that helped me get through this terrible year. Their prayers and support got me where I am today. ALIVE!

Johanna Morgan
Cumming, GA

My Mom, the rock, the comedian

My mom was diagnosed at the age of 42 sadly, she had a very aggressive form of breast cancer and she passed away on October 1, 2007. Six long years I am sure to her, but short years for us left behind. She had a long battle and never once got down about it. She always kept her head held high and never once felt sorry for herself. She always had a sense of humor, and we cracked jokes throughout her treatment. It helped us become closer and to deal with what was going on. Never once would you see her cry, even in the end, she was making jokes. We are all somewhat relieved that she is no longer in any pain and that she can rest peacefully, though that does not make it any easier to let her go. I found a shirt tonight on-line that she would have loved; it said, "I'm having a NO hair day!"
Although she is gone, every year that I walk I will remember her, every time I hear Golden Earrings "The Twilight Zone" I will crank the radio and think of her. When the dogwoods come into bloom, I will smile and remember her. Moreover, when I lay in my bed at night remembering the good times we have had over the years I will smile, I might shed a tear or two, but I will smile because that is what she would have wanted me to do.

I miss her everyday, and everyday I try to live my life so that she would be proud of me. I love you mom!

Tiana Johnson
Madisonville, KY

My Breast Cancer

In July 2008 my mother was diagnoised with lung cancer. A month later I found a small lump in my right breast. I tried to ignore it so I could deal with my mother's cancer. On September 16, 2008 I had a needle biopsy and was told I had breast cancer before I left the office. I had a great doctor. The next day I was seeing the surgeon and on the 25th I had a lumpectomy. I was told I would need to go through 6 treatments of chemo every 3 weeks and then radiation treatments. During this time my mom who was in Florida and I in Tennessee was also diagnoised with colon cancer. We went through chemo together. We talked on the phone often to continually encourage each other. I continued to work as I went for treatments. I finished my treatments and radiation in May and went to Florida to see my mother for Memorial Day weekend. We made plans to see each other on the 4th of July. My mother passed away on June 8, 2009, less than a year from her diagnoise. I am still trying to cope with the loss as I near the 1 year anniversary of my lumpectomy. I thank the Lord that I was able to go through the treatments with my mother. It is an experience I am happy to say we were able to share together. I will continue to help fight all forms of cancer in any small way I can.

Sandy Martinez
Johnson City, TN

My Mom my Rock!

My mom is 72 and recently been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma breast cancer. She has been healthy all her life and looks no where near 72. Never liked going to the doctor. Making a career change to the medical field, I started to realize the importance of routine check ups, to catch things before they get out of control. I urged my mom to get a check up and a pap smear and mammogram as she has none on record. She finally went and got the pap but put the mammogram off. About six months later she noticed her nipple becoming inverted and just thought her bra or clothing was pressing on it causing it to stick inward. When a week or two went by and it was not changing she decided to go to her primary doc who immediately ordered a mammogram. It was positive. She then had her biopsy and mri and then her mastectomy. It appears that the cancer had just developed and had not spread. If she did not detect this so early her prognosis may not have been so favorable as she has a very invasive and aggresive form of cancer. I just turned 35 this year and my doctor had also advised me to get a baseline mammo and I went immediatley after learning of my mom, luckily my insurance covers it beginning age 35. She is so positve and she is still working part time to stay active and to keep her insurance. She puts on her wig everyday and her make up and dresses up and you would not even know all of what she is enduring if she didn't tell you! She is my mom and my rock. I have become stronger just watching her endure this all.

Patricia Sattaur
Orlando, FL

I was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer May 2009

I will never forget the words when the doctor looked at me straight in the eyes and said you have Breast Cancer and have a long road ahead. I thought the world was going to fall on my head. When I walked out of the doctors office I bumped into a friend I had not seen in a while. We hugged and cried. I was very thankful to have come across her. Know matter how much people tell you it will be fine you will be okay. It is a personal battle that only you know what you are going through and you feel so alone but you are not. My mother and her sister are Breast Cancer Survivors. I had the BRCA test and tested negative. It's been two weeks since my surgery and I am ready to go back to work and I feel great. I am ready to face radiation now. I am trying to get involved in Breast Cancer Awareness and any one I can share or help with my story I am always there for them. It is a scary word but always remember you are not alone. Breast Cancer has changed my life for the better and I now appreciate so many things that God has to offer. Stay positive, fight and never give up and always have Faith know matter what kind it is. It will keep you going. Any type of support groups you can attend too will help and the support from family and friends is also very important. God Bless Us All.

A Survivor

Tania M. Castro
Miami, FL

My Breast Cancer Journey

My story began in 2005.While taking a shower one morning,i found a lump in my left breast.I always did my monthly checkups,because i was diagnosed with cervicial cancer in 1983,when i was 24.I went to my primary doctor and was referred to a surgeon,who did the biopsy.There was no history of breast cancer in my family,and my doctor said i had maybe a 1% chance that it would be cancerous.I got word of my biopsy 2 weeks later it was cancerous.I was set up for surgery and had a lumpectomy with a sentenal lymph node disection.There were 3 lymph nodes that were affected by my tumor and with the new procedure,that was all they had to take.They were beneign.However,my cancer was agressive and had necrosis around the edges,which meant they didn't known if some had broken off the tumor and were in my body.My tumor was not hormone produced.The only option i had was to have the chemo and radiation.Agressive treatment.I wanted to live so bad to see my children and grandkids grow up.So I went for the treatments.It was the toughest battle i ever fought.I had many problems throughout treatments,but I made it,with the help of my family and friends.Everytime I had to go have treatment,I would get up,get dressed and put my makeup on and my wig.I figured if I could make a difference in just one person's life to not give up the battle,it was worth it.Today,I am still in remission for 3 years and counting.I continue the journey,hoping for one more day,one more sunrise and one more sunset.So ladies,if you ever feel a lump or something unusual,please,please take it seriously.Get a checkup.By the way,my surgery date was October 18,the day of my birthday,and a new lease on life,as i continue my neverending journey.

Darlene Predham
Lincoln, ME

Play It Pink & The Kane County Cougars

I organized a fundraiser for the 2nd year, for our Mary Kay Foundation (funds research for cancers that affect women & domestic violence prevention programs,shelters) w/the Geneva,IL Kane County Cougars basebell team on Aug 30th,2009, called "Play it Pink!". These ladies pictured were in a group of 45 breast cancer survivors who attended the game. As a consultant w/Mary Kay for 24 years I have known women whose lives have been lost to cancer, and those who are winning the battle. At the game, one of these women shared an incredible story of her 2 daughters,one lost to cancer, the 2nd just diagnosed, & her personal conquest of breast cancer.May God continue to work His sovereignty and help us to know His power through our lives in the ultimate conquest of cancers that affect women and their families.I have dedicated myself to producing this event each year, and with the help, support of Mary Kay consultants & Directors,customers, community, and the Kane County Cougars Organization- we will "Play it Pink!!!!!"

Vanessa Bell-LaSota
St Charles, IL