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My breast cancer

I was sitting in a hospice to support my 3 children as they watched their father die of lung cancer. My cell phone rang and it was my doctor telling me that the test results were back from a biopsy I had done earlier. I couldn't believe my ears as I heard her say breast cancer. No, not now! Too much else going on. In the next few days we buried my ex-husband and I was off for surgery. My life was caught up in a whirlwind. I had no idea about cancer and trusted the doctors and nurses to do their best. Two surgeries later I was in a chemo clinic preparing for the battle of my life. I opted to participate in a clinical trials study and agreed to 26 weeks of chemo followed by 30 days of radiation. That time was like a dream for me as I have very little recollection. I do remember being very sick, not tolerating the one chemo very well, hospitalized several times with pneumonia, losing my hair, but having such loving care and support from my children and my friends. I was determined that my children would not lose both parents to cancer in the same year. I have now been cancer-free for 4 years and continue to go for my check-ups routinely. I had no family history for cancer of any type and now advocate for vigilance for everyone. Cancer has no boundaries.

Maureen Reese
Honolulu, HI

it's been 3 yrs...

Five years ago I moved 1500 miles away from anyone & everyone I knew. I wanted (needed) to start a new life, w/ new promises of a future.
I got a job I loved & met a man who made me laugh...ALL THE TIME!
Things were going so well for me, I was truly blessed!
I then found a lump, saw an oncologist who told me I had stage 4, non invasive breast cancer & I needed a radical mastectomy...IMMEDIATELY.
I thought I would lose everything, my man, my job & my apartment.
To my amazement, my man took such good care of me & my job raised money to pay the 2 months rent that I would be out of work.
My major (but vain) concern was not having anything to replace what they were taking...my right breast. I was a very thin girl & still considered new in this small town. There would be no way of hiding my new abnormality.
Again, to my amazement, a Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. G...who plays golf w/ my oncologist offered to give me a breast augmentation free of charge! It helped me through the cancer, the biopsy & the final surgery.
Breast cancer, in reality, taught me that there was still good in this world & God was not punishing me, but reminding me that good was there, sometimes you just have to look for it... by the way, that man & I were married a year later!
God bless to all who have been affected by cancer. Keep your faith strong because God truly is in the mix!
I am a SIX time cancer survivor, since I was 22 yrs old & this is the first time I've been cancer free for THREE YEARS! :D

Debbie McDaniel
Alton Bay, NH

There is Hope!

In Sept. of 2007 I received the shocking news that I had breast cancer.
I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma. At age 47 with two children ages 7 and 10, I was devastated. Then you just get in motion and go through all the testing and appointments. After my MRI my surgeon recommended a mastectomy. The cancer was very large. I was slated for radiation and chemotherapy. With the help of my wonderful husband, who was at my side throughout, we made the decision to do a double mastectomy. If I was going to go through all this, I was only going to do it once. Two days after surgery, my surgeon gave me the fabulous news that the invasive cancer was much smaller than thought; most of the cancer was in situ. I did not have to undergo radiation or chemotherpy. I felt like I was given a year back of my life. I have decided to not have reconstruction; I think the smooth/flat look is just fine for me. My hope is that someday more women will forego the reconstruction process. We are so much more than breasts -- although they are nice!
Two years later and I've returned to my former profession; participated in two Avon Walks for Breast Cancer; talked to numerous women facing this terrible disease and am participating in Casting for Recovery this August.
No one asked to be in the this group, but I know it is made up of a wonderful group of very strong, beautiful women.
Find the Cure!

Rene
Santa Rosa, CA

My Beautiful Sister-in-Law

Many years ago (before I had the pleasure of being part of this wonderful family) my sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent a masectomy and chemotherapy. Three years ago, at the age of 68, she was diagnosed again. She had her other breast removed and endured chemotherapy once again. Last year, the cancer came back, this time in her lungs. Last night we learned that the cancer has metastesized to her liver. She is still as optomistic as she has always been and is planning to spend the next week down the Jersey shore with her children and grandchildren. With her husband by her side, she has fought to remain with her family. My sister-in-law is one of the bravest, selfless human beings I know and her husband is one in a million. She is truly an angel among us.

Tracy
Ludlow, MA

I'm a SURVIVOR!

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer in Febuary 2008. I completed chemo, surgery and radiation. I also went through reconstructive surgery. Currently I am taking Tamoxifen. After being told I had cancer I thought my life was over. But, Thanks to my two sons and family and friends I am a SURVIVOR. If it wasn't for everybody helping me keep my spirits up I don't think I could have done it. Attitude is everything when dealing with this awful disease.

Katrina Lawson
Greeneville, TN

I had reg mam's and yet 6 mo after my last mam I found a lump

I went to my doctor right away. She got me in for another mammogram and ultrasound of my right breast immediatly. In the meantime I was in the process of reconciling (over the phone) with my husband whom I had been estranged from for 2-1/2 years. By the time I got the results of all my tests it was 2 days before I was to get on the bus to move to CA to be with him which is where I also would undergo my treatments.
By moving I delayed my treatment. I don't recommend this for anyone I had to find new doctors. This delay caused my invasive ductal carcinoma to grow from stage 1 or 2 to stage 4A. It broke though the duct into the skin. It was in 4 of 8 lymph nodes and the sentinel node. They had to scrape my ribs & do a complete mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy.
I got wonderful care at the St Agnus Cancer Center in Fresno. Due to the advanced stage of my cancer I underwent both chemo and radiation there. I can't say enough about the wonderful treatment they gave me.
I also found a supportive loving church, Grace Community, in Madera, who accepted me in right away. I never expected to make such wonderful friends so quickly. I believe with everything in me that having such a strong support group from my church family, & regular family, & having so many prayers going up to the heavenly Father made the difference in my recovery. It gave me strength & a good attitude and outlook.
Today, I am cancer free, happy & healthy & trusting the Lord. Remember, when everything seems out of control, God is still in control and His purposes are higher than ours.

Becky Lathrop
Gladstone, OR

Why I Click Everyday

As a grandmother, full time high school teacher, and PdD student, I thought my tiredness was coming from age and work, so I had a stress test and upper and lower GI. The doctors said everything was fine, but none of them asked if I'd had a mammogram. I had not.
In July 2006 I felt it as I rolled out of bed; it felt like a hardened orange beneath the skin. I immediately came to the computer and searched breast cancer. I read about the "dimple." I looked down and there it was... like a monster that had come in the night!
I can't begin to tell of all the wonderful, supportive people I met along my journey of chemo, lumpectomy, and radiation. When I had to wear a wig and when I began to go wig-less, my students were my biggest fans. People seemed to come out of the woodwork to help. My daughters began running in the cancer awareness fundraisers. My sisters had a hat-tea party.
Life is so precious! Since my experience, we have a new grandson (I can't imagine not getting to know him), I still teach full time, I went to Israel with my sister who would not have gone alone, I am almost ready to begin my dissertation, and my husband and I are making our home wheelchair assessable for later years.
I want every woman and man to have the same wonderful care I had, and hopefully, avoid some of the stresses by having mammograms and early detection. One of my professors whose mom died with breast cancer told me about Click A Day. I now CLICK every day and buy gifts from the site. I urge everyone I know to join up and click.
Thank you, Breast Cancer Site, thank you!

Sandra Pound
Swansea, SC

17 year survivor

I was 37 when I noticed a small drop of blood coming out of my nipple upon self examination and then discovered a lump in my right breast. The mammography revealed a spiculated mass and the biopsy confirmed that I had borderline stage two intraductal carcinoma. The doctor tried to reassure me that 9 out 10 lumps are benign. I guess I was number 10. I underwent a modified radical mastectomy and had a tram-flap reconstruction. All of my nodes were clean, but I still went through six months of chemotherapy. I did not lose my hair but did develop lymphedema in my arm three months after the surgery and went into early menopause from the chemo. I am now cancer-free 17 years.

Sharon
Bay Shore, NY

Being informed

My Grandmother had breast cancer in 1993 passed away 1995, my mother had breast cancer in 1994, passed away 2003. I was offered a gene test way back then when I was 30 but it wasn't really discussed like today with genetic specialists - just that it was available to have a gene test. I probably didn't want to know as I didn't believe it would happen to me or what could they do even if I had the gene. I did not want to live with a fact.
In 2005, following a strict mammogram & ultrasound regime set by my doctor, it was discovered I too had breast cancer. I ate right, I never smoked, I breastfeed, I was a social drinker only - I thought I did everything right. I did get tested for the purpose of my family being informed and I do have the gene BRACA2 - I have had breast cancer now in each breast, double masectomy with chemo/ray treatment at 40. Even though my cancers were small they were high grade. I plan to live to tell people you must trust your doctor and your instincts and go for tests. I am a 3 year survivor now. You must stay informed and read any of the signs and symptoms and be proactive with your health care. If you know you can have a preventative masectomy - which I believe is a lot better option than cancer and cancer treatment - please consider this option. I know if I had my time again I would jump at it.
Do not ever think it cannot happen to you....stay on top of it - I now pray for a cure for my kids...

Anonymous
Sydney, Australia

7 year survivor

I was 61 when I was told I had stage 3 breast cancer. It was the scariest thing that I ever went through. I had surgery, chemo and than radiation. I now go for my checkup every year, including a mammogram, chest exray, blood tests and bone scan. I try to take good care of my self. Just had my 7 year checkup and all is well. I have to give credit to my doctors in saving my life and of course God. I prayer alot. I really enjoy life now. I try to spent as much time as I can with my husband and my family. We have lots of fun together. I have the greatest friends. They were my support through all of this. I have so many friends that are going through some type of cancer. I wish I could be there for all of them. I am so lucky. You have to keep positive through it all and listen to your Doctors.I did exactly what they said. All I said I am going to be ok.

Anonymous
Crystal River, FL