Share Your Story

10 years cancer free!!!!

Hello everyone....
My story begins with a routine mammogram...radiologists found 'something' and told me to get re-tested in 3 to 6 months...not feeling comfortable about that, I went to my surgeon and told him what the radiologist had said....he did a biopsy to 'put my mind at ease' and 3 days later told me it was cancer....I had a mastectomy and reconstruction 10 years ago and am here stronger than ever to tell about it....Follow your heart and seek that additional consult...it could mean the difference...To all you survivors...continue on and enjoy the 2nd chance you so proudly deserve!

Debbie Maiette
Pittsburgh, PA

Not Me

I found a lump in the summer and didn't think much of it. I was 35 to young for a mammogram right? Well went to my doctor in September for a breast exam she didn't think it was anything ,but why don't you go get a mammogram anyway. Ok off I went everyone telling me no big deal in and out no sweat. Well needless to say it was now October I head in for the mammogram. They could not get the picture after seven attempts they send me for an ultrasound. Now 3 hours later me thinking oh yeah in and out ,the radiologist comes in and suggested I find a breast surgeon and have a biopsy. All I remember thinking as I got up got dressed and came out of the room turned to walk down the hall with my breast cancer awareness bag in hand was...I have breast cancer and I might die I am only 35. Felt like a scene from ER. I came through the doors and the tears rolled down my face. So the next week I get the biopsy and low and behold I had breast cancer probably stage 3 to maybe 4. I got a second opinion it didn't change ,but that doctor changed my outlook she was and is so wonderful and I knew at that point I was not going to die. I did chemo first to shrink my tumor ,then had lumpectomy now finishing my radiation and "cancer free". It has been a roller coaster ,but over all I am a much stronger person. Also the people in my life made all the difference.

Heather
Winter Haven, FL

SMOLD

There is this disease that mimicks Breast Cancer and it is called SMOLD. If you are a smoker, you need to know this information. Squarmous Metaplasia of Lactiffus ducts. It will rock your world and not in a pleasant way. Most doctors don't know about the disease. Because of the signs and symptoms they will evaluate the patient and schedule the patient for a mascetomy after nomal evaluation and testing. My story begins when I was 27. Young and recently married, I was suddenly struck with a pain in my breast. I went to the doctor the following day and he said you are fine. Nothing to worry about. Two months later I was in for my first surgery. Then several months later my second surgery. After seeking the advice and expertise of several doctors there was one conclusion. Have a mascetomy. I refused and forged on. I am a wife and Mother of twins. I could not follow thier advice. I wanted to keep my breast. Even with the scars. It took 12 years for a doctor to diagnose me correctly and what I had been living with was SMOLD. I have sat in the waiting rooms of cancer patients and have seen thier saddness. I have had my share of the mammograms, sonogams and biospies. Please ladies be serious of your breast health and get your mammogram! So, I may not be a survivor of cancer but I an a survivor of SMOLD. In the upcoming years there will be more information of this disease but for now please take my advice and treat your twins with the same care you would your children. Your life depends on it.

Debbie Siegert
Paia, HI

Let's Be Cancer FREE

MY story . . . well, for starters I'm extremely bad at talking about me and all I've been through, but I've realized it's important to get the word out and well, so here I am . . .

I never know how or where to start - but here goes -
I've pretty much lived with cancer my entire life . . . by the time I was 8 I had lost my Best Friend to cancer then by the age of 12, my life was and has been forever changed - my Mother passed away at the age of 38 to a very long and arduous battle with cancer and my Father, well, being in the military, wanted more stability for me, and sent me to live with my Uncle and his family, and again so here I am . . . forward to present . . .

Thinking my nightmares were behind me - WRONG!

About 3 yrs ago - almost to the date - found out that both my Uncle and Aunt have both been diagnosed with cancer; my Uncle with terminal Prostate Cancer and my Aunt with 2nd stage Breast Cancer and found this news literally moments in finding out that one of my friends had just lost his fiancee to Adrenal Cancer.

Since this - ALL I have been doing is TRYing my best to raise awareness and funds for cancer . . . I've started my own fashion line where 25% of the proceeds goes towards cancer, I've also been written up a few times (pasted a link) - basically ALL I do - ALL I can do - I will do . . . so that we may ALL wake up with this nightmare behind us.

http://www.gmbabes.com/gmb_general_large.asp?pageid=2145140913014411229761945201518407

Sindy
New York, NY

Grateful for Life

On a hot July night in 1998, at the age of 38, I had a dream. In the dream there was a lump in my breast. I checked it when I woke up and sure enough, there it was. It was also malignant. I had a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy. I also took Tamixofen for five years. By the grace of God, I am still cancer free 12 years later.

Carole
Kinston, NC

Early Detection

I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductile Carcinoma 12-2-02 over the phone at work. First, I had to sit down. Second, I had to get home. Third, I had to tell my family. Nothing can prepare you for this situation. The best results will be for each and every one of you to get your mammograms regularly and do self-exams. I was lucky. The lump was only .5 cm. Had a lumpectomy with radiation. I am still cancer free. If you have to be told that you have breast cancer, the best thing that can happen is that you have stayed on top of your wellness exams and catch it early. Let me say that again. CATCH IT EARLY.............

Becky Bauman
Fredonia, KS

Yearly mammograms save lives

Last August my annual mammogram showed a change so I was called back for an ultra sound, then a biopsy. The tumor was so small that the doctor could not feel it and the biopsy took most of it. The surgeon who did the biopsy told me that I had breast cancer and that his nurse would be in to schedule a complete mastectomy and removal of all lymph nodes. That sent me to my family doctor who referred me to another surgeon for a second opinion. As a result, after an MRI, I underwent a lumpectomy, removal of only 2 sentinal nodes and 5 days of Mammosite radiation, 2 treatments per day. I am taking Aromasin because the tumor was estrogen receptive but life is good and I am blessed that the tumor was found early.

Anonymous
Bruceton, TN

All Is Good

As I went for my yearly mamo I could tell from peoples faces things were not quite right. The Radiologist suggested we do an ultrasound since I missed my mamo the prior year. I was always faithful on them but for some reason I missed one year. After the ultrasound the Doctor informed me I had breast Cancer. I was like what? My worst fear came true. I was there alone and no words would come from my mouth. I sat in the car for quite a while before calling my husband. Telling the kids was really hard especially for the younger one.. Upon seeing the surgeon she informed me it was stage 3. After going thru the surgeries, chemo ,radiation, preventative medications and support groups, I feel good and am almost reaching the 5 year mark. All is good. God Bless to everyone!

Maryanne LeMaire
Vernon, NJ

I had a feeling it would happen to me, but not at a young age.

I was 37 years old when I was diagnose with stage 2 breast cancer. My mother had died of breast cancer 4 years before. My children were 5 and 8 and I really believed I was going to die. I had a mastectomy and then chemo. I always tried to keep a positive attitude to what was happening to me. I accepted the challenge God had send me, I was scared but I had lots of loving family around me. My mother-in-law was the angel God send me to look after me, she was there for me all the way. My dad gave me the moral support to not give up. My husband and my 2 loving children where my inspiration to continue on forward even when I felt I could not take all the nausea and aching pain in my body. Thank you God for hearing my plea to allow me to stay in this earth to see my children grow to adults.

It has being 8 years (this March 2009) that I was diagnose and I feel great. I always remind my sisters to check themselves and never miss a mammogram appointment. I have also explained and told my daughter that she needs to be on top of this herself.

I am grateful to have a loving and caring family they were great support for me while I was going through this frightening time of my life.

I believe joined together we can find a cure for this disease.

Cecilia
Chula Vista, CA

30 with breast cancer, now 35 and 5 years cancer free!

at 30 i was diagnosed with breast cancer, very aggressive cancer. i had bi lateral mastectomies, 4 months of chemo and 2 months of radiation. i have had my reconstruction and i am now 5 years cancer free! it has been a long hard road but well worth the struggles. stay strong and positive!

lisa hanson
orlando, FL