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My Journey with Breast Cancer at 25!

It was January 2014 and I had just finished celebrating my 25th birthday!! I was filled with so many plans but never did I think I had to plan for this life changing journey that laid ahead.. So it started two weeks after my party where I received the news I had cancer. Hearing those words was a jaw dropper.I am only 25. No family history of Breast Cancer. Though in shock something came upon me. I was not angry, fearful, or depressed. Never asked "Why Me". My initial response was what did I have to do next. In my heart I knew I was going to be ok. I put my trust in God that he was going to heal me from this cancer.

So after more testing I got diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer; IDC; triple negative. My cancer cells were doubling at a high rate so I had to go through Chemo right away. Before i started my treatments I shaved my head because I didn't want to go through the emotional aspect of seeing it fall. I went thru 6 rounds of chemo (TAC) from February 20th to June.5th. On July 17th I underwent a double mastectomy and am currently going thru reconstruction.

It was a difficult journey to go thru but with all the prayer and support I did it. My mom was my right hand thru it all and I thank God for her. My family was strong for me so I knew I had to be strong for them.No matter how tuff it was l wasn't gonna let it take my smile. I smile for my family and the fact that I knew there was a purpose in me having gone thru this. I can now help those going through this disease. Provide comfort for those who need it, show hope for those who are feeling hopeless, give support for those that may not feel supported. I pray I can do this by going back to provide "comfort baskets" for those back at my facility or even volunteering at a children's hospital.

Mireya Medrano
Ontario, CA

working through

“There is nothing wrong with dreaming big dreams, just know that all roads that lead to success have to pass through Hard work Boulevard at some point.”

julie pulaski
Helmetta, NJ

I Can and I Did

By the time I was 40 I had survived three diagnoses of cancer. The first was very early stage cervical at age 19, then my first breast cancer diagnosis at 28, followed by a second breast cancer diagnosis at 38. During my treatments for breast cancer I endured a re-excision with sentinel node biopsy, chemotherapy, radiation, and eventually a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction with an emergency surgery for a hematoma.
While going through chemotherapy in 2001 I was exhausted and forced to lie on the cold tiles in my bathroom because I just couldn’t get back to my bed. It was then I decided I would never let something hold me back from doing what I wanted to.
When I turned 40, I was single without children and remembered the lesson I learned earlier about not holding myself back. So I took action. I left my job in corporate America to volunteer as an English teacher in Cambodia. That inspired me to change my life, for the better. I started my own company that works with NGOs in Cambodia to hire young women and men who were rescued from human trafficking or extreme poverty to make clothing, jewelry, and accessories that I sell online in the US. I’m using a portion of the sales to fund scholarships for at-risk young adults in Cambodia, and in the long term I'm hoping to fund rural health clinics to provide basic care.
While my circumstances varied with each diagnosis, one thing didn’t, my hope. What I’ve hoped for has changed over the years, but it is the one thing that sustains me to this day. In remembrance of this, the items I’ve created are sold under the brand Sangkhuem, the phonetic translation for “hope” in Khmer. While cancer took some things from me, it strengthened one thing - my hope.

Andrea Popiel
New York, NY

The Day My Life Changed Forever

On July 2, 2014 I went to have a mammogram done. I was scheduled to have a diagnostic mammogram because of a small bump under my left arm. After the mammogram the doctor came out to speak with me. I felt my heart beating as he told me that they needed to do a ultrasound of the bump under my left arm because they could not get a good picture. He then stated they needed to biopsy of my right breast as there were micro calcification. He explained that calcification is common in many women, but when it's clustered it is then considered suspicious. It took me a month to get the biopsy due to horrible communication within the system. I had the ultra sound and the left breast was fine. I had the biopsy on August 6, 2014, On August 13, 2014, my life changed forever. I was told that the biopsy was not what they wanted. My heart felt like it would jump out my chest, my body felt warm and if felt as though the room got darker. The doctor told me to focus on the positive, as the cancer was invasive ductal stage 1 and easy to treat. I was also ER and PR + and Her 2 negative. I am scheduled for surgery on October 15, 2014. I will be having a lumpectomy and radiation. Treatment is not etched in stone, as the true story won't be none until after surgery. Anyway I am walking through this with God. He is in control and I will be okay.

Ruth
Chesapeake, VA

Only a matter of time

I was 40 when I lost my mum to breast cancer. I have a strong maternal link with the disease with an aunt, great and grandmother and a cousin all being diagnosed with it before the age of 50 and none of them surviving it. My mum had the genetic testing and it had returned a positive for BRCA 2 and so I knew that I would get it one day.
I had had a scare the same year my mum died but they turned out to be cysts so put it behind me a got on with my life. I was at work the following year and the BreastScreen truck was in town I made an appointment but due to work I missed it. The nurse in the truck knew my family history and rang me and pestered me until the very last day they were there. I am forever grateful to her because they found 2 cancers 1 invasive 1 in situ.
I flew to Townsville for biopsy but I knew in my heart that it was cancer. I went for a mastectomy and asked for a bilateral one at the same time however the Dr refused and to this day I am regretful that I did not insist on having it. I went through 4 chemo rounds and had a reaction to it, got vertigo, put on weight but made it through all the time thinking about my kids.
I have had my bilateral and reconstruction. I hate what it has done to my body and will not look at my scars. Yes I am proud to have come through the fight and am thankful to be cancer free but I am ashamed of the way they look. I know I shouldn't be but I am and I cannot change that feeling.
I have been tested and carry the BRCA 2 gene also I have 3 daughters and they all know that they need to be tested which they will when they are ready. I still have to have a hysterectomy but not yet.

Anonymous
Berri, Australia

The Love Part

Hi! My name is Amber and I'm a 28 year old mother of 2. On July 10th I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. That same day, without hesitation John Burg pledged to fight this battle with me as my husband and not just my boyfriend. On July 29th 2014 (1 year and a day from the day we met) we were married on the beach of Punta Cana. A week later I had my bi lateral mastectomy. Monday September 15th I begin my rigorous chemotherapy regimen that will take me in to September of 2015. 30 rounds of radiation will follow my year of chemo. Here is a link of our highlight video from our wedding:
http://vimeo.com/105889887

I hope this video gives people hope and truth that love can conquer all.

Amber Burg
Dublin, OH

Our Warrior/ Nuestra Gerrera

November 2012 my mom had a normal mammogram and her doctor told her that she didn't need to get a mammogram the following year, because for 2 years she had normal mammograms... I wish she would have not listened. So she skip a year... May 15th,2014 my sister took her for her routine mammogram. Later that day my sister called me an told me that we needed to bring Mom for an Ultrasound the following day. I new something was wrong... She got her ultrasound then a biopsy. Five days later we got the "call". We were told my mom had cancer. July 17, she went for a double mastectomy. She started her first chemo on August 2nd and she will finish the week of Thanksgiving.... I believed this it's a signal that everything will be ok and we'll be thankful for her cure.
My whole life I knew my mom was a trooper and now I know this cancer will not defeat her.She is a warrior our warrior and will win this battle. As many of you know when a loved one has cancer your family does too. But this whole situation has made us stronger. We all know that if my mom see us strong she will stay strong. As my oldest sister will say she is a tough lady. I can't describe how much I admire her strength and faith and the love for herself and her family. She does not complains...nor she tries to be a victim. She constantly repeat to her self " esto no te va a vencer lupe, tienes que ver tus nietos graduarse...y hacer mucho todavia... todavia no me gano la loteria...I love the since of humor she has developed with this sickness... this whole C thing has been a learning journey on how to take care of you body and us. If you are about to have chemo- prepare your body, make it stronger by eating a lot of greens, fish and more greens.. you'll be surprise the wonders of nature.... REMEMBER WITH GOD EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Isabel
Pinole, CA

GAYLA'S FIGHT

In April 2014, at 34 my dr was hesitant on sending me for a mammogram but agreed, to help ease my mind of a new lump. The next day i was called to come back for ultrasound. My mammogram was a BIRAD 5. My fight begin. I had double lumpectomy on April 16th. Diagnosed with Stage 2 Ductal Carcinoma on April 21st. After Brca genetic testing and Oncotype DX testing, my treatment started on June 10th. I underwent 4 rounds of Chemo and finished up on August 11th. I will be starting 35 radiation treatments tomorrow Sept 11th. Following with 10 years of Tamoxifen. Cancer does not discriminate. I never dreamed i would have Cancer. So i urge you to be checked if you feel anything abnormal. I keep up the fight for my family. They are my world and have walked every step of this journey with me. Having Cancer has taught me a whole new outlook on life. I try not to get stuck in routine and live each day to the fullest. There is no dress rehearsal for life, so live it!

gayla smathers
Davis, OK

my mom and dad

Hi! My name is Candace. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer during the same time my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am writing because she probably never would. The doctors thought they could do a lumpectomy and she would be fine. She found out during her meeting with her team at the Cancer Center that she had to have it completely removed. My mom was in shock and it killed us to see her like this. Remind you my Dad also has cancer and just found out. My mom is the most important person to me along with my dad. It hurts to see them hurt so much! Watching them cry is not what I want for them. My parents are the best in the world! They have helped me tremendously through my own health issues. Still do. We are all helping them to fight. Taking one day at a time. Please pray and bless you all

Anonymous
greensboro, NC

It Didn't Feel Like a Lump...

I was 40 and doing my monthly breast exam on 7/13/13. I found something in my left breast that didn't feel quite right, but it wasn't hard and it didn't feel like a pea or a marble. It felt soft and squishy. I told myself it had to be a "fibroid thing, my Mom gets those," and I didn't do much about it. Besides, I had an OB/GYN visit 6 weeks later, I would deal with it then. what could possible go wrong in 6 weeks?

I went to my check-up, she felt it and agreed with me, but since I was 40 it was time for a mammogram anyway. I went for my very first mammogram the next week. The technician said "Don't worry, 50% of all women get called back, so if they call you back it isn't anything to worry about." I got called back the next morning. They made my appointment for the Diagnostic Mammogram for the following week.

I sent my husband to work, they had told me not to worry. The next thing I knew, the mammogram was quickly followed by an ultrasound, biopsy and more mammograms. I was then being gently told that the lump and lymph node they had found looked suspicious and to call tomorrow for the results. How could this be? Cancer doesn't run in my family?

I barely made it to the parking lot before I fell apart and called my husband. the next day, 9/6/13, we got the results, I had breast cancer. The next four weeks were full of tests and appointments. I am a teacher so I started the school year and was on medical leave by the end of September. With every test came more bad news. Not only did I have cancer, but I had Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Things started to look up when I found out I was BRACA Negative.

Now, one year later, I have finally finished 8 month of chemo, surgery, and 35 rounds of radiation. I started this school year and I plan on finishing it!!!

Guinevere Morones
Mission Viejo, CA