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A Close Call

"You're so brave". I've heard this many times in the past few months, when people hear my story. I was diagnosed with LCIS following a lumpectomy for ADH and ALH, both atypical cells. I have a strong family history of breast cancer and my mom was diagnosed at age 42 and is a 30+ year survivor. I've had a few scares this past year during my close monitoring and was hesitant to take tamoxifen. After many discussions with my surgeons and family, I opted for a preventative double mastectomy. I am currently in the reconstruction phase. It has not been easy for me, but I am happy with my decision.

At my first post-op appointment my Doctor told me that they found cancer in one breast. Had I not done the surgery when I had, in 6 months I would have needed cancer treatment.

I am not so brave, I am a mom to two beautiful young children. I would do anything to stay alive and healthy for them. If it meant reducing my risk of breast cancer with mastectomies, so be it. My decision may be a radical one to some. It was the right decision for me. The fear related to the high likelihood of me getting breast cancer was my motivation and my "bravery" may have saved my life from a cancer I didn't even know I had.

Anonymous
New York, NY

Strength in love

In November of 2013 my partner felt a lump on my left breast and immediately became concerned.. He persisted that I go to the doctor. On December 4th 2013 at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. A week and a half later, I had a partial mastectomy and started chemotherapy a month later. I received 6 treatments of chemotherapy that just recently ended on May 1st. I am now to receive 30 treatments of radiation and continue with hormonal therapy for the next 5 years. My partner was by my side for every doctors visit, every chemotherapy treatment, and more importantly saved my life! When I lost my hair from chemotherapy, he shaved his head to support me and still shaves it. His mother came to every chemotherapy treatment as well. I have been told by my doctors that my chances of never having cancer again are extremely good. I survived cancer because of the support I received from him and his family, and will have the chance to be with our family and see our children grow up.

Karen Garrett
Rocky Hill, CT

A Lesson Learned and a Blessing Received

Because I hate mammograms and thought I was "too busy," I foolishly skipped my 2012 mammogram. My procrastination caught up with me on Sept. 23 -26, 2013, when I had a regular mammogram followed by a diagnostic one and then a needle biopsy by the radiologist. When the radiologist called on the 26th & gave me the news, I was numb. Surely this was a bad dream! On Oct. 25, I had a lumpectomy, but testing showed the margins weren't totally clear. I returned to surgery on Nov. 6. In the days after surgery, pain from the sentinel node incision worsened. I called my surgeon who called in another prescription for pain pills. On Saturday evening two days later, my husband took me to the ER where I was admitted to the hospital with MRSA. Three days in the hospital and tons of antibiotics later, I came home and began healing. My surgeon had sent my tumor for Oncotype testing, so we anxiously awaited the results. My onco score was 17, and I was thrilled; that score plus other factors (HER+, not genetic, Stage IIb invasive ductal cancer with no node involvement, 2.8 cm, post-menopausal) meant that I did not need chemo! I had 30 radiation treatments, and they were a breeze. I started Femara in March 2014 and am tolerating it very well (aside from a few hot flashes & some fatigue....a small price to pay). When I was diagnosed, I searched the Internet for stories of women who had my stage, type of cancer and rejoiced when I read that they survived and thrived. I learned my lesson: get mammograms (and other diagnostic tests) on schedule. The blessing I received was the outpouring of love from family & friends and a strengthening of my faith in God.

Marsha
Summerville, SC

my cancer journey

I had breast cancer in 2009 I was so scared when I found out I have a husband and 5 kids I had too go thru dozens of tests I had chemo for 3 months I lost all my beautiful hair and so many side effects I had the shakes. I then had surgery and had the breast taken off I had radiation 1 month later then I was told I have STAGE four metastatic cancer that wentto . The bone of my spine and ribs now I am on a hormonal pill and I have a bone bimonthly it has been almost 5 years cancer is a hard thing to go thru

frances
calumet city, IL

My beautiful Cancer

I have cancer but cancer doesn't have me!
Im 38 with no family history.
Discovered my own lump 2012 which was called a cyst!
WRONG!
Be your own advocate and ask for a biopsy!!
March 28 2014 I was diagnosed with IDC
No involved nodes, stage 2-3-large mass.
20 weeks chemo- bi- lateral(my choice) mastectomy, 28 radiation, reconstruct.
I'm about to have my 4th round of AC then I move on to T for 12 weekly rounds.
I have been blessed with so much support and love from my family, friends& community.
Oh this journey is like a roller coaster, filled with twists & turns, ups& downs, many loopty-loops,also knowing at some point this ride will end and I'm going to exit a different person when it's over.

I'm chosing to see all the beauty through this, to focus on all the positives.
To work out when I can,take mini getaways,experiencing life in a different way.
On my worst day when I feel like having a pity party, I stop by reminding myself there are babies going through chemo and pray for them.
I have no right to complain.
Attitude will make or break your cancer ride!
LAUGH ALOT❤️

April
Hubert, NC

All the Same but Only Different

I am new to this! After 18 wonderful years together, we decided to get married! We went down to Costa Rica with our son and got married April 14th, 2014. The lump in my right breast was killing me when I was down there so when I arrived back to Canada made an appoint with my doctor for the 23rd! His words were "We already know it is nothing sinister. We had a mammogram of it last year and came back clear." He kept arguing with me then I decided that it was easier to believe him than force the issue! I started to walk out and returned pushing the door open! I said " There is a lump in my breast the size of a golf ball and it hurts like hell and now my breast is all distorted because of it. I want another mammo along with an ultrasound." He made the appointment for those plus the biopsies and on May 15th I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma with it spreading to the auxillary nymph node! Our world turned upside down! Next it was the blood tests, bone scans, cat scans and the Mri. As you all know it was the waiting for the results that drove me to near insanity. I got the results from them and it has not spread beyond my node! I met with my oncologist on May 2, 2014 for my course of action. For my case, i will do 5 treatments of chemo every three weeks to shrink the tumors, surgery to remove the tumors and to remove my fallopian tubes and ovaries ( I am ER+, PR+, HER-) and then off to radiation. I had my picc put in at 1030 on May 3, 2014 and had my first chemo treatment the same day at 1:00pm! Bang! Bang! Everything fell in to place! My husband has been my rock, and my son has been my strength! I am 48 years old and I plan to have a long beautiful life with my family I have been blessed to have!

Denise
Blairmore, Canada

Third Time is a Charm, 7 years of Hope

It is June 4th, 2014 and I have completed my 4th and final round of Chemotherapy. In November 2013, I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal breast cancer. I waited until after the Holidays to have my surgery, a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I was not counting on any chemo, since my tumor was only 2cm at the time of biopsy and MRI. When it was removed at surgery, it had more than doubled in size and therefore the Doctors wanted to ensure all cancer cells were removed and prescribed preventative treatment of chemotherapy. I was not a candidate for radiation, as I had had it in my previous two breast cancer diagnosis. Since the reconstruction was going to be with radiated skin, I had no idea the issues that would surface, my skin no longer had the elasticity for expanders, it would not heal properly and I had to have the right expander removed and 3 additional surgeries to remove the dead eradiated skin. I do not have the final look yet, I may just not complete the reconstruction, and have the left expander removed and the skin repaired to look as natural as can be.
My story begins in 2007 when my OB/GYN requested for the 4th time to have a mammogram. I was 44 and was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 in my right breast. A lumpectomy and 39 rounds of radiation were completed.
In July of 2010, a new mammogram discovered cancer in my left breast, I was 47 with DCIS 1, another meeting with a team, I was thinking of a double mastectomy at the time but opted for another lumpectomy and 42 rounds of radiation. (Who would think they would get it again).
I would ask myself why me, 3 times, but then look at my 3 sisters (2 have been first time diagnosed) and my 11 nieces. I pray it was so they never have to go thru this.
My husband has been my rock, Thank you Dale.
I never look back, only forward to great beginnings! This is my beginning.

Joan Lopez
Plainfield, IL

Survivor

Was diagnosed laat year with DCIS Breast cancer, via mammogram and biopsy. Caught it in a very early stage, but decided to go with double masectomy with DEIP flap reconstruction. I could not have ask for the two best doctors in my eyes. I have very simple small scars on my breasts, thanks to these two wonderful doctors. I also am cancer free, all surrounding tissue and first lymph nodes all clear of cancer. I could not be more thankful and happy. So get your mammograms done

Anonymous
San diego, CA

A new trial for a greater testimony

Seven years ago my Husband was diagnosed with a bone tumor in his right shoulder. Due to his illness we relocated to Virginia that he could receive the best medical treatment available. Just when we thought all was well and started the rebuilding of our broken foundation. On Feb. 05, 2014 I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at that moment I thought I was in the middle of a bad dream. The main bread winner and only real means of support for household our hopes and dreams were instantly shattered due to my new diagnosis. My thoughts were how are we going to survive now, who's going to support our three children, and if something were to happen to us who's going to be there for our children, your mind just goes crazy at that moment. I pulled myself together with the support of family and limited amount of friends and told my problem my GOD is much bigger than this and the battle began. I had a lumpectomy on Feb. 19, 2014 and OIT radiation and I'm on my last round of chemo and as of today I am cancer free. I know if we made it this far by faith there's a bigger blessing at the end of these trials for our testimony. Thank You GOD. What a mighty mighty GOD we serve.

Tameshia Jeffers
Suffolk, VA

The Light at the end of the Tunnel

October 2012 I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer and felt that my life was over. I opted for a double mastectomy which Dr said good choice. I was stage three high level infutrading hormones, 23 lympnodes removed on the left and 19 on the right. After 9 chemo sessions, I got sick differently every time and lost my hair after the first round 34 radiation session which turned into 1st degree burns and blisters. Many PT sessions including for lymodema in my left arm. In April I was ready for my petscan that was CLEAR! I'm still going through surgeries for reconstruction and fighting infections with George AKA my port. Needless to say this last year and a half has been tryin on me. But I have the greatest medical team in Orange County, CA Along with my daughter, family and friends that have supported me. Their prayers and strength to keep my spirits up have been a blessing. I have at least 5 more years to go through treatments and hormone blocker medications I know I WILL SURVIVE! Not to mention I have my daughters wedding to prepare for. Life throws you hard balls sometimes, my favorite saying:You have to put on your big girl panties and pull up your boot straps and hit it head on.

Anonymous
Tustin, CA