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To Fight Cancer you need Will Power

It was in April 2011, my mother met with an accident and broke her right arm; it was just 1 week before my sister’s wedding. After initial investigation, she was diagnosed with “Stage 4- CA Breast with Bone Metastasis“. It was shocking news for all of us as how can a broken arm be related to BREAST CANCER.

We consulted an ONCOLOGIST, who started with immediate treatment which included 9 rounds of weekly Chemotherapy, 5 radiation followed by hormone therapy. We knew the side effects of Chemotherapy and radiations are very harsh as my maternal grandmother and aunty both were cancer patients. During her treatment she was very strong and continued to live her life normally. Not even once did her blood count dip. She was determined to beat cancer. She was very cheerfully and uses to give hope to other patients. After 9 months a surgery was done to fix her broken arm.

Everything was going fine until May 2013, when cancer bounced back with full strength and this time it was “Stage 4- CA breast Progressive Cancer”. Doctors completely gave up hope, she was bed ridden. Doctors gave only 2 months to her . But through her “WILL POWER” and Courage she could prolong her life. Even doctors said it was not less than a miracle.
It was on 28 March 2014 after a struggle of 3 years she breathe her last.

We all are very proud of her. Losing her is the biggest loss. She was the strength of our family and will always be remembered as a Strong and Courageous person.

At the end I will just say don’t forget that weak bones can be one of the symptoms of Breast Cancer, so please don’t ignore pain in bones.
Early detection is the key to survival.

Richa Raina
Delhi, India

"Am I More Than You Bargained For Yet?" Cancer....

Life has a funny way of throwing you a curve ball sometimes. When that happened to me I had a choice - run away or throw the darn ball back in it's face - hard!
I decided to chose the latter.

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC Breast Cancer on Friday 13th July (yes, a little bit ironic!) at the age of 43. I was very scared. But also very angry. And very determined that I was going to fight it every step of the way. I had chemo first to shrink the tumour. Losing my hair was upsetting, but I wore my bald head as a badge of pride. I was kicking cancer in the you-know-where. Chemo didn't really work in shrinking the tumour.

I had all my nodes taken out and two lumpectomies but it still lurked so I had a mastectomy and immediate recon (that didn't go smoothly either - long story!) I felt like a had a stalker - the evil left boob of doom, who was determined to take away everything. I could not let her win.

All the way through I have had the most wonderful support from my amazing husband, two children, family and friends. I was determined to get better for them. I made a promise to them that I would NOT die. And I WOULD get better. And we would make the most of life. And enjoy the moment.

Music saved me - even on my darkest days I put on my iPod and listened to my rock music and I knew I could do it . I have taken my daughter to several gigs in the last year and we got to meet the guitarist from our favourite band backstage - the best moment ever!

It's just over a year since the last op. I still have regular scans and check-ups. I still worry that it might come back. But if it does, it will be sorry. I am not going to let it beat me. I love my life and I am going to keep on living it.

Emma Richardson
Woking, United Kingdom

surviving cancer for a 3d time

I'm the daughter of santie who has been diagnosed with cancer when I was only 9 years old at that time then she got her normal treatment cemo red devil the dr then took out another piece of her other breast and found she has cancer in there too she just got cemo again . Children did tease me and I had to change schools of how bad it became becauseof ˚°◦ϻɣ◦°˚ mom not having any hair its 7 years later and ˚°◦ϻɣ◦°˚ mom has been diagnosed with cancer again this time its worse she is so sick with the cemo going on please pray for her its hard going to school and being waried about ur mom

Anonymous
pretoria, South Africa

My Story

It was in March 2012, I was brushing my teeth when I experienced a sharp pain in my right breast & my right arm. The pain radiated down my arm. After I showered, I noticed my breasts were tender and swollen, but the right breast was bigger than the left and I could feel a lump. I also noticed my nipple appeared to be sunk in. I made an appointment to see the doctor right away and was treated for a breast infection called Mastitis. I was prescribed antibiotics and told to follow up if there was no change.
There was absolutely no change so my doctor ordered a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound. Both tests came back "highly suspicious of malignancy." I was 37, never had a mammogram and had no family history of breast cancer. This could not be happening to me. I was preparing for my son's high school prom and graduation! I kept the news from my children.
I was sent to a surgeon for a needle biopsy that confirmed breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma was the diagnosis. Somehow, my hubby and I were able to keep the news from our kids until school was out and our son's graduation celebration was over.
I was then referred to an oncologist for staging & treatment. The cancer had spread to my lymph nodes and bones. I will never forget the day I was told my cancer was stage 4.
During this time, we were able to meet our two precious granddaughters for the first time. We had no idea we were grandparents. This was wonderful for our family. I have had months of chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy surgery and numerous radiation treatments. I lost my hair, have radiation burns and scars,etc.
2 years later, I am currently in treatment & will be the rest of my life. I have the love and support of my family. My husband & family have been by side. Praise God!
If you notice any changes in your breasts, consult your doctor immediately. Early detection saves lives.
Get your mammogram!

Staci
Humble, TX

My 1st Mammogram

On March 5th I visited my doctor for a routine check up. She told me since I hit the magic number of 40 last November it was time for me to get my 1st mammogram. I went back to work later on that day and my co-worker/best friend preached to me about going to have that done. Told me it was no big deal. Every week she stayed on me to make that appointment. I finally broke down and went on May 1st, the day that changed my life. On May 2nd I was called back for some special images and an ultrasound. I was then told I needed to have a stereotactic biopsy, that there was some concern about a spot they found. I had that biopsy done on May 8th. On May 12th, my doctor called to give me the news. My biopsy came back positive for DCIS. Stage 0 breast cancer. Although she said the words stage 0, all I really heard was positive for breast cancer. I needed to consult with a general surgeon. Lucky for me, I am a scheduler in the Operating room at the local hospital, so I was on it immediately. I was seen in the surgeons office on May 13th and was on the OR schedule for May 19th. On May 15th i was told there was a 2nd spot that they felt certain was just a cyst but since the biopsy on the other site was positive they wanted to test it. Rather than go thru all that again, on May On May 19th I had a Breast Lumpectomy with 2 needle locs and had them do both spots. Today I received news from the surgeon of my pathology report. That 2nd spot came back totally negative and the 1st spot, my margins were clear! ! If not for that 1st mammogram and the push from my dear friend, Sarah I could be telling a totally different story.

Anonymous
Waynesboro, VA

My Journey

About 5 years ago I was having some problems with my left Breast but was not sure why.My husband took me to my appointment and I had a mamagram. It showed that I white calcium build up.After a few years I started to notice that I was feeling some tenderness and the tenderness just did not feel right.I put it off nit thinking much of anything untill a few months ago wen I went in for another mamagram. They had found a pea size tumor in my left breast.Of course I was taken by surprise when i found out that I have stage one breast cancer.it has been overwhelming with other tests that was taking place and was not sure how to tell my kids who are 20 and 18 years old.now I am just waiting for the date of my surgery to have it removed.it feels as though it is and has been a long road.but on the bright side I do have friends at my church and a husband plus two great kids who support me.there is great hope after all.

Norma Crane
Lincoln, CA

My Journey Through Breast Cancer

My story goes like this, back in April 2013 my Black lab Sammy would start favoring my left side while we laid down watching TV and would lay his head across my left breast I never really paid too much attention to it until June 2013 when he... made it a point to start poking me in the breast with his nose. I noticed then I had a little soreness in it but then he started doing it all the time so I gave myself a buddy check and that's when I found a small lump. I went to my primary doc and she felt it too and sent me for a mammogram. They found something against my breast wall and wanted to refer me for a biopsy. So July 2013 after the biopsy I had stressed out so bad a couple of days later I broke out in the shingles. Went to my primary doc to get treated and that is when they informed me that my results were positive for Ductal carcinoma. Had my surgery on September 10th 2013 left breast mastectomy removal of 99% plus the nipple. I am currently still going through reconstruction but I am cancer free. I later had Gene test done and will be going back this July 2014 to have the right breast removed due to the results of high breast cancer in my gene. Needless to say it has been a rough road. I am so blessed and love my Sammy bear dearly for saving my life. Without him it could have been a lot worse and I would have never known it was cancer.

Dreama August
Jacksonville, FL

"Y not me"?

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my family was devastated, I was in shock. After a lumpectomy, then a mastectomy, reconstruction, and six months of chemotherapy, my life was to say the least, changed. But not for t he worse, for the better. Why? I have a daughter, 4 sisters, my mom was still alive, nieces, best friends, and I thought about them, and decided I wouldn't want any one of them to have this. I'd do this without ever asking "why me". Instead I would say, "why not me". We are always happy to receive the good things life gives us, but we must also accept the difficult times, and just do the best we can, of course with God's help, and the love of family and friends. So, I am grateful to be here 13 years later!

Cynthia Peters
bartlett, IL

too late for cure

I noticed my left Breast changing but ignored it thinking it was nothing to worry about. Every morning I would see how my Breast looked flat on one side and my nipple was slowly inverting. Fear stopped me from going to the doctor. No one wants to think that they might have cancer. So I continued to inwardly worry but did nothing about it. It wasn't until I developed pain under my arm and in my ribs under my left Breast that I went to the doctor. He immediately sent me for a mammogram and a biopsy where it was discovered that I had a mass of cancerous cells in my Breast and lymph nodes. I was told that I would need a mastectomy and chemotherapy and I thought 'fine I will get better '. it was not until I had a bone scan that my Breast cancer had spread to my bones. I am in constant agony and wish that I had gone to the doctor sooner. Although I didn't have a mastectomy, I am now left with bones that are riddled with cancer. I intend to fight this but sometimes it is so hard when you are in so much pain. If I could leave a message I would beg anyone who notices any changes in there Breast to get it checked straight away. By the way I am only 47years old and strongly believe that the age of mammograms should be lowered. Linda Leishman

linda leishman
Falkirk, United Kingdom

Early Detection is the Key

I have been a volunteer for the Greater Nashville chapter of Susan G. Komen. I have always had a passion for breast cancer awareness. Last year, I went for an annual mammogram because I thought I felt a lump during a self-exam. A few days after the mammogram, I was asked to come back in for an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed I needed to have a biopsy. During this time, I began to get very nervous. The biopsy I would have to say was the most uncomfortable thing I had been through in my life. A few weeks later my doctor called to let me know I had been diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS). I wanted to cry, but I was thankful it had been detected early. Thank God my husband was right there with me. As soon as I was diagnosed the men in my family took a vow to NOT cut their hair until I was given the all-clear. Because of my age (38), my doctors told me they were going to attack it aggressively. In January of this year, I had two lumpectomies. I began radiation in March. I had 25 rounds of radiation. I am now healing from the radiation and dealing with fluid build-up. I know that I will continue to heal and am thankful everyday that my breast cancer was detected early. Early detection is the key. Please do your monthly self exams and annual mammograms. I am preparing to have my Victory Celebration in a few weeks! I am a survivor and I praise God!! I would not have made it through without God and a STRONG support system. I am thankful to be alive and able to see my three children grow up.

Lynette Boone
Hermitage/Nashville, TN