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I never said "Why me God", "I like to say Why not me." Cancer has trun into a blessing for me.

Six months ago I went for my very frist mammogram and was told I had brest cancer at the age of 45 years old. I had just gotten married 3 months before. alone with becoming a new grandmother the same month. When the Doctor was explaining to my husband and I our choices. I was at peace with the diagnosis. Because I had been having so many unexplained medical problems for years I felt for the frist time I had some answers. Right then I looked at my Doctor and said if God was going to give cancer to someone he gave it to the right person.

At that moment I made a choice to start this new journey with a strong positive out look. To be a example to other women and everyday to pass it on any way god seen fit. My husband and I read as much as we could on the emotional and fear part to keep me balance. I was so positive and honest that when I spoke about having cancer in such a postive way people were shocked.

It was Nov. 20th when I had my double mastectomy which was right before all the hoildays. I knew i would be facing many physical and emotional struggles so everyday I would say out lound "Please God let me do your will today and not mine." And it worked on days I was shocked I got through.

I made a chioce not to wear a wig or a prosthesis chest. with having four girls I wanted to show them and other women that hair and brest isnt what makes you who you are.

I am proud to say after 6 months later I am cancer free!

Carol Gatlin
Lonke, AR

Never stop Fighting

My Mother-in-Law, Aurora Lopez Garcia, is currently fighting this evil disease called cancer. "Mama Aurora" was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She received chemo, fought and went into remission. The best news we could here. On Tuesday, May 6, 2014, she was hospitalized and we received the worst news you can hear....the cancer has returned with a vengeance. Complete and utter heartbreak. Our Mama Aurora is the heart and rock of our family. She truly is the most giving, geniuene and sincere person you would have the honor in meeting. We are not giving up. She will not give up. It's not an option. We will continue to fight. We love you Mama and may God guide you through this and bring you home to us in good health.

Barbara Espinoza
Costa Mesa, CA

Unconditional Love

Here I was at 27 years of age and living two states away from my mom when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was scheduled for surgery a week later on my 28th birthday. My mom flew down to be with me. I was beyond scared. I had two beautiful young daughters and newly married and didn't want to show my fear. I knew I had to be strong and battle this head on. My own mom had lost her sister at a young age of 27 and her mother at the age of 52 from cancer. My mom was my strength and rock to lean on. Even at 28, the simple act of just holding my hand brought me comfort. Then two years later I was diagnosed with melanoma. Thank you mom for giving me the courage to stay strong, fight and face these challenges with a positive and loving attitude. With your encouragement and strength, I was able to show my own girls that no matter the challenges or obstacles in life the love and strength of a mother has no end! Happy Mother's Day to my amazing mom. I love you!!

Traci Marang
East Wenatchee, WA

Boobs and Mr Beau Jangles

Being diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative BC in January 2013 was a bolt from the blue, not something I had expected. The fact that we had 2 weeks previously, taken ownership of an 8 week old English pointer puppy concerned me greatly. How was I going to manage with hospitals, surgery, chemo and a puppy? In fact, I should never have worried, as Mr Beau Jangles became the best thing to happen to me, and I wasn't going to let cancer get in the way!
I had surgery on 6th Feb to remove the tumour and 6 lymph nodes, followed by 3 FEC and 3 Taxotere chemos. I was selected to take part in the Fast Forward radiotherapy trial, so had 5 days of radiotherapy instead of the expected 15. By August 12th 2013, my treatment was complete, and having not been overly concernd about hair loss, all that was left for me to do was get life back to normal.
I would say that this point was THE most difficulty of the whole journey. Up to now, I had been told by health professionals what would happen, what I needed to do, and how I should, do it. Once treatment was over, I was on my own.
We moved house on 21st August, and I started a new job on 23rd August. Looking back, I hadn't fully realised the impact that 6 months of treatment for cancer would have on me, I was exhausted. Driving home from my very first day in work, I cried the whole way, feeling sorry for myself, and asking myself what was I trying to prove? But, getting home to Beau, and my husband David, just made me realise what was impritant in my life, and the mantra that I had repeated to myself continually through treatment, "If I'm ok, then everyone else will be", was there in my mind, telling me not to give in and to fight all the way.
I was superbly lucky to have support all the way from family and friends, and the amazing Welsh cancer charity, Tenovus.

Cath Jones
Caerphilly, United Kingdom

Roundup gave me cancer

I sprayed roundup on my garden verge for two summers and some of the toxic solution got into my hands and I imagine I breathed it in also. The following season I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. No history of it in my family and I am a healthy fitness oriented person. I have had surgery, chemo and radio, and am now on tamoxifen for 5 years. What this experience has shown me is the lack of safety precautions around chemicals in our environment and regulation you imagine are working and safety test you imagine to have been done are NOT HAPPENING. There is NO accountability for this cancer and roundup link, it's
being ignored. I am now an activist for "March Against Monsanto" a group concerned about the biotec company responsible for Roundup and Genetically Modified Food and their infiltration of our food chain. Please heed this WARNING and educate yourself about what GMO's are, who Monsanto is and what we collectively can do about the arrogance of a corporation that thinks it can own the world by controlling the seeds of life. Feel free to email me at marchagainstmonsantoadelaide@gmail.com if you would like more information. Warm & Sunny Regards Lisa

Lisa
Adelaide, Australia

breast cancer

I started with breast cancer in Oct 2012. I beat it in February 2013. It came back in August 2013. I beat it again in February 2014. Then it came back for the 3th time in April 2014. The cancer I have is triple negative aggressive breast cancer.

Linda Teixeira
Clearwater, FL

Early Detection Does save lives. I am living proof.

My sister died with breast cancer in 1989. So religiously I went for my screenings every year. In December of 2000, after a yearly screen they detected a knot. By MLK day I had a biopsy and it was cancerous. I chose to have a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. No other treatments were necessary. 13 years later I am still cancer free. Early detection is the answer to a cure. Please go for your screening every year and if your family is like mine and it runs in the family, get an early baseline screening. Both my daughter have.

Bobbe Garner
Milwaukee, WI

My Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Journey

The day I had my annual mammogram I just had the feeling something was wrong. I was not surprised to get a call 2 days later telling me they wanted to do an ultrasound. Then I had a two spots biopsied 6 days later Waiting was the worst!! The mass was small (1.2cm) but the grade of my cells was a 3, which wasn't good. The mass would not have been found without a mammogram because I would not have felt this until it was much larger. Because of family history, I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy and while it was a hard decision I knew I wouldn't regret it and I don't regret it. During the sentinel node biopsy the cancer was in 6 of 11 lymph nodes. When the Dr. called with that information it was really a low point for me. My journey has been filled with ups and downs but I have stayed very positive. I have complete faith in my Oncologist and she laid out the plan for 4 rounds of A/C 12 of Taxol and 33 treatments of radiation. The A/C was hard on my blood counts. Anti-nausea meds worked wonders for me when I took them how the Dr. suggested. I had Neulasta shots and Procrit shots and kept working part-time. The Taxol was so much better and easier to manage and didn't have the nausea and fatigue as with the A/C. I also have developed Stage 1 Lymphedema. I have swelling under my right arm where the lymph nodes were removed. I wear a compression cami and a compression sleeve. For a while I was really angry about the Lymphedema. I did come to accept this knowing others are dealing with much worse problems. Now that I am done with all of my treatments, I plan on paying it forward and trying to educate people on Lymphedema and to be a mentor to others who are going through the same things that I have gone through.

Nancy Dallman
Oklahoma City, OK

I Keep It Moving

I am a two time cancer survivor and I am mother of two girls, one 12 and the other 19.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer the first time at the age of 36 in the end of 2010. I felt a lump on the right breast while doing a self breast examination and it turned out to be cancer. I had a double mastectomy and was told i did not have to have chemo. I went through breast reconstruction and was on my journey to surviving, but I had always wondered if I should have had chemo.

A year later cancer reoccurred in scarred tissue in the right breast. I would have never known about the re-occurrence if it wasn't for issues going on with my left breast implant. This time of course I was put through chemo, radiation, the whole nine yards. I wanted everything and anything to make sure that cancer was out of me.

Between 2010 up until now I have lost count of how many surgeries that I have had. I have had chemo, radiation and numerous breast reconstruction. Side effects of everything that I have gone through is now just a daily part of my life that I live with.

But through it all, i know God has been with me. Both times that I had cancer, I found out by the grace of God. The first time I felt a lump and the second time it was only by chance.

I stay strong for me and my girls, more for my girls than anything. And if I had to, I will go through it again and again to make sure I will be around for them.

Kendra
louisville, KY

A mother's fight, a daughter's love

My story is not mine alone, I share mine with my daughter, my mother, my friends and all the women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am a mother, a fitness competitor, a fighter and a survivor. I have been living a healthy lifestyle the majority of my adult life, had no family history of cancer and was still too young for preventative screening. It was not until the day I found a symptom, blood in the left cup of my bra, that a mammogram was recommended. September 2013, at the age of 36, I receive the diagnosis: extensive ductal carcinoma. In December of 2013 I had my left breast mastectomy.

Post surgery had left me with a drainage tube and a tissue expander that felt like a rubber hot water bottle under my skin. Four days before Christmas was the follow up pathology report, my lymph nodes had come back negative, no chemo or radiation required. Disbelief, fear, shock, and confusion came rushing through my head all at once during my original diagnosis. Relief, guilt, elation took over. My emotions throughout this journey continuously fought over which one would prevail. Some days it felt like I would never be able to silence the emotional torment.

An overwhelming sense of calm comes over me when I look at my beautiful two-year-old daughter. My torment is silenced; only love fills my thoughts and my heart, deep unabiding love for my daughter. Strength, courage, fighter, role model dominated my thoughts when I went in for my reconstructive surgery in April. I am now on the road to recovery. Amongst all the medical jargon and sterility of cancer I was able to find the strength within myself and that strength calls me mommy.

Michelle Goldrick
London, Canada