My journey began 2/2/11. This is the day I had my mastectomy. No history of breast cancer and I was 36, with four children, a full time job, a wife, and a part-time student. I was a very busy woman and I did not see this coming. I had stage 2 cancer, hormone positive, which means I am now taking hormone pills for now up to 10 years. My mom had never had a mammogram done. So after my diagnosis, she was also diagnosed with breast cancer of the same breast. She also had a mastectomy. Hers was stage one, so she did not have to go through the 20 weeks of chemo nor the 33 days of radiation, that I had to go through. The first 8 weeks were very aggressive, I went everyother week. The day after I had to go for the shot in my stomach to help build my cells back up. Two days after that shot, the next two days were horrible. I could barely move or have anything touching my body. Other than that my experience with the rest of the chemo was a breeze, I gained 30 pounds, didn't lose weight or get sick. Cancer is not a death sentence, it can be beat. You have to pay attention to your body and go get checked when something doesn't seem right. I learned a lot going through this experience. There are still wonderful people out there willing to help. I had a great support system with my family, church family, and from strangers as well. I am glad that I got myself checked for a spot that I found, if not my mom may have never been checked. 2/2/14, I will be 3 years free of cancer.

Amanda Jackson
Stoneville, NC