My story starts with my Mother in 1999. I was 29 years old when she was diagnosed with dcis. I was devastated. The fear that comes with the words "breast cancer" can be too much to handle. On July 13, 2006 at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with bilateral invasive ductal carcinoma stages 2 and 3. I had two tumors, one in each breast and both were malignant. I was a single mother of a 10 year old son and all I could think about was how frightened he must feel. It has been three long years since my diagnosis. We went through bilateral mastectomies, 15 months of chemotherapy, 5 week of radiation, a full hysterectomy (which threw me into full blown menopause at 36...really, really, really no fun), a free tram flap reconstruction surgery & my older sister's diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma as well. My mother, my sister and myself all diagnosed with breast cancer. Genetic testing showed negative for the BRCA genes. We are all still here, living our lives fully. Only by the grace of God. I don't know how it is decided who lives and who dies from this terrible disease. I only know that I thank God for every day I have with my son. And I see God's footprints through my story every step of the way. Awareness and self examination is the key. Please, please, please do self exams. It may save your life too.

Julie Kempf
Richland, WA