I was diagnosed in January 2010. Stage 3 breast cancer. I still can't believe the words. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter and a 2 year old son. Because I have been either pregnant or breast feeding for the past 4 years, my cancer went undetected. When my breast started to feel "normal" again, I realized my left breast just wasn't feeling right. It wasn't loosing that hard feeling you have when breast feeding. My mother died of breast cancer when my 2 year old son was 3 months old. She was diagnosed terminal when I was 8 months pregnant. I was her care taker, nursed her through the pain of dying when she wanted to live so badly. To hear the words of a cancer diagnoses less than 2 years after her death shook me to the core. To not only have breast cancer at 31, but to have an advanced stage 3. I just couldn't rap my mind around it. It took me a few weeks, but when I decided to live my life, enjoy my family, live everyday, let go of worrying about the future and enjoy the now, I got a better attitude. It is the hardest thing to do, to let go of worrying about your family, but you have to. If you don't you get yourself so overwhelmed with the unanswered questions and your fears that you loose the days you do have with the ones you love most. I am one chemo treatment in, just shaved my head. In a situation where you have lost all control, remember that you still have the power to be happy.
laceycottage grove, OR