I had been neglectful in my mammorgram check ups (at least 5 years) and being over 50 I should have known better. One night laying down, my breast seemed a little sore, so I decided to do a self breast exam. Upon doing so I found a lump. I wasn't too concerned as I had a fibroscistic disease in my breast for years so I thought this was part of the problem. Needless to say I went to the doctor who then sent me for a mammogram and a biopsy. It was stage 2 cancer with cancer in 1 lymph node. I had a lumpectomy done on both breasts as their were some pre-cancerous cells in my other breast as well. After surgery, chemo and radiation I am now a 3 year survivor. Looking back at this frightful time, and what I went through, I also remember when losing my hair and how upset I was. Of course I was more concerned about surviving, but when I lost my hair I felt a part of me was missing, it was my "identity" for 56 years (so I thought). Putting everything into perspective, I had a beautiful wig much like my own hair, my own hair did grow back thicker and curlier (I always had straight hair), I realized I was the same person inside just a little different on the outside and no matter what happens, I'm still ME. God was, and still is, a big part of my life. I had put my faith and fate in God's hands and left it all up to him. With the support and love from my wonderful family and friends, and knowing I had given the Cancer to God, I had the strength and courage to fight this awful disease.

Linda Loranger
Elmwood park, IL