I was diagnosed in May 2001, three weeks after meeting my husband through an online dating site. He could have run, but he stuck by me. April 26, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary. One month after my diagnosis, Tropical Storm Allison severely damaged the Houston Medical Center. I didn't know when I was going to have surgery. On June 23 (my birthday) I was told that my surgery would be scheduled June 26. The Medical Center was taking only cancer patients and emergency surgeries. My diagnosis was through my routine mammograms (I started at 37 - ever other year and was 43 when diagnosed). My doctor told me if I had waited until I had felt the lump, it would have been too late. I was fortunate to have a mastectomy and reconstruction all at the same time AND only needed 4 chemo treatments with NO radiation. I was truly blessed, and still am. I am celebrating my 9th year as a survivor! I have been one of the top 100 fundraisers (6 years in a row) for a breast cancer organization in Houston.

Lynn Bell
Rosenberg, TX