Twelve years ago I reached for something and the I felt such pain and then touched underneath ny neck and found 2 lumps and it was at that moment I knew I was in trouble. I went to doctor after doctor as in my heart I knew it was breast cancer but they kept telling me I was only 39 and that pain was a good thing that it could not mean cancer so I finally found a surgeon who agreed to remove them at a outpatient clinic as felt it would just be a minor procedure and all would be ok. I woke up and my doctor and others stood over me holding my hand and all I remember is them saying how sorry they were but I was right and it didn't look good. They sent me home with my husband and I told both my kids that I would do whatever I had to do to survive and as a family we chose to go with the chemotherapy and radiation not mastectomy. I truly feel I am here today as my family never would let me give up and because of there strength and belief I would survive I am here today. So like my doctor said the other day everytime I suffer with the pain that I feel it just reminds me how lucky I am to be alive.

lisa hotaling
waterford, NY