. About 2 yrs ago I was treated for mastitis in my left breast. The doctor wanted me to have a mammogram ASAP, but I never got around to it. l. A short time later it all came back. I had severe pains in the left side of my neck, my left shoulder & breast,& it felt like someone was jabbing the eraser end of a pencil in my armpit. There were nights it was hard to sleep because the pain was so bad. May 2009 my sister was diagnosed with Stage II . 7/09 my left arm was swollen & I went to the ER. I was admitted for many tests & xrays.My breast surgeon came into my life on 7/22/09 did a punch & core biopsy & said it looked like Stage II/III breast cancer. I had a mammogram & more biopsies & a breast MRI. I had a full body PET/CT scan on 8/7/09. I had an appointment with my breast surgeon that day. When got to her office a few minutes later the results had already been fax'd to her: I HAVE STAGE IV BREAST CANCER! She grabbed my hand & said " this isn't a death sentence." She gave me hope. I didn't freak out or cry " Why Me?" I am on arimidex & my CT scan 12/09 showed things are shrinking. That was the best news. I consider this cancer a blessing because now I take better care of myself. And my family & friends & doctors are so wonderful! Without all the love & support I have received I would be lost. So ladies & gentlemen DON'T IGNORE THE SIGNS! I am here to tell you that treatment works! Love to all of you.
FrediNew York, NY