In April 1992 at the age of 49, my mom was diagnosed with aggressive Adenocarcinoma after undergoing a simple lumpectomy. She struggled with the chemo but nothing helped and she continued to decline. In July, they decided to try a new chemo which put her in a coma for 2 weeks. We lost her in August. At that time, we were informed to make sure to get regular check ups and mammograms. Through the years I was diagnosed with fibro-cysts disease. So each year I went through the dreaded pap smear, mammogram, and ultrasound. Interestingly enough, insurance would not pay to have both on the same day, so it ended up out-of-pocket. As the years went by, periodically I had to have numerous lumpectomies. Each time wondering what would be the result and thankful - nothing. In January 2013, I turned 49 and it really hit home and what I realized was I still had so much life to live and yet my mom's time ended with so many things left undone. I had my yearly mammogram which resulted in another precautionary lumpectomy. When I went back for my follow up, expecting the same news of a negative result, but this time was different. I went in and heard cancer. It was devastating news to hear. Immediately my mind went back to hearing that same diagnosis for my mom. What is it about the age of 49 in this family? The first lumpectomy led to a second and finally bilateral mastectomy. You try your best to plan ahead and prepare but the toll that all of the surgery and chemo takes on your body is unbelievable. Then joint pain and a medicine that adds to that pain that you have to take for 10 years. So, all of this started in February and I am still in this fight. I have 2 more surgeries to go but the fight goes on. It goes on for me and for everyone else that is fighting and will fight in the future. We have to find a cure... Support you local Cancer Society.....

Denise Newton Whitlow
Roxboro, NC