Share Your Story

My mom and I

The summer of 2010 was when my life changed, my Mom had been fighting her own cancer battle that was quickly coming to an end. I had spent the last two months of her life taking care of her, she lost her battle August 31, 2010. One week later, I was taking a bath and discovered a lump in my right breast. And the world wind begins.

I immediately made an appointment with my family doctor, who sent me in for a mammogram, she thought it was nothing, but scheduled it anyway. After the mammogram, I was told I had Invasive Ductal Carcanoma. Then approximately about 6 weeks later I was scheduled for a double mastectomy. After the mastectomy, I was allergic to the implants and caught a severe infection in my chest. The day before Thanksgiving, I was admitted into the hospital because the infection was so bad, I stayed in the hospital until a week before Christmas, then had to deal with Christmas, I had promised my Mom to keep the family traditions.

At this point I became deeply depressed, I had no time to mourn for my Mom, dealing with the double mastectomy and now beginning my chemo. I remember a nurse I had that very first day, She hooks these medications up and when she got to a red one, she said "This one makes your hair fall out", No sensitivity, just matter of fact. My hair was long, I didn't think about losing it till then. This to added to the depression. I just went to chemo and stayed in bed.

Three years later, I am cancer free. I trusted in God to help me. My favorite saying is "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" My story is mine and every story is different, but we must encourage others to never give up.
We must fight with everything we have inside us. Remind people in your life about self breast exams and maybe one day we won't need to remind them. May God bless you through your journey.

Debbie
plainfield, IN

Just Believe

Do you believe?

February 2013: The love of my life was diagnosed with cancer. I prayed to God to give me half of his cancer so we could fight this together, and that it would never go to his brain (for it was likely this was the path his cancer would follow).

October 2013: Following a shower I noticed a lump in my breast.
November 12, 2013: We are siting in the Robinson Memorial Hospital MRI waiting room, awaiting the results from an MRI of Ron's brain. Thank God it came back negative.

November 16, 2013: The love of my life won his fight and got to go to heaven to no longer feel any pain.

January 6, 2014: I am diagnosed with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. Chemotherapy came first because the tumor was very aggressive. At this point I knew God had granted my wish. I felt all of the same side effects that Ron had during his treatment. I knew in my heart that after chemo and surgery it would finally be over.

April 23, 2014: Dr. Randy Smith did a modified radical mastectomy, including the removal of 20 lymph nodes. No side effects following the surgery, and little pain, I knew this was once again an act of God.

April 25, 2014: The day began with a visit from two beautiful deer right outside the back window of my house, staring inside at us. All through Ron's journey the deer were here, a mother and 2 babies, symbolic of his mother, brother, and sister who had all previously passed away. Today I felt Ron's presence as I looked out at these two beautiful animals. Not long after that, at 4:01 pm, I received a phone call from Dr. Rehman......

DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES??????
WE DO!!!!!!!!

Cathy Malmfeldt
Lake Milton, OH

I'm not just surviving- I'm Living!

February 28, 2012, that's the date I'll never forget! My life changed from that moment and my roller coaster journey began! I couldn't believe I had cancer, no family history, I was in good shape, ate well and only 39 years old. My first report said a 5 cm tumor with trendlins close to my armpit, SCARY! After seven hours of mammograms and ultrasounds I was told "it isn't there, but we see calcification, there's a low chance it's going to be positive for cancer." I had the biopsy , results were in, it's positive, I had cancer, DCIS, ( not finished yet it keeps going)! Then the struggle with my Dr. who wanted to do a lumpectomy with radiation and tamoxifen. That however, was not my plan, I wanted a bilateral mastectomy immediately! Surgery set for March 15, 2012, then the Dr. called, she had to reschedule until March 29 because of waiting on insurance to approve (ridiculous), 4 hours later from 500 miles away I received a call that my father was dying and I needed to go to him, I rushed to his side and instead of being in surgery on 3/15 I was in ICU (divine intervention), my father passed away on his birthday 3/16. Two days later My Dr. talked me into a lumpectomy with the intention I would do bilateral mastectomy after pathology, we were going to "buy time". Well those results came back not as DCIS but stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma .3cm aggressive er+ pr+. I was so upset. After that diagnoses and a very frank conversation with my surgeon, she finally "got me" and I had a bilateral mastectomy May 29, 2012 with immediate reconstruction! I have taken my cancer experience and after 13 years of being a nurse I became a certified Areola complex, 3D and scar camouflage tattoo artist. I have teamed up with my extremely talented plastic surgeon and I now help other survivors with their final touch! I couldn't have done this without the love,support and shoulders of my family, friends and faith!

Tara Dunsmore
Garner, NC

Cancer doesn't care if your only 30..

Twenty days after turning 30, I heard the words no 30 year old getting married in 3 months EVER needed to hear - You have Cancer.

In February 2014, I felt a small movable lump on the side of my right breast. Being an ER/ICU Registered Nurse, you know a little to much and always diagnose yourself with everyone else's diagnosis. I ended up going to the ER the next morning where I use to work for a breast ultrasound. I was told by the ultrasound tech she did NOT see anything in my right breast. I was told my lump was "benign", given a clean bill of health from the ER. I forgot about it for a few days then decided to make an appointment with my GYN. A few days later, seen by my own GYN, I was sent over to a breast surgeon who repeated the ultrasound and found a 1.3cm tumor - biopsied within the hour and two days later I was told it was Cancer. All that was running through my head was my wedding in 3 months, my new job in the ICU that I was still on orientation, my fiance, my family, my friends..and the one thing everything everyone thinks when they hear the C WORD..am I going to die?

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

I am fortunate enough to live in one of the greatest city's in the world - NYC. I was introduced to an amazing oncologist who then introduced me to an amazing Breast Surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. I was immediately told that I will survive this without hesitation. Since diagnosis, I found out I was BRAC 1 + & had my double mastectomy along with reconstructive tissue expanders on 3/19/14.

As of today, April 25th, 2014, besides the few bumps in the road with the tissue expanders, I am clear of cancer in my right breast. Margins clear, no spread to ANY lymph nodes & just preventative non aggressive chemo.

Oh yes & my fabulous wedding is in 5 weeks!

Jillian
Bronxville, NY

Finding Peace and Strength Through Breast Cancer

Only three days after discovering a lump in my left breast, I was diagnosed with Stage-1 Aggressive Breast Cancer in two different areas of my left breast. On that day, February 13, 2013, I experienced many emotions, life-altering changes and had to make several difficult decisions. One of those bittersweet decisions was retiring from my role as a thirty year Family & Consumer Science Teacher in the middle of the school year; however, retirement was best for my health and family. I have never questioned "why me" or entertained a pity party. I did have bad days but my good days certainly outweighed the bad.

The ultimate goal for my Medical Team and me was finding the best treatments and procedures for me to have successful outcomes. After meeting with my Medical Team, I felt reassured and found PEACE with my decision to have a voluntary double mastectomy. That PEACE stayed with me throughout my journey and is still a part of me today. Taking one day at a time, staying positive, keeping a smile despite any aches and pain from the chemotherapy treatments has helped me keep the FAITH and PEACE. My journey has also been successful because of countless prayers, overwhelming positive encouragement, unselfish support, and most of all an abundance of outpouring love from family, friends and my community that continues on to this day.

Surgery was successful on Wednesday, August 28, 2013. I definitely felt at PEACE and woke up singing "What a Mighty God We Serve". The pathology report showed No Evidence of Cancer. God is truly Good, Awesome and Amazing! I am very THANKFUL and truly BLESSED. To God be the Glory! I view this Journey as a new chapter in my life, a bump in the road and a test of my FAITH. "Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken and Never Giving up Hope"! "Can't Nothing Bring Me Down…My Level Is Too High...Because I Am HAPPY and at PEACE".

"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s learning to dance in the rain."

Monica Jenkins-Grundy
Summerville, SC

Staying strong

Breast cancer doesn't hurt. That's what the doctors say. Six months later I am having surgery to remove a 1.1 cm cancer of the breast which would be followed by 16 chemo and 33 radiation treatments. At 31 years old with two kids (ages 10 and 2) this was not what I was expecting to go through. It all started with an extremely sore and painful area of my chest/upper breast area. I am now 6 weeks postradiation and 4 months postchemo. I have changed the way I think about life and am thankful to my ultimate healer/doctor that at this point I am free of this disease.

Lisa
Franklin, NC

Pregnant and beginning my journey.

I'm 39 and I'm due on June 4th. I already had a left masectomy and my nodes came back positive. I still need to be staged and the waiting is excruciating. I try to not let this overcome my joy but I have my moments. I have my faith and my family so I will fight for my life. God bless every woman fighting this. Please give us all.strength to overcome.

DeAnn
Oklahoma City, OK

ANSWER TO PRAYER

Four years ago this past February, I head an angel whisper while at work, “Get your mammogram.” As I put the key in the front door lock that evening, I again heard the angel whisper, “Get your mammogram.” I dropped my bags in the open doorway and went to my den to retrieve my 9-MONTH OVERDUE mammogram order. I called the breast center the next day and received an appointment for that Thursday, which was my birthday.

The following Monday at work, the breast center called, asking me to come in to repeat my mammogram. I went in on my lunch hour; had a repeat mammogram, which turned into two MRIs and three needle biopsies—long lunch hour! Two days later, I had my diagnosis--stage I invasive ductal carcinoma. A lumpectomy was two weeks later.

During radiation, in answer to prayer, I was led and blessed to start The Sparkle Caps Project to help women coming behind me. Walking in the shoes of others can be emotionally draining for me at times, and I need to take a day off and cry and pray for others; but then I get back on the horse and start planning the next trip to my treating facility to give out gift bags to women who have been referred to me by the chemo nurses. We empower and uplift women with all types of cancer, letting them know that they are loved; that they are HOT CHICKS, in spite of their hair loss; that their femininity is not tied to their hair; and we encourage them to have positive attitudes, because that is part of the battle.

The cancer journey is not an easy one and more difficult for others. It is unique to each one of us. I pray that you each will find your blessings on this unasked for journey, as have I. Victorious over cancer! Victorious in God!

Susan "Victorious" Heimbigner
Sumter, SC

One day at a time

I am 38 years old. About 3 months ago I learned what life is all about.
I had a routine mammogram due to family history. I was called back in for a second one for a closer look. My doctor called that night and set me up with a surgeon. Next was an ultrasound, biopsy, and an MRI. I have cancer. On April 16th I had a mastectomy. And they found cancer in my lymph node as well. I will have to start chemotherapy treatments soon. As far as my cancer goes I have no idea yet if it has spread elsewhere.
Breast cancer has made me scared and anxious. But it has taught me that life is too short to live unhappy. It has taught me the real meaning of family and friends. It has showed me how strong of a person I really am. I am living in the moment now and for the rest of my life. It has taught me what unconditional love really is. Breast cancer has given me much more than it can take from me. Each day is a blessing and I plan on living it to the fullest.

Emily Casto
Marion, OH

Self check before Mothers Day

Hi, I am Cynthia Landin and I am 31 yrs old, active duty Army and May 11th will mark the one year "anniversary" of the day that changed my life. I was 6 months into my 9 month deployment in Afghanistan, when I noticed a heaviness in my chest on the right side. I had been doing self exams every month since as long as I can remember and never had a lump. I had a day to myself and I was able to do my check and found a huge lump in my right breast and automatically knew it was cancer. My best friend and roommate convinced me to go to the hospital to get seen but I didn't want a clinical diagnoses. I wasn't ready to leave Afghanistan, as crazy as that sounds. I finally went and I had to be sent to Germany for further testing via a core needle biopsy. I was then sent to my home base of Fort Hood, TX to be around my husband and kids and await results. Mid June rendered Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, with four of ten lymph nodes testing positive. I had a right side bilateral mastectomy with total lymph node removal of my right arm in July of 2013. I had six months of chemo that ended in January and six weeks (monday-friday) of radiation that ended in March. I got the genetics testing done and that came back negative. It has been a heck of a journey but I have to thank my husband, kids, family, friends and of course my best friend Taylor for all the support.
Stay positive ladies and love the skin you're in!!!!

Cynthia Landin
Fort Hood, TX