Share Your Story

I didn't need chemo etc.

I found out I had breast cancer with a routine mammogram. My Dr. could not feel it. It couldn't be found with ultrasound. Surgeon couldn't feel it. Had another mammogram to pinpoint it (literally). Had lumpectomy and surgeon removed a golf ball size tumor that was up against my chest wall. She didn't get a good margin so more surgery. Recommendation (and I agreed) to have a double mastectomy. That way I wouldn't need chemo or radiation or tomaxofen. The only thing I would have done different is to have reconstruction at the same time rather than waiting. I had a friend who had same cancer and she wished she would have had both breasts removed because she did need chemo and radiation and tomaxafen. Keep doing self exams and get mammograms!

Patty Behrndt
Rice Lake, WI

my journey

I was diagnosed with breast cancer on February 26th , 2014. The only thing that I could think of is that I don't want to die. Then the journey of surgery and the radiation therapy. It's not over yet, but now I need financial aid and all my funds have run out. So I'm still working towards my goal of being free of this. I will be 52 and cancer surviver . My family and friends are my strength. I am truly blessed. So please don't give up, just keep going and believe it will be alright.

kathy geiger
leola, PA

Listen To Your Inner Voice

In August 2013 we received notice that we were being transferred back to CA after 2 years in FL. I decided to go get my annual exams done before we left. I saw my family doctor, had a routine mammogram and prepared to move. A few weeks later I returned to my doctor for results. The NP was so happy to report that all of my blood work and exams were great except for something "funny" that was found on my mammogram in my right breast, but said it was nothing to worry about and to get a follow up in 6 months. I wasn't satisfied with her recommendation due to the fact that in 2011 while we were preparing to move to FL I received a dreaded phone call that my 31 year old daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive Triple Negative form of breast cancer. My 2 years in FL was consumed with trips back and forth from FL to CO to care for her and her 2 young sons while she endured aggressive chemo, a double mastectomy, and reconstruction. I saw first hand what cancer does. I demanded a referral for an MRI which I was given while being told it probably wasn't necessary. The MRI lead to further testing which found a tumor deep near my chest wall in my left breast. A biopsy found cancer in my left breast. The biopsy of my right breast showed no cancer. With all of my information in hand we relocated to CA and I found my team of doctors. So far I have had a double mastectomy and am beginning reconstruction. I meet with a Medical Oncologist this week to find out if I will benefit from chemo. Moral of my story is to listen to that little voice inside and don't take anyone's word that "it is probably nothing" or "wait 6 months". You just never know. My daughter was also tested for the BRCA gene and it was found to be negative. Please, listen to that little voice and get tested!

Kim Johnson
Yucca Valley, CA

Gloria's Story

In November 2013 I was diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2b, the cancer spread to two of my lymph nodes buying me some radiation time. I underwent bilateral mastectomies, BRAC testing which was negative and CT PET scan. I'm not worrying about reconstruction or implants I'm just trying to survive. I completed 8 sessions of chemo 4 Adriamycin Cytoxin and 4 Taxol treatments. During the treatments I remained as strong as possible even walking 2 miles never giving up. My family and friends, co-workers always pushing me through it all.
I feel great, on my last 4 treatments I would have the chemo, eat lunch and go to work. I didn't let it beat me.
Ladies don't be afraid to fight back, you're not alone. As you can see in this picture I have so much to live for. I'm a 45 year old, I work in the radiology department and my friends/coworkers performed my mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Keep fighting no matter what and never give up, keep moving and have faith.

Gloria Cagnola Herrera
New Braunfels, TX

TEAM GLO

In November 2013 I was diagnosed with left breast cancer stage 2b, the cancer spread to two of my lymph nodes buying me some radiation time. I underwent bilateral mastectomies, BRAC testing which was negative and CT PET scan. I'm not worrying about reconstruction or implants I'm just trying to survive. I completed 8 sessions of chemo 4 Adriamycin Cytoxin and 4 Taxol treatments. During the treatments I remained as strong as possible even walking 2 miles never giving up. My family and friends, co-workers always pushing me through it all.
I feel great, on my last 4 treatments I would have the chemo, eat lunch and go to work. I didn't let it beat me.
Ladies don't be afraid to fight back, you're not alone. As you can see in this picture I have so much to live for. I'm a 45 year old, I work in the radiology department and my friends/coworkers performed my mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Keep fighting no matter what and never give up, keep moving and have faith. I don't know why this happened to me but I wasn't going to let it beat me.

I love this picture, my family wearing PINK!!!

Gloria Cagnola
New Braunfels, TX

Yes! they are fake the left breast was trying to kill me and the right one was plotting to.

My story starts with my mom. 5 years ago I lost my mom to breast cancer so happens to be the same day that I my son was born. I was 29 and lost my mom to this horrible disease and had a new baby at home to care for.The Lord knew I could not handle her leaving so he took me from the situation to care for this little one I had to get up each day.
Losing my mom so young I decided that I would not let the same thing happened to my kids. I recieved the BRCA test. I learned that I was BRCA 2 positive. The geneticist and the oncologist I consulted with the recommended because I wasn't done having children to go ahead and be one a screening process of every 6 months having some kind of scan. I would faithfully every 6 months would get my screening done.This process went on for 5 years up until last year I had a regular mammogram in March and a positive MRI in September.The news of my cancer came on the morning of the fifth year of losing my mom. I remember crying hysterically and saying mom is this you trying to tell me something.
After consulting with doctors and plastic surgeons I choose to have a bilateral mastectomy as well as my ovaries and tubes removed. Aside from losing my mom it was the most difficult thing I have ever been through. I am in the middle of reconstruction now and I'm hoping that once I have my final surgery on June 26 this will all be behind me. I have two beautiful boys and wonderful husband and family that have helped me through this difficult time. I feel that I'm the poster child for early detection. My tumor was only 3 millimeters(the smallest an MRI would pick up) it was Ductal carcinoma situ. I didn't have to have and chemo or radiation. I hope that this story inspires some to get tested and screened don't ignore it early detection really is key!

Anonymous
Orlando, FL

my story

My story is just beginning. I am a 31 year old single mom who was diagnosed last week. I never thought that at 31 I would face something like this. I was doing an exam which I didn't do regularly, but for some reason thought I should do one. I felt something but wasn't sure. I was scared but thought it was nothing. Three weeks ago I went to my doctor and she said do a mammogram and ultrasound and see a surgeon. I didn't understand why see a surgeon but I did it. I nervously went to see him and was told I needed a biopsy but he thinks it's just a cyst. So went and got that done and waiting was so hard. When I went to the doctor I went alone, big mistake. I was told its cancer and I didn't know what to do and in a way still don't. I am still waiting for tests and a treatment plan. I have a wonderful support system but don't know where this disease will lead me. I want to be an advocate for younger people to inform them about the importance of self exams.

Kimberly
parma, OH

I Found My Strength

On February 5, 2014 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42. February 25th I was told it was very aggressive and my tumors have doubled in size. I was to start chemo two days later.

My life in the last year went from happy and healthy to absolutely crazy. My husband of 23 years had left me, I was getting a divorce and now this. I had just started to trust again and found an amazing man only 3 months before I noticed the lumps. As soon as I found them I thought how could he possibly want to stick around through this. I gave him the out and told him I would understand if he wanted no part of what was about to happen in my life. He chose to stay and I am forever grateful. He has been with me for every blood draw, test, chemo treatment, doctor appointment and every breakdown I had. He is my rock, my biggest supporter.

I wake up everyday and keep going for my three children. I want them to know when life gets hard and you are handed a challenge you don't give up, you find the strength and you keep going. To know that life is not fair nor perfect that you can overcome anything with the right mindset. If I even thought about throwing in the towel I said to myself I can do this I've been through worse.

My treatment plan was very aggressive and I've had a few complications and other health issues along the way. I am happy to say after only three sessions they not only got my tumors to stop growing they have shrunk to a size barely measurable. I still have a long road ahead, but it just got a little easier. I start a new treatment this week and I see my surgeon to decide whether or not I will have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. Whatever I decide I know I will have made the best decision for me with an amazing support system by my side.

Marrissa
North Brunswick, NJ

Some fun can be had!

I'm just another woman who was saved by a well-timed mammogram. My cancer was found early but because it was triple negative I had the whole shebang thrown my way....surgery, chemo, and radiation. I wanted to just submit a short story here to talk for a moment about my experience with chemo. I'm not sure I've ever been so afraid as I was walking into the hospital for my first chemo. After the first time I was no longer so terrified but after the first 4 somewhat unpleasant infusions I switched to weekly Taxol and had the time of my life in chemo! I'm in Germany and my treatment was in an older hospital with just 5 chairs, no curtains, no cubicles. There was one room full of rowdy women, I begged my way in and kind of hated to leave when my infusion was over! We talked and laughed and snacked and partied when someone was finished. My husband always went with me because it was so much fun for him too...even the husbands had fun together! Infusions for me were on Fridays and on Thursday nights my husband was chomping at the bit for Friday to arrive. Cancer is scary, treatment is scary, but thanks to an open and fun-loving nursing staff as well as great luck with the other women, it is in retrospect a time I will remember as not at all so bad! Find someone nice to talk to in chemo and it will make all the difference. The woman in the chair next to you "gets it!"

Susan F.
Munich, Germany

Life After Diagnois

Life has a crazy way of sneeking up on you giving you news that you never planned for. Since my Diagnois I went from being really pissed at god and crying a lot. I suddenly realized I was wrong and wasting precious time feeling sorry for myself. If you believe that there is a purpose for each and everyone of us then you must take what is given to you and be thankful for it. I have had a wonderful life first as a young women and then when my children were born, life could not have been better. My girls are so precious to me and have made my life wonderful. They are In fact my reason for wanting to fight for everyday. There will come a time when my body will not be able to fight and that's the time I fear most, not for me but for my daughters who I do not wish to leave without their mother.
My mother was such an inspiration in my life and I had hopes for doing the same for my girls, and hope I have done that for them today. I really should not worry for they are wiser then there years and best friends with each other and they will be there for each other, since I may not be able to.
So my story is one to tell all that life is very precious and our bodies temples and we should take care of what we have and enjoy everyday with the ones you love most.

Shari
Diagnoised August 2012
Stage 4 metastic Breast Cancer

Shari Moceri
Sterling Heights, MI