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I was diagnosed with stage IIB breast cancer at age 36

My name is Kerri Anne Haer.
It was in March 2009, when I found a large lump on my left breast before getting into the shower. That day I got a mammogram and an ultrasound. During the ultrasound the Doctor told me that I have a mass. The next day I had a needle biopsy. A few days later I was told that my biopsy came back as malignant. Soon after the diagnoses I had a lumpectomy. A couple days after that I was told some cancer was found in a small portion of one of my lymph nodes. Within a couple weeks, I had all the lymph nodes under my left arm removed. I had radiation treatments and I have been on Tomoxifen for close to 5 years. I have to stay on it for a total of 10 years. I go to Dana Farber for check ups twice a year.

Kerri Anne Haer
Norwood, MA

Hope In Jesus

I was 42, October 11, 2011....diagnosed with advanced stage metastatic lobular breast cancer of left breast. on Nov 1 2011 I had a double mastectomy. My 2 children were 10 and 15 at the time. I did everything I could to ensure the best results from treatment. I put off chemotherapy for 4 months. I did anything and everything from excersize to very clean eating, to supplements, to research. I kept asking God what do I do? but i did not stop to wait for the answer. Finally after seeing on a scan that there was still cancer in my body even after the mastectomies and diets, I reluctantly accepted chemotherapy. 6 rounds of 4 drugs in total to be followed by 28 rounds of radiation and a future oorphorectomy, followed with pills to keep the cancer from growing. It wasn't until my first chemo, when I began hearing from our Lord. When my treatments were finished, I was feeling lost -i didn't know how to carry on living... over 250 appts in 18 months! It came time for my hysterectomy-which revealed the breast cancer had spread further - I was now considered stage 4 terminal. I finally realized that I may die without ever reading my bible. I started with all the red words. I came to Matthew 25 and realized that only 5 out of 10 Christians were taken in the rapture. I was a shocked. I'd never heard that parable from Jesus before. I wanted to know what did they have that was special? I was so thirsty I spent weeks just reading the bible. I was praying and growing close to Jesus. Then this Christmas, a scan showed the cancer was in my liver and ribs. But I did not have anxiety this time. I just kept trusting the Lord and staying close to Him. 6 weeks later without any further treatment I had another scan. There was no cancer in my entire bodyand i am still in remission! Miracles still happen. We have a loving saviour Jesus Christ. Go to Jesus first. He loves you.

Lisa Marie
Langley, Canada

My amazing support system!

This is a picture of Jerry and I on the morning of my surgery.
I had my mammo and physical on Dec 10, 2014 and was told all was well. 7 weeks later discovered my 1.3 cm right breast lump on my own. I still do not have any idea what led me to it, but thrilled I caught it early. Diagnosed with invasive BC on my Birthday, Jan 23. I turned 57 that day.

Double MX and immediate reconstruction followed 3 weeks later. I have the most amazing support system in my loving husband Jerry. He was with me every step of the way! He slept in the hospital. He was off work with me for 10 days and was the only nurse I had. He cared for my wounds and drains, cooked, cleaned, shopped and dispensed my meds. He was there and understood every time I cried and needed to talk. He believed me when I told him I knew it was cancer and did not try to make it all go away, but worked with me to made sound decisions and supported every effort to come up with the best solution for me.

Now we are 8 weeks out and all is well. I have been released back to work 2 weeks and had no complication from this very big surgery. Chemo is not recommended and I have made a personal choice to not undergo radiation and Jerry as well as my family support my decision to take the Arimadex and pursue holistic clinical trials. My lifestyle has undergone some big changes in diet and exercise and my guy is right there, eating those fruits and veggies and hitting the gym and track.

He made my life feel normal, just as it had before the cancer. Jerry speaks only of our future together and of all the plans we made. He makes me "not" feel like a patient or a victim. With Jerry by my side I get to have my life and future back.

He is the gift of my life!

Victoria Nuckols
Staunton, VA

Energizer Bunny

I have had cancer 4 times!!! In 1993, cervical, 1999, stage 3 breast cancer, 2006 stage 3 colo-rectal cancer, 2011 breast cancer. It is very important to take care of yourself...if a doctor says 'no' or won't listen to you...get a new doctor. You are in charge of your health care. We caught my breast cancer because I was vigilant...it took 2 and 1/2 years to find a doctor who would listen but, it was worth it. I've had chemo 3 times and raidation (can't spell) lol twice. Over 25 surgeries
and I feel great. I celebrate my anniversary's every 5 years with my docs by giving them presents...my 10 year gift was a package of Lifesavers for them...lol! Enjoy life, have fun, work hard and Fight Like a Girl!!! I take a lickin and keep on tickin!!!!

Victoria Feit
Clarinda, IA

my annual mammogram

In 2001 I was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in situ -I was 44, I had a lumpectomy and took tamoxifen for 5 years. The doctors told me I was high risk for developing invasive cancer. Every year I went for my annual mammogram. I ate healthy, exercised and kept my weight down. My mother's youngest sister died at age 50 of BC, my mother lived to be 97 with no cancer. I went for my mammo Feb. 2014, they called me back-ultrasound & biopsy the same day.. They called me 5 days later-invasive ductal carcinoma-2 small areas. I went with the bilateral mastectomy on April 3,14 with immediate reconstruction, my lymph nodes came back NEGATIVE, no chemo or radiation.I AM ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES, thanks to my annual mammogram.
My main concern is now for my 36 year old daughter, who has already had a biopsy. She will be tested for the Brca gene. I do not know if I am positive for the gene as my insurance doesn't want to cover it.
Good Luck to everyone fighting this disease. Early detection certainly saves lives.

Maureen Brioc
Fraser, MI

One Lucky Survivor

I went for a routine mammogram ironically on the 20th anniversary of my mother's passing from her second round of breast cancer. I had a premonition while waiting for my name to be called. Sure enough they detected a change from my previous mammogram and 3 weeks later I was diagnosed with DCIS. When my doctor said "it is cancer" that's all I heard from that moment on I thought to myself "I'm not going to die, I'm too young, my kids need me!" The specialist told me it was a"grade 3" cancer and it it has to be removed. I elected on my own before I even saw my surgeon that I was going to have a bilateral mastectomy as I wasn't going to ever go through this again, my mom survived for 22 years before "her enemy" returned, in her words. Unfortunately she wasn't as lucky the second time. My surgery was successful, I had reconstructive surgery at the same time. I was fortunate not to need chemo or radiation because the margins were clear and the cancer was contained in the duct with no lymph nodes affected. I was given the "cancer free" news on December 18, what a wonderful Christmas gift. I have 3 grown children and I plan to be here with my kids for many years to come! I am truly blessed.

April
Victoria, Canada

Breast Cancer was no Surprise

In May of 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 invasive lobular carcinoma with 5 large metastatic lymph nodes in my underarm. I had a mammogram just 3 months before that and it was okay. I noticed a sensation in my left breast of extreme heaviness and I was conscious of my breast all day. Then it became sore to touch and felt thickened. My doctor sent me for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. The next day I had a biopsy of the 3.5 cm tumor and 1 of my nodes. Two days later I got the diagnosis.
It was no surprise because I have family history and very fibrocystic breast. My mother and sister have had Breast Cancer. What did surprise me was having Stage 3 with 5 large lymph nodes. I really thought I would find it earlier because I have worked in Breast Imaging Centers as a Mammographer for many years. I expected to recognize my own much faster than most. The problem was that lobular is not as easy to find and tends to not show on the mammogram. It is rarely a lump and does not exhibit itself very easily, so that is what happened.
I had a bilateral mastectomy and nodes removed. The biopsies showed 2 precancers in the other breast so it was the right decision. I did not have reconstruction because I wanted to minimize surgeries so I could fight this cancer with all I had. I did not want to compromise my immune system by trying to heal from multiple surgeries. I have been on femara for 3.5 years and had chemo and radiation. Femara is a hormone blocker for hormone positive cancer.
I am doing well so far at almost age 60 and in remission so far. I continue to work and be an advocate for all patients in our facility. Breast Cancer has helped me to grow and to appreciate everyday. My friends and family were and are so supportive. I thank God for them all every day. Life is much sweeter when you are allowed a second chance!!!

Ginny Edwards
Hartsville, SC

My Story

My story began in 2006, I went for my annual mammogram and a spot was found and then I had to have a biopsy and it was discovered that I had breast cancer - but it was the kind of breast cancer that was NOT caused by birth control pills but I cannot take any kind of hormones! And because of my age I had radiation via Mammosite (which is a system that involves a cathier inserted and radiation delivered twice a day 12 hours apart for 7 days) then I went through chemo from October to December, 2006. Then in 2007 began my journey to of healing and with my faith and my husband I journey daily back to health! And I always go for my annual mammogram!

Mia Morgan
Owensboro, KY

I'm a survivor

I found a lump under my arm and went to the doctor and had it biopsied and the results came back positive for stage 2 carcinoma i did 2 in a half months of Chemo and a masectomy followed by 2 months of radiation and 6 weeks of chemo again i have been cancer free for 15 years

Lydia Wenndell
Tacoma, WA

My journey

I was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in July of 2010. I was having pain in my left breast and found the lump myself. I had a mastectomy on my 46th birthday. 4 rounds of chemo and no radiation. I had reconstruction almost 4 months after finishing chemo. I believe having reconstruction so soon is what caused my horrible complications. I was in renal failure and spent 8 days in ICU. I also had double pneumonia and blood clots in my leg and both lungs. I spent a total of 4 weeks in the hospital, wore a wound vac for 3 months and was out of work 3 and a half months.I also tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation and had a hysterectomy in 2012. Thankful to God every day that I have only a few residual side effects ramaining

Dawn Hill
Columbus, GA