Share Your Story

My fight

My name is Shannon..I was diagnosed Feb 11th will stage 3 breast cancer..On march 6th I had a double masectomy and on April 1st I start my first round of chemo....I'm scared but also know I have God and a lot of family and friends here to support me..I have and never will loose my Faith..I'm blessed in so many ways...it's funny that no one in my family has ever had Breast cancer but I'm the first..I guess the good Lord above knows I'm a fighter and that I will never give up....I'm praying for all the women and men who are going or have gone through this terrible thing..Keep your love and Faith in God and all will be ok....God Bless...

Shannon
Hannibal, MO

My mom, Stephanie.

I am a supporter of my mom Stephanie Roberts. She is a survivor of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, where she was terminally ill. She was her own bone marrow donor. They gave her a few months to live and told her that she could not have any kids. However, she proved them wrong in both cases. She had my older sister, and named her Miracle. Later, she had me and named me Bethany. She also proved them wrong when they gave her a few months to live. She is still alive 20 years later. Now I am supporting her. She was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer a few months ago. It has spread to her liver as well as the bone of her rib cage. She began her chemo on March 24, 2014. She will make it through this. Why? Because she is strong. She has faith, hope, and strength. Live strong and fight on!

Bethany Roberts
Kansas City, KS

Trust You Instincts

The first surgeon I went to told me there was nothing wrong and asked, " What do you want me to do? Stink a needle in your boob and pop your implant? " I never saw that doctor again. Go to a research team-based center. You deserve the latest, best informed information from a team, not a single individual opinion. You know when something is not right with your own body. Find the team that respects and values your input.

Further, there are a few in the cancer community that are pushing for IS/contained cancer to be monitored and not treated and no longer classified as cancer. I have followed some of the debate. But from personal experience, I am thankful that my doctor at University of Cincinnati Barrett Center, the doctor from Sloan-Kettering who recently debated on PBS News Hour as well as other medical professionals that know that cancer is cancer is cancer.

Waiting for cancer in infiltrate/invade was not a risk that needed to be "monitored" and that was a decision made with my treatment team and family. I had a bilateral mastectomy. My cancer was contained, all 18.2 x 5.4 x 3.6 cm and my path. report revealed significant changes in thee other breast. Changes related to lobular cancer, not the DCIS of the left breast.

Never gone "public" but it is time in support of treatment, acknowledgement of large institutions that know that cancer contained is cancer, and to debunk the myths and "gossip" that exist.

Support research, local organizations, and people on this journey whether it's someone that opts for preventative measures following genetic testing, removal of contained cancers, treatments that may be different than the norm, and/or a person's right to alternative measures, or to stop treatment.

Let's respect individuals, medical teams of professionals, and decisions made between patients and their care communities.

Jennifer
Oxford, OH

April 2014 . . . . . 17 years!

April 2014 I will celebrate 17 years being in remission from breast cancer. I was diagnosed at 49 with stage 2 breast cancer. I had skipped a year having my mammogram and when I finally had it, my doctor saw two "suspicious" areas, both turned out to be cancer. A left breast mastectomy was done followed by four infusions of cytoxen and adriamycin--my life was spared. Since that time I have shared the importance of breast cancer awareness to everyone who will listen. in 2007, together with friends, we raised over $10,000 and walked the Susan Komen 3-Day in Phoenix. That was the year I turned 60--2007--which also marked my ten year anniversary. Everyday is a gift. And I thank GOD that he spared me so I could tell my story and maybe through it, others will become aware of this horrible but "curable" disease. Please support breast cancer awareness. Share with your friends the importance of mammograms and self examination.
Donna

Donna Flower Kievit
New Bedford, MA

Back To Front

Those 5 words i will never forget.

You have secondry breast cancer........... but I am only 24 I said and I have an 18 month old baby

So the journey began, right side mastectomy,chemo,doctors,xrays,and i even had some real bad hair days.

flying to perth every 3 weeks as our small town was not equipped for administering chemo etc

I am now 57 have the BRACA GENE and I have had the other breast removed plus a total hysterectomy

13 + me have the gene on my dads side and my 32 year old boy is one of the 13.

My title is not meant to be insensitive but you really can not tell the back from the front <3

cheers Deb

debbie howden
bundaberg, Australia

A Second Look at Life

There is a particular week in 2008 that brings a mix of good and bad memories: my husband and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and closed on our first home, my son was turning three-years-old and starting preschool and, oh yeah, I was diagnosed with stage three triple negative breast cancer at the age of 29. I have memories of packing our belongings to move into our new home and just collapsing on the floor in tears. I remember my wonderful doctor spending 2 hours with me explaining my treatment plan. I remember each of my friends signing up to go with me for my chemo appointments and sitting there with me the entire time. It was, during this time in my life, that I saw how strong my family and friends are and how valuable they are to me. I put my faith in God and kept going!

I remember one appointment with my doctor when we were discussing my fertility during chemo. He said, "there is a chance you won't be able to have more children after chemo." I was devastated because I always wanted to give my son a sibling to grow up with. We continued with my treatment. 8 chemo treatments followed by 30 days of radiation, a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction.

That was 5 years ago this month! Just last week I saw my doctor for the last of six-month check-ups. I can now go once a year. Triple negative breast cancer is the most aggressive type of breast cancer. I am so thankful to my family, friends, doctors, but most importantly to God for giving a second look at life. The best part of this story is that I DID give my son a sibling. In 2011, I had a healthy, happy baby boy! There is hope ! There is ALWAYS hope!

Lisa Milne
TAMPA, FL

my story of breast cancer

From a young age I knew all about cancer, my mother died at 29yrs old from breast cancer I just 5yrs old. It made me and my sisters very aware of it, so when I found my lump at 25yrs old I knew straight away and went to the doctor the next day and got referred to belfast city hospital where I spent 3hrs getting tests done and finally on 16th january 2012 I was diagnosed with 3rd stage aggressive breast cancer. I have 3 young children just like my mum but I remained positive and went for surgery after 1st surgery I needed more as they found it had sprend which knocked me abit but then I got it and went for 6months of chemo which was hell hated the needles the sickens missing out on things with my kids cuz I was so ill but finally finished that and started 4wks of radiotherapy til I finally was told I was finished treatment exactly one week from Christmas. But on 3rd January my birthday I received a letter saying im a brca 1 gene carrier, I was upset as ive a 90% chance of getting cancer, but on the plus side I get alot more check ups and therapist for more surgery and family members where able to be tested aswel. Im still waiting for more surgery which will reduce my % of getting cancer again which will be relief. Im 28yrs old now and been cancer free for 2yrs now

Jodie Mcauley
belfast, Ireland

Dogs in Pink for Cure

Recently diagnosed with ILC breast cancer I am trying to turn this into a positive using my talents as a dog art and portrait artist and have started Dogs in Pink for a Cure. I have started a Facebook page of that name and am painting dogs in pink with 50% of the sales donated to a breast cancer charity. I am asking women dealing with breast cancer to submit photos of their dogs as possible models for the series.

Mechelle Roskiewicz
Warrensburg, NY

"My Miracle of Life"

ON MAY 26th 2013 MY MOM PAST AWAY, DUE TO A CANCER METÁSTASIS. LIKE A WEEK AN A HALF AFTER HER PASSING, I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. THE TYPE THEY CALL A TRIPPLE NEGATIVE STAGE 4. I HAD A BILATERAL COMLETE MASECTOMY ON JUNE, AFTER THE SURGERY PATHOLOGY RESULTS REVEALED I HAD 5 TUMORS OF WHICH FOUR WHERE MALIGNANT. AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS IN RECUPERATION, IM BACK IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PROCEDURE OF THE VENUS PORT TO START CHEMO. I WENT THROUGH 6 CYCLES OF TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHEMO, FOR A TOTAL OF 12 SESSIONS. I WAS THEN SENT FOR 36 ROUNDS OF HIGH DOSE RADIATION. LAST WEEK I COMPLETED MY RADIATION THERAPIES, I CAN SAY THAT I AM SO GREATFUL TO MY LORD FOR GIVING ME THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL STRENGTH TO GO THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT JOURNEY. I KNOW IT IS BECAUSE OF HIM THAT I AM ALIVE, I AM A LIVING MIRACLE OF HIS POWER AND LOVE. I SEE MY PLASTIC SURGEON NEXT WEEK TO SEE WHEN I WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THE LAST PART OF MY RECONSTRUCTION DONE. AND ONCE I'M DONE WITH THAT SURGERY, I WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSE THIS CHAPTER OF MY LIFE FOREVER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS. GIRLS NEVER GIVE UP, GOD IS FAITHFUL, HE'S RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, SIDE BY SIDE FIGHTING THIS WITH YOU. I CAN PERSONALLY SAY THAT I WOULD'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS FAR, IF I HAD NOT HAD CHRIST IN THE CENTER OF MY LIFE. DON'T GIVE UP, YOU'LL GET THROUGH THIS! GOD BLESS!!

Yesenia
Añasco, PR

Superwoman

My name is Shamica and I am battling my second time with tripple negative bi lateral breast cancer. I was diagnosed in 2009 at the young age of 28 with tripple negative bi lateral breast cancer. I am sure many are asking what is that??? Well it is an aggressive breast cancer that is due to genetics. This means that the gene was passed down from a parent and mutates in the child. What is interesting about my cancer is that I am the first person in my family to have cancer. We all were shocked because I am a healthy very active person how could this happen??? Despite the news that December day in 2009, I went thru chemo a double mastectomy and reconstruction. Once I finished chemo in 2010 I had to undergo radiation for a few months. This caused her implants to harden and therefore needed to be removed. This was my introduction to Dr. Grace Ma. An awesome plastic surgeon who performed the first ever DIEP Flap Breast Reconstructon in the state of Georgia on me. Once I finished all this I received the all clear in May 2011. In November of 2013 I felt a lump under my arm. Off to the doctor we go, a biopsy was done and came back positive for cancer, and it was tbe same type and this time more aggressive than before. The cancer was removed from my underarm and while Dr Barber was in surgery he noticed the cancer had attached to the chest walls. This cancer could not be removed and therefore off to chemo we go. This time the chemo is strong causing hair loss and more sickness than before but I'm still smiles. I'm also getting ready to start more radiation. Despite all of this I still work every day except chemo days and off days, at the gym 3 to 4 times a week, and coaches boys basketball in Marietta GA. I refuse to quit and I won't let cancer win!!!!

Shamica Dixon
Smyrna, GA