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its not easy

I was told I had breast cancer in january 2010 I was one of those people who said it would never happen to me but little did I know it runs through my family so I had a partuial done and they took 3 lipnoeds and one of them have cancer.I did 3 session of chemo and I have 6 weeks of radation and I take tamxenfin for 5 yrs. Well I lost my job befor my treatment. Was finshed I haven't had treatment for 4 months now because I lost my insurance now u would think that it wouldn't be so hard for people like me but it is so I just go day by day hopeing that something will come through cause I am a 30% it will come back but I know god has a plan for me I turn everything over 2 him cause he knows be for us what's going to happen I just wish they had were it would be easier for people who lost there job and insurance but they said I can't get uneployment because of my ill ness,I got deined for medicade cause I didn't have kids or were pergnant ,every place I go 2 its just one excuse after another and on top of everything else u have to worry about how to pay ur bills so u tell me what's more important seeking treatmaent or trying to find a job so u won't be homeless.

charlotte kelley
houston, TX

God Said No More Cancer

I worked for a doctors office in May of 1999. I had a pain in my right breast and the doctor set up a mammogram for me. I had it and the raidologist came and said it was a Benign Tumor and not to worry it was NOT cancer! When I left the office I cried all the way home because something inside was telling me it WAS cancer. He set up the appoinment with the surgeon and I got a call saying they had sceduled a Biopsy for me. I went for that and then 2 weeks later went to the surgeons office for that appointment. He walked in the room and started talking about doing a double or single mastectomy and I looked at him and said "for a benign tumor"? He then said "you didn't get the call"? I told him no and he said "you have stage 3 cancer". I was in shock but I knew I had to keep up a "happy face" because my mom and 7 year old daughter were with me. I said ok lets set up surgery and get it out! I have a child to raise. I had the surgery then moved out of the state to take my chemo and radiation treatments. I went through 2 rounds of chemo after the radiation and I developed a major staph infection. When the doctor said the dates of the next round of chemo I said no. God had told me the night before that I was healed and would never have cancer again! I am 11 years free of cancer now! I believe what God told me and I always will! My daughter is now married and has a beautiful little boy and I get to be with him always.

Anonymous
Tulsa, OK

Inspiration and Hope

In the fall of 95 a very dear friend discovered she had breast cancer. She chose to fight and win, and through the surgeries and the reconstruction, she did win. She survived. I had heard that 5 yrs was the goal to aim for, so when she reached yr 2000 and was still cancer free, I celebrated in her honor by contacting the local American Cancer Society office. They found a lady just beginning her battle, and I got a first name only, and I ordered flowers and attached a letter explaining "why" and offering hope and love and encouragement. The flower shop got the name and address from the ACS office. I have done this each fall, and in a few months I will send my 11th set of flowers and my 11th letter of hope and encouragement. Positive attitude and faith and love of family and friends are as important as the medicines. So to anyone beginning their battle, let this be a "visual" bouquet, YOU CAN WIN, It happens every day. And you are not alone.

Anonymous
Lubbock, TX

God's Gift

II'd like 2 introduce you 2 God's gift 2 my family, Her name is Marie Legrand Black, i'am a 42 year old woman whom until the age of 8 thought that my grandmother was my mother, by the time i realized she wasnt, she had already instilled such great morals and values that i'll carry with me until the day I die. In 2008, my grandmother was diagnosed with one of the rarest breast cancers on this planet, whats worse is that it couldnt really be treated, she was on dyalisis and was told there was nonething they could do, so much pain and suffering, and i wont draw this story out. She decided she wanted to be at home when her time came, she wasnt afraid, she was ready, after such a struggle i know understand why, before she went, she asked me would i be okay it was one of the hardest words i'd ever had 2 speak, i said one word, "YES", and at the time i didnt think i would b, but on the eve on the first Black Presidents' election, she went home, and me, and my family, we are alright. We miss her much, but God loaned us this gift, and when he was ready 2 take it back, and I thank him 4 the time he gave us, For all those in the struggle, stay strong and know God is good.Even though my grandmother chose 2 die at home, without the support of Hospice, it couldnt have been done, My sincere Thanks goes out 2 them. God Bless.

Princess Thompson
Winston salem, NC

The Tale of Two!

In 1996 my older brother was diagnosed with a rare cancer I still am not sure what the name of it was. After treatments such as chemo, and radiation about a year later my brother lost his battle with cancer on October 22, 1997 which was two days before his 16th birthday, at this time I was about 11 years old. A couple years later in May of 2004, I came home from school and my mom was in her room crying because she had been to the doctor and he had diagnosed her with breast cancer. From 2004 until 2009 my mother had her ups and downs with cancer. She went from it being in remission to it coming back. She had one of her breast removed and many cycles of both chemo and radiation. She tried other remedies like change her diet and trying this pure water that is very expensive I forgot the name of it. In August 2009 my moms oncologist told me and her when we went to one of her appointments that she had about 4 to 6 months to live. I never believe things like that when doctors estimate people time to live, but on Novemeber 22, 2009 my mother died in our home in her bedroom from cancer. Her breast cancer had spread to her lungs and her liver. My mother was a great woman and fought that cancer the best she could til she took her last breath. I pray everyday for a cure for the monster called cancer that took two very important people away from me. My mother died exactly 12 years and 1 month after my brother, her son.They both are burried next to each other.

ShardaeJames
Killeen, TX

Jesus verses Breast cancer

Is taking me a 1 year and 2 month to write a short story of my encounter with breast cancer, I was told a had breast cancer had a lumpectomy done with 1 lymph node removed which turned out to be clear, had 1 stage breast cancer that was good news with 6 weeks of radiation, now taking Tamoxifen for 2 1/2 years and then another pill for 2 1/2 more years then i will be done.

The reason it took me this long to tell my story its that i try not to think or talk about my breast cancer and i dont allow it to be # 1 in my life, my # 1 is JesusChrist who died at the cross for me so that through him i could have salvation, instead of talking about cancer i rather spend my time taking about Jesus, no i am not in denial i know what i had, but thats what it is (had) i'm not afraid of the disease nor i let it consume my mind, i can honestly say i dont even think about it, i hope all women will put JesusChrist # 1 in there life, and less and less of breast cancer.

Sincerely
Olga Amores
Hallandale Beach, Florida

olga amores
Hallandale Beach, FL

Breast cancer survivor 2 Bless 2 be Stress

I was diagnosed with breast cancer June 2007. Today, I am grateful that I was diagnosed early. My decision to have a mastectomy validated when I met with my oncology surgeon. He told me my decision to remove the entire breast was a good one because the pathology report reflected that cancer cells were found throughout the entire breast. God help me make that decision. After pulling myself together with the grace of God 5 months later I was diagnosed with cancer on my left side. I underwent surgery and had a mastectomy on my left breast. After going thru a second mastectomy I knew I had to lean on the Lord up above. I was treated like family from all the hospital that took care of me. They all were a tremendous assistance to my well being. They were friendly, sincere and compassionate everywhere I went. Miami Valley Hospital, Kettering Medical Center, Grandview Hospital, South view Hospital. I just like to say thank to them all.
To my family, friends and coworkers thanks for all of your support and prayers. I'm truly grateful for all the thoughtful and kind things that you all did for me. I am so grateful to have each of you in my life. I was raised on faith and I have always lived my life by faith. I believe that God speaks to all of us. God has guided my steps and decisions since day one. Healing is a package deal on your mind, body and soul and I'm so grateful. I wanted to live to see my kids and grandchild grow up. That's what gave me the drive to fight cancer. You can't fight cancer if you don't have hope and faith. God is good Cynthia Johnson Breast cancer survivor

Hello My name is Cynthia D Johnson
Dayton, OH

God is Good !!

My story starts with a routine mammogram, which was good - I was told. Eight months later I was reaching down to pick something up and a sharp pain went up my arm and to my right breast. There it was a lump. Went back and they did a sonogram on it and I was told to see a surgeon. Long story short I had a double mascetomy on December 3, 2009. I was 43 and had just married the man of my dreams - god works in mysterious ways because without my husband and family it would of been alot harder to get through the 6 chemo treatments and 25 radiation treatments.

I had Stage IIIA - it was in 6 out of 28 lympnodes. As of today after a recent PET scan I am cancer free. Looking forward to my reconstruction surgery August 20th, my hair is growing back, I am exercising to get off the additional 25 pounds I put on due to the lovely steriods. But the way I look at it I am ALIVE to exercise.

Anyone that is starting this journey I just want you to know that yes it SUCKS but you will get through it, put your faith in God's hands and you will beat it, I promise.

Keri Allen
Burleson, TX

Angels Watching Over Me

In May of 2009 I was told by my doctor that I had breast cancer. I thought that my life had been turned upside down. Being at the age of 27 and having 2 small children, I was thinking that this is where my life ends. I had not been around anyone that has had breast cancer before, therefore I really didn't know what to expect. I remember not even wanting to see my kids because I thought they were too small to remember me. So at first I kinda pushed them away. Then realizing that I needed those angels in my life to make me feel at ease. The doctors told me that I needed 8 rounds of chemo and 33 radiation treatments. I was scared for my sake and my kids. After my 1st round of chemo I became very ill and ended up in the hospital. The doctor that was in the ER that night told me that I had 2 choices. I could either keep taking the chemo, and take a chance of it killing me, or I could stop the chemo, and take a chance of the cancer coming back. I chose to stop taking chemo and went on with my radiation treatments. In September I took my last radiation treatment. My doctor told me that I once more had a choice....I could take tomoxifen for 5 yrs. or I could have a total hysterectomy. After weighing my options and realizing that God had already sent me 2 angels, that the best thing for me to do was to get a hysterectomy. It has been over a year since I found out that I had cancer, and I probably would have gave up if it was not for my 2 precious angels.

Leslie
Glasgow, KY

Breast Cancer

I WAS DIAGNOSE WITH BREAST CANCER IN AUGUST 1999. I HAD A LUMPECTOMY AND WAS TOLD I WAS 99% CANCER. I WAS IN REMISSION FOR EIGHT YEARS. I TOOK TAMOXIFEN FOR FIVE YEARS. I HAD RADIATION. IN 2008 I HAD GOTTEN A PAIN IN MY LEG THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY. MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME TO GET IT CHECKED WHICH I DID. I HAD XRAYS AND FINALLY THEY DID NOT LIKE WHAT THEY SEEN SO I HAD A PET SCAN. IT SHOWED UP SOME SPOTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. SO I HAD A BIOPSY OF MY BONES. NOW ITS IN MY BONES SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY SAY YOUR 99% CANCER FREE.I AM TAKING AROMISAN AND A BONE SCAN ONCE A MONTH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I TAKE AROMISAN EVERYDAY. I HAVE IT IN MY ABDOMINAL, PELVIC, SHOULDER AND SPINE. I PRAY EVRY DAY FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO IS DEALING WITH SOME KIND OF DISEASE. PLEASE IF YOU GET ANY KIND OF PAINS ALWAYS HAVE THEM CHECKED. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Anonymous
East Boston, MA