Share Your Story

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer runs on both sides of my family. By both sides I don't mean mom and dad but male and female. I kept having a spot in my right breast hurt more and more. I felt a nodule about the size of a pea and it really was sore and started growing. I said something to mom about it when she told me about the male & female cancer. I went and had it removed and a few months later my left breast started to hurt just like the right. It was really sore and I found another nodule that started to grow. I had that nodule removed. The waiting part was the worse, yes or no. Mine was no but it sure scared me. I am a male and I check my breast every month. Females of every age should know how to check their breast. Ask a doctor, a friend, the internet but find out how and never stop checking them. A doctor has heard and seen everything, so ask and make sure you are doing it right. Check them every month on the date of your birthday, wedding, rent, car payment, cell or mortgage payment is due. If you happen to have a breast removed or both removed we love you and not your breast. We are so glad you are a survivor and that you will be with us to grow older so don't be ashamed or embarrassed. Men love you as a person and not as an object. Try not to go into depression over what you lost and go into joy because you were saved by early detection or were saved from death. You are a survivor and WE LOVE YOU and not just a part of you.

Pat McDonald
Cincinnati, OH

Karla's Story

I met Karla in 2003 through our horse-crazy teenaged daughters (14 and 15 years old). At that time, she had been cancer free for 5 years and was on Tamoxifen. Her daughter, Kayla, became like a daughter to me. Karla's cancer returned in spades 2 1/2 years ago...and this time spread throughout her body. This courageous woman never gave up, through chemo, surgeries for liver damage, lympodema.... She lost her battle last Monday, July 5th, passing peacefully at home with her husband and parents beside her.

I am so glad Karla got to see Kayla graduate high school, complete her AA and finish her first year at the University. I am sad, no doubt, that she will not be here to see Kayla graduate college, get married and have babies.

What is amazingly sad about this story is that Karla's parents, Vern and Millie, had two children. Their son died of cancer in his 20's. And now Karla, at only 44. Parents burying both of their children. You can imagine the grief.

That's my story. Oh, and I forgot to mention...my mom had breast cancer. But in the end, she passed away from complications of dementia.

Lisa

Anonymous
Penngrove, CA

CHARLIE & CHANCE

Currently going through the motions of breast cancer at times can be hard. It has been over 6 months now with many tests mammograms, X-rays, MRI's and 3 Biopsies. I know now how other women/men young and old can get very frustrated with the way things are handled in the medical field.
I call my lump Charlie. They are the reason I fight and continue to fight this cancer that is now plaguing my body.
Now, I will undergo a Mastectomy Chemo & Radiation. This new breast I call Chance because we have a chance now of a New Improved Better Life.
All I want to do now and always have is to let others be aware how important it is to go do the check ups.
I'm writing just to say how I appreciate your web site and the on going support and wiliness to continue to help others out there. Not only you your family, friends, co-workers & pets are affected.
My god! I never knew how loved I was until this terrible cancer attacked me. My day care made me a ribbon and they put the names of all the kids on it. It was breath taking.
My son wrote me a special note. Then I lost it.
One day I hope to share my story with other women/men and help them fight this Breast Cancer. I fought many things in my life this has got to be the most challenging one but I'm a good fighter! I fight for my right to stay alive for all of mankind to show all women/men can beat this.
Take Care God Bless!

Abby
San Martin, CA

The Importance of Routine Mammograms

I went for my routine mammagram, never expecting anything out of the normal. I was extremely surprised when the doctor said he saw something on the film. I asked which breast....both. I thought that was unusual and discovered only 4% of the population had bi lateral breast cancer. It had not spread from one to the other, but had both grown independently. I had a double lumpectomy and discovered I had 3 positive lymph nodes even though my breast tumors were very small. I could not even feel them myself. I went through chemo and radiation with wonderful care. With the emotional support of my husband and family (including my sister Vanessa), 7 years later I am still cancer free and still continue with my routine care. I had no family members with breast cancer. We never know when to expect it. It was a scary diagnosis at the time, however, its almost like it never happened now. It is really a great time to review priorities in our lives and decide what is really important.

Alexandra
Huntington Beach, CA

Charlie

Currently going through the motions of breast cancer at times can be hard. It has been over 6 months now with many tests from mammograms, x-rays, MRI's and 3 Biopsies. I see now how other women/men young and old can get very frustrated with the way things are handled as far as medical.This lump I now call Charlie.
Still I'm in shock and it seems so surreal to me that it is even happening. Which, I know now many have felt the same way and it is heart wrenching to say the least.
I missed a mammogram one year 1/2. I had skipped due to moving over 3 times it was chaotic. Now just trying to deal the news.
I appreciate your web site and the on going support and wiliness to continue to help others out there. Not only you your family, friends,co-workers & pets are affected.
My god! I never knew how loved I was until this terrible cancer attacked me. Charlie made a friend too. What is necessary now is Mastectomy.I am to see the Reconstruction surgeon. (Chance) new name for breast. Why because we both have a chance at a New Improved Better Life without Cancer. ( Charlie )
My son wrote me a special note on the pink ribbon given to me by daycare. Then I lost it. I urge all to do the check ups.
One day I hope to share my story with other women and help them fight this Breast Cancer. I fought many things in my life this has got to be the most challenging one but I'm a good fighter! I fight for my right to stay alive for all of mankind to say we women/men can beat this.
Take Care God Bless!~ Keep up the Good Work! <3

Abby
San Martin, CA

INTUITION

IN 1995 MY FAMILY DR RETIRED AND I WAS FORCED TO FIND A NEW DR. IN DOING SO THE NEW DR TOLD ME IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE A MAMOGRAM EVERY YEAR AT MY AGE. I WAS 52. I ALWAYS HAD THEM IN NOVEMBER AND AS NOVEMBER CAME AROUND I BEGIN TO FEEL VERY UNEASY. I FELT I NEEDED THE MAMOGRAM. I CALLED OUR HOSPITAL WHERE I HAD ALWAYS GOTTEN THEM FROM AND ASKED IF I NEEDED A DRS PERMISSION AND TOLD THE NURSE WHAT I WAS FEELING. SHE SAID I DEFINITELY DID NOT NEED THE DRS OK, SO I WENT AHEAD AND SCHEDULED MY APPT. IN GETTING IT DONE THEY BECAME QUITE CONCERNED AS THEY SAW A SPOT. THEY REDONE MY MAMO AND CALLED THE SPECIAL TECH TO CHECK IT. I HAD A SMALL LUMP. THEY GAVE ME A CHOICE OF NOW OR IN THE NEXT 6 MONTHS. MY DAUGHTEER WAS WITH ME AND SHE SAID NOW AS THAT IS WHAT HER DAD WOULD SAY. THAT WAS ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY AND I HAD A LUMPECTOMY ON MONDAY. IT WAS CANCER AND THE SURGEON SAID IT NO DOUBT WOULD HAVE BEEN FULL BLOWN HAD I WAITED.
THANK THE LORD FOR LEADING ME. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON 15 YEARS NOW OF CANCER FREE AND I STILL GET A MAMO EVERY YEAR.
CHOLENE ANDERSON
luckyme@ligtel.com

CHOLENE ANDERSON
ALBION, IN

Thanking God for my cancer

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2006, my first response was "why me". My second response was "why not me, I am nobody special". When I told my adult children, my son who was a Pastor asked me if I had thanked God for the cancer. You can imagine my surprise at the question. To be truthful, I hadn't thought about doing that, so after thinking about it, I did and asked the Lord to use me an encourgement to others who would get the same news.

After surgery and during radiation treatments, I got the idea to make a breast cancer bracelet for myself and each one of my daughters and granddaughters. I asked them to pray for me each time they wore the bracelet and when someone asked what it meant, they would tell them I had breast cancer and they were praying for me. Several friends also asked me to make them a bracelet so they could be a part of my praying team. Now four years later we still wear the bracelet and they continue to pray for me. I thank God for the support of my family and friends who are such an encouragement to me.

Wearing the bracelet has given me many opportunities to tell my story and encourage women who have breast cancer.

Linda Schneider
Taylors, SC

The Hardest Battle ever

Feb of 2008,I had just got done working a shift that ended at Midnight,I remember going home and laying in bed,I couldn't sleep.
I had seen a Commercial of self exam for Breast Cancer so I did that.
I felt a small bump on my left breast,Being it was late waited to morning to tell my mom.
We called and made a appointment,got to see Dr later that week.
He ran test and all,then went back to see him,He tells me I had early stages of Breast Cancer.
So had to have a Medi-port put in then went through Chemo and Radiation.
Losing My hair even though Dr told me would happen made me cry.
But never let it effect my ability at work,I worked on my good days.Just wore a Bandanna at time go without.
Everyone admired my Personility cause I still had a smile on face.I knew I was in Great Hands and today I can say I am a Survivor,Thanks to God and the Doctors and my Co-workers

Yolanda
Victoria, TX

10 years on

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years ago at the age of 50. I had a lumpectomy and spent a week in hospital. They removed a massive area of my breast but I didn't have to have it removed. I went through Chemo and radiotherapy and lost all of my hair. It was pretty scary at the time but 10 years on I have had the all clear. There is so much they can do now for women with breast cancer. Never give up. It is no longer a death sentence for the majority of women. I click every day on the Breast Cancer Site.

Tina Weight
Boston, United Kingdom

Family Affair

In 1995 My husband was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy and had 12 lymph nodes removed and cleared of infestation. He followed that with 5 years of Tamoxifin.
In 2000, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy followed by radiation.
In 2005, our oldest daughter also had a lumpectomy with radiation and 5 years of Tamoxifin which she just completed last month.
Happy to report, we are all fine and nobody should hesitate to be screened and should be diligent in checking for lumps. (men too!)

Anonymous
Leesburg, FL