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HOPEFULLY A QUICK SOLUTION TO BREAST CANCER

On My Always yearly Routine Mammogram and Sonogram,,I got diagonosed with Invasive Lobal Carcinoma in One BREAST in two spots. That was on March 24, 2010. Small and Slow growing the Mammogram Dr. Said..I searched into 5 Breast Surgeons, 4 Plastic Surgeons to see what I should do over the next two months. I was told to have a Mastectomy, Have two Mastectomies and do reconstructive surgery. Being a newly Senior Woman of a Certain AGE.. I didnt want to take off my Breast, no less both of them unless it was totally necessary. I took the BRACA Gene Test, It was negative,,did a Petscan of my Body,,all negative..and so I went back and forth deciding with my BEST GirlFriend and other family members and doctors what I would do. I went to a support Group for Woman survivors, saw a few women with both breasts removed that were happy. Spoke to support Groups on the phone..and finally Decided to go with the Head of BREAST CANCER Surgery in my Long Island Area..and had my Double Lumpectomy May 18, 2010. Now the Report says that I am Clear with clean margins, and No Lymph Nodes are involved. Thanks to God and lots of prayers by me and family and friends, I will see the Doctor and find out all about my Radiation Treatment. I do NOT NEED THE MASTECTOMY that the other 4 Breast Surgeons told me to have. Thank God. I reached out to Dr. Susan Love Foundation too in California, and other Doctors out of STATE on emails. I am so glad that I CHOSE to Keep my BREAST and not just Jump Into a Treatment that I would be unhappy with. I will keep Vigil and always ADVISE EVERY WOMAN to GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM.

Anonymous
FRESH MEADOWS, NY
Five Graduations

Five Graduations

I am proud to say that I am a 5 year survivor of breast cancer. When I was diagnosed my youngest daughter was in 8th grade, another of my daughters was in high school and my oldest was in Graduate School. I also have a son who was in college at that time. The news hit me hard and I worried I might not be around to see them all graduate. Through the care of wonderful doctors who worked together as a team I have been able to celebrate 5 more graduations with my children. I am grateful for the 5 years I have had and hope to have many more!

Tommi Jones
Lincoln, NE
Surprise, Surprise!

Surprise, Surprise!

I am a 5 year survivor that found her breast cancer the hard way. I had breast implants done at the end of March in 2004. Everything looked great, except I felt a lump up above my breast that the Doctors said was a strained muscle. I went with what he said until the end of July, when I demanded a mammogram. In quick order I had the mammogram, a biopsy and surgery all in one week! My husband was in Iraq and I was alone in Hawaii! Red Cross got him home, my Mom flew in from Arizona for three months and they went through chemo and radiation with me. All the ups and downs! I recommend you do a self check every month and if you are considering implants, have a mammogram done first! They are not required prior to implant surgery. Due to my radiation and issues with tissue, I now not only don't have implants, I don't have any breasts either! If I hadn't gone with my gut instincts, I may have been in worse condition. Do your self exams, and when in doubt, see your Dr. and if needed push for a mammogram! I can't thank my family and friends for all the support they gave me during the entire ordeal. Having someone to be there with you helps so very much.Let laughter be the best medicine!

Danielle Neal
Wahiawa, HI
God Made Me Do It

God Made Me Do It

I am a 13-year breast cancer survivor. I found my cancer while doing a breast self-exam at age 46. I didn't routinely do them as I knew I should, but God told me to do it and I found the lump which turned out to be cancer. I had mastectomy and removal of all lymph nodes on the affected side. If I had not listened to Him, I wouldn't be here to tell my story. I praise Him every day for my second chance and thank Him for enormous support from my hubby, son, daughter-in-love, three sisters and other family. There was no family history of bc. I am alive today to enjoy my precious grandson thanks to God leading me to perform my breast self-exam. Early detection saves lives. Be sure to check yourself monthly!

Catherine Alford
Zebulon, NC
my story

my story

Twelve years ago I reached for something and the I felt such pain and then touched underneath ny neck and found 2 lumps and it was at that moment I knew I was in trouble. I went to doctor after doctor as in my heart I knew it was breast cancer but they kept telling me I was only 39 and that pain was a good thing that it could not mean cancer so I finally found a surgeon who agreed to remove them at a outpatient clinic as felt it would just be a minor procedure and all would be ok. I woke up and my doctor and others stood over me holding my hand and all I remember is them saying how sorry they were but I was right and it didn't look good. They sent me home with my husband and I told both my kids that I would do whatever I had to do to survive and as a family we chose to go with the chemotherapy and radiation not mastectomy. I truly feel I am here today as my family never would let me give up and because of there strength and belief I would survive I am here today. So like my doctor said the other day everytime I suffer with the pain that I feel it just reminds me how lucky I am to be alive.

lisa hotaling
waterford, NY

Miracle Baby

About two weeks after we learned that we were pregnant, I found out that I had breast cancer. I had lost my only child in 2006 to an ATV accident, so we started trying immediately to have another child. It took us two years before we were successful. What a roller coaster ride we have been on!! I had a lumpectomy when I was 7 weeks pregnant, completed 4 rounds of chemo during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. The baby came 6 weeks early but is doing wonderful now. I completed 4 more rounds of chemo after the birth then I did 6.5 weeks of radiation 5days per week. I have been taking Herceptin @ 3 weeks since July and will complete this in July of this year. I have kept a positive attitude because after losing a child, there was not anything that could be harder. I am doing great and so is the baby. God is good!!!!

Melody Oliver
Pelham, TN
its my life!!!

its my life!!!

"Where's your hair?" That is the newest question I had to answer today to the sweet little 3 year old face staring up at me. I am 41 years old. I am the mother of 4 beautiful kids and I am a preschool teacher. Oh yeah and I have cancer. I was diagnosed on March 16th with stage 2 breast cancer and my roller coaster ride began. I was told they got everything when they took my right breast and that was good news. Then they told me I had nothing in my lymph nodes. That was GREAT news. Then they told me I had to have chemotherapy anyway...WHAT?? So much for all the good news. Now I am undergoing 4 rounds of chemotherapy (just in case) and guess what....I am still the mother of 4 kids going in 4 directions and a preschool teacher. Life has not stopped. People tell me I am amazing, I am an inspiration, I am a fighter. I dont know about all that I just know I have a life to live and live it I will. I am not special. I am not to be praised.......I am just a mom doing what she has to do. To all the other warriors out there...YOU are my heroes!! Together we will win this crime against life!! With love and support from family and friends, anything is possible. I have faith in God to see me and my fellow sisters and brothers through this battle!!! And the answer I gave that sweet child? I told him it was my summer hair cut....he thought it was a great idea cuz all my long hair was going to be too hot anyway. :) I love my life!!

Kim Olson
Plainfield, IL

My Story

On January 28, 07 I was in the shower and decided to do a self breast exam. At age 29, I only did self breast exam every once in a while. I had just had my second daughter. My husband and I thought that the lump was from just having a baby. The following day, I was able to see my medical provider. After he examined me, he told me that he need to refer to the Susan G Koman Center for a mammogram. I asked if he thought that it was breast cancer. He stated " age 29 & no family history, why would you be the 1 in a million. Well I guess that I am the one in a million. After the biopsy on February 9, 07 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer Stage. That will be a day that we will never forget… it changed our lives forever!
2007 was a long year for us. I had a double mastectomy, seven lymph nodes removed (all were clear of cancer), reconstruction, and four rounds of Chemo. Right after my double mastectomy, I was not able to hold or care for my daughters. My husband and I were lucky because we were able to rely on our families to help. To this day, I feel that my youngest daughter missed out. She did not have her mother holding her, bathing her, or caring for her after all my surgeries. I can not change the past however I can help change the future for other, including my girls. I will continue this fight against Breast Cancer.
I am very blessed to a wonderful husband, family and friends that supported me throughout these past three years. I thank God everyday for my husband, my girls, my family and my friends.

Becky
Pekin, IL
My Story

My Story

I am a 39 year old mother of 2 wonderful daughters. My mother is a 26 year breast cancer survivor, so I have had annual mammograms since I was 23. I changed jobs in 2008, right around the time that I usually have the mammogram, since insurance changed with new employer, I skipped getting it that year. I occasionally do self breast exams, not as often as I should. Annual mammogram done November 2009, it revealed an area of concern . Biopsy was done and I was diagnosed with breast cancer 128-09. Lumpectomy and lymph node removal on 1-15-10, the lymph nodes were negative…what a relief!!! Plan was 4-6 treatments of chemo (1 treatment every 3 weeks) then follow up with radiation for 6-8 weeks. Before chemo was to begin, I had a CT scan done. Shock of my life - the breast cancer did spread to my liver. My oncologist informed me it is very rare for the cancer to spread without showing up in the lymph nodes; but that it can happen. Chemo plan changed, now 4-6 cycles (1 cycle consists of 1 chemo treatment, once a week, for 3 weeks) and then will follow up with medication for 5 years. I just had cycle 2, week 2 today and will have another CT scan done after next weeks treatment to see if the chemo is affecting the tumor in my liver. Through all of this, I have had the absolute best support from my husband and daughters, my sister and mother, other family members, coworkers and friends. You must have a sense of humor through the whole process, it truly helps you get through this and I believe helps you fight better . You must always stay positive and refuse to let cancer beat you !!!

Beth
Glenshaw, PA

Another hurdle

I am a 46 year old women with 3 wonderful kids. I never went for my mammograms as directed by my doctor. Breast cancer does not run in my family, so I felt is wasn't neccessary. In October 2009 I lost my job due to the economy. I was completlely devastated to loose a job that I loved. In Novermber 2009, 2 days before Thanksgiving I found a lump on my breast. My first thought was it will go away. I don't have any family history of breast cancer, so I was not to worry. However, I did find myself checking the area throughtout the next few days. The day after Thanksgiving, while sitting with a friend, I told him about the lump and that I had scheduled an appointment the following Monday. My gynecologist sent me to a surgeon right away. A biopsy was done and my diagnosis was positive for invasive ductle carncinoma. My family and friends rallied around me and offered me love and support. I vowed that I would not let this cancer make me sick or prevent me from finding a job and living each day. I will have my 4th round of chemo this week and some days are better than others. I encourage women to get their mammograms no matter what. I wish I would have.

Tracy
Westminster, MD