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Its a difficult journey but possible

I was diagnosed with breast cancer just after my 39th birthday. I suppose there is never a good time to learn something like that but the timing was just awful. I had just started a new job, had a new boyfriend and was looking forward to planning a family. Within a few months, I was sitting in chemotherapy, crying over my lost hair, and wondering when my life would be back to normal.

Flash forward two years and I'm getting adjusted to being back at work. I'm back on the market looking for a boyfriend -- and hoping he doesn't mind that my body is different now. But so far, dating is going okay. I had to let go of the dream of having children (at least the natural way) but I'm still hoping for love.

My family and close friends have been miracles of support. It is not the easiest road to travel but I think that it has been sprinkled with blessings in the midst of the trials. I am learning to accept me, flaws, scars and all.

The reality is that I lost my hair -- but it grew back. I lost my breast -- but I got a new one. I have a few new scars and I've gained a few pounds but my stage 3 cancer is completely gone. And that's the best thing I can ask for in this life. To keep on living.

Nicole M.
Washington, DC

It happened to Me

I never thought it could happen but in October 2009 I found a lump in my left Breast. I went to my regular Doctor and she set up a Mammogram. Sure enough there it was, so they did a biopsy. I had Cancer and I was so scared. I went in had a lumpectomy done. The lump was small and they found nothing in my Lymph Nodes. I started Chemotherapy and of course what I didn't want to happen did, My hair fell out. So I bought some wigs and wore a lot of hats. Radiation followed which to me was the worst part. I had my last Radiation treatment May 6, 2010. I was lucky to have such a great support team . My husband Craig was my rock. I never thought I would ever get Cancer, but then it happened to me. Now I know I can face anything.

Lois Schuett
Butte, MT

Laurie's journey

At 38 I went in for my yearly check up. My doctor told me I should go in for a mammogram. She explained that since it was my first mammogram it was of no cost to me. So, after some procrastination and a couple canceled appointments I finally went in. The mammogram came back with some calcifications on it. They suggested a biopsy and assured me that most come back as nothing. Mine was not the case. It showed that I had the beginning stages of ductal carcinoma. After 2 failed lumpectomies I finally had a right mastectomy. It has been less that a year and I have been through 4 surgeries. If it had not been for my doctor urging me to go get the mammogram I would have waited til I was 40 to have it done, by then my cancer would have been invasive. I am blessed to have the family and friends that I have. I cannot express the importance of early detection enough. It really does save lives. It is a scary journey but with a positive attitude we can get through anything. God bless.

Laurie Layton
Richfield, UT

My story

I am a 39 year old mother of 3. I was diagnosed with breast cancer about one month ago. Since then I underwent a lumpectomy and removal of mocrocalcifications. Tomorrow I am having some lymph nodes removed as well. My full treatment has not been determined yet. When I heard the words, "you have cancer" I was scared. I immediately thought I was going to die. I couldn't believe that it was true, this was the kind of thing that happened to other people not me! I cried, screamed, got mad, and everything in between. Now I am beginning to accept what is happening to me and I am ready to fight this terrible disease. Two days ago I participated in a "race for the cure" walk. It was the best thing I could have done. I met women just like me and found out about a support group right in my town. I saw the many survivors and how their positive attitudes helped them through this terrible time.
I am still scared out of my mind but I am in a better place than I was. I plan to take one day at a time and live my life to the fullest.

Jenny Clark
Otsego, MI

Hoping to have a surviver

I am 14 years old & my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer about 1 month ago. I couldn't believe it. I cried alot and was really scared for her. She told me that the doctors caught it early and that was a good thing!! Since then she has gone through 2 surgeries. One was about 5 hours long and the other was 1-2 hours. She did excellent on both surgeries. My dad told me that they don't know yet if she will have to go through radiation or kemotherapy. But if she doesn't have too they might do it anyway just to make sure the cancer dosen't come back. I told my mom that i will always be there for her and i love her. We will beat this thing!! My motto is "anything is possible." I will be there for her every step of the way. She is doing really well and she feels great after her 2nd surgery on friday. I hope she continues to thrive and blossom. I have faith that she will beat cancer! We all will help her beat it, and we'll beat it together! Please keep us in your prays.
Come on cancer victims, lets put our hands together and rid ourselves of this pest! If there are any children or people who have or have parents that have breast cancer i hope you will beat this too. I'll pray for you!

Breanna
Louisville, KY

A trying time

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Five days before I started chemo, my mom had a heart attack. When I was half way through radiation, she passed away form another heart attack. She was my hero. She was so worried about me. She had lost her first baby at 19 months of age, her husband was killed in Korea when she was 34, and I am sure that she was sure that she was going to lose me too. It was a hard time for both of us as neither could really take care of the other. But I know that she suffered greatly because of my illness. I can only express my deepest gratitude to her for all the things that she did for me in my life and I hope that my life will be a tribute to a woman whom everyone said "Was such a lady." And so she was! Be at peace now, Mom! You have more than earned your eternal reward. 14 years have passed now, and Praise God, I am well. Thanks Mom for your wonderful life!

Judy Kallmeyer
Yonkers, NY

Self Breast Exams Matter

I am a 9 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed when I was 41 years old, no history of breast cancer in my family. Without the support of my husband, mother and three wonderful sisters, I couldn't have come through the ordeal as positively as I did. I found the lump myself and it was not detectable on mammogram. At diagnosis, I had one lymph node of 21 that had micro-metastasis. Don't let anyone tell you that self-breast exam doesn't save enough lives to matter. It saved mine and it has mattered to me and my family and friends.

Alicia Cave
Evansville, IN

Very early detection is critical

I do not know if I qualify as a Breast Cancer survivor or not but here is my story. I had a small discharge from my right breast and went straight to a breast specialist. After ultra sound and lumpectomy pre-cancerous cells were found in my right breast. The Dr. said "mastectomy". I said "please just go ahead and do a bilateral". End result there was pre-cancerous cells in both breasts. I avoided all the treatment. No chemo, no radiation, no hair loss. What a blessing. Please check out even the slightest thing. I am witness to how important that is and I am so very blessed because of it.

Pat Birmingham
Shreveport, LA

Laura's Journey

I am a Survivor and so is my family It was October of 2009 and I heard the words (you have cancer, breast cancer).. Why me? What did I do to get this? What about my four children ages 9, 7, 7, 5 and my husband? All I know is that I have to get through this for me and my family. My journey begins, October 30th 2009 it was one of the hardest days, I had to tell my children that I was sick, I had cancer. October 31st I has a double mastectomy. December 8th I had my first round of chemo and right before Christmas I lost my hair. It is now mid May of 2010 I am now a Survivor I have to take medicine for the next five years and have many scars inside and out, but with the help of my family we will get through this "together". I will never forget my journey and neither will my family but together we have a very bright and happy future GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS.

Laura S
Lenox, MI

Instead of Why Me, I decided on Why Not Me!

Before the lump was found; I felt something and nothing showed up. One year later, something shows up, and I was just laid off. I decided to wait and maybe I shouldn't have. I got a job and started back on the road of taking care of me. Another mammogram, MRI and needle biopsy, Sept 2009 I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I cried and thought why me. Meet with the surgeon and thought about the conversation we had and choice of treatments for a few days before I told the rest of my family. This was hard because 5 years earlier we lost our father to colon cancer. I didn't want them to feel here we go again someone in our family has cancer.
You wonder WHY ME, since I have the cancer gene and this happened to me, I decided WHY NOT ME. I am young, strong and was in relatively good health. No more; poor me, why me, what did I do to deserve this. I changed to WHY NOT ME and promised myself that I would do what I needed to do. The surgeon told me that I need to be positive have a goal on this short detour of life. Being positive was easy, achieving my goal was tougher to accomplish because of the medical bills. I have remained positive and with the help of my family, my son and I are going to Ireland. I am not completely done with my treatments, but when we return I will continue with them.
I am a breast cancer survivor and the journey has been long. From my experience I hope I can help others when they come across this same detour in life, no matter what cancer they have. So, WHY NOT ME!

Anonymous
Bridgeville, PA