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Adapt and Overcome

In the spring of 2010, I was experiencing extreme pain in my lower back. I thought it was from weight gain and sciatica. I had recently been on steroids for terrible poison ivy, so when I went to my Dr. with pain that I thought was Sciatic, he did not agree with my self-diagnosis. He indicated that my sciatic pain would have been helped by the steroid I was on for the poison ivy. He sent me for a scan thinking that maybe I had a slipped disc or something, and found that my sacrum was close to three times the size it was supposed to be. Neurosurgeon would not perform any surgery without a biopsy.

CT guided biopsy returned breast cancer. I could not understand why breast cancer would be in my spine, not to mention how a 31 year old gets breast cancer. I immediately made an appointment with MSKCC in New York, and transferred all my test results to them as well.

Turns out, I had stage IV breast cancer. It was in my lungs, liver, lymph nodes, and breast and of course spine. My Dr. explained to me that when breast cancer spreads to the bone that it is automatically stage IV, and that having a lumpectomy or mastectomy would not increase my lifespan or health in anyway, but it was my choice. I chose not to have the surgery at that time. I received radiation therapy to help shrink the tumor in my sacrum, and relieve the pain I was in.

After further testing we found out that I was extremely estrogen receptive and that by starving the cancer of its food source, that I could live for a long time with cancer. 4 ½ years later my cancer is very stable, and I go for scans and follow ups every 6-9 months.

My daughter was 8 at the time & me and my boyfriend had been dating for 6 years. Four+ years later, my daughter is enjoying her tween years, and I married that boyfriend – who will always be my best friend.

Lis
New City, NY

My dad

In July 2013 I was told, by a medium that my dad would visit me between 2-2.30 at night and be sat at the bottom of my bed. My dad died in 1979. Lo and behold, I woke up, early one Saturday morning, 26th October. I turned over, had an itch under my left breast and found a lump! I looked at my clock...it was 2.20!! I looked at the bottom of my bed but didn't see anything! To this day, I believe it was my dad! I found out on the 5th Nov that it was cancer!! I've had a lumpectomy, my lymph nodes removed on my left, a shave round the area, Chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and have just finished 20 sessions of Radiotherapy. I'm now, hopefully going to get my life back after a year!!

Carol Elder
Doncaster, United Kingdom

Courageous

I was at the top of my career abroad when I noticed a lump on my right breast and felt quick pain every now and then. I went for an ultrasound and the result was negative but seeing obvious physical change on my breast, I went home to have a second test in the Philippines, my intuition is right, something wrong is happeningwith my body, I have a stage 3 Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma, with Lymph nodes positive metastasis and Her2neu positive even though no one in the family had it before. With a positive approach and guide by my surgeon, I had MRM. After a month of recovery from the surgery I started with my chemo, I also had my 30 day radiotion therapy and now on my 12th chemo, 6 more sessions of Herceptin and I will be cleared to work again. I praise and thank God for the courage to face this test. I also want to thank my group of supporters who were there for me through my battle with cancer. Together we will win and will give glory to our God. My Christ is greater than my cancer! as of now I do volunteer work in our church and in cancer community to show that no cancer will ever stop me from serving God!

kim
Bacolod City, Philippines

Seven year survivor.

I was diagnosed in August 2007, I had to go through six invasive chemo treatments. After I was done with that, I had a double mastectomy, for two horrible weeks had to have draining tubes, let me tell you that was probably the most uncomfortable thing to go through. Then I had reconstruction. They are not normal breast but it is better than having nothing there to feel like a woman.Everyday I am reminded of what I had to go through and it may not be pretty but at least I am still here. I am on tamoxifen for the whole ten years because I lost my sister to Breast cancer January 2013.They say that it is not hereditary but I do not agree with that.So let all you women know, do self exams, and if you find something do something about it, my sister did not until it was to late and she died at the age of 58.Just want everyone to know nobody knows what you go through, unless it happens to you and you can get all support you need. My husband, children and rest of my the family got me through all of this, and I am a seven year survivor. I am proud of it.

LINDA SOSCIA
Rochester, NY

Last Chemo

Hello My name is Karen. I am 58 years old and on the 28th May 2014 my world changed when I found that lump and was diagnosed I had cancer at the same time my husbands back and hips went on him at the same time and was in hospital so I started this awful journey on the phone then I found a friend that helped me. I have now had surgery and today I finished chemo and in 4 weeks start my 2nd part of the journey with radiation and then meds for five years. ,But I will beat this awful word Cancer

Karen Wright
Harrington New South Wales, Australia

Strength, Courage, and Hope

October 8,1999 I went in for my regular mammogram, a few days later I received a call from my doctor wanting me to have more mammogram pictures and an ultrasound. I few days later I received the call that I potentially had breast cancer. My husband also was fighting terminal cancer and this was the worst news I could have ever received. October 15, 1999 I was scheduled for a biopsy, at first I was told the frozen section was normal then when I went into the surgeon's office I received the news that I had Stage 2 Infiltrating poorly differentiated ductal carcinoma in my right breast. I was then scheduled for a lumpectomy with lymph node removal. This was followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These were dark days for me but I kept most of my feelings to myself, felt very alone at times. I felt I had to remain strong to support my kids so they would not be so scared, especially with my husband also sick at home. I took a long lunch break and would go for chemo then return to work. This was the hardest fight of my life, I'm not sure anyone knew how I really felt or how tired I would become. My husband lost his fight with carcinoid syndrome shortly after I completed radiation therapy. More dark days to follow.

I had one more scare after a mammogram in 2007 but the MRI was clear so I could breath again.

Here it is October 2014 and I'm am so lucky and blessed to be a 15 year survivor! I have never told anyone my story but would like to share it now on this anniversary.

Please remember that mammograms do save lives and encourage your friends to always get theirs. Find someone who can support you when your down and always give thanks for your blessings.

Vicki Bailey
Oklahoma City, OK

My story thus far

I was diagnosed the Tuesday after Memorial Day 2014 with Stage 1 Breast Cancer. I had my very first mammogram May 9,2014 and then was asked back for needle biopsies on both breasts. After the biopsies I waited a week before calling for my results as I hadn't heard anything. I was told they would call when the results came in so I waited another week. After which I called and was told the results were negative. The following day I received a call that the doctor wanted to see me. I had to wait until after the holiday in which I went in to see the doctor and was told my left breast was clear but the right was positive for cancer. I was scheduled for a lumpectomy on July 3,2014 where I found out my tumor had grown into Stage 2A. I also tested positive for having no hormone receptors so it makes me Triple Negative and requires I have both chemotherapy and radiation. I am currently through 4 of 6 chemotherapy treatments. I am due to have my last one on November 17,2014. I urge ALL women to have their mammograms and to ask for the results. Don't just assume no news is good news as if I had done that my cancer would have been missed. I am thankful for everyone who has supported me in my journey and I look forward to a new year of being cancer free.

Amy Dundon
Glens Falls, NY

I Take One Day At A Time

On July 20,2014, I went in for my normal mammogram, and a week later I got a call to come back in to do another mammogram, so I did and again I got a call to come back in to do a biopsy.3 days later i got the call that I had breast cancer. I will never forget that day! On 9/4/2014 I went in the hospital to have a mastectomy including lymph nodes on the left side. thank God it was just stage 1 means the tumor is smaller than 3/4 of an inch in diameter. It does not appear to have spread beyond the breast. Thank God for that. I do not have to take chemo or Radiation. All I have to take is the pill for 5 years and therapy for Lymphedema for the swelling.I choose not to worry about tomorrow, I an just enjoying today. I took one day at a time.

Anonymous
Forest Hill, LA

To Cancer and Back

It was Monday, August 4th, and I woke up to a sharp, stabbing pain running from my right collar bone through my right breast. Every 5-7 minutes I would feel the pain.

I thought I was too busy to call the doctor. I had been too busy to call the doctor for two years. I shamefully admit that I missed my “yearly” last year. I’m sure I had an important reason like, you know, a Netflix marathon.

In any case, it is unlike me to call a doctor. But, it was like someone was ringing a fire alarm in my head. I didn’t just have the urge to call, I couldn’t get my hand to the phone fast enough.

The doctor could feel an “area.” In fact, she furrowed her brows and said, “that’s like 6 centimeters.” She went on to reassure me that pain doesn’t usually mean cancer, but we should do a mammogram. I also had an ultrasound and biopsy.

And so, on August 20, I was sitting in an outpatient imaging center with a stone-faced radiologist and a pensive nurse. The radiologist began, “We can’t find any sign of lumps, masses or tumor in the area that brought you to us. There is no evidence of fat necrosis.”

I let all of my breath out.

“But,…”

I sucked all of my breath back in.

“We found some micro-calcifications that are undetectable by touch and have to be found via mammogram. We did your biopsy because there were so many of these calcifications. In fact, they fill up a large part of your whole breast. The biopsy results have determined that these are malignant. They are cancer.”

The surgeon recommended a total mastectomy.

On October 8, 2014, I fell asleep at the hospital and woke up with two very large scars.

And so, in a matter of 73 days, I had cancer, I fought cancer, and I am today, cancer free.

Insert smiley emoticon!

Kimberly Miller
Bluffton, OH

Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in May 2014 with knowledge that it was going to be a lumpectomy and radiation. After the surgery it was found in the sentinel gland so I then needed to do chemotherapy. My husband, sons, family and work family all helped me through 4 chemotherapy treatments. After my first treatment my hair started to come out on a Friday afternoon by Saturday morning I had no hair and it was very hard especially because I am a Chair of Cosmetology. We went out purchased wigs and hats. With the support of the students and staff especially my boss and co worker I never wore the uncomfortable wig or most days the hats. I have 6 weeks of radiation and still have everyone supporting me. I would like to add that the staff at Fox Chase Cancer center have helped me along the way with encouragement and support.

Rebecca Wolbert
Philadelphia, PA