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Words of courage by Teresa Burdick

In April of 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I received the results from the lymphnodes they removed from under my arm, it was almost discouraging. But being the person that I am that was short lived. Out of 19 lymphnodes, 16 were positive. My cancer was well on its way to being a disaster. I did 6 massive chemo treatments. Then I had 6 weeks of radiation. Yes, I had won the battle. One year later, I had a major headache that was getting worse. This time I had a brain tumor on the left side of my head just above my temple. Here comes brain surgury. To my surprise, it was NOT cancer. Yes, I was still winning the battle. About 9 months ago, my tumor marker tests were not looking good. My numbers were climbing. The cancer was back, but where was it. Every two months I did a PET scan. It was hiding. No where to be found. Then a few weeks ago I did another PET scan and it showed up finally. My breast cancer had moved into my lymph system around my stomach and going up my chest towards my neck. It was now also in my bones some. But the worst is that I have a large tumor hiding behind all of my organs in an area that they cannot get too. Once again, I am doing chemo. I started on 4-9-10. I will get a treatment every three weeks for a total of 6 treatments. If all looks good I am done once again. If it doesn't look good, off to a new plan. I will not give up. I am not done with life yet. This battle can be won again.

Teresa Burdick
Ely, NV

Senior Conqueror!

My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 71. She did not let this deter her from any plans she had made. She never changed her attitude nor personality. It's weird, because to our knowledge, there was no precedence of breast cancer in our family. We later found out that one of my cousins was previously diagnosed with breast cancer. My sister Cynthia and I immediately put our lives on hold to attend mom's appointments and assist her in any way possible. We also had the help of some of mom's dear friends and club and sorority sisters. Mom's positive attitude snapped us out of our fear and trepidation. She said our faith will get us through this, and you know what, it did! It has been almost a year since her mastectomy and you would never know that she is a cancer survivor. She still goes to work (yes, she refuses to quit!) and participates in all of her normal activities. To say that she is a dynamo does not begin to give her justice. I only wish that when I grow up, I can be just like her!

Debra Jackson-Bethune
Atlanta, GA

A Timely Stop and Smell the Roses Wake Up

My husband died very suddenly and I was just becoming part of the functioning human race again when a regular mamogram discovered something 'a little odd' in my left breast. After a lumpectomy and radiation I quickly got back to normal and I praise those people who discovered the 'something odd' . My lump was very small and could not be felt even by the surgeon.

I am now taking time to smell the roses and I encourage others to do so too after having their regular mammogram. Incidentally, here in New Zealand mamograms are free for all women aged 45 - 65, so why wouldn't they have one?

Judith Baxter
Waikanae, New Zealand

If you have questions never be shy. ASK!

I am a breast cancer survivor. Please do your monthly checks and yearly mammograms. Talk to your doctor if you have the least little tiny change. It may save your life...it did mine.
This is my story...I found a teeny tiny little change in my breast 6 mo after my yearly mamm. It was stage 1A breast... See More cancer. I was diagnosed w/Invasive duct carsinoma in July 08 but I move the day after my diagnosis from OR to CA and had to get all new doctors and start all over again. By the time I had my surgery in October it had progressed to stage 4A. Usually there isn't a lot of hope then. I am sooo very lucky. I had wonderful doctors. A supporting husband (at the time) & the most awesome church family a person could ever ask for. God answered mine and many others prayers and here I am today. It was very scary. It was very emotional. It was extremely triumphant. Thank you Jesus.
This is why I always am on the band wagon. Please be careful. I could have lost my life here on earth. My family would have lost a Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother. They all still needed me and I still need them. God isn't finished with me here yet. 8-D I love you all. If you have questions never be shy. ASK!

Becky Lathrop
Gladstone, OR

37 Still standing

It was April 1996 when I was diagnosis with stage 2 almost stage 3 breast cancer. My world fell apart I under went 13.5 hours of surgery double masectomy and reconstive surgey then through the greul fact of chemothropy and radeation. I remember the drs telling me that with the chemo I prombely would never get pregenant. For someone who is only 24 yrs old that a hard thing to grasp. Well as of April 2010 I have been 14 yrs free and have a sweet little 3 yr old. Who I call my little mircle child.
I beleave thaty some birth controls out there has a huge impact on the cancer gene. Before I was diagnoised I was on the Depto shot for 2 yrs.
I stopped the shots 3 months after I had a huge lump in my right side. Not to be harsh or anything the drug companies should do more testing on birth control. Through my experinace I'm going to have my daughter tested for the cancer gene I don't wasnt her to go though what I did

Anonymous
Boise, ID

My inspiration....my hero...my Mother

Mom was a breast cancer survivor of about ten years. At 91 it had reappeared . We were advised by doctors and nurses that telling her would not be an option. Any treatment would have killed this beautiful, frail lady.
Luckily at her age the cancer was quick and a lot of suffering did not occur. She passed away a couple of weeks ago.
She had lost her oldest daughter Gail in 2008 to cancer at the age of 68.
All cancer is ugly. But Gail suffered the ugliest side of this illness that one could ever imagine.Mom always asked what most mothers do when that occurs. Why didn't he take me instead? It just doesn't work that way.
At 91, after having a pin put in her leg from a broken bone in her hip, in Oct 2009, she was soon back home and rehabilitating.She had a very positive attitude throughout.
I surprised Mom with my cell phone camera during therapy at the hospital. When I stated her picture would be all over the internet, she smiled. A real trooper she was.

Gerald Shippe
Brownstown, MI

2 cancers

Hi well I was handed a double blow, 2006- 2007 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer getting over that and side effects from chemo, 2008 I was told I had breast cancer you can guess how I felt never had any problems never felt any lumps,but having a shower one morning discovered that my left nipple had gone inward so a trip to the dr was made I had a biopsy which wasnt clear enough and had a section removed to be told breast cancer it so unfair.You can imagine I felt sick and terrified but I had no choice a booking was made for me to have my breast removed. thats was January 2009 then in Feb I had to go back in for lymp glands to be removed. I was told however a couple of weeks later I would have to have more chemo discussed it with my husband and family I realy didnt want to have it as I was still getting over the other lot I decided to have a go but found it too much so decided to pull the pin it was only a precaution I believe and at the moment all test are fine and I feel great and I pray to god I stay that way,I realy dont want any more. Changing diet,exercise and stay positive I think is the key, a wonderful husband and family support also is important for me

heather
Melbourne, Australia

September 2002

During my annual mammogram, a lump was found in my left breast. I probably would have found it had I been doing the "monthly checks" advised but I have lumpy breasts so used that as an excuse. Believe me, I never would have missed this lump. I had been taking hormone pills for about 25 years, due to removals of my ovaries, and when my doctor said I had cancer, and not to take hormones anymore, I resisted. I was afraid of the nausea, shaking and feeling horrible again. I found out that I probably could have stopped taking the hormones at least 10 years earlier. Anyway, I was very fortunate. I had a partial (Lumpectany) and the cancer had spread under my arm; however, so far, I have been cancer free. I did undergo radiation for five weeks and I now see my oncologist, and have blood tests, every three months. We have had a couple of close calls all have turned out negative
Please understand that to undergo something as traumatic as cancer, no one can do it alone. My husband wasn't sure what to do, but I knew Jerry loved me and was afraid. My yournger sister Karen took over and would drive a couple hundred miles a day, from Pine Valley to Escondido, CA to get the info from the doctors so she would make sure I was taken care of properly. Karen would explain to Jerry and he tried very hard. I developed diabetis and now I am having heart problems. I can fight anything as long as I am loved and understood. I recently became a widow and losing your soulmate is worse than fighting cancer. Arms around you, telling you he will be with you and love you with or without hair.

Darlene J Whaley
Bullhead City, AZ

Motherless Daughter

The first time I ever heard of the enemy we call cancer, I was 12 years old. My Mother found a lump in her breast and it was stage 3 Breast Cancer. I was young and all I knew was my Mother would soon be very sick.

Over the next 6 months, I witnessed the disaster that Breast Cancer can cause. I watched my Mother undergo surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation. Some days were ok and others not so good. But my Mother refused to let this disease defeat her. She took on all the side effects of treatment and battled them everyday with a HUGE smile on her face. My Mother had made it through treatment. She was back to work, bald and bloated from Chemo, as soon as the Doctor's would allow. Her courage was an inspiration.

Life went back to normal for the next 4 years. My Mother even used her bout with Cancer as a reason to change the path of her Nursing Career and was now an Oncologist. This was until August of 1999. I was now 16. I returned home from work one evening and my Mother was not home as I expected. I then noticed a set of wheel marks on the carpet, and began to panic. The wheel marks on the carpet were from the stretcher the ambulance had used to remove my Mother from the house. My Mother was in ICU and the cancer had returned, this time, with avengence. The cancer had now spread and was inoperable. The only option left was one large dose of Chemotherapy. The Doctor said "If this does not work, your Mother has 6 weeks to live." Six weeks to the day, on October 12, 1999, my Mother was gone. She was only 43 years old.

Courtney Mills
Alexandria, VA

April fools

While I was home recovering from an appendectomy in March of '08 I went for my yearly mammogram.Much to my surprise, I was sent to a surgeon for a biopsy on a lump that I had had for 30 years. On April 1st, a call from the surgeon changed my life forever. It was stage 3 cancer. Within 2 weeks, I had a mastectomy and after 16 weeks of chemo a reconstruction. I learned a great deal about myself , my family, my friends,and my co-workers. We handled it with tears, laughter, and a lot of patience. I learned to wait. I learned to ask for help. I learned to enjoy life today, because tomorrow may never come. I am still cancer free two years later, and will never forget the kindness and support that I was shown.

Linda Wilder
West Milford, NJ