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Vagabond Granny!

In 2006 my yearly mammogram indicated an area of concern. This was the day before I planned to leave for a month long vacation. The technician said "don't worry, just go and have fun." This was not easy. My mother had breast cancer so I was a prime candidate. As soon as I returned from my vacation, I contacted my doctor, had a biopsy (cancer confirmed) and a lumpectomy, followed by 34 radiation treatments. Two years later I embarked on a mission to spread the word about early detection benefits as well as help being available to those who sought it. I talked to many women who had put off mammograms and hopefully my message was heard.

My mission involved spreading the word at motorcycle rallies across the country. I covered 7 rallies, from Gettysburg, PA, to New Hampton, IA. I travelled in 18 states. I was on the road for 4 Â½ months and logged almost 8,000 miles on my trike motorcycle. It was a very long mission but my goal was to have encouraged even one person, to have their mammogram, have early cancer detected, and taken care of and be able to lead a full life as a result of my efforts. My mission would be a success.

I traveled the entire trip by myself, and I met many wonderful people in all parts of the county. I found no one who did not have cancer touch their lives. At this time I was no spring chicken at age 71. I still am a long distance tourer and will spread the word as long as I am physically able. God Bless Motorcyclists.

Martha Mazzei
Myakka City, FL

24 years old diagnosed....

I had been experiencing pain in my right breast for about a year and just thought it was a gland problem. I went to my regular doctor and after asking some questions he sent me to a specialist. Fortunately, he knew what he was doing and ran the proper tests and me in surgery the next month. It was a lump the size of a nectarine. The cancer was only inside it. After surgery, my blood was tested and I was clean!!! Now I have to go in for a check up but Thank God for good doctors!

Jovanna Alcala
Las Cruces, NM

25 Year Survivor

April 1985: Breast cancer at 32 was so common then. After a lumpectomy, pathology found negative receptor status, a high mitotic rate and 10 positive notes. I soon learned what all those scary new words meant. I also learned what wonderful support family, friends and physicians can be.

My first step was a good one, asking my surgeon, "OK, what do I have to do." Dr. Dan Osman is a great proponent of mental imagery and mind-body connections and it's something I've passed along. He also shared his own experience with giving prognoses. He quit when one "terminal" patient came back years later to visit. None of us has an expiration date on our head.

October 2002: Local recurrence. Same breast, different location. Dr. Bob DerHagopian and Dr. Dierdre Marshall performed surgery and reconstruction respectively. It was slow and go because of previous radiation, but reconstruction was finally complete in 2005. High mitotic rate again, but node unknown and no evidence of spread. I had chemotherapy again. I'll never forget my oncologist's face when I told him I had 10 nodes in 1985. I just said, "Yes, I know." And I kept living and working and laughing and playing.

April 2010: 25 years since my first surgery. All clear as far as annual blood work. I've lived many years when the odds weren't great. I'm a survivor. So is any woman who never loses hope and spirit and joy, no matter how long she lives. Our struggles and triumphs and experiences will live on as memories to be cherished by family, friends and physicians. We are all survivors.

Pamela Wright Foster
Nashville, TN

The Boob Chronicles

I was diagnosed in Jan 08 with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. My dear doctor with tears in her eyes said "you have breast cancer" and so the adventure began. I went through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. I could not have made it without my faith in our Lord and Saviour, my friends, and their prayers. Today I am cancer free. Please go for your yearly mammograms, that is how my cancer was found. This was not an adventure I would have chosen for myself but God brought me through, my faith has increased, and I have met some wonderful people along the way. Stay strong and keep the faith.

Myra
Atlanta, GA

breastless in santa barbara

well...that's me...and it's all a good thing! i was diagnosed in june 2007 with triple negative b/c and since i was LARGE breasted i surely did not want to walk crooked and i knew i did not want reconstruction...so i opted for both to be removed. now, let me tell you, my back has NEVER been better and my hubby is so happy for me that i finally have no back pain for the first time in 25 years! so there is a silver lining, we just have to look for it :)

janet fanucchi
santa barbara, CA

'Ain't No Mountain High Enough"

Hi, I'm Liz,
Firstly I would just like to say what amazing and inspirational stories there are on The Breast Cancer Site, thank you for sharing and thank you to this wonderful site that does so much to help people.

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1995 and then breast cancer in 1999. It has been a 'hard' road to say the least, BUT I have two favourite words now, that help to keep me going - FAITH and HOPE....

Without them I would not be doing so well.. I am a 10 year survivor now, but sadly, my very special husband who stood by me through all my trials has been taken by motor neurone disease. I miss him SO MUCH. We had just had our 31st wedding anniversary before his passing.

I have now taken 'the bull by the horns' so to speak. I am writing a book about HOPE and what I have learnt on my journey so far. I refuse for the the 'cup half empty' to win..... I believe that by helping others we in turn help ourselves..

Accept each new day gratefully and remember that no matter what is thrown at us, there is always someone out there doing it harder!

God Bless,

Elizabeth Jones
Melbourne, Australia

Remember to Play

I found out I had breast Cancer about 9 months ago sitting alone in my Doctors office. Wow.I couldn't believe my ears. Not me a very healthy & active 52 years young.Next thing ya know I am having a lumpectomy in my right breast. Lucky for me the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. I had to have radiation therapy with no chemo. I am going for my six month check up in a couple of weeks. I think about my cancer every day & live my life a little different. I don't worry about dying. That's in God's hands.
I am just greatful for each day I get a chance to play.

Paula Gavigan
Suprise, AZ

A Time for Reflection

I was a carefee 26 year old when I discovered a lump underneath my arm. I was fortunate enough to see the importance and process for self exams on Oprah Winfrey's show just 3 months before then and immediately went to my physician. I was diagnosed and had the decision to make to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy. There was almost so much information but oddly not a lot related to younger women. All I was told was how agressive the cancer could be. So I turned to God to guide me. It was through prayer, reflection, and the support of a nun from my parish that led me to the decision to have the mastectomy and I have no regretted it one day. I believe god saved my life and I am now 8 years cancer free. While the cancer was a traumatic experience yes, I believe the experience and illness helped me really realize the importance of treasuring what and who you have in your life and never again taking things for granted. I now spend my free time volunteering and still participating in the local cancer support groups and am happy to always share my experience to all who ask. And God continues to be a constant force and part of my life.

Diana
New York City, NY

mera's story

HELLO MY NAME IS MERA I AM A32F LIVING WITH BREAST CANCER,I AM A MOTHER OF THREE GIRLS AND LIVING STRONG,WHEN I WAS DIGNOSED LAST YEAR IN 10/09 I WAS DAVASTATED WITH THE NEWS MY BREAST DR. HAD TOLD ME,SHE SAID SIT DOWN ITS BAD NEWS, SHE SAID YOU HAVE STAGE 3 ADVANCED BREAST CANCER THE NEWS SHOCKING MY MIND WENT BLANK. I WAS LIKE NOT ME I ONLY 31 IS THIS THE END OF LIFE FOR ME.WHEN YOU HERE CANCER YOU THINK ITS OVER.BUT I WAS NOT I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ALL THINGS ARE POSSABLE THROUGT CHRIST.MY DOCTORS SAT ME DOWN AND GAVE ME A LIFE'S PLAN,AND THAT WAS 6 ROUNDS OF CHEMO,RADIATION,SURGERY OF THE LT BREAST WITH POSSABLE RECONTRUTION. WELL I AM ON MY 6 TH ROUND OF CHEMO AND ABOUT TO START RAD THERPY. THIS WAS A LOND ROAD BUT I PUT MY GAME FACE ON AND TOLD MY DR. THATS DO IT.I WILL NOT LET CANCER GET ME I WILL GET IT BEFORE IT GET ME. WELL ON FEB 9 2010 I HAD SURGERY. AND ALL THE CANCER WAS REMOVED I WAS SO HAPPY WITH THIS NEW I FELT LIKE SHOUTING ALL DAY. SO I AM HERE TO LET WOMEN GOING THROUGH THIS DISEASE THAT THERE IS HOPE.LIVE LAUGH,LOVE ALL THE DAYS OF YOU LIFE.

MERA
BALTIMORE, MD

Cancer will not get me!

November 21, 2007 I will never forget that day. It was the day before Thanksgiving and my husband and I sat in my doctor's office. We were there to find out if the recent biopsy I had was going to carry good or bad news. Was I going to have cancer? The very word just sent chills down my spine. Was my life about to change, take a turn in a road that I really didn't want to take. The news was not good it was cancer. All I could think of was my kids. Was I going to see them grow up, graduate high school? college etc. This big huge dark cloud had just settled down over our lives. I had two types of breast cancer, IDC and DCIS and like many others I am sure, I thought why me??
Fast forward two years, survived chemotherapy, a year of herceptin and surgery. Now cancer free and going strong! I feel through this experience I have grown as a person. Cancer did not beat me, I beat it!

Kim
Grosse Pointe Park, MI