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Survivor!!

I found my lump in Jan. of 2007 in the left breast. I had a mammogram and ultrasound done. I was told to just keep an eye on it. In June it started to get painful, so I went back and had another ultrasound. They sent me to a surgeon right away since the lump had gotten larger. On July 9th I had a biopsy done and was told that day that I had cancer. I decided I wanted the whole breast removed and had it done July 19th. It had spread to 3 of 6 lymphnodes. I had 8 rounds of chemo and 6 weeks of radiation. I had my port removed about 5 months after finishing treatments. I started reconstruction, but decided it was'nt worth the pain! This July 9th, I will be cancer free for 3 years!!

Doris
Forreston, IL

30 years and still alive

my story started when i was a mere 22 years old my breast were sore to touch and red raw seeping a very smelly odor and were shrinking rapidly I have seen several doctors had biopsoies and so on i went through hell with pain and soreness .A specialist ask me on one of my vistits what i would like to do i had no idea what he was talking about he then informed me that as i had 2 babies at home what would i like to do as there isn't much time to think about it .I had ask him then with my mother by my side what do you mean well he said iam sorry to have to tell you this but without a bilaterialmastecomy you will probably die with in a year or so with it you can live a normal healthy life .What would you do so i opt to have the surgery the diease i had was called (mammary displacia) and if left unattended turns to a rapid form of breast cancer i am here to say that it has been 30 years March 2010 so do not just look for lumps as they are not always there .

Jo-annJessome
Cape Breton N.S.

Jo-ann Jessome
nova scotia canada, AL

I am a survivor

Almost 3 years ago I went for my yearly mammogram. A different story that time. The dreaded words came back. You have breast cancer. Because of my family history I opted for bilateral mastectomies. July
17th is my new birthday. I am cancer free! I am a survivor. I could not get a picture to attach. Please everyone get your mammograms regardless of your age, cancer doers not respect the under 50 reccomendation. I am a surgical nurse and see many under the age of 50, just did a 39 year old. It will save your life, it saved mine

Sten Kristine Cantwell
Rockford, IL

Surviving with Serenity

I'm Tiffany, a 33 year old mom to three of the best kids in the world. I have been with my Milton for 15 years now. My life hasn't always been bliss. I was 31, working at the House of Blues, partying and really screwing up my priorities. One Friday night, as I lay on my bed, my breasts had been hurting and I only reached up to kind of massage them for some relief. I found a HUGE lump in my left breast. Everything happened so fast. I got my first mammogram, then a needle core biopsy, then the words that would change me forever inside and out. I had invasive lobular carcinoma, and all of this happened in a weeks time. There was a surgery, both breasts..gone..scars, hurt..How did this happen? No one in my family had it, ever. I was then told it was triple negative cancer, a dangerous cancer with limited treatments and a smaller survival rate. It was too much, chemo, radiation, doctors all the time..I turned to God and never let go, begging for a healing. I got 5 months cancer free and this January, it came back. I know God is protecting me, no matter how this turns out. The selfish side of me wants to live long and hold my grandbabies. My best friend, Darla, helps me so much, I could never live without her. I am still fighting, trying to stay ever hopeful. My heart pains for the women of our select club. We all hold on to the hope and fight the fear. I am not always strong, but my loved ones and the Lord carry me..and that is all I need. The pic is me on the left and Darla on the right..She showed her support for sure!

Tiffany Barnes
Mesquite, TX

The past year

I'm a 36 year old, single mom that had Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on April 1, 2009 that had to be the worse day of my life. It was very hard to go home and explain to my 14 year old daughter that I have Breast Cancer.On April 22, 2009 I went in for surgery had a double mastectomy and the tissue expander put in. My chemo was to start in May. On May 22, 2009 I was admitted in to the hospital with a 106 temperature. I had a staff infection behind the left tissue expander they had to remove the expander. I was in the hospital for six days. I had to have IV antibiotics at home. My chemo treatment couldn't start till I got rid of the infection. I started my chemo and after the second treatment my hair started to fall out. My daughter told me she would shave my head for me once she started she told me she couldn't do it. On July 27, 2009 I got real sick again, It was a staff infection behind the right tissue expander they had to remove it. I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. I was on IV antibiotics at home. They had to stop my chemo treatments for a few weeks to help my body fight off this infection. My last chemo treatment was October 29, 2009. I had no insurance until July so the first two surgeries were not covered I have 2 to 3 more surgeries for my reconstruction. I found out on April 1, 2010 that the insurance will only pay to have the right side done the one that the cancer was in. The past year has been very emotionally and financially hard on Me.

Joy Courtney
Ardmore, AL

Breastless.

I had already been going to Dr after Dr because of a terrible fall I took in 1993 which put me out of work permanently. I went to my obgyn for an annual check up.She found a small lump in my left breast and ordered a mamogram. There was nothing wrong with my left breast but the fantastic radiologist that read my x-ray, found 8 small calcifcations in my right breast.There was a wire guided byopsy done to find it was all cancer. I had my right breast and all my lymph nodes under my right arm, removed in 1999. I remember the day I took the bandages off to reveal my 57 staples I had across my chest, and my oldest daughter standing on the other side of the bathroom door asked me if I was ok. My reply thru the tears and crying was, " No and I never will be again." I am happy to report that I am still cancer free. But missing a breast that I can not afford to have replaced which makes a person feel very depressed at times and certainly makes you not want to wear a bathing suit or go out in public very much. I try to stay up-beat and enjoy life to it's fullest. My children , grand children and gr grand children help to do this. I hope anyone that has to have a breast removed, has the insurance to have some appropriate kind of surgery to make them look as normal as possible. God Bless all of you women ...

Marlene Bassett
Kaukauna, WI

A Silent visitor

My name is Katrina Glenn. My story is how after two years of having a positive mamogram, until the next year, it was true. I found out te I had a tumor. Afraid, cried, embarrassed, and hurt. Never smoked nor drink. I have 6 children and a troubled marriage. My former husband treated me lke I was a deceased. he mentally abused me, and had several affairs. Talked about me at the hospital. Left the day of the surgery. My best friend and cousin and daughter was there. My strength came from my god mother, and friend. they prayed. The surgery was successful! But the radiation is still a challenge for me in this recovery period. I didn't have to have chemo, but the chemo alone did more. I'm inspired to start a support group. Many churches do not have it. I got my life back! It has certainly been a journey for me. Not being able to get rest, suffered from all forms of anxiety. Not being able to get around like I use to. God has broguth me thus far...

Katrina Glenn
Chicago, IL

hard times

my step mom has to be one of the strongest woman i have ever met. when i was growing up we had our fair share of fights, but things like that seem so pointless now. Phyllis was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40, the same day that michael jackson died. as if cancer wasnt bad enough she also has lupus, fibromyalgia, TMJ, and rheumatoid arhritis. so she was in pain everyday and it was the hardest thing for me to see. i moved back from california to come and help out with everything. i went to every chemo appointment and every radiaton appointment. i wanted to be apart of everything. the day her dad shaved her head was one of the hardest days ever. she just had another mammogram last month and i am happy to say that there was nothing found, and her hair is slowly starting to grow back. :)

Elora Cordova
albuquerque, NM

Moms Are Strong

My mother is 68 yearsa old and still dealing with Cancer. She is very strong willed and is going to beat this. My mother in law also had breast cancer and my wife has been a great help. She knew what to expect and really helped out a lot with my mom.I am very greatful to her and yes she is a momma to. There is a country song about how tough women are that go through cancer and it really hits home. It talks about how tough this man thought he was intil he sees his wife go through cancer. So yes be tough and remember you are beautiful.

Rodney Hance
Newport, TN

15 yrs ago this month!!

At the age of 42, I found blood on the inside of my bra, but not on my shirt. The doctor hoped it was an infected duct, but mammography showed somthing much more serious. After a single mastectomy and lat reconstruction, 12 chemos and Tamoxifen, I have made it this far and though still ADHD, am getting better at managing my time, my life, my energy and my heart. I was single then and still am..this year seems to hold more connection for me to that time in the past, of fear and struggle, and deciding what was/is important in life. Ask for help, accept the love, be strong and know that this is a just a test..which you will be shocked to see that you will pass with flying colors, if not many new and profound insights into who you are and who you are yet to become..Blessings.

Deborah McGauley
Melbourne, FL