Share Your Story

I AM a breast cancer survivor

HI,
my name is pat and i am proud and happy to say i am a breast cancer survivor. I know your saying oh no another cancer story. If anyone had cancer they know how rough it is to go through.Its a long hard road and if you lucky like i was youll be able to say im a survivor with a smile. I had three operationsplus reduction and reconstruction,believe me it wasnt a picnic in any way shape or form.Todayi am cancer fre for three and one half years. now i am taking a five year pill every day to help to keep the cancer away. i go for my mammograms every six months and see my
doctors evry three months.thank god for gynecologist and mammograms or i probably wouldnt be able to say im a survivor. please i cannot stress enough go for your checkups and mammograms. These things save lives.I have lost too many friends in the past few years,please be aware of you body,do self checks and see your doctor . thank you so much for listening I appreciate it. And if i get through to at least one person Ill be very happy.god bless everyone
sincerely
pat L

Patricia a Lucia
bayonne, NJ

My mam and her battle x x

Hi Im Lucy im 24 this year and my mam is 50, she has just overcome what we thought was the worst time in her life.
In 2008 she was diognosed with a brain tumor(which wasnt cancer), she had it removed and whilst in the op suffered a bleed and a stroke, she was in hospital for months and we nearly lost her, she has since recovered but is dissabled and unable to speak or eat properly, but she is doing really well and was home for xmas 2009.It wasnt over yet though!
Just after mothers day this year she was diognosed with breast cancer...we were all devastate, we just couldnt believe this could happen to someone that has already suffered enough already.
She has just had surgery and is about to start chemo, at 1st i thought this is it, but after reading so many peoples stories of survival, i am so much more possitive that she can get through this....she is a strong woman and is going to fight it! x x x

lucy
newcastle, United Kingdom

Just diagnosed

On February 26th I felt a lump in my right breast. The next morning I rushed into my Doctors office in a panic. She felt it was just a cist but wanted to be safe and order a mammogram since I had not had one yet. I will be 40 in May and was due to get my first one this September. I was scheduled to have my gallbladder out on March 1st so I didnt get my mammogram scheduled until March 9th. Recovering from my gallbladder, I went in for my mammogram. Immediately following the mammogram they sent me in for an ultra sound then from there they said I had to talk to the radiologist. At that point I knew. He told me he saw something he didnt like and wanted a biopsy that same day. 2 days later my primary care doctor called me to tell me it was malignant. Infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I wasnt aware of the stage until 5 days later. It was stage 2. due to the tumor size being 2.3 cm.. Its triple positive. ER+/PR+/HER2+.. It can be treated with herceptin after surgery along with chemo. I chose a mastectomy with reconstruction. My surgery is April 23rd 2010. Having the mastectomy eliminated me from having radiation. So I opted that way.Plus my surgeon said by having the mastectomy, the chances of this coming back are very highly unlikely, so I am taking his advice. An MRI was done and it showed my left side is clear and my lymph nodes are clear. The surgeon will still do a biopsy of the nodes to be sure during surgery. I am told I am lucky thats its early. I am greatful for that.I am looking forward to being cancer free.

Toni Skane
Menifee, CA

It's Always Someone Else!

After a routine mammogram, I received the shocking news that I had invasive ductal carcinoma in my left breast. I was alone when I received the news but was soon joined by my husband, son and daughter. We were all in shock. Nothing ever happens to Mom! I felt the same way... it's always someone else who has breast cancer, but now it was me! The next day I saw my surgeon and then had surgery two days later--a lumpectomy followed by 34 days of radiation.

The most important thing I found for me was to keep my attitude up. I tried to keep a smile on my face and a cheerful attitude. My family and friends, especially my Facebook friends--"Heifers"--we called ourselves helped and encouraged me daily through laughter and much prayer. My radiation team became my friends and they are all special to me. The 34 days went by quickly and now I am doing great.

My daughter, daughter-in-law and best friend gave me a "Surprise" End of Radiation party where the decorations were pink, the cake made by my daughter-in-law had the pink breast cancer ribbon on top, and pink clothing was worn by many, pink leis were worn by the men and I was given a princess grad headband to wear. I received some very sweet greeting cards from my family and friends. It was a wonderful night of celebraton.

I believe the best thing you can do once you get over the initial shock of finding out you have breast cancer is to keep your attitude light, to gather your friends and family around you and to pray. God helped me through this journey and I know he is the reason I was able to get through this difficult time in my life!

Wanda Icenogle
Enterprise, AL

I Didn't Know My Own Strength

I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer at age 31 on May 8, 2009.It was so devastating for me and my family.I thought i wasn't going to make it but I knew I had to survive.After all I had three beautiful girls and husband,mother,family,friends who were counting on me to make it through.So I had to fight.After two surgeries, chemo,radiation,and most of all a Lot of prayer to my Heavenly Father, I am still here.God has a purpose and plan for me.I know he didn't bring me this far to leave me.So I want to encourage anyone whatever you're going through your trials are a test of your Faith.Through the storms of Life God will bring you out just hold on and stay strong!

Sherria Becton
Maywood, IL

For my 65th Birthday, I got my overdue mammogram

For my 65th birthday, I had a mammogram. One week later, I was notified that additional views were needed, which were done the next day. I also had ultrasounds and a biopsy the same morning. Two days later, on 2/10/10, I had my diagnosis of breast cancer. After the initial shock, I put out my request for prayers. Within the hour, I became a breast cancer survivor. My surgery was 2/24/10. Chemo starts 3/31. God is leading me, walking with me, and sometimes carrying me on this journey. My husband, family, extended family, friends and strangers are praying for me, giving me strength, courage and peace to travel this road. It is a "WE" journey. We are not alone on this path we did not choose; and God, prayers and our positive attitudes will pull us through. I already see the light at the end of the tunnel. My name is Susan Victorious.

Susan Heimbigner
Sumter, SC

My story

Hi, everybody :)
Five years ago my dear sister passed away at the age of 48 because of breast cancer.
I am 49.
I have never thought, that i will be the next victim of that beasty desease.

In five months after i have been checked by oncologist, when i was assured that i am healthy, after mammography my doctor told me i have invasive breast cancer.
Hospital, operation - mastectomy of my right breast (1-st stage of cancer), and half a year of chemoteraphy followed. Its already a month passed after the last chemo course, and i feel better now.
During all this hard time in my life my mom, dad, my friends support me dearly, and i do hope, that everything will turn out to be fine.
Please, take a good care of yourself, and do everything to prevent the desease.
With my loveliest and nicest regards to everyone.
Magdalena

Magdalena
Riga, >Latvia

Not old enough for cancer

You only need to go for mamograms from fourty up or so I believed. At the age of 37, I discovered a lump in my breast. I was pretty sure that it was a hormonal thing. Only at the insistance of my husband did I get it checked out.
And then the fun began. After a lumpectamy, they discovered that I had stage 2 breast cancer. For nine months - went for Chemo and radiation and am now waiting to get the all clear.
Although Cancer is a terrible disease, it has lead me to many joys and taught me to look on the lighter side of life.
I have had nine months of no shaving and no shampoo. Yes I can sleep an extra fourty five minutes a day!
I have met the most wonderful people and know I am truely loved. I have also learnt to live for today because tomorrow is not a promise.
I would never wish to have to deal with cancer again, but would not wish to change the life lessons I have learnt.
Oh yes and don't be afraid to wear red lipstick

Karen Leggo
Kempton Park, South Africa

EVERYTHING WRONG FROM THE START

I was one of those ladies that was never into the self-breast exam because there was no history in my family of breast cancer. Now I lost both my parents to cancer but not breast cancer. I was outside playing with my babies (my dogs) when I got to itching really bad on both my breast. Well, I didn't think anymore of it until the next morning when something told me to check my left breast and there it was PLAIN as day. Thankfully I work at a hospital and was able to get my mammogram that day. Then came biospy day!!! OUCH!!! It wouldn't deaden. She had to do it anyway. I had a perfect circle of bruises from her trying to deaden it. Then I had a "lumpectomy". Then started chemo and had a severe reaction to it and had to quit taking it. Then got burnt to a crisp having radiation. I kidded the tech that did my radiation that I knew they were secretly planning a luau and I was the pig!!!! Then came tomoxifen (which I couldn't take either) then lupron shots, now femara. All and all I am doing pretty good. Because my breast cancer was lobular, I will always worry about it coming back and not finding it. My life will be forever changed. Karen Locklear

Karen Locklear
Buchanan, GA

19 years cancer free...

I had female problems due to endometroisis disease, had total hysterectomy September 1990 and was diagnosed breast cancer March 1991 at age 36 with my son who turned 2 years old and my daughter was 5 years old. My right breast was removed and discovered 3rd cancer that did not show up in mammograms. My doctor assumed I would go for lumpectomy and radiation because I had two tumors, size early peas and large peas, stage 1; however, it was found to be very fast growing and aggresive cancer, my doctor recommended mastectomy. I got very upset because I couldn't take hormone therapy and faced change of life at my age 36. I had chemo therapy and didn't want any breast construction at all. Now I am 55 years old and happy to see my children growing up. They would never forget how my health was in a bad shape as they were very young. My son, 2 years old realized I was so sick, he pulled me out of bed and put me on slipper shoes to feed him for breakfast. My health has been great without hormones.
Lori Gearhart

Lori Gearhart
St. Charles, MO