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Bi-lateral Breast Cancer can be beat!!

I was diagnosed with bi-lateral breast cancer in January 1997 at 59 years of age. It is very uncommon to have cancer in both breasts at the same time. I owe my life to the radiologist and the radiation technician. My cancers were very deep-one on my breast wall.
I now tell everyone I know to make sure when having a mammogram that the technician goes as far back as possible to get to the breast wall. It may have been just a matter of time for the cancer to break through. I had two lumpectomies. My borders were clear. 25-27 lymph nodes were removed from under each arm. One node had cancer. I went through chemo and radiation. My focus was on getting well and going on with my life. I had wonderful doctors and health care professionals. I was fortunate to have my devoted husband (a surgeon), children, grandchildren, family, friends, and clergy for a support system. This is an invaluable factor toward recovery.
I am a great believer in prayer and I was able to start a prayer group immediately after my last treatments. We meet once a month to pray for those in need of healing. I had people praying for my recovery in a number of different countries besides the US. I am grateful to be able to give back what was and is beneficial for me. I am also open to alternative methods of healing along with the traditional approach. This is your life, stay in control and think positive.
Rickie, Prairie Village, KS

Anonymous
Prairie Village, KS

Getting Through It

Life was good when I started attending my GP due to a slight discomfort in my left breast. My GP was sure that it was just hormonal as no lump could be found so was told to take evening primrose oil and come back if I was still worried. Six months later a mamogrm found a lump and after biopsy and a lumpectomy was told that I had Grade 3 agressive cancer and needed a mastectomy with all lymph nodes remove followed with 6 month chemotherapy and 4 weeks radiotherapy. I felt my world had just stopped and the thought of my hair falling out was the worst thing for me. I was only 43 with 3 children 17, 11 and 6. I had a good job with British Airways as cabin crew I kept well was active never smoked or drank any alcohol. there was no history of cancer in my family, I breast fed my babies so I thought why me what have I done to deserve this. I had two choices curl up and dye or get on with it. I did not have to think much about it I wanted to see my children get married be a granny and carry on enjoying life.I went in to have the surgery in may 2007 I deceided not to have reconstruction at the same time as I just wanted my chemotherapy to start as soon as possible. I would think about the reconstruction at a later date. The surgery went well and with the support of my husband, mum and my good friend elaine I managed to recover fairly quickly. My Chemo started in june for six months and then a four week course of radiotherapy. It was tough but I got through it and have moved on.

Gillian Welsh
Glasgow, United Kingdom

My 6 years of battle against cancer

September 2002 mamagram showed grape size shadow on my left breast.I was 46.After biosopy,Doctor told me it was ductial breast cancer 2 cm.He recomened lumpectomy and syntinal (sp?) node biosopy.So the following week I had 4 very painfull radiation shots(to track possitive nodes) and lumpectomy surgery.Margins were close, 3 nodes removed, 2 were possitive.Dr. said stage 2 ,inflitrating ductal,estrogen receptive recomended chemo and radation. I chose a Onacologist,took CHOP 4 treatments and 33 radation treatments,Tomoxifin 3 years,Aremedix 1 year.Prostrate cancer runs in my family not breast,my great grandmother momas side had it,she was 85 only family history,lived to be 93.Moma died age 58 lung cancer,cigarette smoking.I have O neg. blood,Dad,Grandpa,my Uncle also,all had prostate cancer,turned fatal for my Uncle.
2006 I had a walnut size lump below ocipitial bone of my head,same week egg size lump grion area.Had biosopy and found out I had stage 3 Nonhodkins lymphomia,large B cell.I'm told lots of women treated for breast cancer with CHOP get Lymphomia,I know of 2 women.2 1/2 years I took treatment for Lymphomia,4 more CHOP treatments with Retuxin,then Retuxin 4 treatments each series,6 months apart. I can't help but feel there is a connecting thread here.
So thankful to have supporting family,stong faith in God.I'm feeling great and enjoying life! Debi

Debi
Statesville, NC

Late stage survival

I remember well when my surgeon told me that he would have to do a second surgery because all of the tissue around my walnut sized tumor was cancerous. He promised me he would save as much of my breast as he could. When I awoke, he gently told me that there was no "clear" tissue until he got to the chest wall. He had removed 5 pounds of cancerous tissue! (I had inherited large bossoms from the women in my family). Needless to say, it was a very poor prognosis! I longed to hear some survival stories for my stage of cancer, but couldn't find any.
So here is your survival story women;

In March of this year,(2010), I will have celebrated my 20th year of survival.
YOU GO GIRLS!

Fran Love
Richland, WA

Shock of my life

My husband and I arrived in Hawaii 10 days after my diagnosis of Stage II/III breast cancer. We had been planning this trip for months and it actually gave us a chance to relax, enjoy ourselves, and not think about the trip I would have to take when we returned. Almost 3 years later, after 3 surgeries, 1 year of Chemo and 7 weeks of Radiation, plus losing my mother to Lung Cancer 4 days after my second surgery, I am happy to say that I am a survivor and feel that my cancer days are gone and I am still here. Without the love and support of my husband and two daughters plus all of my friends, I don't think I would be the person I am today.

Wendy
Germantown, WI

Expect the unexpected

I was diagosed with breast cancer in Nov 2008. No lump, just a tender patch and an instinct something was wrong, combined with extreme tiredness. I had mamograms which showed breast cancer in 70% of my breast tissue, some was invasive, one tumour 30 mm. I went to the Royal Marsden in London, excercising my right to patient choice under the NHS. They were brilliant, did a breast reduction in order to try and save my breasts, it did not work. I then had 11.5 hours of surgery a double mastectomy and reconstruction, many complications especially with the stomach wound, the tissue used for reconstruction. Six weeks into recovery someone called, a man I had known for a couple of years. He came round for a cup of tea to see how I was. Or so I thought. The cancer diagnosis had woken him up, first he asked about my prognosis, then he asked if I would consider a committed relationship with him! To which in a state of shock I said yes. We are still together, my sentinal lymph node biopsy was negative, I turned down the option of Chemo and as I am a natural therapists am using herbs to boost my immune system. It just goes to show though you never can guess what may happen even in your darkest hours.

Fiona
Wells, United Kingdom

Breast-Less Tumor

In 2007, my mother passed away suddenly, my husband lost his business and on the day after Christmas I was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer. I started off 2008 with what was to be a year full of medical treatments and surgeries. I had three surgeries, 6 rounds of chemo and 30 radiation treatments. The point I want to make it that my tumor was not IN my breast but UNDER it, right where your bra rubs. I thought it was a sore from a tight bra. I kept an eye on it and when it didn't go away and felt a little hard, I went to the doctor to get it checked out. Since I already suffered from fluid-filled cysts, I got mammograms twice a year. Unfortunately, my tumor was not detectable on a mammogram. It did show up on an ultrasound. It was the size of a pencil eraser. I had a lumpectomy and (luckily) one lymph node involved. I have been on Tamoxifen for a year and a half now. I follow up with my oncologist every four months and my prognosis is good. Ladies, breast cancer isn't limited to in your breast. Always check underneath. It saved my life.

Lynn
East Stroudsburg, PA

Don't ever think you are cured...

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 50. She had two lumpectomies, refused radiation therapy and took Tomoxifen for 5 years. After 5 years she was in remission and for all intents and purposes cured. Two years later she fell and hurt her hip. She started walking with a cane. Then my brothers' dog knocked her over and she hurt her knee. She went to many different doctors and tried many different treatments, but kept getting worse. I tried to get her to go to better doctors, recommending Jefferson University Hospital, but she refused. Soon she was unable to walk and had to get a wheelchair. By then we found out that her cancer had returned and metastasized and was all over her body. In July of 2007 the doctor gave her 6 months to a year to live and she died 5 weeks later, at 58.

This isn't very inspirational, but it could be educational. If she had kept on top of things and been more proactive about her health, she might have been able to attend my wedding last year. Don't play games when it comes to your health. Putting things off could mean the difference between a life-saving surgery and a death sentence. Be well. People love you and you are too important to slip away. This is why we need universal health care, so women aren't forced to choose between their health and their credit score.

RIP MWW - 12/6/1948 - 8/21/2007
Mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, artist, animal lover, employer, dancer, singer, piano player, avid reader, good Samaritan, Girl Scout Counselor, comedienne, and my best friend.

"The world is a darker place without MWW in it."

JWWR
Salem, NJ

I SURVIVED the Most Difficult Struggle of My Life

I am 44 years old, have been married for 23 years to my high school sweetheart. We have two sons, ages 13 and 20. I have worked as a registered nurse for 19 years. On October 1, 2008 (the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month) I received the biggest blow of my life as I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
After multiple tests and two weeks of time, it was confirmed that I had Stage IV breast cancer with metastasis to the bone (isolated to the sternum). Again, we were devastated with the news of metastasis. I went through aggressive treatment including 14 rounds of weekly chemotherapy, followed by bilateral mastectomies, and daily radiation therapy for 6 weeks. I am now on Tamoxifen and I currently have no evidence of active cancer. This was the news we had been waiting so long to hear! I continue with scans and follow up every three months and so far all is good!
I fought hard and am currently cancer free. We have been thrown lots curve balls and it is not easy, but we survived! I can only hope that any other struggles we face in the future will be a piece of cake compared to dealing with cancer. The enormous amount of support from family, friends, co-workers, and our community has made our journey a little easier, for that we are forever grateful.

Melissa Barker
Fenton, MI

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack

I was 49, pursuing my dream of becoming a pilot..I was getting dressed and ready before dawn for a lesson in August 2009 and found a lump.. thought well, I just lost 83lbs because of weight loss surgery;I really don't know how I am supposed to feel, never been this small before, so, a week later checked again.. and the lump was still there. oh the dread.... said to my honey of 30 years..I think I found a lump.. Stopped him in his tracks. I showed him where I felt it.. He made me promise to see my doc that very day..Went to my doctor and she felt it and said "we are smart women, we think we feel something.. so you are going for a mammogram and ultrasound.. so did that and then,, I went for a needle biopsy, on 9/4 , I found out it was Invasive ductal Carconoma.eeew.. the part that made me angry?? I knew flight lessons were now on hold. Next job, find surgeon, then 2nd opinion. 2 sisters with Cancer, Both parents had cancers. Best course for me was to have both breasts removed and rebuilt. The best news was, my lymph nodes were NOT involved..So on October 28, 2009 I became an official Breast Cancer Survivor. I currently doing chemo to make sure that It won't come back. My oncologist told me that if this comes back.. I might not win- so Cancer- this means WAR.. YOU are the target.. I will use EVERY weapon available to defeat you so that you never return.. More sugery to come, but God willing, I will be done with that and by next August.. I can continue to pursue my dream of being a Pilot. Thank you God and thank you researchers and supporters. Pray4Acure.

Dorothy
Olathe, KS