Share Your Story

Listen To Your Body

I was hospitalized for a blood clot. While I was there I did my breast self exam like I always do after my period.. No lump ,but, upon squeezing my nipple I noticed an orange discharge. I mentioned it to the doctor doing the rounds and he said (without examining me) Oh, it's just a papilloma ,which is just a growth in the milk duct...nothing serious we'll remove it in May. This was the end of December! After not being satisfied(my gut told me not to listen) I finally found a surgeon who listened to me and decided to order a mammogram, That showed nothing,so an MRI was next. It showed a slight shadowing. Next was the needle biopsy. I had that on a Monday and my doctor called me on Friday and said you have breast cancer! Honestly, I wasn't surprised. After a bilateral mastectomy (I opted to have 2nd breast removed as a precaution) I was diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma In Situ that was so deep in my milk duct they couldn't save the breast. I had 5 weeks of radiation(the cancer broke the surgical margin) and also,found out I had not just the one cancer but TWO separate strains of it. One very aggressive and estrogen negative and the other not so aggressive and estrogen positive. The whole point of my experience is to let every woman know that the mammogram did not see my particular cancer,BUT, is a helpful tool in detecting. And the most important thing I have to say is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY it will tell you everything!!!!! GOD BLESS everyone who is ever touched by breast cancer. To celebrate my life I bought the t-shirt that says "NO they aren't real! The real ones tried to kill me!!!!!"

Leslie Biddle
Columbus, OH

Motherless Daughter making a difference !

I believe that everything is for a reason, and that the trials that you go through in life, help define you as the person that you are today.

Five years ago I lost my Mother Abigail Barraza to breast cancer. June 10, 2005, was the worst day of my life, but also the day I learned of my true calling. As I went back to my mothers house, I sat in her bedroom and thought to myself, I can turn my mothers death into a negative or a positive. I choose the positive approach. I wanted women to be aware, and take a proactive approach to educating themselves about the importance of self awareness and education. In honor of my mother I Started a Charity. The Abigail Barraza Foundation provides Breast Cancer awareness and education in undeserving areas in Los Angeles. Last year we started a Program teaching at the local Womens Shelters and treatment centers, and it has been extremely successful.

Many of us go through challenges in life, but we have to believe that we were all put on this earth for a reason. My reason is my Mom. Everyday I try to go out and make a difference in the world. If I have just made an impact on one persons life each day, then I have did my job.

Breast Cancer doesn't just affect the person who has it, it also affects the people whom they love. Watching my mom battle the disease, was very hard, at times I sat and wished that there was more that I could do. Today there is something I can do. I know my moms death was not in vain. I am making a difference and turning a tragedy into TRIUMPH, believing "TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE !

Monique
Los Angeles, CA

Pink Boxing Gloves

I am 34 and was diagnosed on Dec 17 2009. I have only had one treatment so far and I am fortunate enough to be feeling pretty good for now.I will be having a Mastectomy around June..A lot to take in during such a short period of time, but God has blessed me with the most incredible Family and Friends (My Army). At Christmas, my friends gave me a pair of "Everlast " pink boxing gloves..and they are a symbol of how my friends and I are going to beat this thing beyond recognition :) My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has ever been affected by this "uninvited guest". Keep your chin held high and if you need to borrow my gloves...anytime !
"To My Uninvited Guest "
I don't want you here
You need to leave
You make my family and friends miserable
I do not want YOU invading MY personal space anymore
Leave us all alone
You are only a guest
I am glad you can't stay
Please don't ever come back
You are not welcome here.
Debbie Douthwright " Fighter :) "

Because they can't fight for themselves (o)(o)

Debbie Douthwright
Riverview, Canada

Mammograms saved my life!

In April of 2009, I was diagnosed with Stage I invasive ductal carcinoma. This tumor would never have been detected had it not been for my annual mammogram. Ultrasound technicians had difficulty locating the tumor. When my surgeon performed an ultrasound guided needle biopsy, she had a diffficult time locating the tumor. A lumpectomy was performed in June and after 33 radiation treatments, I am a lucky, blessed woman! It will take alot more than cancer to get me...I'm to ornery!

As a survivor, mammograms are a must for women of ANY age! The current guidelines should continue to be adhered to...I am a perfect example that an annual mammographic ritual saved my sanity and my life! Continued support is my passion and was long before my diagnosis.

Kathy Chisholm
Auburn Hills, MI

I support breast cancer. And Try to show my support.

I lost my Grandma in Septmber 2000. 5 days before her 70th birthday and and my 38 year old neighbor Just lost her battle with breast cancer 2 days ago. Is so hard to deal with when they have young kids at home. I just orfered My first order from your store and I will wear everything regularly to shoe my support. I even have gotten a pink ribben tattoo in support of my neighbor when she found out, and that ment the world to her. People should try to share their support in anyway possible. Please Spread the word and keep donating when you can to help these people get better. You never know It could be you next. January 11, 2010.

Jessica
Black Creek, WI

Promoting self-examination

It was twenty-three years ago that I had my first mastectomy. Imagine my surprise when this November I discovered a lump on my other breast which turned out to be cancerous. Two months later, I am well on the road to recovery.
I strongly promote self-examination - it saved my life - twice!

Barbara White
Lake Ariel, PA

My Survival Story

Hi, My name is Maribel I am 33yrs. old. I'm a wife and a mother of two, ages 17 and 11. I found a lump in my left breast in Sept. 09. I had a mammogram and breast ultrasound and it showed I had a cyst. They informed me to wait six months. Which I didn't, I felt something was wrong I had to make sure until I was at peace. I went to see a doctor and he told me I'm too young for Breast Cancer don't worry. Later that week I was told, by the same doctor I was positive for Breast Cancer. After that surgery I found a new doctor. So after many test and surgeries I am Cancer Free as of Nov. 09. Just remember you have a family to fight for not just yourself. Keep in mind your family and you will get through this everyday. Please don't wait too long to get checked out. Don't be scared. And it's ok to cry and talk to people so you don't keep it inside. Best wishes to all.

Maribel
Hamilton, NJ

My sister Valerie

Hi, my name is Denise and just found out my sister passed away from
breast cancer. She had lived in another state and the last few years we communicated very little.
She had gone through a very painful divorce and heard she did not take care of herself properly and forgot some to take some mammograms.
She was scared and alone, I suppose. I urge all women to reach out even if they are alone....to sites where someone may help. It breaks my heart to know maybe the outcome would have been different for her. She was only 59.

Unfortunately, I heard this after recently having a diagnosis of MS.
As women, we are all sisters........never forget.

Find a way to get checked.......

Denise
( A sister of a breast cancer non-survivor)

Denise
Yonkers, NY

Winning with a smile

In Dec. 2009 while eating lunch and exchanging Christmas presents in Nashville with our favorite friends, my gyn. called to tell me I had breast cancer. What a Christmas gift!
Through the lumpectomy/radiation I was determined to beat the cancer with a smile on my face daily! The staff, my husband, my sister, my step-daughter, and close friends were super fantastic! One day at a time and with a smile on your face, you, too, can do it!

Pat shelton
Nashville, TN

My Journey With Cancer

I had a benign cyst removed from my right breast and on 4 March 2009 (the day before my 4th wedding anniversary) was told the all the cells around the cyst were cancerous and I needed more tests. I found out later that I had Stage II breast cancer and would need a modified radical mastectomy and it was found in 4 lymph nodes as well. We, my husband, son and I, went through 8 rounds of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation...from April through December. What I remember the most is waking up from my surgery and my husband looking at me and saying that I was just as beautiful now as I was before my surgery...and I cried. My son and husband were there by my side for every chemo treatment, doctor visits and radiation treatments. In fact my last radiation treatment was 11 Dec and I came out to the lobby to ring the bell to celebrate and my husband had invited all my friends from work and our motorcycle club. The lobby was full of about 30-40 people, cheering and clapping for me as I rang the bell to celebrate being done with all my treatment! I cried for joy! I'm blessed in so many ways...with life, my family and my friends!
I walked in the Relay for Life the day after chemo, I clicked for mammograms, I supported every breast cancer organization and talked to all my friends and family! I tell every woman I know to do self-exams, get mammograms and spread the word!!!

Jenyfer Johnson
Sumter, SC