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Not in a Million Years

Not in a million years would I think I would be diagnosed with breast cancer, at age 54. Our local Senator was having no cost mammography screenings partnered with the Italian American Cancer Society. I thought that would be a great way of me showing my support, and spread the word for those less fortunate. Can you figure out how the story ends. My mammogram showed tiny calcifications coming back suspicious, and so after a few tests at Memorial Sloane Kettering, I was diagnosed with DCIS, in July 2009. I had a partial masectomy. My doctor advised me they got it all, but there was an initial test that needed to be done, the ONCO type DX. This amazing test evaluates tissue samples and can determine the likelihood there is a risk of me getting the cancer again. It also determines if chemo is needed ......
I just completed my chemo, what a great Christmas present. After the new year I will sit down with my radiologist/oncologist and decide which treatment of radiation will be good for me.
Ladies, get those yearly mammograms do those self checks, and most of all get educated on breast cancer. I learned so much in the past six months, and still am learning. There have been amazing advancements in breast cancer.
I have kept a strong positive attitude about this. I have had the love and deep support and prayers of my family and dear friends...
Along the way I have met many amazing woman, who have given me the courage, hope and strength to deal with this head on.
I plan after my radiation, to evaluate the different areas of support systems for breast cancer and focus on one of them and SPREAD THE WORD..THE BEST WAY I CAN.

Mary Ellen Bedrossian
Little Neck, NY

It's Time For That Mammogram!

My mom had breast cancer when I was about 7 years old. She went in for a mammogram with a friend who was getting hers and was nervous. She came out with a breast cancer diagnosis. I can still see her face when she walked out of the doctor's office. She ended up having a radical mastectomy but never had chemo or radiation treatments. I was always told by my doctors not to worry about it, that her breast cancer did not increase my risk for the disease (not true!). When I hit 40 I knew it was time to start having mammograms but I ended up putting it off because I was too busy. Finally in 2008 at the age of 41 a little voice started nagging me that it was time to go get my baseline mammogram done. I went from first mammogram to biopsy, to breast cancer diagnosis all in the same day. My mom's birthday, no less. Over the next 18 months I had a lumpectomy, 6 rounds of chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation treatments along with a full year of Herceptin therapy. I am very fortunate that my cancer was node negative and had not spread but if I could say one thing it would be please don't put off that mammogram. If you have a history of breast cancer in your family at all, insist that your doctor begin yours at an earlier age. If my mom hadn't gone for her first mammogram as "moral support" for a friend getting hers, she might not be celebrating her 90th birthday this March. They really do save lives.

Alyson
Issaquah, WA

You can survive and thrive

I have had cancer 3 times and my breast cancer was the third one. First at age 23 was uterine cancer. That ended my dream of a large family, but I had two children, a boy and a girl and that's enough. The second time was throat cancer and I couldn't speak at all for 3 months. OK, now that was a bit tough on an Irish lass who has since kissed the Blarney Stone. My doctor gave me a pin to wear that simply said "I can't speak" and I carried pencil and paper everywhere. I was 34 that year.

Then I turned 45, are you catching the age thing here? Every 11 years...well that's when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My husband couldn't take it and left me, I truly believe he would have left me anyway, but the timing sure sucked. I didn't tell the kids because of what they had going in their own lives. Oh, did I mention I was also an Ada Senior at Smith College getting my Bachelor's degree and a busy co-Class- President? I had the surgery after I graduated and moved to upstate NY and luckily got by with a lumpectomy. I got through radiation and the chemo. But finally told the kids because my daughter brought my grandson to visit and I couldn't pick him up and had to explain why.

I'm 58, and no more cancer so I believe I've beat it. But tomorrow I go for my annual mammogram. I now have my PhD. but am disabled, just love learning. Don't simply survive, THRIVE!! My Daddy's motto, and now my own, "Live while you live, then die and be done with it!" He served at Nagasaki and died after 4 forms of cancer...wonder if there's a connection?

Becky McCoy
Denver, CO

My Aunt-My Angel..Today 12-28-2009 she would be 42 years old..

My Aunt-My Angel, Leslie Hope, was diagnosed with a very aggressive, Stage 5 Breast Cancer 2 years ago at the age of 39. She had a mammogram done when she noticed something was wrong and they told her she was fine and sent her home on antibiotics. About 3-4 moths later she saw her gyno who examined her & told her that she had Breast Cancer & that's when she started getting treatments. She had a left mastectomy done & also all of her lymph nodes removed. She went through Chemo and 2 rounds of Brain Radiation for 2 years straight. She was the most lovely, good hearted,sweetest person you would ever meet. The type of person that would give you the shirt off of her back. She struggled and fought for 2 years before she passed away on 12-12-09. I truly believe she would still be here if the Hospital/Doctor would have taken the time to read her mammogram right, so please always get a 2nd or 3rd opinion if you ever feel unsure. She was just so full of life it was unbelievable. In all the pain she was in, she never once complained about anything and did everything she had to do to try to survive.She had 1 mother, 3 children,& 1 granddaughter. She had 2 Brothers & 4 Sisters, also 11 Nieces & Nephews. We all loved her dearly & she will be missed but never forgotten. She is our Hero and now our Angel in Heaven, So please girls/women get any tests you need and worry about the bills later. And fight all these crazy changes the government is trying to do with our health programs. Stand up for all women & fight the fight against cancer because cancer sucks!

Anonymous
Lake Wales, FL

my story

I was diagnosed with a "mild" form of DCIS in the falll of 2005. The docs said it could be removed via lumpectomy. After 2 lumpectomies, a left mastectomy was completed in Feb 2006. The pathology report concluded that this "mild" case of DCIS was infact widespread throughout all of the removed tissue. I was HER negative and therefore did not take chemo. I am happy to report that I have been cancer free for 3 1/2 years. It was not easy to prepare meals and such since lifting pots and pans was not in my vocabulary. I learned to eat a lot of raw foods and stayed healthy by staying warm and as stress free as possible thanks to friends. With family many miles away and no significant other I am thankful for those that chipped in to help. For those of you that have a significant other, please be thankful that you have them. I wouldve given anything at the time to have had someone there to hold me when I cried, or help me when I couldnt do things. It wouldve saved a lot of holes I put in the walls with my feet when I was angry and feeling helpless. Thanks to this website for all of the free mammograms it provides for those that are uninsured. I pray that people will still get mammograms at an early age despite the lame healthcare plans that are in the works. I'd be dead now if those laws had been in place in 2005. Stay strong, ladies and caregivers, we need you here!

Debbie Giannuzzi
Denver, CO

Thanks to my friends, family and dogs!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March, 2007. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. Chemo was AWFUL (I did like my Marinol :) )! I took an LOA from my job as a nurse anesthetist - I felt so rotten that I couldn't provide safe care to those who entrusted their lives to me. Some days that the only reason I got out of bed was to feed my dogs. Every week, I stopped by work after chemo to have lunch with my coworkers which really lifted my spirits. Thanks to everyone I work with at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, MN ! The good part was that summer was a great time to be bald! No wigs for me!
I'm a private pilot, so temporarily lost my medical certificate and ability to fly alone. I had cancer, and lost my hobby! I'm SO thankful for my pilot friends (Trudi, Darrel) who flew with me allowing me to enjoy the skies I love. I also enjoyed time turning a wrench helping our mechanics maintain the club aircraft.
Radiation was so easy! During radiation I remodeled my kitchen. I learned to put in faucets, and install appliances myself! I joke around that chemo brought out the "guy side" of me. I love nothing better than a project in my garage, known as the "man-cave".
The cancer experience was ROTTEN, but I'm thankful for the friendship and support I received from my family (Jon, Diane, Jack, Alex - I loved the head rubs!), dogs (Kirby, Amy, Katie), co-workers (too many to name), fellow pilots and guy friends (Dan and Bruce). Noone ever seemed to mind having a beer with a bald chick! Without everyone, I don't know what I would have done, especially being newly single. Thanks, everyone! You rock!

Laura H.
St. Bonifacius, MN

It IS Cancer

I never expected to hear the words "It IS cancer." In October 2006, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was a newlywed of 5 months and thought life was awesome...until the diagnosis.
My cancer was aggressive and I knew I had to be more aggressive with my treatment...8 rounds of chemotherapy, mastectomy, radiation, reconstruction, and a year of Tykerb.
My wonderful husband has been with me every step of the way. He never missed a scan, a chemo session, a surgery, a doctor's visit, or any of the times in between when I was sick and tired.
He made me laugh when I thought all I could do was cry. He gave me strength when I thought I couldn't go on. He made me feel beautiful when I only had one breast and was bald. He was my rock and continues to be.
It's 3 years later and life is finally getting back to normal. We rejoice in every scan and test that comes back "clean'. We are getting back to doing the things newlyweds do and are trying to get pregnant. Life is awesome again!
Thank you Darren. I love you dearly.

Julia Borcherding
LaPorte, IN

Not once, but twice!

I was 29 when my first lump appeared. The year was 1995. My boys where 3 years old and 3 months old. Lymph Node dissection revealed clean lymphs! Had Lumpectomy, Chemo, and Radiation. No Hair, No Fun! Four years and 9 months later, another mass found behind Lumpectomy scar on the same breast. Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction via Tran Flap (tummy tuck fat used to reform new breast). Best decision I could have made! Now I am 43 ( 10 years since the second occurrence) and am cured thanks to my Lord, my doctors, family and friends! Go get'em girls!!!!

Melissa Glancy
LaGrange, KY

There are positives

40 - special in so many ways. Finally married to the love of my life who I met as a teenager, three gorgeous and amazing children and happy. When I was diagnosed a few weeks after my birthday I realised that what I really enjoyed doing was planning - holidays, parties, meetings, pick ups, snacks, supper anything really. Suddenly I felt I couldn't plan at all. It is the most horrific and devastating news but there are positives to be taken. Friends stepped forward to prove themselves extraordinary, others stepped back and proved themselves not. I learnt all the things you should Never say to any one who has been diagnosed and how so few people know what to say. For those people who do have the right words - their value is limitless and they are special. I enjoy every single moment, I listen to my children intently (even when it's all about a level on a Playstation game) and I Know that whilst I have been unlucky I am also one of the luckiest people alive.

Sarah Collicott
Warwick, United Kingdom

There is hope

In early 2008 one of my sisters found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was Grade 3 and her lymph nodes were affected. She had chemotherapy followed by a mastectomy and radiotherapy. Her recovery has been amazing and she's just had breast reconstruction.
Unbelievably our youngest sister had a mammogram early 2009 and she also had breast cancer, hers was Grade 2. She had chemotherapy followed by a lumpectomy. Unfortunately she had to have a 2nd op a month later because 2 of her lymph nodes were affected.
We know of so many women affected by breast cancer and the majority are very positive.

Margaret Hunt
Rochester, United Kingdom