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Recent Breast Cancer News

I am really disturbed about the recent news stating women should not be taught to do self exams.

I will be cancer free five years in January. If I had not done the self exam, I wouldn't have found the lump and I probably wouldn't be here today.

A mammogram once a year and self exams monthly are the way to go. I can't believe they are recommending mammograms every two years. This is not supporting early detection and saving lives.

I hope the recent news is not influenced by insurance companies or doctors working for insurance companies.

Ladies, please continue your monthly self exams.

Joyce Dunn
Toledo, OH

My Life Lesson

It was to early to get out of bed and I couldn't sleep. Something was nagging me. I couldn't pin point the issue that was keeping me awake. I remembered that it was time to do a self check. Almost immediatly I felt it, a pea sized lump.
I called my physician that morning and had an appointment for later in the day. The next day, my first Mammo showed a spot. I was scared. I was too young.
Surgery was scheduled for the later that week, four days before my birthday. I hadn't told anyone. My husband sat beside me as I told my Mom and Sister. We had lost my Dad to Lung cancer ten years ago. It was one month short of that tenth anniversary.
My surgeon confirmed my fear. Cancer. Tests showed no clear margins around the tumor. Four days after my 35th birthday, I went back for a second operation and Axillary surgery. I was fortunate to need only radiation.
As scary and terrifying as cancer is, I have chosen to look at this episode of my life as a possitve one. Through this journey I know that I'm stronger than I imagined. And, this journey has taught me that the love of friends and family is unconditional, and I try and return that on a daily basis. When ever I find myself in difficult life situations, I remember that if I can deal with cancer, I can deal with anything

Lori
Norway, ME

i'm s 14 year survior, hoping more good years!

I found out in April of 1994 that i had breast cancer. I guess it didn't hit me till after surgery, when i woke up in the hospital, I was told by my surgeon, that on the day of surgery, he was doing a biopsy, and if the results came back negitive,, i'd be going home by 3pm that afternoon. WELL,, when I woke up,, it was 4pm !! I knew then what i had and that i'd be spending the night in the hospital!! I was not happy,, but talked to the staff at the hospital, asked what next?? and proceeded with chemo, and radiation.. In 1995 I completed all treatments. I have had clear mamo's since then. I'm greatful. Now, I'm 60, working pt=time job, NO Insurance, and scared to death that something will happen. HEARD ON THE NEWS TODAY THAT SOMEONE SAYS THAT MAMO'S AREN'T NECCESSARY IF THERE'S NO HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER IN THE FAMILY!! Who thought that up?? I'm afraid now that some insurance companies won't pay for mamo's, now that this statement has been printed, and is all over the news, The statement also says that "self exams" aren't necessary, and also they said that some mamo's just put more burden on the person getting the mamo!! WHAT!!! My daughter found her lump, on her own !! She just found it this year, june of 2009. My girl friend didn't have breast cancer in her family,, but she had breast cancer 3 yrs ago!! WE NEED TO GET SOMEONE TO HELP US FIGHT THE STATEMENT THAT'S GOING AROUND!! WE NEED MAMO'S,, AND EARLY DETECTION IS THE BEST CURE!!! AND MAMO'S SHOULD BE FOR ANY WOMEN THAT WANT'S ONE,, NOT BECAUSE OF HER AGE, OR HISTORY!!!
thanks,
june singer, thono, fl.

june singer
thonotosassa, FL

MY SISTER THE SURVIVOR- MY HERO

I worked for our family Doctor with part of my job being to make the referral calls to Specialist for our patients.The one referral call I never expected to make was for my own sister for an emergency appointment with a surgeon.The adrenaline rush kicked in when she came through the clinic door and I saw the look of total fear in her face.It took only seconds into the examination for our Doctor to tell her she needed to go for a mammogram right away.After a mammogram and ultrasound our worst fear became real,it was cancer and was very serious.Our family became paralyzed with fear.From that moment on DeeDee's attitude changed.A partial mastectomy was performed and she was home to begin Christmas celebrations.To everyone's amazement she began her chemotherapy 2 days into the new year and she never looked back.She spoke freely to her students about her cancer,surgery and treatment.I was so proud of her with her new outlook on life as she forged ahead.Her sense of humor was the bright spot of everyone's day.We talked daily, often quite a few times, throughout her chemo and as sick as she was,she still had this wonderful way of making me laugh.Her six months of treatment ended up being almost twelve and then began the radiation treatments, twenty five treatments in a row.DeeDee remained so strong and full of humor. To this day I cannot believe how much we laughed through her year of treatment.
DeeDee has become my inspiration and I look up to her with such awe for everything she went through and how she stayed so positive.
It is now 12 years later and DeeDee remains cancer free and has kept her sense of humor about her cancer.

Brenda Herzog
Fort Saskatchewan, Canada

Miracles Of Life

It is said that in every challenge great or small there are blessings waiting to be revealed. If you choose to go within and search for these gifts you can create a life filled with love, joy, and peace.
Being diagnosed with breast cancer was indeed the greatest challenge of my life. Yes, there were dark days and fear filled nights as to what my future would hold. Time suddenly came to a screeching halt when I heard those dreaded words, "You have cancer". It rocked my world upside down and shook me to my very core. But eventually I came out on the other side empowered and inspired.
I initially leaned on family and friends for physical, emotional, and mental support. I nurtured "me" in every possible way and began to open my heart with a new love for myself and for life. I discovered that life itself is a precious miracle and if I chose to embrace it my cup would always be half full. I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity to envision my world from a different perspective. It has been most enlightening and life changing.
Cancer helped simplify my life. I find joy in everything and don't waste precious energy on negative people or things. My focus is on living each day to the fullest. I have the power to manifest my reality and I choose to create a magnificent world.
I am more passionate than ever about supporting others on their cancer journey. I give a hug, hold a hand, wipe a tear. I acknowledge and I listen. I love and love heals.
I hope that by sharing some of my story it will inspire others to look within and see their own treasures just waiting to be revealed.
You are worth it.

Patty Bateson
Andover, MA

12 years and counting

I survived because I had things to do I had a 10 year old son and a husband who were not ready to be left on their own. I was also teaching grades 7, 8 and 9 art at the local school and had 85 students counting on me as a professional artist to give them all I could. I worked 3 days a week through my treatments and without the help of my family and my students I dont think I would have made it. I had grade 3 cancer and did 12 chemo and 25 radiation treatments. Looking back I think I was on auto pilot working and family are all hard on a normal day but with treatments wow.
I have to give a big thank you to my sisters who listened to my no stop talking after treatments and to my boys who learned to do laundry and cook. And a very big thank you to a group of hockey mom's who came in to clean for me and to Cindy and my mother inlaw who brought food for my boys when I was sick on the weekends after treatments.
I survived because of the support of many and the determination to do so.

To those who are going through this journey of survival remember to lean on those around you when you need to and never give up or give in to the cancer also remember those around you feel helpless and need to do what they can to help ask them to help even if it is just to listen to you every little bit will help you and the people you care for................D

Deidre Miller
Stony Plain, Canada

Me,Myself,and I

My name is Lori and I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2008. My immunity system went crazy and caused me to lose my ability to walk,talk,feed myself, dress myself and even write. Since then, I have learned to talk, walk with help of a walker, and do most everything else by myself. I have been cancer free for almost 18 months. I have had a great support system consisting of my parents, husband,brother and 2 co-workers and also a great medical team. I have come all this way through lots of prayers and lots of hard work.

I love to scrapbook and met a wonderful woman,who has survived breast cancer and owns a scrapbooking company. She is quite an inspiration to me. She keeps such a positive attitude.

Lori C
Lexington, NC

I feel so blessed

I am a firm believer in preventive medicine. I go for my checkups every year or when the doctor tells me. My mammogram had a new feature this year. I had a mass which I could not feel, nor could the doctor. It did not show up on an ultrasound. This required a needle localization to do a biopsy. This was a new experience for me. The biopsy said that the mass was malignant. My surgeon said he felt a couple of hard spots in the soft tissue when he did the biopsy and recommended a modified radical mastectomy. That was done on October 19. All the tests that they have performed on me have all come back negative for cancer, My doctors said that I do not need radiation or chemotherapy. My oncologist prescribed a pill. Ladies, get your mammograms! They work.

Carolyn Higgins
Kuttawa, KY

30 YEAR SURVIVOR

I share this story for 2 reasons:

Moral support for those currently fighting the battle.

Moral support for those battling the body image.

I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer at the age of 31. My children were 11 months, 7 and 10. My prognosis was a 99% chance of a reoccurrence within 1 year. I am so blessed. I watched my children turn 30, 38 and 40 this year. I have 5 grand children from 6 to 18 yrs.

I am glad I did not understand the full meaning of Inflammatory. There are less than 5% of cancers in this category. There is an approximate survival rate of 20%. Mine had spread into the chest wall so I was in the low part of that 20%.

I did not spend any time dwelling on the loss of the breast. I was just THANKFUL to still be alive. Having children and working helped me stay BUSY and POSITIVE.

My husband was supportive and did not seem to be bothered by the loss of the breast. He did not look at the scare for some time but I believe that was in sensitivity to me rather than the lack of a breast. I worked in an area that was mostly men. They were also supportive and treated me no differently than they had before. I think that was a huge help in the body image area. Over the years I have received many calls from them and their wife's whenever they or someone they know has a cancer scare.

There is life after cancer and with no breast. Believe me; I am now 62 and feeling wonderful. Photo was taken at age 58. I grew my hair for fun. It is now 18" long. LIFE IS GOOD

Sandy Webb
Gresham, OR

MY SECOND BATTLE

My name is De Juan Fernandez, and I had breast cancer 10 yrs ago.

I had a mastectomy with reconstruction surgery. I also had chemo.

Now I have breast cancer on the other side. I have a lot of support from

family and friends. I look forward to being a part of the race for the cure

next year.

De Juan Fernandez

San Antonio, Tx

De Juan Fernandez
San Antonio, TX

DeJuan Fernandez
San Antonio, TX