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a battle that will not be beat

I want to Start by saying thank you for reading this.

So it all started about 2-3 years ago when my aunt found out she had breast cancer. So she had both breast removed and did all the treatments thinking it was going to help, and it did but that did not last about 6 months ago or so she found out it was back and was really bad, it was now in her lungs. She is doing everything that the dr.'s tell her but it just keeps spreading and today we found out it has traveled to her brain. We were told soon she will be in a wheel chair and will not be able to talk to us any more (because of were it is located on the brain) and this is going to be very hard for the hole family. I do not know how to handle this news i just wish that there was someone out there that could help me to understand. I love my aunt and do not now how much longer untill the battle is over and loosing her is something i do not think that i could handle at all. And watching my dad go through loosing another sibling is more then i know i can handle. She is a very strong willed women but i do not know how much more her body can take please help me if you can.

Thank you again for reading my story

cher
fullerton, CA

Just in Time

In March of 1986 when I was 42 years old, I woke up to a pain in my breast. My breast felt heavy and I had to hold it up to get out of the bed. I thought nothing about it but every day it got worst. Then I noticed that my breast started to be too big for my bra. I made an appointment to see my OB-GYN.
A few weeks later he checked my breast and said it was nothing. Just lumping breast. By May, it was very obvious that something was wrong. I asked my Doctor about having a mammography. I did. Several weeks went by without hearing from the Doctor, so I called him. He said he had the report which he said "had a lot of words on it". Now he referred me to a Surgeon.
The appointment was in July. I took my husband with me but the Surgeon said there was nothing. Was that amazing, no way, I was mad. Now what?
In Aug. the Surgeon called me to come in for another appointment and he did a biopsy. Guess what CANCER. Now how did he explain why it was missed. "You have no history in your family". I had the surgery in August, a modified radical and thank goodness, I have been cancer free ever since.
Unfortunately my sister 3 1/2 yrs younger died in 1996 because she was not treated in time. There have been other family members who are breast cancer survivors. What a close call.

Arlene
Monroe, GA

Things Happen For a Reason ...

Things happen for a reason. My cancer was detected early because my husband was laid off work. When we contacted our health insurance company to inquire about our benefits, we were told that "we only had one week of insurance remaining" - then we would have to pay for COBRA to retain our benefits. Well, it was during that last week of health insurance, when all family members went to the doctors ... that "the lump" in my breast was found. It had only been 16mths since my previous mammogram ... yet, I had Breast Cancer, Stage 1. My first surgery was the Right Breast Mastectomy w/ Lymph Node Removal. The second surgery was for the chemoport insertion, followed by 12 weeks of chemotherapy treatments. Next week, I begin the reconstruction process with 2 more surgeries scheduled before the end of the year.

My journey through cancer has touched many lives. I am grateful that my husband lost his job and that I was able to find my cancer early. My family, friends and faith have helped me every step of the way.

My advice to anyone who has been recently diagnosed ... is to allow yourself time to process the news. Then, become as proactive as possible. Ask questions and research the information you are being presented with. Consult with several doctors and talk with other survivors. Recognize that this is "your cancer" and that you are able to make decisions. Seek the support of family, friends and the members of your temple/church. Try to volunteer in some way that you feel you are making a difference in this world. And by all means, keep your sense of humor.

Things really do happen for a reason.

Judith Appleton Procell
Oviedo, FL

Walking to Save Lives

In 2008 my sister convinced me to walk in the Seattle Breast Cancer 3-Day. At the time our only connection to breast cancer was from our grandmother who passed away from it before either of us were born. Some thought it was strange that we would get so "into" pink ribbon everything and raising so much money for a cause that wasn't too close to us.

Being a huge support to us, our mom went in to get an overdue routine mammogram. Just three weeks before we were to walk the 60 miles, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This changed our experience in our walk, as well as our lives! 3 days after the walk she had a mastectomy, and started treatments from there. Now, a little more than a year later, she is finishing up treatments and is on her way to a healthy recovery!

By the grace of God she joined my sister and me in this year's Breast Cancer 3-Day, and walked about 40 miles of it! My mom is a true inspiration! Through all of her surgeries, treatments, and blisters from the walk, she stayed positive and motivated to keep going!

Ellie Brown
Everett, WA

Unexepected

In January of 2008, I noticed that my left breast was moving differently than it had before. I briefly considered "cancer", as I guiltily remembered skipping what were supposed to be my baseline mammograms. But, I waited another two months before finally seeing my doctor. She looked, told me it was likely nothing (it in no way felt like any of the lumps in the model breast they give you for practice self-exams), but decided to send me for a diagnostic scan. The scans revealed that, at 43, with no family history, no known risk factors, I had Stage III breast cancer.

I've been through the whole slash and burn treatment program; full mastectomy/reconstruction on the left side, chemo, radiation, and now hormone treatments. This is a horrible disease, and the treatments take so much of what you were away from you, it's so much more than just losing a breast/breasts. I miss how sex used to be for me, and that's never coming back. I feel like they've made me into an old lady all at once. There isn't a part of a woman's body that isn't negatively affected by estrogen loss.

Word of warning: recent research shows a link between melatonin suppression and breast cancer (see Mayo Clinic's studies on this). Also, there seems to be some connection between low thyroid and breast cancer, although it's not clear yet what it is. I had both of these things, and I am sure it's a big part of the "why" for me.

I'm fighting through this, day by day, with God's help. I know, overall, I'll come out of this certainly stronger, and in some ways, healthier than I was before, but I do wish I could have found it earlier and avoided some of the more devastating treatments.

Cynthia
Somewhere, WI

My Near Exodus

April 3, 2000, on my husband's parents 65th Wedding Anniversary Celebration-which we could not attend, I was in surgery with 3rd stage breast cancer-had mastectomy-left breast-eight lymp nodes removed.
I never finished chemo IV treatments, before ending up in the hospital dehydrated, blood low + pneumonia-stayed there around two weeks-nearly died. Many breathing tests, numerous test, including biopsies of both lungs-six shots in my stomach-given two units of blood. As many as pleased, could visit, some I could not remember their coming-lots of cards and flowers.
Later, I went through 33 radiation treatments. My port a cath is still in, because I had the kind of surgery-the surgeon said, that is like crab grass--think they got it all, but, it can come back any time, anywhere, including on the same side or in my brain. I go every three months to have it flushed out. Now, I only see the oncologist once each year. I was close to insanity-which the radiation oncologist said was chemo brain. I felt that I would live that way the rest of my life. When I was still in bad shape, the doctors had run every test they could think of, trying to see if I had blood clots in my lungs, but never proved it, so the insurance left three things the oncologist could do.put me in rehab, a nursing home, or send me home.
Our Savior, whom died for our sins, decided to leave me here.
April 3, 2010, I will have survived ten years-thankful to be here with my loved ones + friends, serving Jesus-wife of a wonderful man + minister-married 50 yrs. 3-21-09

Anne Hood

Anne Marie Hood
Atoka-near Memphis, TN

THE DAY FINALLY ARRIVED WITH THE DREADFUL NEWS-YOU HAVE CANCER

my name is michele and im 47 yrs old, mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 65-she is now 71 and underwent a lumpectomy and radiation-my nanna who has since passed away got breast cancer at age 53 and died at 62-yearly i have been undergoing mammograms and ultrasounds from the age of 30 because of my family history and also the fact that my mums 2 first cousins also had breast cancer-i knew deep down that it was only a matter of time before the doctor said those dreaded words that i too now had breast cancer-i was told about a month ago beginning of October 2009 and since have had a partial mastectomy only 6 days ago-believe it or not i spent 2 days in hospital before coming home and i have not stopped or slowed down -i am returning next week to see my surgeon to then follow up with a oncologist-i have not shed a tear since coming home from hosptal but shed buckets before i went in-i was so scared of the unknown and also to how my breast would look-you could not see or feel the lump it was deep in the chest wall-i had a partial mastectomy as my surgeon calls it and im so nervous for the follow up treatment that is to follow-one positive thing that did come from this is my firends have been amazing and unfortunately it takes something so drastic and horrible in your life to realize how imprtant it is to have friends and family rally around you in a time of need-thank god for awareneess to breast cancer as my surgeon told me that if i had not continued to have mammograms it would have been 5 years before it was too late

michele
bondi beach sydney, Australia

From baseline to cancer

I am 39 years old with a beautiful blond hair, blue eyed little boy who is 23 months old. My OB GYN wrote a script for a baseline mammogram in Feb 2009. In September 2009 I still had not found time to go. A friend of mine had a cancer scare and I remembered the script in my briefcase and FINALLY made time to go - just to get a baseline. The baseline came back abnormal. The diagnostic made a biopsy necessary. The biopsy came back positive and an MRI was scheduled. The MRI showed another small area which will have to be checked prior to surgery being scheduled. Yes, friends, I am going through this as we speak. The positive site is .77 centimeters, undetectable by feel, found by the grace of God after I found time for a routine baseline mammogram. I'm not sure where I am headed with this. Surgery is a definite, however, the new area has thrown a wrinkle in plans for surgery ASAP. My concern is for my son, I don't want him to grow up without me. I'm sure I am at the beginning of a loooooong journey, one I need friends to help me with.

Kim
Palm Harbor, FL

HELP

I started out at 39, okay at that time , then 40, it happened. Since I have been going for mammogragrams, pressure tests, calcification tests, and ultrasounds for the past 2+ years, all I ever get is come back in 3 - 6 months. We need something to go by. Its been over 3 yrs. Don't you think they have something to go on by now????? Help

Robin
Jasper, IN

Pink Ribbons, That Is What I Am Talking About!!

October is all about it. We dress about it, read about it, talk about it, pray about it, walk about it and someday will rave about a cure for it.

It has been 28 years since my mother and best friend at age 53 the day before her 54th B'day passed away battling breast cancer. Because of her fear of having breast cancer she waited to long to go to the doctor. Because of my fear of getting breast cancer I self examined and had a mammogram every year. I was thrilled to see my 55th birthday happily came however in just a few short months I was diagnosed with the same retched disease. I was devastated, angry, sad, very scared and spent the whole weekend with my family trying to make sense of what and why this happened to me. There were no answers so once I accepted having the disease I found the faith and the strength to move forward. By my awareness and early detection my disease was contained and operable but left me with the huge decision of what to do next. In conjunction with all of that my baby sister had a double mastectomy with reconstruction at age 35 and she is now a 20-year survivor. HALLILULA!! Because of my well known family history, my love for life, family, friends and faith my decision was easy. GET RID OF IT. I chose to move forward with a double mastectomy and reconstruction. The best thing I ever did. I am now 60 years old and a 5-year survivor. DOUBLE HALLILULA!!!! I JUST WISH IT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRIPLE.
Today I feel blessed to be alive, healthy, cancer free and part of the Pink Ribbon Club.

God Bless To All!!
Your Pink Ribbon Member

Nancy Petersen
Tacoma, WA