Share Your Story

Cancer

I was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, I found a lump under my arm but just put it off but it got bigger so my husband took me to the doctor and had a MRI and mammogram, found out it was in the lymph nodes but not in the breast. I went through chemo and radiation, my husband was there through the whole treatment,In 2007 was 1 year cancer free and before I reach my 2 years, in March 2008 I lost my husband to diabetes and heart trouble,I will now be 3 years cancer free and I have also met so many great people on the internet and have remained friends for many years.

Sharon Pautz
Cleveland, Wi.

Sharon Pautz
Cleveland, WI

Peggy's Story

Peggy discovered a lump long before any doctors. She pushed doctors to get in and have this checked. When the lump was removed, nothing had even advanced to the lymph nodes, but the diagnosis was the most aggressive breast cancer that exists.
Peggy went through chemo, radiation and was a 4-1/2 year survivor with a clean report on December 31, 2005. In April, 2006, when she felt itching and pain in her back, the doctor kept putting her off saying it was nothing until she pushed him to schedule a MRI. He agreed to the MRI just to prove to her it was nothing.
The next day the doctor called, on his knees, apologizing for not listening to her and instructed her to contact her oncologist. She had several bone tumors, one lung tumor and, eventually, brain tumors. With a second round of chemo, radiation and surgeries, she lost her battle on November 24, 2007.
Do not wait for annual examinations. Perform self examinations on a regular basis. Do not let doctors put you off. Push them if necessary. You take charge of your life.
Peggy, I love you and I miss you.

Richard Flemming
Pflugerville, TX

3 Sisters

My sisters and I have all had the BRCA testing. Jenn had hers done because she already had the cancer and her doctors wanted to see if she had the mutation. When she found out she did, she made us get tested as well. She saved my life. I carry the gene and because of my angel now in heaven, I will get to educate women on this test and help them through their decisions. Thank God our youngest sister was negative.
There is not a day that goes by when I don't think of the gift my sister has given me. I will be part of the cure!

Heather Adams
Sykesville, MD

Nine fantastic years and counting.....

I started HRT in February of 2000. In March of 2000 my mammogram was clear. By May I had a painful lump in my left breast that hurt when I would lie on my side. Ultrasound and a biopsy confirmed my fears. I had a lumpectomy in late June, but delayed chemo until August after a planned vacation with my husband. My surgeon had not given me very good odds. At least six out of twelve lymph nodes examined were positive. I stubbornly decided I would not give up and did meditation and visualization.

Chemo and radiation weren't too hard on me, but I did gain weight. My body felt starved during and after chemo. I followed radiation with Tamoxifen for four years, then my oncologist recommended changing to Femara. Both have hot flash side effects, but those flashes remind me I'm still battling the hormone receptive cancer. Each day I am overwhelmingly grateful to be here with my family and friends.

During radiation, I rediscovered my love of working in glass art. Previous stained glass experience helped with my new love of fusing glass. I took classes and eventually started selling my work in shows around Oregon.

For the past few years I have been a fusing instructor at a local non-profit glass school. I now teach high school students and adults, volunteer, and sell at shows. I have met so many survivors through the glass community. Janis Piper (a previous story contributor) is one of those remarkable survivors and a wonderful friend. We help each other at craft and art shows and share our stories with other survivors we meet.

Though at times my life has been a battle, I feel a survived for a reason. Every day is a new opportunity to discover that reason.

Sue Bradley
Eugene, OR

Still going strong 4 1/2 years later.....

Feb. 2005: I found a lump while taking a shower, then waited 2 weeks for reality to kick in and get myself to the Dr. Within 22 hours of a needle biopsy I was told, "you have breast cancer." A third stage diagnosis, lumpectomy and 19 lymph nodes taken, chemo, and radiation; then pushing myself to exercise all winter to get my body back to whatever my new "normal" was going to be. In summer 2006 I went into congestive heart failure (CHF). I was in good physical shape, and that is what saved me; the chemo had attacked my heart valves. It is now 8-31-09 and I am back to the everyday of living. I keep to a very low salt diet, and live my days involved with family, friends, and my passion since CHF, glass fusing, and enjoying all the great women that have come into my life through that interest. I'm impatient to hit the 5 year mark so I can say, "I did it!" and yet every day is a milestone for me. Dust bunnies, unfolded laundry and dishes can pile up, as I'm the first one to say, "Let's go, let's do it!" when an opportunity comes up to go, do, experience, and live life in the moment. Being a survivor makes me realize how precious every day is...

Janis T. Piper
Creswell, OR

Concerned but Happy

I was diagnosed 2days after my sons first baby was born. I felt so guilty when I had to tell my family as like most women I was always the one on which they all could depend. Myhusband has MS so it hit him particularly hard. I had to have a mastectomy and the cancer had gone into 20 lymphnodes I was devistated I have had the chemo and the radiotherapy and now take tablets every day as my cancer was hormonal. Is there anyone out ther who has survived when such a lot of lymphnodes are involved. I feel OK and go for regular check ups but this one problem still haunts me am I the only one who has this in the back of their minds I have read many stories of recovery but no one seems to have had the cancer in their lymphnodes help!!!!

Anonymous
Durham, United Kingdom

MY STORY!!!

It was Nov.2008 when i found my lump,I was dressed for bed and i leaned over and my arm rubbed across my left breast and i felt it.I was like what is that and about a week later i went to the doctor who sent me for a mammogram and thats when they said it didn't look good.It was the day before Thanksgiving and i had to wait all holiday weekend before i could get a biopsy.It was the longest weekend 0f my life,but i finally got it and it came back positive it was breast cancer.I had a lumpectomy in Jan.2009 and he tested 2 lymp nodes which came back clear,my lump was 3" which is considered medium.But then when i went to my oncologist and they told me i was triple negitive, which is when the cancer is not hormonally produced i was devastated.So i had to take a more aggresive treatment,but made it thru and thru radiation and now i'm doing good.I pray everyday that it doesn't return because i want to see my future grand kids,they are why i'm fighting this.I had just turned 41 when i found this out,i had went for my yearly check-up in Feb.2008 and he ordered a mammo because of my age but he didn't say he felt anything so i put off getting one.PLEASE ladies don't wait for your doctor to get one,go yourself.

Janet Torres
Newnan, GA

Smiling Through My Journey

I found a lump. I was diagnosed on June 25, 2009 with breast cancer at age 39 with no other risk factors. Less than a week later, my surgeon removed my lump and 6 sentinel nodes. The nodes came back clear and the margins of the tumor were clear, but I was a triple negative tumor so I have to have both chemo and radiation. I shaved my head so that the chemo wouldn't have total control of my body. My students needed to see me and know me without the hair before going through the hair loss a month later. I have completed my 2nd chemo so far and I have been motivated by the overwhelming feeling that the positive attitude and the passion for living thankfully is what guides my steps daily. I will continue to fight. I have the most amazing co-workers at the elementary school where I teach first grade and the support from my family is awe inspiring. I have organized a charity pool tournament to help raise money for the breast health center who helped educate me to my tumor, a Grade III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. But remember this about me: I am not defined by my cancer, my anatomy, or my chemo. I am defined by my passion, my faith, my support and my joy. Know that it is worth every day, every step, every moment, every breath. Love well and live on.

Alecia Dressel
Stapleton, GA

My Sister My friend My Inspiration

In July of 2007 my sister found out she had breast cancer. She had a lump removed from her left breast and some limp nodes removed from her left arm. They seemed to think they had gotten all of it, but then they did more test and found she tested positive for the HER2 she went through chemo radiation for the next 2 years with in that 2 year period she got more cancer the brain, the lungs,cervical cancer also.She was very healthy before this,no medical problems.She showed me so much strength and courage and never let her cancer get the best of her. She met so many friends at her treatments and she gave them all her strength and courage and told them never give up the fight.The reason she is and always will be my inspiration is because when the doctor told her July 2009 there was nothing more they could do for her. She still put all her families needs and wants before her very own,even in her darkest moments.We lost her July 24, 2009. I really keep praying they will find a cure one day.Because to many people have lost to many precious people in there life to cancer. I also lost my mother at age fifteen and a cure is long over due, not only for me but for everyone. She had a twin sister which I still have, But we miss her and love her very much,and we can"t see or be with her anymore neither can her children. So keep fighting not only for her but the ones before and after her.

G. Luna
Whinchester, VA

My Fight

My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983. She passed in 2005 on a reoccurance. I have always gone for my annual mammogram. This year I received the dreaded we need to see more call. I had a lumpectomy with nodes May 28th. Yesterday I finished my last radiation treatment and will start on Tamoxifen in a month. All my friends have rallied around me and I have had a "I'm going to beat this attitude" throughout the whole process. My health team has been the greatest...I call them my "Verizon" Network. With wonderful support and a great attitude this can be beat!!!!

Anna Tasier
Fresno, CA