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I had a praying Mother

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 7 years ago. Upon having a Lumpectomy, I received radiation treatments for 31 days. My Dr. prescribed Tamoxifen for me. Because of the negative things (side effects) I heard about tamoxifen, I was afraid to take it. After taking it everyday for 5 years, I took my last pill on August 1, 2008.

It was a long tough road for me. One of the side effects from taking Tamoxifen is "WEIGHT GAIN". Some friends laughed and made fun of the weight I gained. My feelings were hurt and sometimes I cried because I thought they were my friends, and if anyone understood what I was going through, it should've been them. I held my head up high and I endured it all as my mother prayed for me. Another side effect was "Hot Flashes" I think I had hot flashes all day everyday for 5 years. I still have them.

I often think about how my office visits went from once a month, to every 3 months, to every 6 months and now once a year.

When I have my yearly mammogram, before leaving the hospital, I always get on my knees and I thank God for Blessing me another year to be Cancer Free. Hearing the technician say "You can go now" and not saying "you will have to stay a little longer for more tests, because the doctor saw something on your x-rays" is music to my ears!

I don't know what the future holds for me, but I thank God for today. My mother died before I could tell her I was Cancer Free, but I know she's rejoicing in Heaven.

"WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE"

Gwendolyn V. Manigo (Conway, S.C.)

Gwendolyn V. Manigo
Washington, DC

Second Doctorr

I was told by a Dr. I have good news and bad news. I had the "C" word 10 years ago. The first Dr. said," I had to have both of my breast removed." I went to a cancer hospital and got a 2nd Dr., this one said" I did not have to take off both of my breast." The byopsy got the right breast and a lump was taken out of the right. I had 25 visits of radadiation done. I was back to my catering business in three days. I said "I did't have time to let this thing take my life away! If in dought get a 2nd doctor.

I say this is a sister club," That no one wants to join!"
I now help other cancer persons. As a votunteer with the American Cancer Society.

Sandy

Sandy
Marianna, FL

Barb's Story

I was 24 when first diagnosed with breast cancer - a young woman. I have just turned 40 & still battling - I'm almost finished my treatment for breast cancer for the 3rd time. There has been so much advancement with treatments, I'm almost finished my Herceptin & I'm excited to have had the opportunity to use this treatment.
I'm getting married in 3 weeks to someone who loves me for who I am & not what I look like. Our wedding theme is the pink ribbon, all of our cupcakes will have pink ribbons on them as well as our bon bonniere boxes. Breast cancer has taught me a lot through life & it certainly has helped me make some very good friends along the way - people that I could not do without in my life today. I don't wish this on anyone, but it certainly has made me a better person over the 16 years that I have been living with it.
Having a positive outlook always helps too & all the medical staff have made my journey so much more bearable.
I could not have completed this journey without my sister & also my fiance. I'm always willing to talk to other women who are diagnosed & I'm interested in learning how other people cope with their diagnosis.

Anonymous
Sydney, Australia

Just do what you have to.

Hearing the word "cancer" is such a scary thing, but it doesn't mean that your life is over. If anything cancer has allowed me to live. I have been given a gift of knowing how fragile life can be, hearing that I had cancer opened my eyes to this gift.
I don't take for granted all the things I used to, I appreciate everyday I have. I was given an opportunity to see how much I am loved, how many people care for me, it is an amazing thing.

I don't sit around thinking about what COULD happen, I live in the now. Keeping a positive attitude is so important. Not all days are perfect, but I know that tomorrow will be better.

Having been diagnosed with MS and breast cancer both, has made me stronger. I know what I don't want to happen, so I fight to keep my life as normal as possible. Not allowing these diseases to take over is what keeps me fighting, I will not allow them to beat me.

There is a famous quote by Anne Frank that I find appropriate for my life, "I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains." There is still beauty left for me to see, so much more in my life that I want to achieve.

Having had cancer has made me a survivor, I think we are all survivors. We all have adversity to overcome. How we chose to handle it is what defines our character.

Cheryl
Genoa City, WI

My Angels

It is just over 1 year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a right mastectomy, followed by 4 weeks of radiation. My family and friends were a great source of comfort and support. What did surprise me however, were the asolutely wonderful people I met during my journey. From the surgeon, the oncologist, the radiation technicians, and not to forget the receptionists. The kindess and positive attitude I received from all of them made the journey, if not enjoyable, certainly bearable. They were my angels. God bless them.

Mary
Edmonton, Canada

Be Vigilant!!

In 3 generations (maternal) every woman except one has had post-menopausal breast cancer. My mom is a 17 survivor of stage 2 BC found during a mammogram 6 months behind schedule - could it have been caught at stage one if she'd gone for her mammo on time? She had a radical mastetcomy, radiation, chemo was cancelled as she was allergic to the methotrexate and 5 years of Tamoxifen. My aunt was a 16 year survivor after a radical mastectomy at 78 and no other treatment. I have just started menopause, I will be vigilant in my mammogram schedule and urge everyone else to be also.

Anonymous
Chicago, IL

My Survival

Where would I be without my daily reason to live life to the fullest? My daughter Taylor has always been my survival. Being a single mother with a 10 year old girl, getting the diagnosis of breast cancer was devestating. My mother passed from the disease 20 years ago,and my little sister survived it 10 years earlier. So Taylor and I decided to give it hell and get through it together. After several operations, mastectomy, lymph node disection, and reconstruction, we look forward to every tomorrow. I have been cancer free for 4 years and Taylor is my daily reminder of survival. We remember my mother, we are grateful for survival, and we support efforts to cure this devestating disease.

Barbara Gotta
North Tonawanda, NY

Krissy and Cheryl Saved My Life

I was in the Office of Lakehouse in Mandeville, LA where I worked at the time. The girls were all in there talking, Cheryl Cosse (Our boss), Marilyn Jordan, and Krissy Patecek, and I, Karen Williams. Krissy was to undergo a Lumpectomy, so this was the subject of our conversation. Krissy's mother has had Breast Cancer, but Krissy, Thank God, has never been diagnosed with it. They asked when I had my last mammogram, and I said I did not recall, but that I didn't even know how to do a self-breast exam. I asked Krissy if she would show me. She said she would. So, as Krissy was showing me on my left breast, she said she felt a lump. Of course I said, "Okay, stop joking around." She said, "I'm serious, Karen, I feel a lump." Then Cheryl came over to confirm what Krissy was feeling and confirmed it. It was a lump. Well, Cheryl said to drop everything and go call and get a Dr.'s appointment right away, which I got one for that day. After the Dr. saw me, I was sent for an Ultrasound. The Radiologist confirmed that is was something there, NOT TO IGNORE IT. I didn't and after they took biopsies, it came back malignant and my breast was to be removed. My cancer was stage 2A. Can you imagine if we hadn't been talking that day? I may not be here today. I credit Krissy and my boss, Cheryl, with saving my life. I am on Arimidex, and I did not have to have Chemo or radiation. I love my life and just had a mammogram and I am still cancer free. My Mastectomy was on March 23, 2005.

Karen J. Williams
Mandeville, LA

Pregnant with cancer

I was 37 and six and a half months pregnant when I found a rather large lump in my breast. Because I was pregnant, I saw my Dr. the following week and he immediately sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon biopsied the lump and one week later, I underwent surgery for a mastectomy. Six weeks later Erika was induced to facilitate starting the chemotherapy. It was all such a whirlwind and people ask how in the world I did it and I truly don't know except that the human body and mind summons the will to take care of what it has to do and get through it. Erika was not a "planned" baby and I will always think of her as my guardian angel, because without her, I may have put off seeing the Dr. and waited too long. Now I am two years out and still cancer free and raising not only that beautiful little girl, but her six other siblings as well! ALWAYS have any suspicous lump checked out immediately!!!!

Patty
Spartanburg, SC

Journey with IBC

My name is Elizabeth and I was dx with IBC in 4/08 Stage 3b, Grade 3, Tumor 12.5cm (size of a baseball) DCIS in my other breast Stage 0. Come to find out the type of cancer I have was rare and aggressive my prognosis was poor. When I went to see my physcian he dx me with masitis and I was on antibiotics for a month and nothing worked. I had a mammogram and ultasound and no cancer detected where the IBC was. Went to see a breast surgeon and she did a biopsy that day. IBC does not come in a lump. As soon as I got my results they had me in the oncologist office the very next day. On they day they scheduled my MUGA, PET, BONE scan all one after the other, port in and chemo the next day after that. My Dr. did not want to mess around because of how serious it was. I did chemo for a year and had a double mastectomy, then radiation for 33 days. It was a long journey. I survived as of 3/09 I was dx NED (no evidence of disease) My faith is what keeps me strong. Anyone wants to talk in more detail about IBC can email me at ebann@cox.net. Be aware of your body. Notice anything different let your Dr. know right away. Do your homework. Ask questions. ibcresearch.org You can do this. I am a survivor and you can be too!

Elizabeth
Glendale, AZ