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I am a survivor

I was told in March 1991 that I had breast cancer. I had my left breast removed in April 1991. In June I was told that I only had a 40% chance of living.At that time I still had 3 children at home the youngest was 9. I only had 3 chemo treatments than I stop them I was just too sick to gone on with them. Nothing they gave me helps.By the second treatment I has lost all of my hair . So I put my life in order. That first year was really hard. But with my friends at church and my family I am still here and I have been cancer free for the last 17 years. I want to thank everyone that supports this web site. I had good insurance but there are a lot that don't.

LaQuetta Linn
Las Vegas, NV

STAND STRONG!

Just when I thought loosing my job of 26 years was the worse thing that could happen in my life..... 5 months later on March 3, 2005 my house burned down and we lost everything we had and 5 days later, March 8, 2005 the phone rang and it was CANCER! Invasive Ductal Carcinoma,I will never forget those words as long as i live. But Cancer made me wanna fight and stand strong. For me,my Children,and my Grandchildren. I kept telling myself that I couldn't lay around. I had to get up and keep moving and continue to do everything I was doing before Cancer. So i did. I counted every Chemotherapy treatment, 24 altogether.....2 surgeries and 30 Radiation treatments later........I am Cancer Free!!! (Thank God). Life will never be the same. I think all Survivors cherish everyday because it is so crystal clear now that "Everyday is a Gift". SO LAUGH EVERYDAY, CRY WHEN EVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT, LIVE EVERYDAY LIKE IT'S YOUR LAST, AND DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY......EVERYDAY!! LIVE LIFE LIKE IT'S GOLDEN BECAUSE IT IS!!!!!

Gwendolyn Reed
Houston, TX

The Lord has blessed

I was 32 when I was diagnosed with breast can. After a bone scan to make sure it had not spread to the bone I had a modified radical mastectomy which removed my left breast. Due the fact the lymph nodes were clear remarkably I did not have to go through chem or radiation. However 6 weeks later after many test the doctors discovered I was almost 4 months pregnant. I was pregnant before my surgery and did not know it. Due to the fact I had been through the surgery and many tests it was decided that this could be another life threatening situation. I immediately had a therapeutic abortion and tubal ligation. The next year when my body had healed I had a hysterectomy. I will be 62 next month and have been caner free for almost 30 years. I have been truly blessed and am thankful for every day the Lord has given me.

Elaine Terry
Greensboro, NC

Importance of yearly check ups

I was diagnosed in January 2007 with my routine mammogram. I had advanced DCIS and had a mastectomy in April. I want to remind all women that not all breast cancers are a lump that you can feel. DCIS is in the milk ducts and can usually only be seen on mammogram or MRI in the early stages. I encourage everyone to get their yearly mammogram. My diagnosis would have been worse if I had missed my yearly check up.

Eileen Brimmer
Fullerton, CA

Breast Cancer scare

I had my annual mammogram the end of January. My doctor called me to tell me all was good. I did my monthly self-check the 1st of March and all was fine. Toward the middle of March, I was sitting reading on a Saturday and suddenly, for no reason, felt my right breast and discovered a lump. My husband could also feel it. I called immediately and set up an appointment with my doctor for Monday morning. He gave me a thorough examination and wanted me to get both a sonogram and needle biopsy. He called me a few days later and told me all was well. Less than two weeks later, the radiologist called me. He'd had time to really sit and review the outcome and said that things looked inconclusive. So, off I went to the surgeon where I was reexamined by her associate who informed us of the worst case scenario. When I went back I saw the surgeon herself who reexamined me and said she didn't think it was malignant but was a cyst that should come out anyway. A date was set up with the hospital for out-patient surgery and she took out a walnut sized cyst. It proved to be fatty tissue and was benign. I've been told by her that there was no way to have avoided it. My husband of 53 years and I feel very relieved. Especially when we later bumped into a friend who said she'd had a mastectomy because of breast cancer.

Nina Lees
Rancho Mirage, CA

Grandma has to fight!

My grandmother found out on August 6th, 2009 that she has breast cancer. My family has always been supporters for Breast Cancer Awareness and it really hit home on that day. We all have the "Fight Like A Girl" t shirts and are going to purchase her one. Hopefully it was detected early enough to save her. I will be lost if something were to happen to my "LIzard Breath!" (inside joke....) I love you Grandma!

Heather White
Darlington, SC

Fight Back!

Stage IV breast cancer upon diagnosis!
All I can say, is LISTEN TO YOUR BODY....if something is wrong, go to the doctor. If they tell you it is nothing and you still have doubts, go to a DIFFERENT doctor!
I am 4 1/2 years into my stage IV breast cancer diagnosis....cancer has attacked my breast, my liver, my spine, 3 different regions of lymph nodes, a rib, my family, and my friends!
FIGHT BACK! Early detection saves lives! Don't let cancer hold you back!
Run a marathon, skydive, write a book, love your family, raise your kids, and have FAITH in the FIGHT for a CURE!
Hope and Love,
Tracy Lingwall Harnly

Tracy Lingwall Harnly
Lincoln, NE

What Cancer has done FOR me

We've all been given burdens to carry at times, and what we do with them is what makes us who we are. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was devastated, as we all are when it hits us. I had surgery, chemo, and radiation, went through all the fear, misery, and discomfort -- and I survived! The key is I SURVIVED. Because of my experience with cancer, I have gone on to become very active in The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, raising money to provide services for cancer patients, for cancer research, and for educating the public about the need for early detection.

I have also become an active volunteer, driving others to their cancer treatments when they have no one else to help, and being a willing ear for women who are newly diagnosed with cancer and as scared as I was in their shoes. What a wonderful feeling when a woman says to me, "You have been such a help; you've set my mind at ease." or "You give me hope." And when a patient I've been driving to chemo says, "I don't know what I would have done without you." I have also become a speaker at numerous ACS events in my area.

And if I had not had cancer, it would not have occurred to me to volunteer in any of those areas. The very best thing we survivors can do for others is offer hope that they, too, can survive and get back to living normal, active, useful lives.

Carole A. Bugglin
North Port, FL

My dream

The truth is eight months ago I had a dream, my father who has been gone twelve years, came to me and said have a mamogram, I woke up and to be honest I delayed my visit to the doctor until one day a strong wind blew and knocked down my fathers picture . . . I went the next week. Within ten days I was in the hospital, famly at my side, stage1 with the removal of twent five lymph nodes and four months of chemo, I feel blessed. I lost my hair, it's growing back curly, I lost my righ breast, and I look around and count my blessings, I still cry in the shower, mom tells me soon everything will be back to normal, I smile, life was never normal before. I breath, I walk, I fight, and I meet so many wonderful souls fighting this battle. I don't wear my fake breast all the time, and when people look I say "got Mamo?" I gave my wigs, and hats to my doctors office and told my wonderful doctor, "If it comes back im not hiding under anything." So be strong, be weak and cry, know you are not alone in this journey . . I pray for us all. This journey I did not make alone, strangers held me, cried with me, and let me express myself, those are our angels.

sharon carrasco
oxnard, CA

My Special Mom

My mom died when I was 18 years old from breast cancer. It was the summer before my senior year of high school when my mom was diagnosed. She was such a strong person. She went on with her life. After a tough senior year I graduated and become pregnant. She spent her time making blankets, buying things for her grandchild. When he was born she was in a different hospital and couldnt be there with me, but I knew she was "there". The first time she got to see my son was on her birthday. I took him to the hospital so she could see him. When my son was only 11 days old, my mother passed away. She never got the chance to spoil him and he didnt get to know her. However he sees pictures of her and knows that she is his grandmother. And my mother would have been so proud of my son. Whenever possible I buy pink ribbon merchandise to show my support. Thank you for letting me share my story.

Stephanie
Nebo, NC