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survivor of 16 years now another about of cancer

My name is Pam and on Jan 15 1993 I had Infiltration ductile carcinoma Stage III and had a mastectomy. It had spread to my lymp notes 21 was cancer out of 32 which they removed them all. I went through 12 treatmemts of Chemo which I lost my hair and made me very sick. I was only 39 and my doctor found the lump on a routine check up. Jan 15th of 2009 I celebrated my 16th year of being cancer free.

April 5th 2009 I went for my annual mammogram and wham it blind sided me. They found something., I thought no they have to be wrong I am healthy I have my mammograms every year and everything has been great. They must of gotten me mixed up with someone else. They did a ultra sound guided needle biopsy with clip. The next day my doctor called and said I am sorry you have breast cancer again. He said this one was small.
I am now on April 29th having another mastectomy on my right breast . They will also be doing a Senitle node biopsy. I cannot beleive this is happening to me again. I cried for the first 3 days and was pretty depressed. But I then got my faith in god again and I am going to beat this disease one more time. It didn't take me the first time and wont the second.
Don't get me wrong I am scared to death but I have a wonderful husband and fantastic mother that got me through the last time and will get me through this one. So my advise to all women just because you have it once it doesn't mean you will not beat it again.

Pam Williamson
Dayton, OH

couldn't be Cancer just calsfications

I am a 3 yr b-cancer survivor in 2005 I was diagnosed with cancer my husband was laid off my oldest son left for Sc to teach and I thought it was a lump from caffenie , Well it wasn't I had a lumpectomy done and 13 lymph nodes removed chemo which I got very sick from but with the love of my family when I lost my hair my brother sons and husband shaved their heads it was hard to see them but they wanted to support me, both of my sons and my daughter in law are very involved in support groups my daughter in law ran the rely for life in North Dakota , One thing I want to share is never give up don't let the cancer win ! staying positive no matter what truly does help when I wanted to quit my family would say come on mom you are going to win my youngest son calls me wonder mom a magnet I keep on my frig, remember God is in charge with out faith we fall.

Pam Wagner
Weirton, WV

My Daughter and the reason to Live Life to the Fullest..

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in March 2009. I had found a lump when doing a self examination. I had a mammogram and ultrasound. The surgeon said it was not one lump but three according to the tests. He said he could do a biopsy but seeing the lumps were bothering me anyway he did a lumpectomy and tested them then. When the results came back me and my daughter were told it was cancer. So my doctor gave me two options of treatment to either leave the breast which doesn't always guarantee that they got it all, or a left breast radical mastectomy. I chose the masectomy. I now have tubes hanging out of my body draining the fluid. I will have radiation for an hour everyday for 6 to 8 weeks and not sure if I am having chemo or not. But I worry most for my daughter, I see the pain in her face everyday but she is what makes me strong. I try to run a small business and I also have a job. So on the days that I am really tired my daughter runs the small business for me www.dragonheartgifts.com. But she is my whole reason for living. Live life to the fullest and live everyday for another tomorrow. So now I am going to have plenty of tomorrows. My message for each and everyone of you is: HAVE MAMMOGRAMS EVERY YEAR AND BEFORE THE AGE OF 45. You see I did not want to leave my daughter by herself at 19 because that is what would happen if I let this disease win. I have no other family but her. So I will not ever let her down. So we have a saying at work HAPPY FUZZY BUNNIES. This gets me thru.

Cindy Dionisio
Las Vegas, NV

3 time winner

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in early November 2002, and had a lumpectomy the day before Thanksgiving. There was no metatasis, and had 37 radiation treatments, and have been fine since then.
Hiowever, I was diagnosed with Endometrial cancer in the fall of 2003, and had a Hysterectomy in November, 2003. No further treatment was needed then.
Then I had a lesion on the bridge of my nose, in the fall of 2008, diagnosed os basal cell skin cancer. And had that removed in January of this year. No further treatment.
I consider myself very fortunate that I came through these experiences so well. Praise the Lord!

Anonymous
Binghamton, NY

Give Us Hope - Help Us Cope

Cancer has darkened my doorstep many times.

It's been nine years since I lost my dear friend Dennis to Bone Cancer. Then his Widow battled Breast Cancer - she's a Survivor!

April 20, 2008 marks the day my 87 year old friend Bettie lost her battle. Breast Cancer was the first of many different forms of cancer she dealt with over the course of her long life, and she considered herself a Breast Cancer survivor.

May 7, 2008 my husband, Roger, and I received his terminal diagnosis - Metastic Lung Cancer. He died July 10th - leaving me a Widow at 49. We'd been together since I was 19.

It was late January 2009 when I received the news that the wife of a dear friend was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. She's in treatment now, and we're trying to remain hopeful.

So each and every click I make is dedicated to these - my loved ones. When I finally reach 200 clicks this month, I will feel like I've truly accomplished something. Love and Hugs - Jeaner

Jeaner
Crescent City, CA

The Kansas Twisted Sisters

We believe we are in this fight against Breast Cancer as "Sisters". Thus, the "Kansas Twisted Sisters" were born!! We have taken up the challenge to help fight and find a cure for Breast Cancer by participating in the 3-Day Walk scheduled in Washington, DC on October 9 - 11, 2009. Our group consists of 13 professional women. 12 of us are in Kansas and one Twisted Sister lives in Louisville, Kentucky but will be joining us in DC for the walk. Seven of our "Twisted Sisters" plan to walk while the others will help with fund raising, cheer us on and congratulate us at the "finish line".
To reach the "finish line" each participant in the 3-Day Walk must raise $2,300.00 in donations. We also each will pay our own way to D.C. so any donations you make will be strictly for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. I cannot complete my journey without your support and help. I need your help now more than ever. I realize with the economy the way it currently is raising funds may be much more difficult than in 2006 and that is why I am emailing every person I know and asking for even the smallest amount to reach my goal. If you cannot contribute then please wish me luck and follow my story on the Kansas Twisted Sister's web page. If you can contribute I would be forever grateful. I thank you for any support you can offer. Please go to this site and DONATE! http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDCEvent?team_id=78133&pg=team&fr_id=1303&s_tafId=85068
Thank You very much for your support and help. We walk in honor of those that have gone before us and those who are to follow. For our mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, daughters!!

Jackie Barnes
Wichita, KS

We are not invisible

At 30 years old I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am now 33 years old & I BEAT breast cancer! My name is Melissa Altamirano & I'm from Casa Grande Arizona. It all started with a smear done in my gynecologists office. Later I was told that I needed to go have a mammogram & to schedule an appt with a surgeon because the test found abnormal cells. I went for my mammogram & the images revealed a small area of clustered calcifications. The surgeon was very confident that everything was fine since I was so young. To be on the safe side he sent me in for a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that the small area of concern was malignant. I was told I had early stage breast cancer. I was also told that since it was found early it was very treatable. My treatment plan was to have a lumpectomy & radiation treatments. I was treated with Mammosite 5 day targeted radiation therapy. The next treatment plan was to start taking Tamoxifen. Throughout the next year I continued having issues with both breasts. I underwent 6 more painful biopsies & I was on close cancer surveillance. All of the biopsies came back as precancerous conditions, but due to the previous cancer & these conditions I was at high risk of getting cancer again. The only option I had was to have a full breast mastectomy. On may 30th 2008 I had a full breast mastectomy. Six months laterÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂ¦I was done. I try so hard to put it all behind me, but I can't. I need to speak out to all young women & let them know how important it is to do self breast exams & get mammograms (if needed) despite our age. We are not invisible.

Melissa Robles Altamirano
Casa Grande, AZ

At least pink is my favorite color...

On February 21, 2008 I bundled up my 18 month old daughter to meet my husband at our lawyer's office. We had done the "responsible adult duty" to have our wills drawn up, living wills, medical power of attorney, custody of our two girls; All the yucky stuff that you don't want to think about, hate to decide on and hope to never use. After signing those important documents in front of witnesses, lawyers and a notary, we headed home for lunch. That would be the end of our normalcy.
The phone rang and I learned I had cancer. "Its not good" my surgeon said. The next day was full of shock and tests to determine if I was "buying time or a cure," as my oncologist put it.
What a long and short year! I have had four surgeries, six chemotherapy treatments, numerous tests and doctor visits, lost my hair, lost my boobs, grew some hair, bought some boobs, turned 32 and kicked cancer's ****!
I was told I'd be "done" in July, but what does "done" mean? Will I ever really be done with cancer. Nope...
I took a test that showed this cancer is in my genes, even though I was the FIRST to be cursed. My mom learned she has it in her genes & my grandfather was diagnosed with breast cancer. My 54 year old mom had a preventative hysterectomy and masectomy to ensure she doesn't have to battle this cancer, which has been physically just as nightmarish and mentally too.
I have the most amazing family. And my definition of family includes people I'm not blood related to (aren't you glad since cancer is in my genes?!) but choose as family.
Cancer could return, but I'll be ready.

Julie Walton
Midland, TX

My Breast Cancer Story:

In the year of 1995, I found that I had breast cancer. It was on the left side in the lower part of my breast.

I was so scared, that I cried regularly throughout the day. I wanted to just go and hide. What I did do, was start my treatment as soon as I could. I had surgery twice, and started my chemo and than when that was completed I had extensive radiation.

So far, thank God, I still am here.

I must admit that I am so scared, everytime that something else comes up like pain anywhere in my body the first thing that I think of is 'is it back again.'

Shirley
Floyd, VA

Faith can move mountains

I know faith plays a huge part in peoples lives; it helps those individuals keep what some might call a moral compass. It guides them and helps strengthen them. I know the Bible speaks of Faith. We some times fail to notice great works of faith when we get caught up in our everyday lives and miss some of the simplest examples of it. I know that my Friend is faithful, but cancer threatened to do so much harm to her beautiful being even possibly taking her from our sight. I saw her struggle through surgeries, chemotherapy, medicines, and hair loss and through all of that, her heart remained constant. Her faith was as solid as a rock in my eyes. Some might ask, "What type of faith did she possess?" One built on something solid, one that people don't always see, and a faith with its strength in something unseen. She knew it would take more than love and friendship to heal her wounded body. The doctors would do all they could. The therapies and medicines would run their course but something had to be moving through all of these wondrous gifts of science and technology, something wonderfully stronger than anything we know.
FAITH.

JoEllen
We all Love You.

Matthew
21: 21-22
21. Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive.

Anonymous
Blythewood, SC