Share Your Story

My bald is beautiful

Sitting in the waiting room for my MRI I felt as if everyone was looking at me. On March 17th St. Patty's Day is when I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Started chemo on April 8th and my last treatment was July 24th. Just went through a double mastectomy with reconstruction surgery on Aug. 27 and steal healing. Through this whole journey I continued to stay positive because I knew with all my heart and soul I was gonna beat it and I have. No matter how hard things get never give up your fight because you might just be the one to give the next person the inspiration they need. We are fighters who have faith and hope.

Tyisha Colter
Chandler, AZ

CANCER DOESN'T HURT

One day I was in he shower and I felt a lump. I was horrified. It hurt to the touch. That day I called my doctor. Got in immediately. She recommended a mammogram which I did immediately. I was told cancer doesn't hurt so I relaxed. I ended up having a biopsy. I got a phone call that I never wanted to hear - it was positive. I cried my eyes out but I had the support of great family and friends and co-workers who stood by my side all the way through my treatment and beyond. My husband was my rock. I was able to work through my treatment because I was blessed with an awesome employer. So when they tell you Cancer doesn't hurt that is a myth. Remember to get your mammogram yearly! I am a five year survivor. Keep your Faith and trust in God - he will bring you through your journey.

Pat Panayiotou
Chesterfield, MI

What a gift

I was diagnosed with stage 4 HER2 breast cancer on December 9, 2009. I had been wrestling with my grandson, Jake when he accidentally hit in my left breast. I had ben staying with my daughter and I left to go home for the weekend. I got up the next morning and my breast was seeping some fluid. I immediately called my daughter and told her and of course the first thing I did monday morning was call and get a doctor appointment. I went in and he immediately sent me to the Breast Center at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City.

I had had so many mamograms in the past because of previous problems that when they said I needed a saunagram I was not surprised. Of course the results were not good and a bioptsy followed. Then I got the dreaded news, you have cancer and of course I was scared to death. I made up my mind that this was not going to beat me, I had way to much living to do. After a full year of treatment of kemo, radiation and a wonderful new drug for HER2 patients I made a fantastic recovery.

The amazing part of this story is that I had no idea I had stage 4 cancer. When I went for my 4 1/2 year checkup was when my doctor told me how proud of me he was. He had only given me 3 to 4 months to live and that I would probably have cancer back within a year. He told me I was his miracle. I feel like I am living proof that without my family, God and lots of prayers and the most wonderful doctors at St. Lukes Cancer Center, Kansas City, Missouri I would not be here.

Theresa A. (Terri) Nolte
Warrensburg, MO

Celebrating 25 years as a Breast Cancer Survivor

I am very blessed to be a 25 year Breast Cancer survivor. I will be celebrating with my dear daughter, grand daughter and special friends this Sept 21 in Yorktown,Il with the Susan Komen Race for the Cure.
In May 1989, I had my baseline mammogram. The diagnosis was breast cancer! The area was deep and could not be felt but was detected on the mammogram.
I asked my Oncologist to take my case to the Tumor Board at the hospital to determine the best treatment for me.
The size, borders and statistics were good..I had a 'good' cancer.
A biopsy and lumpectomy were performed-negative lymoh nodes :)
My treatment was radiation and chemo therapy which I endured while still working full time as a technologist in Diagnostic Imaging.
I had the best Surgeon and Oncologist for my care. Loving support and prayers from my dear family, friends and church family.
We all are on a different journey. My encouragement for you beginning or enduring is too keep the faith, endure, be strong and press on ! May God richly bless all of you!

Susan M Johnson
Wheaton, IL

Who Will You Fight For?

I was 36 when I went to the doctor because I found a lump. They said it was nothing "just tissue endings" and sent me home. Five months later I insisted on being seen again, and because I insisted, they did a needle biopsy. A month later I was diagnosed - stage 2 (with no fam history). My son was 2, and it rocked me to the core. It's been 13 years and I still wonder why it wasn't caught 5 months earlier. A simple needle biopsy changed everything.

Chemo was difficult for me, and as a single parent, I still had to work. There was a time when (with all the toxins, lack of sleep, panic attacks, and a hyper 2 yr. old) I decided I wasn't going to finish chemo treatments. So my doctor came to me with his pen and paper and said he needed the names of everyone who would be taking care of my son once I'm gone. I FINISHED MY TREATMENTS.

My advise to everyone:
KNOW YOUR BODY!
BE INSISTENT!
GET SECOND/THIRD OPINIONS!
DON'T LET FEAR COWARD YOU!
DECIDE EARLY WHAT YOU ARE FIGHTING FOR!
FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT!

M. DUNMORE
LOS ANGELES, CA

Metastatic From The Start

I found my lump at age 37, although its symptoms (itching, pain, coming and going depending on my period) were more akin to a cyst or benign fibroid tumor. When I found a doctor I could afford and went in to have it checked out, a biopsy proved it was actually Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. A PET scan a couple weeks later, followed by another biopsy, showed that it was already metastatic to my liver. Breast cancer can happen at any age, and it can have atypical symptoms. It's important to have everything checked out as soon as you can.

But Stage IV still has hope. Although we will be in treatment for the rest of our lives, for many of us, treatment has given us five, ten, even fifteen more good years. We just need more research. Anyone can become metastatic, even if you catch it at an early stage and do all the right treatments. 30% of those women go on to develop metastatic disease.

Even though I have a terminal diagnosis, I still fight, and will continue to fight until I run out of treatments, and even then, I'm not letting this beast take me without a battle. In the meantime, I work to spread awareness about Stage IV and the facts about MBC. If you have MBC, you're not alone, and it's not over yet. Keep fighting, join clinical trials for new treatments, and keep your head held high. You did not cause your metastasis or your breast cancer.

Susanne
Lincoln, NE

God is good!

God has a plan for each one of us. He healed me because he still has work for me to do. He allows me to come along side of him to share his love, & to encourage other women, and men. I was 37 when diagnosed with breast cancer the first time, & as is common there was no history in my family. It was stage 2. I was married & had two daughters (12 & 6). My team of doctor's recommended aggressive treatment. I agreed & the journey began. The next 10 to 11 months included a 3 drug chemotherapy regiment, a lumpectomey & node dissection, a 2nd biopsy, & radiation. Prior to the actual treatment plan beginning I had several tests to confirm the diagnosis, including an ultrasound, needle aspiration, core biopsy, a bone, brain, chest and liver scan. During my course of chemotherapy & prior to my surgery I developed one of those dreaded "chemotherapy" infections, & spent a week in the hospital. It was very serious, but God brought me through. Also, as a result of my treatment I had many side effects (weight loss, nausea, vomiting, complete hair loss, and mouth sores.) Time passed & the treatment ended. I believe "life after cancer" never goes back to "life before cancer"! While I can not say I wish cancer on anyone I would have to tell you I wouldn't change one thing about my experience. It enabled me to grow closer to God, become more compassionate & to more fully understand what is important and what is not. 7 years later I had a "new ocurrance" in the other breast. It was the same type, but stage 0 because it was caught early. I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy & reconstruction. The miracle of my story is 2 years later God blessed us with a surprise--a son (I took fertility pills for both girls.) With God all things are possible! Amber is 33, Danielle, 27 & Hunter is 15. Our grandson is 2. In Mar. Wendell & I will celebrate 37 years of marriage.

Yvonne Dowling
Tallahassee, FL

An Unwelcomed Journey

In June of this year, I went in for my routine Mammo as I have every year since I was 30 yrs old. My mom is a 30+ year Breast Cancer survivor, so I have always been proactive in this regard. The report came back that more mammo films and possibly an Ultrasound were necessary. The day before my 53rd birthday I went in for more mammo films and they did an Ultrasound as well. The report came back "highly suspicious for malignancy" "Now it gets real" I was scheduled for a Stereotactic Biopsy which 5 days later revealed the frightening truth. Invasive Ductal Breast Cancer. As this news settled heavy on my heart, the most difficult part of this so far has been telling my husband, my sons and daughters, my mom, my sister and my friends. But they rallied around me like I couldnt have imagined and have been so very supportive with their positivity and prayers. On 8/18/14 I underwent a 3 part ( tissue conserving) Lumpectomy, and Sentinal Node biopsy and I was so pleased to hear that I was Stage 1 and my Lymph node was Negative. The cancer was removed to very clear margins. I will meet with a Medical Oncologist tomorrow who will forward me on to a Radiation Oncologist for Radiation treatments which will hopefully decrease my risk of recurrence. Although I would never in a million years choose this battle, I am blessed and honored to be among these courageous amazing women that are known as SURVIVORS. I know that God has brought me here for a reason and I will proudly be an advocate for early screening/detection. I cannot be anything but positive with so many people on my side. They continue to encourage me through tough moments, and although my worst fear was telling my husband and children- they have been amazingly supportive and continue to envelope me in their love. I feel blessed. Never lose hope, never let fear win. "FIGHT LIKE A GIRL"

Laurie Ann Kimball
Johnstown, NY

Survivor Through Christ Who Strenghthens Me!

It's only me, a survivor for 16 years. My story isn't a story about how I was diagnosed with a disease that can crush your spirit of joy & peace because I won't give it that satisfaction. It is a story about a survivor who at the age of 32 was told yep you have breast cancer & it is very aggressive & we need to get it out! Mind you I was at a very early stage and it did not spread. I had options, I did the radical & had my breast removed & with several surgeries I could wear a bra again. You take for granted your breasts whether they are big or small. I felt incomplete for a long time but I was so grateful to God that he was watches over me continuously. My boys were only 2 & 5 years old at the time & all I could do was to fight and live for them. I thank God everyday it was me who got the cancer and not my boys. I would not want to go though it again but I know this disease made me powerful! Jesus is my Strenghth! With Love

Christine
West Allis, WI

Pink Courage

After having my regular yearly mammogram, I stopped in for a few groceries. Halfway through the store, my phone rang. It was the doctor's nurse telling me to come by ASAP. Why would he want to see me?? Surely, he could not have the results of my mammo so quickly!! I hurried to his office and they took me right in. He told me that I had breast cancer!!!! I was so calm, I felt outside my body. He told me that the nurse would call me the next day to schedule an appointment with a surgeon. I left the office in a daze. In the hall, all the nurses and receptionists gave me hugs and well wishes. I was accepting this better than they were!! BUT then, I looked up and there stood my firstborn son with his ams extended, and he said, "Mom, I thought you'd need a hug about now". Only then, did I cry.

The next day after being told my appointment would be the following week, I received a call from the Breast Cancer Center telling me to come in the next day!! Within a month's time, I had an ultrasound, biopsy and a consultation with the surgeon. Surgery would have been scheduled within 3 weeks, but it was my son's birthday and I didn't want anything to mar that day for him. So I rescheduled for the following week. A friend told me that when I entered the Cancer Center, I should pause and let the Blessed Mother and Her Son enter first. I did this each time, and always felt a sense of peace come over me. Even the day of surgery, I was not afraid. I had a lumpectomy and several lymph nodes removed...all in one month. With the advice of several doctors, I opted for 28 days of radiation instead of chemo because of my kidney problems.

I am approaching my 80th birthday, caring for my terminally ill husband of 59 years, and truly grateful to GOD for all my blessings. I published my story in a book called PINK COURAGE.

Ethel Sandstrom
Arnot, PA