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My breast cancer story

Hi, my name is Krista Mondahl. I found out that I had breast cancer January of 2011. I was only 24 years old. I had the lump on my right side for about 5 years prior to finding out that it was cancer. I had gone to several doctors, and they all thought it was just a cyst and told me not to worry about it. I decided to go back to the doctor after discovering that the lump had gotten bigger since the last time I went in. They decided to do a biopsy on the lump. January 7th, 2011 I got the most horrible news ever! I can still remember to this day hearing the words, ”you have breast cancer”. I had never heard of a person my age having breast cancer, so it was a total shock to me and my family.
I decided to go with the double mastectomy and reconstruction. I had that surgery on February 2, 2011. They also found that it had spread to one of my lymph nodes. Then I had to go back a week later for another surgery to remove my lymph nodes. Luckily it had not spread anywhere else! Thank God! I also had to have 4 cycles of chemotherapy once every 3 weeks. It was such a long journey, and I am still kicking cancer’s butt to this day! I am proud to say that I am 3 years cancer-free! I also would not have been able to get through this without the support from my family and friends! I love them so much!

Krista mondahl
Waseca, MN

My Breast Cancer Journey to date...

On Tuesday July 23, 2013 I found my 5+cm lump above my left nipple after showering that morning, noticing the dimpling in the mirror while looking back at myself. I should've caught this in a self breast exam, it was THAT noticeable. I was diagnosed on August 8th and had my mastectomy on September 9th, removing my entire left breast and 6 lymph nodes, 1 which had cancer detected in it. I elected to have reconstruction done at the same time and I am still going through that process.

In October I started with my chemo treatments, having the "red devil" Adriamycin and Cytoxan, with the Neulasta shot (white blood cell rebuilder) the day after. I was supposed to have 4 of these treatments, but only made it through 3. My hair started falling out just before the second treatment was to happen, so my husband shaved my head, then his in solidarity!!!

I went back to work in October during these treatments, but they made me feel so bad, I took the month of November off to recuperate. I went back to work part time in December and started my 12 weeks of Taxol finishing up on February 21, 2014. During this chemo time I was also seeing my plastic surgeon so she could inject saline into my expander to stretch my skin for the final reconstruction in the future. I had radiation therapy also, starting the middle of April and ending May 30th, for a total of 28 treatments.

So now I am all done with all of my treatments, just waiting the 6-9 months for my skin to heal hoping to have my final reconstruction towards the end of this year.

My family and friends have been wonderful during this entire process! Plus I think it helps, tremendously, to have a positive attitude!!! I never once thought that this diagnosis would kill me. Breast cancer is scary, but it isn't the death sentence that it used to be in years past. PLEASE DO SELF CHECKS!!! I should have caught this a lot sooner!

Amelia Plunkett
Berlin Heights, OH

14 Years

My name is Lorie Willis I am 47 years old and I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 32. I never thought about getting a mammogram because i was so young. One day me and one of my sons were riding in the car and i felt a lump under my right arm and I knew it didn't feel right, so I made a appointment to see the Doctor we scheduled the mammogram and that's when he noticed the lump in my right breast, we did the biopsy and low and behold it was cancerous, I opted for the mastectomy because i didn't want to take the chance of it coming back this was July 0f 1999, In august of 2002 I developed a lump in the left breast which resulted in another mastectomy, found out the type of cancer I had was genetic, so my sister has had a double mastectomy as well she did reconstruction, I chose not to. I didn't have no radiation nor chemo and hear I am today 14 years later cancer free, a lot of women i have met said they wouldn't have handled the situation as good as i did, but like i tell them you are only as sick as you claim to be.

Lorie Willis
Madison, IL

You're never too young to take care of yourself

In 2011 at 31, instead of enjoying time with husband and 5 kids, I was bone tired. Went to doctor, nothing was found. In September I started leaking blood from right breast. Went back to family doc, who sent me for mammogram/ultrasound. I went over to lab for that, and was treated like an idiot. Scans showed cysts, nothing else. I asked about bleeding and heard, Youre young, come back in year for recheck. I was cut off, told they know what theyre doing. I called family doctor to complain, he sent me in to surgeon to see about biopsies. Surgeon refused, said wasnt necessary since the cysts were benign.

I gave up. But my husband said something isnt right, someone needs to figure this out. I called family doctor and he set me up to go to KUCancerCenter. First visit with breast surgeon at KUCC made me feel better. I explained how sick I was of hearing Youre young, youre fine, and being blown off. She said she would not stop until I was satisfied with my answers. I went through more mamm/US/ductograms/biopsies/MRIsthen got the call to come in. I knew. At the visit my doc said I had breast cancer. Found thousands of micro tumors. Diagnosed November 16, double mastectomy December 20. Found in lymph nodes so more treatment. Chemo started January 2012, radiation June, Herceptin until January 2013. Had many complications but got through. Ive had 6 reconstruction surgeries due to radiation. During last surgery, surgeon discovered muscle died and pulled tight to deform part of ribcage.

We had some of the worst/best people around us. Saw people we thought were friends leave, neighbors pretend I was invisible - And girlfriends I hadnt been close to put their money/time into organizing fundraisers/parties. I have been through 4+ surprise parties/dinners my husband and bestie coordinated.

Im here. I have narcolepsy and neuropathy from chemotherapy damage, I always hurt. But again, Im here. Im going to my kids baseball/football/basketball/dance/tumbling/gymnastics/cheer/golf activities. Im hanging with friends. Im loving my husband. 1-year remission anniversary March 28, 2014. Looking forward to many more.

Sara Grubb
Kansas City, MO

breast cancer the second time

when i first found the lump the first time i knew but had to wait 8 months for my insurance. i was horrified when it was confirmed. Made through and was in remission for 4yrs. Went to the hospital for abdominal pain had a ct scan and the dr. came back and said you have inflamed instestants, and we found countless legions on your bones which indicate your cancer returned. still waiting to get help due to no job or insurance waiting on medicaid. Terrified have to keep going for my 3 grown children and my 5 grandchildren. so my storie is don't give up there's to much to live for

Bonnie Chelf
New Braunfels, TX

Early detection can save lives

I had missed two periods at age 44 1/2 and took a home pregnancy test. When the test was negative, I told my husband I was going for a complete checkup, along with a mammogram. I thought I was too young for menopause. My Dr. call on my birthday that I needed to see a surgeon. The following week I had a lumpectomy and then had six weeks of radiation and took Tamoxifen. I research Tamoxifen on my own and found out that uterine cancer was a side effect, but curable caught early. I went to my Dr. to discuss it and he has said at that time they didn't know that much about Tamoxifen, so I said that I would come yearly for a vaginal ultrasound. In my 5 th year, suspicious cells were found and had to have a D&C, which confirm that I needed a complete hysterectomy. I was relieved that I did not have uterine cancer. I have always felt extremely fortunate that my breast cancer was caught early, for I wasn't due to see my Dr. for another year. Whenever I tell anyone it was my birthday when I found out, they feel sad for me, but I tell them it was the best birthday present because I am now a 21 yr. survivor at age 65. 1993, my Dr. told me that I had a 25% chance of having breast cancer in my other breast, I immediately said, I have a 75% of not and am going with those odds. I really feel that a positive attitude helps, especially when you have no choice but to go through it. I have been a volunteer for many breast cancer groups and events and will continue as long as I can or a cure is found.

Susan Borofsky
East Hartford, CT

my breast cancer story

Back in March of 1998 I was getting ready to go to a funeral. I got into the shower and thats when I found my lump. I had missed getting a mammogram in 1997. So yes I was scared. But I knew I had to get this taken care of. Well it was cancer. I went thru chemo and radiation. That was the first time. But in July of 2000 the cancer was back. I had to take tamoxifen and then Arimidex. Short story long. I'm a 16yr survivor for the first time and God willing come August 4th I will be a 14yr survivor for the second time. U can survive this, but don't think that it will just go away. Thats called denial.

Theresa Royster
Philadelphia, PA

Blessings in Disguise

In 2010 my mother called me and said she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, that it was time for me to come home. At that time I lived in Nashville, Tn worked at Vanderbilt. A great job that I really did like and enjoy. So I prayed about it and God led me back to Kentucky. I got a job at a local hospital (not good pay) but, I was here for my mother I thought. Three months later I had a blood clot in my leg so I had surgery. They put in a stint, a week later another blood clot. Doctor said something is wrong so he did lab work, cat scan, and a ultrasound. The doctor came into the room and sat on the bed and said you have breast cancer. I was astonished; I didn't know to cry or what to do. He asked me about when was the last time I had a mammogram I told him I have one every birthday. He called where I had the mammogram and they sent the report. It didn't show any cancer; he quoted that either they must had missed it on the mammogram because of it being small. . My cancer was in the first stages thank God and it was the size of a green pea, also underneath my breast. I had the surgery and during that year I had four blood clots in the same leg. I did have radiation. Plus the doctor put me on a chemo pill until the hematologist took me off of the chemo pill because of the blood clots. The reason why I posted this story is that if I stayed in Nashville, Tn I would be dead or in stage four breast cancer by now. This was a blessing in disguise for me to come back to Kentucky. My mother now has Lukemia but, she is doing well to be 74 years old and is still working. GOD gives us blessings that we would have never thought about. Thank you for reading my story.

Beverly Acree
Horse Cave, KY

She said you have cancer and will have to have a mastectomy

A little over 7 years ago, a week before my 59th birthday, I happened to be home from work due to a bronchitis attack over the weekend. It was a Monday morning and I was on the couch resting. The phone rang, I answered, and was told that I need to have an ultrasound because my mammogram, a week prior, showed a lump on my right breast. I set up the appointment, hung up the phone, and felt the lump. I knew right then that it was cancer. Two days later I had the ultrasound. The tech said she was going to have a doctor come in to talk to me. The lady doctor who came in was very curt and matter-of-fact and said to me, "You have cancer and will have to have a mastectomy. I will call your doctor and let her know.", and she walked out of the room. Was I upset that I had cancer? Not in the least. I was upset because that doctor had no compassion let alone bedside manner. THAT'S what upset me. I went to my car, brushed the snow off it, and no sooner did I get in when my doctor called me. She said she was sorry about my bad news and would have her receptionist call me with a surgeon's phone number. I got that call within minutes and wrote down the surgeon's information. Within a week I was in the surgeon's office and set up an appointment for a biopsy. A few days later I had the biopsy and was told I could have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. I chose the lumpectomy and had it done 2 weeks later. A week and a half after that I went to a wonderful Oncologist and started chemo the following day. After 4 chemo treatments and a few weeks wait I started my radiation therapy. This picture was taken the same day of my last radiation treatment when I participated in the Relay for Life. I've been cancer free for 7 years and 5 months.

Fran
Cleveland, OH

my mom

my mother in law who is more a mom to me she is 84
and has had breast cancer she is a 20 year seiver of breast cancer
and it is because of her that i will do anything to help breast cancer i do the walk here in
las vegas ever year and i voltinteer and help out this year there is a dounk tank
i am finding out how i can help for the tank my phone number is 702 343 2473 please call and let me know how i can help
thank you sue easton

sue easton
Las Vegas, NV