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Life is good

My journey in life took a drastic turn in April 2013 when I heard those dreaded words : You have cancer. Shock and fear immediately took over. Was I going to die? Who would take care of my son? Next, you are thrown from one doctor's appointment to another. This was extremely difficult for me as I had never been sick before. But as time went by, I accepted that this was what had to be done and I ended up meeting the most extraordinary people who encouraged me and provided me with strength. I soon realized who would take care of my son: ME!! Let the fight begin.

I am fortunate to have the best support group around. I work in a daycare with exceptional staff and parents who were right behind me every step of the way. My friends and family were simply amazing. Everyone offering hope,prayers and support that it was truly humbling for me. My parents, husband and son put their journey in life on hold to walk with me through mine. They were there with me for every treatment and all appointments, when I was scared they listened and encouraged me, when I wasn't 100% they were there to help me and they were there to enjoy new memories made because of cancer.

I was extremely fortunate to go through this experience with relative ease; the most difficult part having been the loss of my hair. I didn't stop working and would often finish chemo and take off for the weekend with the family. I had cancer but it did not have me.

My experience has made me grow and become a stronger more spiritual person. I wonder what I did so right in my life for the good Lord to allow me to live the rest of it appreciating everything around me.

So after 16 chemo treatments, 1 surgery and 20 radiation treatments, I am a SURVIVOR!!
Keep fighting and remember this too shall pass.

Karen

Karen
Brossard, Canada

You Shall Live and Not Die...

I was diagnosed with breast cancer, March 27, 2007. My husband and I were @ my son's house. My OBGYN had been playing phone tag for about 2 days. When I answered the phone, he just cut through the chase and said that my mammogram showed that I had breast cancer. I was out on my son's porch because we were in a meeting. My knees started to buckle, but I thanked him, hung up and went back in the house. My husband asked what the Dr. said, I told him I'd tell him later.

On the way home, I ended up telling him that I had cancer. I was still in shock! My daughter lived in Maryland, 1 son lived in Pittsburgh & one was still at home, at the time, so I wanted to wait to tell ALL of our children @ the same time. We planned a cook-out for Memorial Day with the family so I didn't tell them until then. I was curling my daughter's hair and told her. My sons I told individually.
During the course of all of the doctor's appointments and test, i had a couple of melt downs, but the one that made the most impact was when I told the Lord I needed something to get me through this. I went to my Bible and He led me to:
Psalm 118:17 "I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of Jehovah."
From that day forward, I believed that and 7 years later from breast cancer and 3 years away from thyroid cancer in March, 2011, I am still here to share in many special days!
My advice to those going through their journey...pray, stay focused, be positive and this too shall pass! Everyone's journey is different! I pray you too will survive! Each day is a gift for me and I take nothing for granted!

Thank you Lord for life!

Pauletta Brown
New Kensington, PA

WHERE ARE YOU?

“I'm right here, standing beside you--holding you up as the tiredness of your last chemotherapy treatment is taking over. Now is the time for you to rest. Rest is healing. My Angels will be watching over you.”
“I'm right here, behind you--giving you gentle pushes forward since you are not feeling as strong in yourself today.”
“I'm right here, in front of you--leading the way over this rough cancer road, helping to make it a little more bearable.”
“I'm right here, inside you--as difficult as your journey is for you, you can still reach out and help others. I will help you to accomplish more than you thought possible.”
“I'm right here. I am your boss. I am your father. I love you like no other can.”
And in the fall of 2010, while I was in treatment for breast cancer, He was right there in answer to my prayers--I wanted to help other women as they, too, traveled their own unique cancer journeys.
He is here when I ask Him to help me author special letters and testimonials.
He is right here, answering prayers that I have not even thought to say yet.
He is right here, meeting every need I have in order to administer The Sparkle Caps Project, as we uplift, empower, love and pray for other women through sponsored Sparkle Caps gift bags.
He is right here, helping me to tell other women that, in spite of our hair loss, we are HOT CHICKS; that our hair is not tied to our femininity.
WHERE ARE YOU? “I am in you! And I am in you! And I am in you! I know your pain. I know your fears. Trust in Me and trust the plan that I have for you!”

Susan "Victorious" Heimbigner
Sumter, SC

Surviving and Thriving Post Cancer

I was diagnosed with Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ breast cancer on March 25th, 2008 after 2 mammograms and one very painful stereo-tactic biopsy. I wasn't surprised. For some reason - reasons that I cannot adequately explain - I "knew" I had cancer before I actually found out about it. This doesn't mean that I wasn't shocked or horrified when I learned about my diagnosis - I was - but I I sensed it. If there is anything I can share with all of you, it is this: pay attention to your body, as it does give you signals you need to pay attention to.

The cancer itself was not a major issue honestly. It was caught at its earliest stage so technically it was a "blip" on the "radar of my life." My medical oncologist viewed it as a warning to me, so it was from that perspective I took action. Within two weeks of my diagnosis, a lumpectomy was scheduled on my right breast. This surgery was simple and I had little pain. After I recovered from the lumpectomy, radiation treatment was scheduled for a month because I have fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia complicates radiation treatment, as it heightens the exhaustion one normally feels from the actual treatment. This was true! After 3 days of treatment during that first week, I slept for over 20 hours. Once radiation ended, I allowed my body to recover for a period of 8 months before my next surgery. Because I had a condition called estrogen dominance that caused the cancer in the first place, I was not allowed to take Tamoxifen, which is a drug that normally prevents recurrences in women that do not suffer from hormonal issues like I did. As such, the only preventative course I could take was a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy (ovaries were removed), which was done laparoscopically.

It's been 7 years since I was diagnosed, and though the journey has been tough in these years, I am doing great. I feel fabulous, look fabulous and am cancer free. GET YOUR MAMMOGRAMS!!!

Anonymous
New York, NY

My Three Bouts with Cancer.

It was 6 years ago now that I had breast cancer and about 3 years ago I had to tackle Kidney cancer. In the process I lost my left kidney and my right breast.
I felt a lump in my right breast down by the nipple and was due for my mammogram soon so I went to my Dr. and she sent me for a mammo right away. the results came back positive and they did a biopsy to make sure. the biopsy was positive and they sent me to an Oncologist. He explained what they were going to do. he wanted to have a lumpectomy so I wouldn't lose my whole breast but they didn't get it all so I lost it all anyhow. I recovered pretty well and went on with my life. I still have to see an Oncologist every 6 months or so to check me and I take medication to keep any cancer from going to the left side. so far I am a six year survivor, and I felt great till about 3 years or so ago. I started having a lot of pain in my left side and had to go the ER. The dr. kept me for a few days and then sent me down to a larger hospital about 75 miles from home. I hated that. I had my husband with me all the time tho.they did the surgery and didn't have to stay in the hosp very long. glad of that. tired of hospitals by then. Actuallythat was my third time of getting cancer. I had a hematoma on the lining of my brain but it was not malignent. this was many years ago. The reason I am so careful is that there is cancer in my family. my mother and my mom's sister both had breast cancer. my aunt died of the disease but my mom later died of respitory failure caused by smoking. My oldest son died of the same disease and about 6 months ago my husband died .

Susan Watts
Pembina, ND

Survival of the fittest.

From the age of 12 I had scoliosis, Had a spinal fusion. I had a mother who was an addict. I had no chance. She did not make me go to school. I made it to the 8th grade. I later had my own demons with the help of her demons. I then was in a car accident in 1982 that killed two men in the front seat of the car I was in the back seat we hit a tree it was raining out. He was in the Navy he had been drinking back then no seat belts were required. I broke so many bones I was left in a wheel chair because of the impact. I was told never going to walk again. I am walking now. However, my left side has siatic nerve damage three last toes are paralized. I always have pain and trouble. The gent in the jump seat was my babies father, he died that day. My mother just happen to be babysitting that night or my daughter would have been in the car. I then was raped repeatadly during all this time at least ten times by different people. I attracted the wrong men. I got help I put my daughter up for adoption so she would have a better life. I had a son before her he lived with his grand parents who died. I then had many unbelievable things happen to me that Is too long for this. I drove a semi, a guy I rode with rolled the truck. I hurt my body once again. I slipped in fell in a truck stop have a right ankle fusion, I have two auto immune diseases now cancer, going for a pet scan tomorrow. I cant take much more. Both breast removed then I broke my pinky not set right its bent in half. I got asthma during this time. I am on disability now went back to college because I do not want disability. NOW I am faced with a pet scan to see if the cancer spread tomorrow.

Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA

Got great rebuilts!

35 years old.. And I've got breast cancer! I was all about hating the world and life. Had a modified radical on the right side Oct 14 2000 and a simple in 2004. Did the chemo, got sick as a dog! But there's reasons it wasn't all the way bad. I found out that I look really good bald! And I didn't need to spend time doing my hair: Just dry my head, add lotion, good to go! Hey! And the best part, I've got an amazing pair of "re treads" ! I'd always wanted a bigger cup size, and thanks to a really messed up thing called breast Cancer, I've got them. My plastic surgeon, also a survivor helped me a lot. She proved to me that we are all stronger than we ever knew. For me humor and getting tattoos got me through a lot. But what kept me going the most were the people around me. They always said "we are going to get through this"

Brenda Rogers
LUBBOCK, TX

This is me?

It was late on Wednesday April 2nd 2014 , getting ready to hop in the shower, something in my head said check your breast. I felt something not sure on what I was feeling it felt like a BB from a BB gun. I usually put off things but something again in my head said call your Dr. I did and had a appointment Friday. I am 34 years old with a total of 6 children, I pushed for a mammogram and a ultrasound. I knew when the Dr told me I had to come back for a Biopsy that I had a strong possibility of it being cancerous. I read people pretty well. I had Bx done on 4/18/14 on 4/22/14 I received a phone call from my Dr saying you have Cancer. This Dr did not normally deal with these types of DX so she was unable to give me details. Next day I went to surgeon who informed me that I had 60% of dcis in my right breast grade 3, and Invasive ductal Carcinoma in same breast. I also had the BRCA 2 test performed that also came back positive. 5/15/14 I had double mastectomy without reconstruction and am now waiting on Oncotype test to come back. I am looking at chemo and hormonal therapy and also ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. This may sound like a lot and yes some days it is harder then others but I live by the saying " Have faith not fear" This is the cards I was dealt, if I had to take the bullet so I raise awareness for my family members including my children then so be it. There has been many things positive that have already come out of this crappy situation. I have a stronger relationship with my love ones. I know tomorrow is not promised, I will fight like hell to help others. My life changed the day I received this awful news. We are all survivors the day we are diagnosed!! God Bless. Chrissy

Christina Cappetta
Syracuse, NY

My Breast Cancer

Never ever thought I would do this so....................
My children were both in the Military and were in Afghanistan at the time, I turned 50 and boom dagnabit! My dr. made me the last appt. of the day which I felt was weird but when she said carcinoma I turned to my husband and said "Do you know what she is talking about?"
"Carcinoma means cancer".........
I ended up going thru 8 chemo's and 36 radiations but still have my girls!

Linda See
Wimberley, TX

New Grandma

My oldest was pregnant and about to deliver, when I felt my lump. I knew, called my doctor who then sent me for a mammogram. The Girl in the office said she thought it was "suspicious" Suspicious I did not know this was a medical term that is considered a conclusive diagnosis by the radiologist. Well had stage III with no lymph node involvement. Doctors chose for me Lymph Biopsy with a portacat , lumpectomy and 12 rounds of chemo topped off by 30 rounds of daily radiation. My margins after lumpectomy were clear. That was a nice phone call to receive.
My daughters daughter arrived at the hospital when I was getting my port put in. A little groggy and scarred, but I made it to her room to hold my new baby. Could not help but wonder.....
Here I am 4 years latter with a beautiful 4 year old stinker. My husband and my girls were amazing and I had a sister and brother that called me everyday.

I think after the initial shock you go to fighting mode. You seem to loose your fear and you just feel like this is something that needs to be done. It was a group effort, Me and my doctors and my family and friends. We did this together and we won..

Anonymous
St Louis, MO