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Cavin's Purple Woodstock

I remember the conversation just like yesterday. We had recently buried my oldest brother. My middle brother had passed a few years before - my sister took took me aside and said Cavin ( my youngest brother is/may be really sick) My heart sank but I never thought he would be faced with cancer. We went to the hospital - they diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer. At that moment - my sister and I had a "new normal'. My brother immediately talked to his children, talked with clergy and dear friends. He never showed any fear to me-only the braveness of a gladiator~my sister and I struggled (in our own way) to deal with this fact - there would be only the two of us as our parents passed away when we were young adults. My brother fought and smiled and in the end - finally started a "New Normal". One that we believe has no pain and has fellowship with our family, pets and friends. Since then, my sister and I take the time to speak to each other more, we share more about our lives and we are adjusting to our "new normal". God bless all the memories of loved have ones who have passed as a result of this horrible disease. God bless "all" who have been touched by any kind of CANCER!

Cathy Rosen
Allen, TX

My Unexpected Journey

I my breast cancer diagnosis was confirmed just before christmas. Just 2 months into a new job, and a new year. I didn't have a lump, nor was there any symptom to make me think something was wrong. I decided to have my annuals done as I was leaving my old job and new I wouldn't have insurance for 3 months. No big deal , just my regular check up. I was shocked when they called me about a month into my new job to say we need you to come back , we need to check something. Fast forward after 2 MRI's and two biopsies, I was confirmed to have Stage 0 DCIS, the are covered most of my right breast so mastectomy was my only option. February 18, 2014 I had a double mastectomy, the cancer had started to become invasive and had advanced to stage 1, but I was one of the blessed ones that didn't have to have chemo or radiation. My healing has been going well until last week, one of my expanders started having complications and yesterday Feb 3rd I had emergency surgery to have it removed. Ironically my reconstruction is scheduled in two weeks. But again I was blessed that it was not infected. I have managed to find humor, even when I have my sad days. The emotional and financial aspects of breast cancer are something people have who not gone through it might not understand, but I am a survivor, I am cancer free and I get new boobs in two weeks!!! lol I would encourage all women to make sure they are getting their annual mammograms even if you think all is well. I am lucky mine was caught when it was. This experience has shown me I am a lot stronger than I thought, and I am proud of that!!

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Click here to support KK's Cancer Fund by Kelly Wilson

Kelly
marietta, GA

My mom and my love for her.

I never will forget the day my mom came home from the doctors with a scared look on her face. She told me they just found out she had breast cancer. I jumped up and went to her giving her the biggest hug in history, a hug I will always have in my mind and heart.
I asked her if it was in the early stages, or later on. She told me that it was in early stage. I told her and promised her that we would beat this.
That was February 1996. My mom is now 84 and a cancer free survivor for 18 years. I am thankful for all the warmth, smile, hug's and I love you son before and since that day.

I love you mom! <3

Lou

Lou
Frederick, MD

14 Years Strong

I was a 39 year old single mom of two kids when I was diagnosed on May 1, 2000 with Stage 3B Ductal Carcinoma. Of course that is a day that I will never forget even though I would like to. My daughter was 13 and my son was 10 at the time of my diagnosis and were home the evening that I received the call that would change our lives forever.

I felt a lump on the side of my right breast and immediately made a doctor appointment. After a mammogram, untrasound and needle biopsy I was devastated and shocked by the diganosis. Feeling scared and overwhelmed, I knew I needed to gain control as I had a very long, hard road ahead of me that involved several surgeries including a lumpectomy, mastectomy with tissue expander, chemo, radiation and then breast reconstruction as well as raise my kids and continue to work full time. To say it was a very hard time for me and my family is putting it mildly.

Today, looking back at all I went through, with so many obstacles along the way, I am thankful for each new day. I believe my faith, family, friends and of course my wonderful doctors are the reason I am here today. I have since opted to have my left breast removed as it was something that I was asked to consider at the time of my diagnosis. I wasn't having any parts of doing anything more than what was absolutely necessary. I was only 39 and wasn't about to have both breasts removed. I must admit that not doing it at that time was a huge mistake on my part but I remember and understand how I felt about it 14 years ago.

Today, I have a wonderful man in my life and 2 amazing, strong, independent, grown children who have made me very proud. I am so very thankful to be here today to tell my story and thrilled to say that I am a 14 year BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR!!!!!!!!!

Mariann B
West Chester, PA

My Name Is Kelly and This is My Story

On Friday, March 18, 2011, I received a phone call to let me know I had breast cancer. Once I heard "breast cancer" the rest of the call was blur.

We met with Doctors Hunt and Hatfield my General and Plastic Surgeon to discuss my options, my decision was to have a bilateral mastectomy. Next my Oncologist Dr. King who said with my decision to have a bilateral mastectomy he didn't think I would need chemotherapy.

I had surgery on April 15, 2011. We saw Dr. King, he told us was the DCIS tumor was contained but they found a second cancer invasive, next a lymph node dissection, if was in the lymph nods, Dr. King told me I needed chemotherapy. The first round I ended up in the hospital,13-days later it started, my hair fell out in less than 5-days.

I had an amazing support system, my husband Jim every step of the way! Every round of chemotherapy holding my hand, cried together, together fought the demon and won the
fight. I have an amazing family to help with the fight. My Mom was with me at appointments Jim was unable to attend, she also held my hand and my understood chemotherapy. Having a supportive family helped me get through the fight of my life. Next, my 'Survivor" tattoo for which I wear proudly.

Never said "Why Me!" Breast cancer has made me stronger and appreciate everyday. Cancer is a "We" fight. While going through this fight we have met so many wonderful friends.

With the help of my husband, family and friends we have faced cancer and won!!! I am also thankful for having great team of doctors and their staff.

I have been cancer free for 3-years as of March 18, 2014.

Kelly
East Bethel, MN

And so cancer happened to me...

I'm a single mom of 37, after I got divorced when my baby was only 2 weeks old. She is 9 now.
I was diagnosed with DCIS 3 years ago in 2011. We caught it early, so I decided on a lumpectomy and radiation.
I went for check ups every 6 months and last year April, they found new calcifications. I went for another biopsy which they had to do without numbing it, because there was too much scar tissue!! The results ...abnormal cells, but not cancer. The doctor wasn't happy, so I went to theatre for a bigger biopsy. Results came back, not cancer. The doctor was still not happy, but said we'll check it closely.
A month later I met the most amazing man after being single for 4 years. A month later, my 2nd dad (step dad) passed away in our house from a massive heart attack. Luckily I had this new man keeping me strong, so I could be strong for my mom and my little one. 6 Month check up after this, they found new calcifications again and I decided to get rid of everything and had a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction (latt flap), an 8 hour operation! After the op, which I thought was preventative, the results came back. 2 Types of cancer. DCIS and aggressive IDC. I went for my CT scan before I was going to start with Chemo. They saw a swollen lymph gland and did yet another biopsy. Yes, cancer! So I'm now at my 2nd chemo...2 more to go and then I need 2 more ops. One to remove the lymph nodes and the other to build new nipples... ;-) This man couldn't have come at a better time in my life! I have so much love and support and God who carries me through every day!!!

Isabel
Centurion, South Africa

Time for my new journey

I had never been the type of girl to check herself on her own. I figured that I got checked yearly by my doctor so I was fine till the next time around. Well it was 5 months after my yearly checkup, October 18, 2013 a lump was found by accident. I just turned 27 ten days before. I had told my mom about it and she was worried. She told me breast cancer runs in our family. So it worried me enough to schedule a appt for a untra sound. My insurance required a referral so we went to see my family doctor and after she examined me she said I was to young to have cancer that the lump was just a cyst. She knew of my family history and still insisted that it was nothing to worry about. We got the referral anyways because we insisted on getting it checked out. Good thing because after getting a ultra sound, mammogram and a biopsy done in the same day, I was called that very next day and told that the lump was cancerous. I was a wreck. I had cancer inside of me and I didn't know if I was going to die because of it. I knew nothing about breast cancer. But what I found out was that I caught the lump early and I wasn't going to die . I was stage 1 triple negative, brca1 and 2 negative and had no cancerous lympnodes. I was given 2 options, I can get a lumpectomy and go through 5 months of chemo following radiation. Or get a mastectomy and just go through chemo. It was my decision as hard as it was but I choose to get a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I did not want to have any chance of something like this happening again. Now it is May 2nd 2014 and I am a survivor! Also, I get to say that my boyfriend of 4 years proposed to me on channel 6 news! Making this the best day ever!
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/html5/video?id=9525113&pid=null&section=null

Crystal Deslauriers
Hatfield, PA

A Pink Warrior

At 29 years young I found a lump on my left breast. I went to a Doctor who without even examining it stated "don't worry you're too young for cancer." So trusting his word I let it go for 8 months then it became larger and hurt. I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer the day after I turned 30. My first response was" where and when do we start kicking its butt?". That was September of 2013. This photo is my last chemo treatment on4/23/14! After 21 treatments my tumor is not palpable! Awaiting my surgery on5/5/14. I am proud to be a survivor and in my words a pink warrior! Thank you to all my supporters including my wonderful children Breanna,10,Payton,7,and Gabe,3!!! And not to forget my fiancée Dustin!

Amanda Craft
Dry Ridge, KY

Me and my fight

I am 45 with a family history of breast cancer. My doctor had me do the all the genetic testing. All was neg. I had some scares in the past with many biopsy and removal of cyst. October of 2013 I noticed many lumps that where not going away. Many MRI s and ultrasounds. Nothing. My doc thought it was just swollen lymphs. Had a biopsy in December after fighting for it. Weeks later my doctor called me. I was cancer in three locations. She asked who my guardian angle was. She thanked me for bugging her to get that biopsy. Had a double masectomy in feb. I'm too active and a busy mom of 2 teenagers. I had to fight

Renee
Avon lake, OH

My Story

I was diagnosed at age 37 with stage 4 breast cancer with metastasis to my bones. I had went to the er when I discovered a lump in my breast and the brushed me out the door stating it waa a blocked milk duct, I was like I hadnt breast feed in over 8 years my youngest child, told me to follow up with a pcp. Well with no insurance I had no options. Months passed and I began having back pain, well off to the er, drs thought I was a pain patient looking for pain meds which I am not, no xrays, or anything sent me a prescription. Third time I coukd not move my neck without moving my whole body, went back to er was giving a shot in my rear end and sent out again no xrays or anything. Well then I got a stomach ache went to different er, got a ct scan and ultrasound to make sure gallbader and appendix were ok, thats when they found the lump in my breast and found and a lump on my hip. I will never forget this young doctor coming in to tell me that I have stage 4 breast cancer that spread to my bones. Boy what a shocker, im now in a hospice preventative care, I get a bone treatment every month, but I am surviving with my husband and 2 kid's age 16 and 10, and a great support system. I know I will survive I have the lord in my life and trust me, he is all need. As a survivor I urge my friends and family to get their routine chevk no matter if they feel fine or not, I was healthy until this. So please ladies listen to your sixth sense we all have and know it, go get it checked out, dont let the er send u home, please be demanding and get ur erays or ct scans or what ever else u need, because its u against the world.

Kristen Burch
winter haven, FL