In 2002, I was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer in one breast. Since it didn't "run" in my family, I only had one breast removed (via mastectomy with free TRAM flap reconstruction). Within 2 months, my older maternal aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy. 2 months after that - my mother! My mother lives in Florida and had a "drive through" mastectomy. Mom did incur problems with the drains. I'm the only one who had reconstruction. I'm very happy to report we are all well with no recurrences. The only one who needed chemo and radiation was my aunt. My mother was on Arimidex and I on Tamoxifen until it created side-effects Then I had my ovaries removed (went into surgical menopause and became a wild woman). Thereafter I was placed on Arimidex, completing my five year course of treatment. I have decreased my stress level significantly by becoming a Hatha Yoga Teacher, and am now in the process of changing careers from a paralegal to a yoga teacher. I only drink home brewed distilled water, use a nettie pot regularly, have changed my entire lifestyle (no longer drinking alcohol at all), and meditate. I highly recommend Hatha Yoga for all patient/survivors - it gives you the strength and courage you thought you never had. We are all very blessed and know it. I do intend to relocate out of New Jersey because it is a highly toxic, overly industrialized state. One of my very close friends died of breast cancer at 53 on 4-30-09 and 3 of my other close friends were diagnosed within the last 8 years, besides me. We all live in New Jersey.

Anonymous
Southampton, NJ