Love every minute of life!

My name is Mary, I am 46 years old. In Dec 2009, I felt a small lump in
a week, I went for my Mammogram on Dec. 30th, 2009. They took a lot of
pictures, I was moved from the big waiting room to a room by myself. I had
a feeling it was bad but still remained optimistic. They wanted to do the ultrasound. The Radiologist said she was done with the armpit but wanted to look at the one in the breast. I didn’t know there was anything in the breast. She showed
me the difference between the armpit and the breast. She said the armpit looks
Fibrocystic but the breast has characteristics of breast cancer. I left and came back 3 hrs later and did a needle biopsy on both areas. On January 4th, 2010 (had to wait 5 days because of New Years Eve) I got the call that the armpit was a cyst but the Breast was cancer. I couldn’t believe it I did not have breast cancer in my family. The next few weeks were a blur, surgeon consult, MRI, lumpectomy. I went for Surgery Jan. 15th 2010, it was a lumpectomy. The tumor was only 6mm and all margins were clear, no lymph node involvement. We were all very excited until a few
Days later when I realized I have triple negative breast cancer. Triple negative is a rare Sub type of breast cancer that only affects 15% of breast cancer diagnosis. It is very aggressive, high recurrence rate, and usually happens before menopause. When I realized my only options were chemo and radiation, I decided to do both. I did 4 rounds of chemo starting with T/C. I had a bad reaction to taxotere and had to stop getting it. I started taking A/C for 3 more rounds. Losing my hair was very difficult for me. I didn’t realize how vain I was till I was bald. Chemo was very difficult and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. However, I still worked fulltime and stayed very active with my 3 kids (14, 10, 6) and husband. I ended chemo April 1st and started Radiation May 3rd and ended June 18th. Radiation was much easier than chemo but it still burned the skin and brought on fatigue. I am currently still working fulltime and keeping busy with my kids sports activities. My husband of almost 19 years was so good to me and stayed positive. Some of the things I learned are: stay current on checkups, you must become your own advocate, surround yourself with wonderful, caring people, love every minute of life, appreciate the help that is offered and take it, look at things with a whole
new perspective. I had a hard time watching the people around me at infusion and
Radiation so sick, it broke my heart. Just live life and go get mammograms!!!!!

Mary

Cancer has made me fight for what I want!

Cindy,

Thank you for reminding us that sometimes a "lump is just a lump". Yet other times it is not. It sounds like you have a great group of doctors that treated you, but also a great group of friends that supported you as well. It is what gets us through.

Amy

My name is Cindy, I am 48 years old, I was diagnosed with breast cancer October of 2004. In 2003 I had a lump in my breast, I had a lumpectomy, and it was not cancer. Almost one year later, I had another lump, I did not think anything of it, because I had a lump a year ago, and that was nothing, the lump was getting bigger, I went to see the ARNP, she sent me for a mammogram, and then for a ultra sound, they did not think it was cancer, I went to my surgeon, Dr. Renz, he looked at everything, and did not think it was cancer, he took a biopsy, and gave me some antibiotics. That next week they called me and told me that it was cancer, Dr. Renz wanted to see me that day, that was Wednesday, we were going on Vacation on Friday, we had to cancel, I was having surgery.

I had surgery on Friday, and 2 weeks later, I went to see Dr. Ghosh, and started Chemo the next week, I wanted to get this done, and get back to the “new normal”! I had chemo treatments every other week, 8 treatments in all. I started radiation before my last chemo treatment was over, I went to radiation 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

The American Cancer Society is great, a volunteer came to see my in the hospital, she brought me information, and sat and talked to me, I knew that I was not alone, there was someone there to help support me, when I need it. I went to Look Good Feel Better, and the American Cancer Society helped me with a wig, this is a great program, I try to volunteer when I can, I want to give others the hope I was given by everyone I met

I knew that I could not let this beat me, my husband and I had only been married 3 years, and we really enjoy being together, and I was not going to miss out on any of our time together. I can say that I never thought my husband would have to shave my head, and I know it was not what he signed up for!

My daughter and son are my everything, and to this day, I can still see their faces when I told them, it brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it. I have 2 step-children that I want to see grow up.

Seeing how it hurt my parents, I can not imagine your only child telling you that she has cancer.

My Granddaughter turned 1, the week after I had surgery, I want her to know me, and to have a close relationship with her, like I had with my Grandpa.

Cancer has made me fight for what I want, and I want to enjoy my family and friends!

I have been touched by so many friends, my girlfriends from High School (Zelda , Connie, Cecilia and Alicia) the day I had surgery, and came over when I got home, Zelda had Kolaches for me, she knows that they are my favorite! Debbie and Lisa would come over to see me, and call, Debbie would send me a card every time I had a treatment. Lisa started the Schlitter Sister’s, we walk every year at the Especially for you Breast Cancer Walk. My co-workers at Paetec were GREAT, they had a plant waiting for me when I got home from my first appointment. They would send me get well cards, phone calls, and gift cards just out of the blue. They are very special friends. I have a scrapbook with cards, and pictures of my “adventure”, they are very special to me.

Special Thanks to Dr. Renz for taking time to care, and take a biopsy, Dr. Ghosh, Dr. Merfeld for answering all of my questions, every nurse and staff member that was there for me, to Leza for being able to get that IV in there! To My husband has been to every chemo treatment with me, he would let me squeeze his poor hand , while they were trying to put the IV in me. He would do anything for me, he was always there for me. My kids and Granddaughter made me want to go on to the next day. My parents and in-laws for calling and seeing how things were going. There are so many that have cared, and made a difference, they are all special to me.

It has now been over 5 years and I have seen my son get married to a great girl and they adopted the sweetest little boy! My daughter is doing great raising her daughter on her own and she is going in to first grade. I sometimes cry when I realize that I could have missed this!

I cannot imagine going through this without everyone that has been there for me.

Cancer has made me realize what is important in life, we need to realize this before it is too late, and we cannot make up for it later!

Continue with follow up...

Brenda,

You have so much courage. Thank goodness you were doing your monthly breast exams and you found your lump. You took control. We are faced with making difficult decisions about our health. Bless you on your journey. You are a survivor!

Amy

I was told back in 2002 that I had breast cancer (ductial) and had a lumpectomy done at that time. This was followed by mamo's every 3 months for a year. Then they told me that all was fine and I should have a mamo done once a year. Well this year, February 2010, I found a lump in my left breast and went in for a mamo, this lead to a digital mamo followed by a surgical bio. after all of this they said my cancer was back. I was told I could do nothing and wait it out or I could have a total bilateral mastectomy. And put an end to this cancer business. So on March 24th I had both of my breast removed. My path report stated that in fact I had ductial cancer in both breast not just the left side. I feel very lucky! Now I must make the choice or rather to have reconstructive surgery or not. I'm still healing from my surgery but have to say I'm glad that My fight has been won.

Thanks
Brenda

Dealing with reoccurence...

Brenda,

You have so much courage. We wish you a speedy recovery to your recent surgery. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your testimony will save lives.

Amy

I was told back in 2002 that I had breast cancer (ductal) and had a lumpectomy done at that time. This was followed by mamo's every 3 months for a year. Then they told me that all was fine and I should have a mamo done once a year. Well this year In February 2010 I found a lump in my left breast and went in for a mamo, this lead to a digital mamo followed by a surgical bio. After all of this they said my cancer was back. I was told I could do nothing and wait it out or I could have a total bilateral mastectomy. And put an end to this cancer business. So on March 24th, I had both of my breast removed. My path report stated that in fact I had ductal cancer in both breast not just the left side. I feel very lucky! Now I must make the choice or rather to have reconstructive surgery or not. I'm still healing from my surgery but have to say I'm glad that my fight has been won.

Thanks,
Brenda

Strength in the family

Keri,

Your family shows such strength and courage. What a blessing that your mother did not have a diagnosis of cancer. You being strong for your family and giving your grandmother,aunt, and cousin support and encouragement is such a blessing. They are fortunate to have you in the family. You are right. We have to be strong for all surivors out there that might need our strength to get them through the day.

Amy

In 2008, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was detected very early, so we knew she had a chance. She had a lumpectomy, and they discovered that they didn't get it all. So she went in for another lumpectomy. After that one they discovered once again, that they didn't get it all. They then gave her the option to try another lumpectomy, or to just have a mastectomy of her left breast. It was a long, difficult, decision for her, but she decided to go through with the mastectomy. Her surgery was 14 hours; it was the longest day of my life. It was hard to see all of my family there and just hoping that everything went OK. We got the news that she was OK, and we went back to see her in recovery. She was still waking up from the anesthesia, so she was a little groggy. I was talking to her and she seemed to be aware of what was going on. She then asked her nurse for some crackers and iced tea. She didn't have to go through chemo, or radiation afterwards. To this day, she still tells me that I am the first one she remembers seeing when she woke up from her surgery, and that makes me feel so good. Three months to the day, after my grandma was diagnoses, her daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was about to go through what my grandmother, her mom just went through. My aunt had a lumpectomy, and she also had to have chemo and radiation. She lost all of her hair, so she bought 2 wigs. She was afraid to show us her bald head and she didn't want her little grand babies to see her without hair either. One day we were at my grandma’s house for a visit and my aunt took off her wig, and I just looked at her in awe. She barely had any hair, but she was still as beautiful as ever. I knew that she took that wig off, not because she wanted to, but because she knew her hair was coming back; she was getting better. My cousin just had a breast cancer scare. She hadn't been in for a mammogram in a few years, but now that 2 women of our family had been diagnosed, she decided to go get one. All was clear. About 2 months ago I get a phone call from my dad, he tells me my mom has to go get checked for breast cancer because they found a lump. I am up at school, and my dad told me not to worry, that everything would be fine, but naturally, I was a wreck. That was all I could think about, and I couldn't wait to get home to see her. I went with her to the hospital they day she got re-checked, and they found that it wasn't cancer, it was just a mass and they are going to keep it under close watch. In all of the sadness, and devastating diagnoses in the past year or so, I would just like to say that I am strong. I am strong for my family, my loved ones, and also I am strong for every woman out there. This can come up on you when you least expect it, but if you just have hope, and believe that everything will be OK, then it will. You have to be strong, ALWAYS, because you never know who is watching and who might need a little bit of your strength to get them through the day.

Helping other women...

Julie,

How selfless of you to participate in a clinical trial to help other women, even though you did not need any treatments after your surgery! I applaud you! Together we can find a cure!

Amy

Good Morning, I am a 37 year old mother of 3, who was recently diagnosed with multi-focal breast cancer in March of 09. I had been having pain in both breast that was unusual for me, this started in Dec. of 08 and went for my annual in Feb. of 09. The nurse felt for lumps and found nothing but still sent me for a mammogram. I received a call a few days after the mammo with news that they had found a spot close to the chest wall and was to see a surgeon about a biopsy. When I went to see the surgeon she could not feel any lumps either and went ahead with the biopsy. The biopsy came back positive, and we proceeded with a lumpectomy. The lumpectomy came back with unclear margins and I was scheduled for a breast MRI. After the MRI, the surgeon told me that the opposite side would need to be biopsied as well because of a suspicious area. To avoid as much emotional stress as possible I went ahead and decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. This has been the biggest emotional roller coaster that I have ever been on. Just finding out that I had cancer was enough to cripple me emotionally, but I am at the point now that my oncologist is offering participation in a clinical trail. I have found out that I do not have to have chemo, but I have made to agonizing decision to take part in the trial because of my age and because I could help women in the future make these decisions. I have had one treatment and I am already wondering what I have got myself into, but I have to finish the course of treatment to help future generations of women. My heart goes out to any woman facing breast cancer, If we could only find a cure.

Julie

My mastectomies saved my life

This story speaks for itself.

My name is Jeri and I am a 2-time breast cancer survivor. My experience with DCIS starts with having to tell all my friends and family about it. I asked so many questions of my doctors and investigated as much as I could so that when the time came to share with everyone, I would have all the answers. Of course, you never have all the answers. With my friends and family at my side, I had 2 lumpectomys only to still not have a clear margin. My questions not answered. Then after my bilateral MRI, all my questions were still not answered. With a 5% chance of there still being more cancer, I decided to have the masectomy, which in my case may have saved my life. After the surgery, my doctor told me that I did the right thing because they found more cancer. I took it in stride and was out of the hospital after only 2 days. I wanted to get home and get on with my life. My friends and family were there for me to make it through this rough time. Then, 2 years later, another diagnosis of breast cancer in the other breast. No questions asked this time. I had another masectomy because I didn't want to ask any more questions. I wanted to control of my destiny and I would not let this cancer take the best of me. Now, 2 years later, I have helped so many of my friends and their firiends with my knowledge and experience and have showed them that we cannot be afraid. we must take control and beat this thing and not let it get the best of us. Knowledge is power and I pass it on in the hopes that it will help someone make the decision that is best for them.
Sincerly, Jeri

Karen, 22-Year & 2-Time Survivor

Thanks for sharing your story, Karen.

Whew, you have been through a lot, lady! So glad to hear you are doing well.

I, too, couldn't believe my misfortune when I had a "local" recurrence at the site of my mastectomy scar from 6 years prior! I read that only about 1% of recurrences occurred there. I thought, "Why must I be in that 1 measly percent!?" Unfortunately I later learned that this new lump on the same side was not an isolated recurrence ... the cancer had also metastasized to the bones, lung and many lymph nodes. :( But that was 3 years ago and I continue to live life to the fullest despite my stage IV diagnosis. I am blessed ... nothing short of a miracle in my eyes. Were it not for modern medicine, I am certain that I would NOT be alive today.

Let's keep funding cancer research. We need more success stories like yours and mine!

I was first diagnosed in 1987 at the age of 31. At the time I was married and had one daughter age 6 and a step daughter age 16. Stage 1, node negative. I chose a lumpectomy with radiation. At this time there wasn't any breast cancer awareness, you just dealt with it. My husband did not deal well and to make a long story short, within a year I filed for a divorce. It got very messy and he ended up committing suicide. So much for no stress in my life. Now I was 33, a widow with a young child to raise and a breast cancer survivor although no one really wanted to talk about that. It only happened to older women.
Life went on, as I knew it would. I met a wonderful man who became hubby number 2. He accepted me as a breast cancer survivor, my hodge podge family, (I was also helping my best friend raise her daughter) and I gained another step daughter.
Life was great and we got the surprise of our lives when I was 39 and we found out I was pregnant. After a difficult pregnancy we had us a healthy baby boy!!!!
I celebrated each year on the 6th of March, thanking the Lord for giving me another year.
Then the year 2000, my breast doctor called out of the blue wanting me to get an ultrasound. Funny I just saw her a couple months before, we had looked at my recent mammo, decided spot was more than likely scar tissue when comparing it to several past mammograms, now she wanted an ultrasound. It just couldn't be cancer again, I was 13 years out, even though in the back of my mind I knew. Sure enough, stage 2b, didn't even bother to check nodes again as I already have lymphodema, 7 cm her2 neg. ER pos. Had mastectomy with 4 rounds of A/C and 4 rounds of Taxol. A tram flap reconstruction and 5 years of Arimidex, couldn't take Tamoxifin because of blood clot in lung while going through chemo. I just knew I was going to die this time. My son was only 5. I could not find anyone who had breast cancer twice unless it had metastasis. I was so afraid. Finally I found a wonderful support group at Gilda's Club and on line at FIN. It was at FIN that I met someone who just like me had it more than once. finally HOPE!!!
Now I am 53 years old, a 22 years a cancer survivor, 9 years no evidence of disease, I feel blessed. I sign every relay for life sign with this:
WALKING AWAY A WINNER, THANK YOU LORD.
KAREN

Carmen Lives to See Her Grandson Born!

Like many survivors, Carmen reached her lowest of lows during her cancer treatment. Family, sense of humor, determination and lots of prayer helped her through, and she continues to celebrate every day of her life as a survivor!

Breast cancer... those two dreaded words were magnified as they became "the" diagnosis. I saw a tear drop fall on my leg in slow motion and the room around me moved. It was 6/12/06 at 10 am....for a few seconds I floated and then I felt I had to snap out of it. My husband and daughter were attentive to every single word the surgeon was saying.... I was just there.

I had a lumpectomy on 6/27/06, followed by 4 rounds of chemo, 33 radiation treatments, a year of Herceptin and cleared on 10/19/07. That's it in a nutshell. Were there "bad" days??? of course. There was a chemo treatment I dubbed "the weekend from hell"; I felt dropping into a black, black hole; I told my husband I was done, tired of "this @#%^&*"; he took me in his arms and said "babe, there is a light at the end of the tunnel....we'll find it" and we did.

With him, my daughter and son-in-law by my side, my son's voice via telephone and tons and tons of prayer buddies, I made it. Humor was a big part of our ordeal; had photo shoot done with my daughter.. she said to me 'mom, you have cancer, cancer does not have you.. let's get some pictures taken so we can remember what you've overcome" I continue with tests as ordered... I owe it to myself.....

The icing on the cake... my grandson was born 12/15/07, so he and I celebrate our birthdays together... Life is definitely good.....


Carmen A.

Debbi W., 10-Year Survivor, Offers Hope

Debbi,

First, allow me to apologize for taking so long to respond to your story. We were a bit overwhelmed with the response to our call for survivor stories, and we are still working our way through them. It is our intent to personally respond to each one, perhaps add some commentary before posting to the blog, and to make sure that each contributor receives their free pink ribbon pin or bracelet. These things take time!

Thanks for sharing your story, and for your uplifting words to others who've been diagnosed. It's a big reason why we're collecting survivor stories ... to encourage and uplift others who are now walking in our shoes.

10 years, how wonderful! May you have many, many years ahead as a survivor.

Kim

TEN YEARS CANCER FREE

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 1999. I found a lump in my left breast while in the shower. I was in denial as I assume all who find a lump are upon finding one. My youngest daughter,Denise was 16 at the time and when I told her what I had found she made an appointment for me to have it examined. To this day I credit her for saving my life. I had a lumpectomy....four rounds of chemotherapy and 36 radiation treatments. I lost my hair ....but I didn't lose my life. I have been going to my doctor every three months ever since. And Glory be to God I have been cancer free for ten years.I am not going to lie...I had a trying time but I am still here to tell my story ten years later. I just want to tell women not to give up...keep the faith because cancer is not a death sentence...I AM LIVING PROOF THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER BREAST CANCER!!! I hope that if this is published it will give women hope who are going through what I went through....THINK PINK....FIND A CURE IN MY LIFETIME....Deborah W.