On September 22, 2015 My hero, my best friend, My Mommy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer. I promised her when the time came I would take care of her. I do think the time is to soon and wish the circumstances were different, but I have a promise to keep. I will be by her every step of the way and when she's ready to give up, I'll fight for the both of us!
My journey started in the beginning of 2009. My dear mom had just passed after a long unrelated illness. During that time I was undergoing routine yearly mammogram. I was asked to have an ultrasound of both breast which showed a small lump on rt breast. I was adviced by my GYN to see a specialist surgeon. I already know of a fantastic one. After he examined me he not only felt the lump on the rt breast but also a small one on the left side. Biopsies were performed shortly after and rt side showed negative but left was inconclusive. Dr recommended a lumpectomy which came back as DCIS. My husband and I were in shock and unbelief since I've always been very proactive with my health as well as very fit. However I knew I was going to beat this and not let it rob my joy and faith.
Shortly after I had sentinel lymph nodes (3) removed and were negative :)
After tumor board reviewed my case it was advised that I underwent another surgery to ck for margins since tumor was of an aggressive kind. That surgery which took more of my already small breast proved to be positive. After visiting with various specialist and to go over my options I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction right after. The rt would be prophylactic since Drs couldn't guarantee that cancer couldn't come back and be undetected again and more aggressive.
Surgery was painful both physically and emotionally but I was surrounded by my loved ones and covered in prayers. I knew I would be alright. It was a total of 12 surgeries from beginning to end. I'm stronger than I thought and my faith in my Creator just grew stronger. I've been able to encourage others. My husband, two sisters and two daughters have been a pillar of strength for me. The only thing I wished was to have my mom with me during this journey as she had been throughout my whole life. I look forward to enjoying the rest of my life.
I feel tht I'm not a women now cos I can't look at myself in the mirror. Anyway who named tht scarey word CANCER.I hate telling people I hav it so my story to people dnt tell no one. So l say to myself wen I dnt want to get out off bed. GET UP STAND UP MAKE UP. AND DRESS UP the hardest thing about CANCER was telling my kids I didn't tell them about it until I had to go in for my opp.XXX I dnt No if anyone will read my story but everyone shud hav a voice . I havnt had no support of anyone and sumtimes I need sumone t chat too anyway thts my life. I wish I cud cure everyone tht is suffering of cancer but I will pray every day for them god bless u all love miggy.xxx
My mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in 2008.. She did a self test and found a small lump in her milk duct. She had a mastectomy the day after I graduated high school and did 4 rounds of chemo. In 2009 she was declared cancer free. Almost 5 years clear, in January 2013 she found another lump on the same side and found out she had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It spread to her lungs, liver, and bones. I was devastated because I thought we were done with this but here it was trying to take us down again. She went through 6 rounds of chemo and was put in herceptin and tamoxifen. Just when we thought we were in the clear she started to get headaches and couldn't even stand up or walk without help. My worst fear was about to come true when we took her to the ER and they said she had a brain tumor. The week before thanksgiving she had 5 rounds of radiation and the worst part was hearing her throw up at night. In August 2015, she caught pneumonia and went into the hospital for complications of that and the cancer spreading to her heart in September. On October 1, 2015 my mom lost her battle with breast cancer. She fought so hard for 7 years and I saw her go through everything. Please find a cure! I don't want to see someone go through what I went through.
I am a Breast Cancer Survival. On 2009 I had my first Biopsy and in 2011 I had an excisional biopsy both were benign, but after the excisional biopsy I started feeling something in my left breast so I got a sonomamagraphy, mamography, spot compression,it said probably benign, evaluation in 6 months, I told the doctor no, that I had something there so he checked me and sent me to get an MRI. The MRI came back highly suspicious for malignancy. On august 2012 my results were infiltrating Duct Cell carcinoma Grade II and Ductal Carcinoma in-situ Grade III, ER and PR negative and HER-2 positive. I had a bilateral Mastectomy which was going to be with reconstruction, I even got the expanders in, but after the surgery I got a blood clot in my leg which they put me on blood thinners and had a stent put in, then I got necrosis in my nipple and aereola so they had to operate a second time to take out my nipples and aereolas. Once I was recuperating they sent me home, but I didn't last a day because my chest started getting black so I had to go back to the hospital, which they found out I had a hemorragh in my chest. Since they had to operate on me a third time to clean me I told my doctor to take out the expanders, because I wasn't going to do reconstruction and thank God I did because the expanders had blood clots in them. I was in the hospital for almost 2 months because of all the complications. I went to the oncologist and I got 12 Taxols, 4 red quimos and 18 herceptins, I finished my quimos on May 2014. I did the Brac analysis test and came out positive for the Brac 2 mutation, my cancer is hereditary and is an invasive cancer. In february of 2014 my father died of breast and kidney cancer which metastisized. I thank God and my family and friends for praying for me and that I am alive and in remission.
I am a Breast Cancer Survival. On 2009 I had my first Biopsy and in 2011 I had an excisional biopsy both were benign, but after the excisional biopsy I started feeling something in my left breast so I got a sonomamagraphy, mamography, spot compression,it said probably benign, evaluation in 6 months, I told the doctor no, that I had something there so he checked me and sent me to get an MRI. The MRI came back highly suspicious for malignancy. On august 2012 my results were infiltrating Duct Cell carcinoma Grade II and Ductal Carcinoma in-situ Grade III, ER and PR negative and HER-2 positive. I had a bilateral Mastectomy which was going to be with reconstruction, I even got the expanders in, but after the surgery I got a blood clot in my leg which they put me on blood thinners and had a stent put in, then I got necrosis in my nipple and aereola so they had to operate a second time to take out my nipples and aereolas. Once I was recuperating they sent me home, but I didn't last a day because my chest started getting black so I had to go back to the hospital, which they found out I had a hemorragh in my chest. Since they had to operate on me a third time to clean me I told my doctor to take out the expanders, because I wasn't going to do reconstruction and thank God I did because the expanders had blood clots in them. I was in the hospital for almost 2 months because of all the complications. I went to the oncologist and I got 12 Taxols, 4 red quimos and 18 herceptins, I finished my quimos on May 2014. I did the Brac analysis test and came out positive for the Brac 2 mutation, my cancer is hereditary and is an invasive cancer. In february of 2014 my father died of breast and kidney cancer which metastisized. I thank God and my family and friends for praying for me and that I am alive and in remission.
On Feb 2015 I woke up a painful lump in my armpit. Couple months prior I had gotten one near my armpit but over time disappeared. I admit it I cancelled my doctors appointment because I was cheap. I got scared when I got another very painful lump so this time my cheap/impatient side of me decided to go to a walking clinic. They told me by just looking at it and feeling it that it was just a skin infection so they gave me antibiotics and pain meds and if it didn't get better in a week to come back or just go to emergency room. A week later I was still in a lot of pain and my husband just said to just go to the hospital asap. That next morning I went to hospital and got ultrasound they said it might be an infection but it's too deep in my armpit that I must consult with the hospital surgeon. Two days later the surgeon is arranging surgery to remove what was there. A week after that he is giving me the news the worst news ever that I had breast cancer. By 8:30 am the following day I am with the oncologist going over the treatments. Now today October 23, 2015 I have finished my chemo treatment (16 rounds). Now I get to start 28 rounds of radiation treatments and hopefully by next summer get my final reconstruction surgery since I also got a double bilateral mastectomy. My families and friends patience, support, and many prayers it's what has given me the strength. I share this because I want peole not to ignore your bodies warnings pay attention to your body and consult a doctor ASAP if you feel something wrong instead of procrastinating or being cheap.
I wanted to share my video that I have titled Breaking up with Cancer. I was diagnosed 4.5 years ago at the age of 27. I wanted to share how I feel and have heard from others feeling the same way. The mental after affects of cancer. It seems to sometimes be dismissed or swept under the rug. The fear of cancer still looming but others not understanding why we can't just get over it. I hope this help others feel like they are not alone! Please feel free to share, and LiveLifeLarge!
Here is the link to my video, I put it on you tube. https://youtu.be/1HbNVCK8nNs
I was a 33 year old single mom with a 5 and 8 year old. I was in the midst of rebuilding my life so I could truly enjoy life with my children. Busier than ever, I finally found myself on my obgyn’s exam table where I heard the words “You have a lump right here" and that’s when I knew my own battle with cancer was here whether I was ready or not.
I was diagnosed on December 8, 2014 with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I realized how much I did not know about cancer. I learned that TNBC accounts for 10-15% of all types of Breast Cancer. My doctors suspected that I had a gene mutation due to my extensive family history with cancer and had me tested. I moved forward with a bilateral mastectomy. A few weeks later, my gene testing results confirmed I have the BRCA 1 gene mutation which means I have been at an significantly increased risk of Breast and Ovarian cancer… it also means my children may have inherited it.
I’ve endured 5 surgeries, my lung collapsed twice, 3 blood transfusions, a blood clot, 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 days of radiation. I’ve lost body hair, toenails, and skin, had mouth sores, neuropathy, chemopause and more. Next, I’ll have a prophylactic hysterectomy but as long as I’m alive, it’s all worth it.
It would have been impossible to come this far without love and support from my family and friends. I’ve been blessed with prayers, meals, clean laundry, rides to appointments, childcare and more. Words of encouragement continue to flood in from near and far.
I share all of this to remind you that fighting cancer isn’t pretty, it isn’t easy, and it cannot be done alone. We need a cure. We need to spread awareness & educate. We need to fundraise for research and to provide services to those battling. Let’s honor and remember those who have bravely fought for their lives and let’s fight for a cure for those who are in the fight of their life.
My breast cancer story began in March 2015 with an abnormal finding on my routine annual mammogram. Three days later I was having an ultra sound. The radiologist could see something, but suggested I return in 3 months for a follow up ultra sound to see if this was a quick changer. My husband and I did not like those words and the next day my husband had arranged a 2nd opinion appointment at another larger facility in downtown Chicago. After an appointment with a surgeon, more mammograms, another ultra sound & numerous core needle biopsies I was told on 4/29 that I have Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. With all the ultra sounds and needle biopsies I’ve had the past 10 years, there was no doubt in my mind that my first course of treatment would be a double mastectomy. I want the cancer out of my body asap. I was schedule for skin & nipple sparing surgery on 5/26. My cancer is Stage 2A and is ER+, PR+ & HER2+ and no lymph node involvement. I began chemo therapy, Taxol & Herceptin on 7/27. Fast forward 12 weeks and I had my last chemo 10/14. I will continue with Herceptin treatments once every 3 weeks until July 2016 and will have my reconstruction surgery in Feb. 2016. The stress in the early weeks, waiting to hear the news is almost unbearable. I do not wish that stress on anyone! My husband has been amazing and I couldn’t have survived those weeks without him & his support. Also my family and friends have been a great support during recovery from surgery and my chemo treatments! No one should go through this alone! My recovery is still not over and my life is far from normal, but I am cancer free! I am a breast cancer survivor! I had been diagnosed and had my surgery before the "come back in 3 months" suggestion from the first facility. Early detection and a 2nd opinion is very important.
