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I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

It was the summer of 2006; the doctor came into the examining room where I had been laughng and joking with my best friend. When he came into the room I could tell by the look on his face that the news was not what I wanted to hear. "You have a cancer, but we can do a partial masectomy", remove the infected lymph nodes." and with proper therapy, etc. etc. etc.
Long story short now: September, 2006 I had the prescribed surgery, followed by chemo and then radiation. It was not a fun winter, but I knew I would be OK. My hair fell out, so I bought a hat to keep my pate warm. Never once did I question "Why Me?" "Why Not Me?", was the response. All women and girls in the world are susceptible and 6 degrees of separation from breast cancer (or some other form of cancer). That was three years ago; I am clean and cancer-free, and determined to stay healthy.
Cancer can be beaten.... I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada where sophisticated research is ongoing in two major, world class, hospitals. Princess Margaret and Mount Sinai. Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have been successful in their stem cell research. They are world-recognized. I am optimistic when I say it is just a matter of time before they are successful in their quest for a cancer cure. I can say, I was there when it happened, so I guess I aughta know...I am optimistic it will be in my lifetime.

Take heart, cancer survivors; we will survive... We are Women, Hear Us Roar!

Anonymous
Toronto, Canada

Survivor 15 years

Fifteen years ago my children were 4 and 6. I was 34 and never even had a mamogram. After the diagnosis from a doctor in my home town, he gave me the grim news. He was not hopeful for me and was very cold. My husband took me home and we told the family. My brother had connections with wonderful doctors, to which he promptly made an appointment for me. Dr. Gaynor, was a miracle worker. He told my husband and I, "I am not looking to prolong your life, I am looking to save your life." He told us that 5 years prior there was no cure for that type of cancer. He said there was a 'recipe' that I must to follow, which included chemo, a bone marrow transplant, and radiation. I was hospitilized for 3 weeks when I had the transplant and I experienced 'shake and bake', which was one of the darkest nights in my life. My husband was my strength, he did everythig for me including administering shots in my leg after each chemo treatment. My parents were running ragged for me too. Mom took care of the kids tirelessly. After my radical mascetomy, in the beginning of it all, my pathology reports came back that I was cancer free, but I kept my eye on the ball as Dr. Gaynor told me I had to follow through with the 'recipe'. Some people see that they are well and they stop treatment, but it comes back. So I stayed the course and 15 years later I am well, my daughter is 20 and my son 18. I have been so blessed to watch them grow and become extraordinary people. MY gratitude to my husband, parents, my brother and of course Dr. Gaynor will never disapate.

Darlene
Long Beach, NY

My Best Friend's Journey

My name is Nancy Sharpe and this story is about my best friend. The following paragraph is from a blog written by Ashley Neal about her mother.

"My amazing mother, Barbara Neal, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on October 2, 2008. After changing doctors, many mammograms, ultrasounds, tests, biopsies, MRI's, and countless trips to the Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, we finally know what type of cancer she has and are now ready to start the battle! She has been diagnosed with a rare type of breast cancer called Triple Negative Metaplastic Carcinoma. She tested negative for the 3 main breast cancer receptors (the fuel that "feeds" the cancer)- the Estrogen Receptor, the Progresterone Receptor, and the HER2 protein receptor, thus the name Triple Negative. Metaplastic Carcinoma is a rare sub-type of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. This type of cancer has an aggressive nature so mom and her team of gifted doctors are going to attack it head on! It is going to be a long battle but I have no doubt that with God, family, friends, doctors, along with my mothers fighting spirit, this is a battle she will WIN!"

Barbara has only two more chemo treatments to go. She will then have a lumpectomy and radiation. Hopefully, by July 1, 2009, Barbara will be cleared of cancer. It has been a long hard battle for her. I have had the blessing of taking her to Emory hospital for many of her chemo treatments. We have been friends for over 37 years. I wanted to go through this journey with her. The picture is of Barbara and I at Emory for one of her treatments.

Nancy Sharpe
Sharpsburg, GA

Trip Through Cancerland

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994. I chose a modified mastectomy with reconstruction to be done at the same time. Chemo therapy was the next step followed by five years of Tamoxifen. The chemo therapy was the worst part because of the side effects. Loss of hair, appetite, and energy.

During my "Trip Through Cancerland" I had a kidney stone surgically removed, though I had never had the problem before; found out the hard way that I was allergic to the dye they use for a c-scan; was allergic to an acrylic stint used in the kidneystone episode; came down with antibiotic associated colitis; and must now caution doctors for the rest of my life that my body has had this problem.

Fifteen years later I am happy to say that I am a survivor and know that cancer does not own me. A positive attitude, faith, the love of family and friends brought me through.

I had my surgery on the 3rd of March and every year I celebrate that date as my re-birth day. Life is good!

When I know of someone who has been diagnosed with cancer I send them greeting cards to brighten their day. I do this because I enjoyed receiving cards from friends during my trip through Cancerland. A card is not as intrusive as a phone call or a drop in visit. It can be opened when you feel up to it.

Grace Sloan
Escondido, CA

Survivor

I had quit my job to go back to school and earn a teaching certificate. I finished my year of internship and was ready to complete my master's degree and start the first year of my new career. I had a routine mammogram which showed tiny dots of concern. Further testing and biopsy confirmed cancer. I had 3 children and was headed to a new life -- how was this possible? One year later, I had survived a mastectomy, chemotherapy and was taking tamoxifen. Life was good.

Four years later another mammogram, and another cancer. Not a recurrence, but a new cancer and a much more aggressive one. Another mastectomy, more intensive chemotherapy and a summer of radiation. But now it is seven years later, and I am a survivor.

I have seen my three children graduate from high school, and two of them graduate from college. My oldest is married and my youngest is going off to college. My husband and I are looking forward to travel and empty-nesting. My life is full.

Anonymous
Albuquerque, NM

A Double Whammy at our house

In 1994 I had breast cancer and had a lumpectomy on Aug. 3, 1994.
On August 5th, 1994 my husband had a massive stroke which left him paralazed on his left side. There was a black cloud over our house that would not go away.

Unfortunately, he only lived for two years. I took care of him for 2 years and operated a daycare business at my home while doing 6 weeks of radiation. Had 2 more occurances and am still here 15 years later. Dr. MaryJane Houlihan from The Breast Center at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Mass. was my breast cancer surgeon and I consider myself very lucky to have had her. She studied under Dr. Susan Love.

I remember what it meant to have support from family and friends back in 1994. I am only too glad to click on the Breast Cancer Site every day. That it the very least I can do.

Maureen F. Watts
Pembroke, Mass., MA

Self Exam Pays Off

About 2 yrs ago, I did a self exam, and discovered a discharge from my rt nipplle. I went to the Dr, and he opted to check it out in surgery. He corrected the discharge problem, and did a biopsy, The path report came back showing Ductile Carcinoma Insitu (a pre cancer condidion) However, the margins of the specimen were not clear. He went back in, and that report also came back with unclear margins. Rather than face repeated biopsies, I opted to have a mastectomy. The reeport came back on that and the pathologist said that was the only way we could have got it all. I just thank the Lord for the early discovery, and continue to have regular mamograms to make sure that the left breast is healthy.

Merideth L Berkovich
The Dalles, OR

My Hiccup in Life

Not everything you preceive is bad turns out that way. I found my lump on October 1, 2007. It was the size of a pea. There is no breast cancer in my family, but I had it checked. I had a biopsy (which was awful). It was cancer. I had a mastectomy a week later and the tumor had gone from a size 3 to a 9 and all but 2 nodes. It was a fraction of an inch from my chest wall. So I did 8 rounds of chemo and 33 radiations. I only missed 3 days of work. The day of my mastectomy, 1/2 day the day after my surgery and one Saturday that my husband insisted I stay home.

The reason I was able to go through all this was because of ALL the support from my wonerful family and loving friends. I am now cancer free! It was a year of fears, tears, and many cheers.

Kerrie - age 49

Kerrie
Anaconda, MT

I'm a breast cancer survivor of 15 months

My story; I had been working with the A. C. S.'s Relay for Life events for 6 years as Luminary Chair for the Town of Fletcher in Western North Carolina and now Henderson County. My grandmother died of breast cancer in 1956, so I knew it was in my family. My husband had died of cancer and my brother is a 9 year thyroid cancer survivor. I had my yearly mammogram in December 2007 and received a call for additional views. The radiologist wasn't satisfied with those; did an ultrasound to look further; still not convinced and said I could have it watched or do a biopsy. With my work with Relay I said do the biopsy please. Four days before Christmas 2007 my doctor called to tell me that I had breast cancer! Of course I was shocked and cried. My doctor said it was early but we needed to get it taken care of immediately. He referred me to a wonderful surgeon in Asheville and within a day I was being seen by Dr. Robert Moffatt who explained all my options and wanted my answer the day after Christmas if I would have a masectomy or a lumpectomy. I decided on the lumpectomy with the 35 radiation treatments. My oncologist said chemo would only increase survivor rate 2 to 3% so I didn't have it; I take a hormone pill for 5 years. My family, boyfriend, and friends rallied around me as well as my Relay family and my mamogram last November was great. My family and friends remarked about my positive attitude, but I knew everything was going to be fine with God and my doctors seeing me through this! I want to see my grandchildren grow up! I can't stress enough early detection is important!

Jan Sherlock
Hendersonville, NC

self exams work

I was diagnosed in July of 2005 less than 90 days after a clean mammogram. I found my lump on the eve of the 4th of July. After 2 lumpectomy surgeries, 8 chemo treatments and 7 weeks of radiation I am closing in on being a 4 year survivor. It was one of the most trying times of my life but it really showed me that I am much tougher than I thought. I could not have done any of it however, without the love and support of my husband, children, parents, extended family and oodles and oodles of dear friends and neighbors. It took a village and I still feel so blessed.

Trisha Hallstrom
Salt Lake City, UT