My breast cancer was discovered when I had my yearly mamogram. Because my mother, maternal grandmother, and two of Mother's sister had breast cancer, I was very faithful about having a yearly mamogram. When my cancer was discovered, I thought, "Well, it;s my turn." But nothing had shown up in my mamogram the year before, so I knew I must be in the early stages. But I was scared. My favorite aunt died of breast cancer when she was only 35. I was 14 at the time, and the thought of cancer haunted me all through the years.

However, we caught it early, and early detection is the best cure. I had a lumpectomy and 30 radiation treaments.

I am taking tamoxifen because my cancer was estrogen driven--and at 76, I didn't know I had enough estrogen to drive anything! I saw my oncologoist this month and the prognosis is very favorable. I feel so fortunate. Don't let anyone tell you that you don't need a mamogram every year! I am so glad I didn't wait another year to have that mamogram!

Just wanted to share my new tattoo that I got to show the world that I am a survivor! Not only did I get one this day but I had a few friends and a few family members that also got pink ribbon tattoos to support me. Also the tattoo shop that did these for us gave a portion of the money to help find a cure! I would like to upload the rest of the photos of the tattoos but your site will only allow me to submit one.

Got rid of 2 lumps but just got another one, Went to radiologist and she said their was a small area where they could radiate. She stated side effects and the chance of the cancer coming back someplace else. I said go for it!! Its the only hope I have left. Radiation for the 3rd round Tuesday. I thought everything was helpless but after today with all my prayers their is a God. Never give up. My spirits are high and I am happy their is something else that can help. God Bless others, never give up.

My story is about my mother. She is 73 yeras old and always active. In january 2009, 9 months after she was treated for bowel cancer, she was dianosed with breast cancer in her right breast. She went had an breast keeping operation and 2 weeks later the doctors also removed all her lymph nodes under the arm. She had 25 times of radiation but all the way she told us "Don´t worry. Ill be okay". I always felt that I was more afraid than she was.

One day in april 2009 I called her on the phone and ask her what she was doing. She said that she was digging up a bamboo with roots in her boyfreinds garden (everybody who has EVER dug up a bamboo knows, that it is the sort of job where you would rater use explosives!). I told her that she was crazy, given the cancer and everything. Her answer was this "If the cancer can´t kill me, I shure wont let that bamboo do it!"

Theres always hope, and my mother is cured to day :-)

There is hope

My name is Jan McNeil and I live in Clearwater, FL with my husband Patrick and our 3 4 legged rescued pets. I have a married son & 2 grandchildren.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on March 25, 2009. It was a total shock to me. I have never missed a mammogram & there is no history in my family. I had a partial lumpectomy in April 2009 followed by Chemo & Radiation. I took Herceptin until May 2010 & was on a 5 year regiment of Arimidix. I was rediagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in Dec 2011, with it in about 7 locations. Quite a shock again. I have been fighting since then & am remaining extremely possitive. I am starting Chemo #6 today & will beat this. I am down to my Liver & Brain. I have also had Radiation twice on my brain.

There is so much more but these are the details in short.

I am a very strong person & have a great support system from my wonderful husband, family. & friends.

The key is to keep extremely positive & get rid of all stress. It is doable, I am living proof.

Please take care of yourselves & get checked.

Sincerely,

Jan McNeil

Diagnosed 10/2011. Unexpectedly lost my husband 11/2011. At the time my boys were 2 1/2 and 6 months. Needless to say I've been on a rollercoaster ever since. The lump developed during my last pregnancy and after 3 biopsies it was confirmed to be triple negative cancer. Chemo seemed to help, not really sure. Opted for a double mastectomy due to previous history of benign lumps on opposite side. Radiation burned the heck out of my tissue and tissue expanders so those had to come out so I could heal and start reconstruction over. Awaiting a lat flap surgery.

Despite everything I've gone through, I was crowned Miss Bands for Boobs 2013 this past weekend. This is a huge honor! I earned the most donations ($1325) out of 34 girls participating in a fundraiser for my Team Cupcakes for the Cure. We participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. With the love and support from my team, family, and friends I have been able to kick some cancer butt! I won't stop living life to the fullest. To those just diagnosed, fight the fight. It will be arduous but there is so much support you too can beat cancer. There are many more natural ways to beat cancer than your doctors may know about so take the time to do research before deciding what is best for you. Be positive and be confident! You are stronger than the cancer itself and you are stronger than you think.

Its been 15 years since I was given the news of "It looks like cancer but we'll take a closer look". I recall the shocked look on my children's faces when I sat them down and shared with them. I went to my shower and stood under the water as I firmly told the devil "you will not do this to me.I will live to see my grandchildren and I will fight you all the way." I had been in prayer all the way home after I had spoken with my physician and somehow I just knew that God already made the decision it was going to be ok.I shared with my sunday school class on sunday morning and each person prayed for me individually. The Lord sure had a lot of people knocking on his door. I went through surgery,chemotherapy and radiation. It was not a fun trip but my children and friends held my hands and encouraged me all the way. Thank God for his blessing I am here loving my grandchildren I prayed I would live to see. To my friend newly diagnosed...Stay strong stay positive and believe that it has already been done.

In Nov. of 2011 I went to the Dr, for a lump on my breast. It was contained but covered the whole breast, had to have it removed. Infection set in and 3 months later another lump. 4 months later another lump. Will have this biopsied. Scared to death. I carry on by praying and hoping this one is benign. I thank God for every day I have. I am in a great support group and good family. The chemo and radiation didn't agree with me. I have been in bed for almost 2 years. My will to live is stronger than this awful disease. I will fight till its over, but I think it will be a long fight. I hope everyone gets a mammogram as I waited to long. They are free for low income, please don't go through what I have and still fighting the fight. God Bless you all. Janet

I am a six year breast cancer survivor. I savor that sentence with joy and wonder that I have survived and so many others haven't. Why me? Maybe I'll never know the answer but will just continue to bask in the survivor mode, trying to live my life fully, enjoying each and every moment.

My husband was a continuous source of strength, never condemning me for my whining when I felt sick, never being surprised when supper had not been cooked or clothes had not been washed. He always had a shoulder for me to lean on when the tears came unchecked, at night when I could not sleep, and the "future" thoughts seemed to take over.

My children and grandchildren were always there if I needed anything, even though they had busy lives of their own, and my mother -- who was in her 80's -- was the rock that I leaned on. She took me to almost every treatment and sat with me throughout the entire time. I could see in her face how hard it was to see me looking so sickly because, after all, no parent is supposed to outlive their children and she was afraid of how my story might end.

Friends. There is another entire paragraph. One in particular who always seemed to send me a card at the absolute right time or a little package of goodies to lift my spirits.

And my faith. Without it I could not have endured. I never asked "why me" but I did say "how do I get through this" and the answer was always there before me. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and He continues to do so daily.

I realized that I am a stronger person than I thought I was, that I am a survivor in all ways, not just a cancer survivor, and that I am ME. And guess what? I actually like ME! Although I hope never to repeat this journey, I know I can do whatever is needed to walk the walk and keep the faith.

Diagnosed on 05.25.2012… stage one, triple negative, BRCA1 carrier, breast cancer… lumpectomy, 5 months of poisoning, double mastectomy and final reconstructive surgery exactly 2 weeks ago. Almost one year… almost recovered… almost back to normal… always celebrating!

...and wanting to share... Before, during and after poisoning (chemo).

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