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Your Story: Breast Cancer Survivors
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T O P I C
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Discussion Started: 09-20-2002, 10:25 PM
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Have you survived breast cancer? Do you know someone who has? Please feel free to share your experiences, so that others can see that there is life after cancer.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. This is a moderated forum, so you can be assured that all comments are reviewed before they are posted.
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View Messages: [newest first] | [oldest first]
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mstem
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05-06-2004, 5:49 PM
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I am a breast cancer survivor 6 yrs & counting - bilateral. Had bilateral mastectomies and keeping it simple with no reconstruction my tumor was very close to the chest wall and I prefer to keep it simple, but everyone needs to do what is important for them and their self image. Mimmi - "normal" has to take on a new meaning. Grieve, change and move on. Meditation helped me a GREAT deal going through chemotherapy. It was an experimental program offered through my oncology center. Bill Moyers did a series: Healing & The Mind. One of them features a Breast CA Support group and then a segment on Mindfulness Meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn. We did that Mindfulness program. It helped me redirect my outlook on what is important, expectations from life, re-defining normal for that matter. My life has moved on. I manage to keep up with a very demanding job, I eat better, I exercise more, I try to find joy where I can. My sister, 7-yrs older, was diagnosed w/breast CA a year after I was but was very advanced and struggled valiantly but lost her battle. She was the "earth mother" of our family and her loss continues to hurt a great deal. So, strive every day to make the best of it, find new things from which to extract some joy. It is hard but there is no alternative and you can do it. You have to do it. I wish you well.
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mimmi48
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04-15-2004, 10:28 AM
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When I was first diagnosed with lobular invassive carcinoma stage 2, Pam Daale was the first person I thought of, so I emailed her. She immediately emailed me back. What a funny and spirtual person she was. I have been depressed ever since her passing. Could someone please email me back and give me encouragement as I go through my fifth chemo treatment. I had a bilateral mastectomy Jan.5,2004. I have heard nothing but negative stories and it really frightens me. Every pain I experience I think, "Oh no, the cancer is spreading." I cry almost daily. Is it the instant menopause you are thrown into or just the entire rollercoaster ride? I will have the reconstruction sometime in August. I can't imagine I will ever look normal again.
Kindest Regards, Mimmi
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spencer33
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04-06-2004, 11:08 AM
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My name is Annette Diegel. I'm very emotional today because I just heard we lost Pam Dahl. I was pregnant with my son Spencer at the same time Pam was pregnant with her first child. Last year I was diagnoised with Breast Cancer. With each surgery, each recovery, each challenge I faced, I heard Pam was also facing her own challenges. Breast Cancer. I remember recovering from one of my many surgeries with my mom at my side...that evening we watched Pam's story. Pam's story amazed me. When I was feeling sorry for myself, I would think of her, her small children and her wheel chair. I had two legs to walk on and I would think of her and stop feeling sorry for myself. Walk on, I would tell myself. I finally finished all surgeries. I had a bilaterial mastectomy on July 12, 2003. I had 4 additional surgeries, three were reconstruction (it's amazing what these doctors can do to make me feel beautiful again!), and now I take Arimidex and Zolodex. I have some very amazing doctors, and I would love to share pictures, names, and anything else I can to help ANYONE who needs or wants to know what I have learned. Some times I feel so special. People REALLY spoil you when you have cancer. Sometimes I even feel guilty. Cancer patients get special treatment. Especially when they have a special family and friends like I do. Do you want more information? Feel free to contact me. I'll share more. I've decided to stop feeling sorry for myself today and remember Pam and her story. Walk on!
With Kindest Regards, Annette Diegel, Survivor
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Cactus53
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02-02-2004, 8:37 AM
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Although I have not had breast cancer I have had cancer. I call my family the cancer central. My father has had 4 kinds of cancer, my mother 1 and I have had it (I have no siblings). My father worked at the atomic missle sites and I fully believe, but could never prove that this was the cause of the cancer in our family. My father is still in contact with some of his former employees and they also have a large numer of cases in their families. Most of us have lived, many of us have done physical feats that are above normal (my father at 66 rode his bike across the country). I think a positive attitude is a major factor in recovery and life after. I also think that at times the cancer is stronger than our physical bodies can deal with.
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dlorenz
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03-15-2003, 2:27 AM
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I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in January 1992. I had a radical mastectomy, 8 months of chemotherapy and reconstructive surgergies. My sister also had breast cancer at the same time. We both underwent chemotherapy at the same time as well. As long as you keep a positive outlook and stay active, your life can remain somewhat normal. Never give up hope and always try and have the attitude that you will have the control over the cancer, and not let the cancer have control over you. I have now celebrated 11 years of being cancer free.
sincerely, dale a. lorenz
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Mamma D
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10-07-2002, 11:58 PM
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Valentines day 1989 I went to surgery...I had a modified Radical Mastectomy. I had eight spots of interductal Caranoma. The radiologist advised againt a lumpectomy. I never had to have chemo or radiology...It had not spread 
Two years later, I replaced the 3# prosthesis, with a 500cc implant... and reduced the other side to match."
Today, I rarely ever think about it...I am cancer free....I no longer have to fuss with a heavy lump.. that told me daily, "you had Breast Cancer!"
Life is good!
Life isn't measured by the number of breaths you take...but by the moments, that take your breath away...
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