Eating to LIVE

Hello I am a 38 year old Breast Cancer Survivor! I was diagnosed a little over a year ago (stage 3) The Drs. ALL were insisting on Chemo or removing my breast! Well That was NOT an option in my book! I told the Drs. there is NO WAY that I am going to go through Chemo!! They told me but you HAVE TO it is going to save your life! As soon as I heard the word "Chemo" Something came over me and gave me the strength to battle this Evil monster on my own! I became a Vegan IMMEDIATELY I went and read tons of books watched many documentaries TOTALLY changed the way I eat which is a little beyond Vegan nothing processed refined or FAKE Everything RAW or Whole! Well about 3 months later I went back to the Dr. had another Biopsy and he was absolutely AMAZED when my results came back!! 100% CANCER FREE!!! I beat this evil monster simply by changing my diet! I did this all on my own! People were totally against my idea constantly telling me that I should get the Chemo!! I can tell you this I have NEVER in my entire life felt better so much energy and such a great outlook on life. Now I would never tell anyone to go against their Drs. orders as I have done All I can say is this worked for me!!! :) Blessings to ALL that have to go through this horrible disease I give my support ALL I CAN to those in need! And I am more than willing to help ANYONE in ANYWAY possible!! I wish you ALL the best of luck through your battle! God Bless!!! Please feel free to contact me for any advice I may give!

SUSAN
Dix Hills, NY

Breast cancer survivor 2 Bless 2 be Stress

I was diagnosed with breast cancer June 2007. Today, I am grateful that I was diagnosed early. My decision to have a mastectomy validated when I met with my oncology surgeon. He told me my decision to remove the entire breast was a good one because the pathology report reflected that cancer cells were found throughout the entire breast. God help me make that decision. After pulling myself together with the grace of God 5 months later I was diagnosed with cancer on my left side. I underwent surgery and had a mastectomy on my left breast. After going thru a second mastectomy I knew I had to lean on the Lord up above. I was treated like family from all the hospital that took care of me. They all were a tremendous assistance to my well being. They were friendly, sincere and compassionate everywhere I went. Miami Valley Hospital, Kettering Medical Center, Grandview Hospital, South view Hospital. I just like to say thank to them all.

To my family, friends and coworkers thanks for all of your support and prayers. I'm truly grateful for all the thoughtful and kind things that you all did for me. I am so grateful to have each of you in my life. I was raised on faith and I have always lived my life by faith. I believe that God speaks to all of us. God has guided my steps and decisions since day one. Healing is a package deal on your mind, body and soul and I'm so grateful. I wanted to live to see my kids and grandchild grow up. That's what gave me the drive to fight cancer. You can't fight cancer if you don't have hope and faith. God is good Cynthia Johnson Breast cancer survivor

Hello My name is Cynthia D Johnson
Dayton, OH

God is Good !!

My story starts with a routine mammogram, which was good - I was told. Eight months later I was reaching down to pick something up and a sharp pain went up my arm and to my right breast. There it was a lump. Went back and they did a sonogram on it and I was told to see a surgeon. Long story short I had a double mascetomy on December 3, 2009. I was 43 and had just married the man of my dreams - god works in mysterious ways because without my husband and family it would of been alot harder to get through the 6 chemo treatments and 25 radiation treatments.

I had Stage IIIA - it was in 6 out of 28 lympnodes. As of today after a recent PET scan I am cancer free. Looking forward to my reconstruction surgery August 20th, my hair is growing back, I am exercising to get off the additional 25 pounds I put on due to the lovely steriods. But the way I look at it I am ALIVE to exercise.

Anyone that is starting this journey I just want you to know that yes it SUCKS but you will get through it, put your faith in God's hands and you will beat it, I promise.

Keri Allen
Burleson, TX

Angels Watching Over Me

In May of 2009 I was told by my doctor that I had breast cancer. I thought that my life had been turned upside down. Being at the age of 27 and having 2 small children, I was thinking that this is where my life ends. I had not been around anyone that has had breast cancer before, therefore I really didn't know what to expect. I remember not even wanting to see my kids because I thought they were too small to remember me. So at first I kinda pushed them away. Then realizing that I needed those angels in my life to make me feel at ease. The doctors told me that I needed 8 rounds of chemo and 33 radiation treatments. I was scared for my sake and my kids. After my 1st round of chemo I became very ill and ended up in the hospital. The doctor that was in the ER that night told me that I had 2 choices. I could either keep taking the chemo, and take a chance of it killing me, or I could stop the chemo, and take a chance of the cancer coming back. I chose to stop taking chemo and went on with my radiation treatments. In September I took my last radiation treatment. My doctor told me that I once more had a choice....I could take tomoxifen for 5 yrs. or I could have a total hysterectomy. After weighing my options and realizing that God had already sent me 2 angels, that the best thing for me to do was to get a hysterectomy. It has been over a year since I found out that I had cancer, and I probably would have gave up if it was not for my 2 precious angels.

Leslie
Glasgow, KY

Breast Cancer

I WAS DIAGNOSE WITH BREAST CANCER IN AUGUST 1999. I HAD A LUMPECTOMY AND WAS TOLD I WAS 99% CANCER. I WAS IN REMISSION FOR EIGHT YEARS. I TOOK TAMOXIFEN FOR FIVE YEARS. I HAD RADIATION. IN 2008 I HAD GOTTEN A PAIN IN MY LEG THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY. MY DAUGHTER TOLD ME TO GET IT CHECKED WHICH I DID. I HAD XRAYS AND FINALLY THEY DID NOT LIKE WHAT THEY SEEN SO I HAD A PET SCAN. IT SHOWED UP SOME SPOTS IN DIFFERENT PLACES. SO I HAD A BIOPSY OF MY BONES. NOW ITS IN MY BONES SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY SAY YOUR 99% CANCER FREE.I AM TAKING AROMISAN AND A BONE SCAN ONCE A MONTH FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. I TAKE AROMISAN EVERYDAY. I HAVE IT IN MY ABDOMINAL, PELVIC, SHOULDER AND SPINE. I PRAY EVRY DAY FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US WHO IS DEALING WITH SOME KIND OF DISEASE. PLEASE IF YOU GET ANY KIND OF PAINS ALWAYS HAVE THEM CHECKED. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING

Anonymous
East Boston, MA

Both Breasts

Irgendwie wußte ich schon, es trifft mich.

Aber ich hätte mir gern noch ein paar Jahre gegönnt. Im Februar 08 tastete ich diesen doofen kleinen Knoten über meinem Herz; die Mammo sagte: alles total o.k.; auch die Sono- totaaal gutartig. Trotzdem wollte ich nicht mit einem Tumor in meiner Brust leben.

Die Testergebnisse sagten aber nicht: tootal gutartig. Eher tootal böse. Die Welt schrumpfte in diesem Moment nur noch auf das blöde DIN A 4 Blatt zusammen, das vor mir lag.

Verdammt, ich war gerade erst 36 geworden- und Krebs passte nicht so in meinen Jahresplan. Am nächsten Tag war ich zum MRT- und nicht nur die linke, sondern auch die rechte Brust leuchtete.

Ich hatte Krebs in BEIDEN Brüsten.

Obwohl die Tumore recht klein waren, war ein Sentinel betroffen.

Nach der OP kam die Chemo, dann Bestrahlung.

Während und durch diese Zeit haben mich meine Freunde getragen- die mir immer wieder gesagt haben, das wir es schaffen.

Dass es mir heut gut geht, verdanke ich zum großen Teil ihnen.

Deshalb

Never, never, never give up.

Never.

tammie
Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Good Came out of Bad

A friend was diagnosed with breast cancer 9+ years ago. She was in her 30s, a music teacher at area grade schools. Her breast cancer journey led her, her husband and two other friends to create a Foundation that continues to give to others going through breast cancer treatment. Kathy went to leading edge medical centers and encouraged medical personnel to try anything they wanted on her, to give them the data they needed to improve or enhance treatment for future breast cancer patients. For many years this effort was run out of her home and eventually it took over the house. A local business now allows the Fundatioin to use space in the basement area of the business and there are many more volunteers who head committees and continue the work she began.

Kathy went to her eternal reward two years ago this month and is missed by all who knew her. However the Foundation is strong and continues to assist others who are going through breast cancer treatment. Through June the all volunteer Foundation has provided over $650,500 to 472 individuals going through breast cancer treatment.

Kathy had something good come out of bad during her breast cancer journey. :-)

Barb Roznowski
Green Bay, WI

Man fights for his life and the lives of his animals

Last November my husband was diagnosed with breast cancer. We weren't even aware that men could get breast cancer. He had a 2-3 cm lump in his left breast. He had to have a mastectomy on his left breast the week before Thanksgiving. Thankfully, it did not spread to the lymphnodes, so it wasn't mandatory to have chemo or radiation.

Four days after being diagnosed with cancer, the theme park we were subcontracted at let him go after over 12 years of his services. It was devastating to learn you have cancer then lose your job and still have a family to support. We also owned tigers, bears, cougars and wolves that we performed with and did not know how we were going to be able to feed and house them as well. So, we decided to start an exotic animal sanctuary for these magnificant animals. My husband would not be able to perform shows like before, due to the effects of the cancer. He has lost some strength and mobility in his left arm and numbness in his torso area. His show was very popular at the theme park, and alot of guest were upset that they let us go. So we decided to open to the public, hopefully this Fall, for school groups, church groups, girl/boy scouts and clubs and the general public to educate them on these magnificant animals. Due to the cancer and the loss of his job we have lost everything except our home and the animals. It has been a rough road but feel very blessed that his life was spared and that we were able to bring our animals home to live out their lives at the sanctuary. God has special plans for us.

Forgot this:

Donation to: Tiger Stripes Exotic Animal Sanctuary

Kim Kilpatrick
Quitman, GA

I will survive and fight

In January 2003 I became a grandmother, I had a wonderful boyfriend and life was wonderful. In March I was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, in April I underwent a bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. The surgery took a total of 12 hours and when I awoke in my room my sons, daughter-in-law and granddaughter were all around me. The first person I noticed was my granddaughter fussing in her Daddy's arms, as he adjusted her she looked at me and became quiet. it seemed to me that she had been waiting for me to wake up. I knew then that I would do whatever I needed to do to live.

While going through the recovery, chemo and radiation treatments I didn't feel as bad as I had feared it would be. 7 years later and life is good. I have been told that I will be taking Femera for the rest of my life and see my oncologist every 6 months because I am have a high risk of a recurrance, and that is ok. I will continue to fight to survive, live, go on walks to find a cure, and click so that others can get the mammograms that they need. Hopefully a cure will be found so that my granddaughter and her friends don't have to worry about this damn disease.

For those of you that are beginning the fight, I want to let you know that there are many of us survivors out here. I have met women that have been surviving over 20 years and personally my mother-in-law has been surviving since 1994.

Sometimes we have to slow down, focus on getting well, let others support and love us. Live, Love and Laugh alot. Have that dessert first!

Theresa Diane
San Diego, CA

Mountains to climb

I have been a battered wife, a single mother, a full-time graduate student and full-time technician. I divorced the batterer, graduated with a Ph.D in Biology from NYU, and raised a beautiful daughter. I have been blessed with my best friend becoming my new husband. The same year we were married my Father-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. I researched docotors and facilities and found a doctor at NYU who preformed a mastectomy and preserved the life of my Father-in-law. My husband and I then wanted to have a child together but, we could not. After many unsuccessful fertility treatments we decided on an egg donor. To prepare I decided to have very extensive testing to ensure a healthy pregnancy. I got as far as the mammogram. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. What a shock I had absolutely no symptoms. So now that same doctor at NYU became my doctor. I had a mastectomy with TRAM Flap reconstuction of the left breast. Shortly there after my mother broke her left hip which was repaired and then broke the right hip which was not repaired. Later she was diagnosed with dementia. I now became her sole caregiver. I moved into her house with her and my husband sees us on weekends. I began a career as a Health Coach. Then after 5 years cancer free I was diagnosed with cancer in the right breast and will have a mastectomy with lat. dorsi flap reconstruction on 8/4/2010. After healing I will be doing a fund raising climb of Mt Kilimanjaro in Feb. 2011 for children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. I've had my mountains to climb....this is just another one. If you can conquer cancer you certainly can conquer a mountain!

Celeste D. Valle
Kingston, NY