me in August 1998 October is breast cancer awareness month. In recognition of this, I am telling of my experiences with breast cancer. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer at age 28. I went through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Ten years later, I am happy to say I have not had any problems related to that occurence. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with a second, unrelated breast cancer on the opposite side. At that point I had genetic testing done that revealed a genetic marker for breast cancer. I underwent chemotherapy a second time, though because this tumor was smaller I had less aggressive chemotherapy and didn't lose my hair or get very sick. Yet I did have a one year old and a three year old to care for. It was a sad time and is a difficult memory for me. I have had preventative surgeries because of the genetic issue. I am very glad to be healthy and cancer-free three years later, almost to the day.
My wonderful husband (whom I had only been dating for a few months the first time I had cancer) kept his head shaved the whole time I was bald in 1998-1999. He has gone on to dedicate his career as a radiologist to breast imaging.
Support breast cancer research. Get your mammogram. Do self-breast exam. Follow your instincts (this probably saved my life the first time). Support your friends who go through this in every way possible.
28 comments:
Thanks for this lovely post... and once again, what a beautiful photo. I'll be volunteering at our local Race for the Cure event this month, and will think of you!
Thank you so much for sharing this story!!!
xoxo
What a struggle you've been through, but thank goodness you're ok. What a lovely, lovely - important - post.
Lecia - I'm so glad this story has a happy ending - or middle! And your husband sounds like a gem.
You look stunning bald and I bet your husband does too! Thanks for your kind comments and I will be back for more dessert.
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first!
Great post, and a beautiful picture of you! Thanks for sharing this story. I am 35 now, so I am going to set up my first mammogram.
Thank you for sharing! All my best to you and your wonderful family!!!
This is my first visit to your site, very nice. I was on pve design and saw your comment. Thanks again!
Wow - what an amazing story - thank you for sharing and bringing this awareness to the world.
Hope you don't mind my posting this link, but the Hyper Homemaker is doing an awesome fundraiser where you buy a USPS flat rate box for $10, and she sends it to you filled with baked goods, and then she donates $5 to the Komen Fund for each order. Yum!
http://hyperhomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/10/works-for-me-wednesday-breast-cancer.html
thank you for reminding us about this -and thanks for sharing this story.
Thnakyou for visiting me so I could find yourvery special blog! You are a very courageous gal. :) I have a good friend who has also had two bouts with breast cancer, the second one while she was preganant with her second daughter. Unfortunately, she has had some bad effects from her second round of chemo which has left her with a damaged heart, but a pacemaker has been keeeping things under control. The good news is she is still cancer free, ten years later, and her daughter is wonderful.
I am so happy to hear you had a better experience! Keep the faith!
YOU'RE MY HERO!!!
i kinda knew that a courageous and stouthearted woman blogged here : )
i'm forwarding this post to a family friend who needs to read your story.
xoxo
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a brave woman and a great inspiration..it took me 2 weeks to get the nerve up to call and make my mammogram appt. now..glad I did! Blessings to you!
Terrific post! Thanks for telling your beautiful story - so glad you are still here and doing well!
Broady: thank you! I'm glad to hear about your work with Race for the Cure.
Ronda: thank you!
Hollister: thank you for your kind words.
Mrs. Blandings: Thanks! My husband IS a gem.
Patricia: Thanks for the compliment! I was a bit self-conscious about posting the photo. Please do come back!
Becky: Thank you so much! Without a family history, you probably don't need a mammogram until age 40, but check with your doctor. And do self breast exam. Thanks for the link!
Joyce: thank you! And thanks for visiting.
Please Sir: Thank you!
Katiedid: Thank you for your visit and for sharing your story. I'm so sorry to hear about your friends' troubles, but glad she's doing well with a pacemaker. I was very worried about damage to my heart from Adriamycin, a drug I had the first go round.
Paul: you are so sweet - thank you very much. Feel free to have your friend email me if she wants to - the address is posted on my site.
Ivy: I'm glad you got up the courage to do it. Blessings to you, too.
Annechovie: thank you so much!
Thank you all for your kind words and for visiting. Please spread the word!
Amy - thank you!
You are absolutely beautiful...
I am walking the 3 day in San Diego with 3 of my dear friends. My mom is an 11 year survivor, my grandmother and dear friend died of BC, I have too many friends fighting the battle... I am an RN and have seen my patients fighting the battle. One of our co-workers and another woman I know were diagnosed within 4 weeks of my training. I HAVE too walk!!!! I love everything about this walk. We are up to 25 miles a week with my longest walk being 11 miles. We are walking 15 on Saturday. I will put your name on my 3 day webpage. I will be walking for you too!
Prayers from Debbie in CA
Thank you Debbie!
I am a survivor as well, 14 years! I was in my 30's when diagnosed with no family history.
The way I discovered it was I had a nightmare one night that I had B.C. It was totally 'random' but thank goodness I listened to myself and went to the doctor two days later. I had surgery followed by radiation and chemo. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it prompted me to share too...
greavesdesign: thanks for visiting and sharing your story. I'm so glad you're doing well!
Thank you so much for sharing your courageous story with all of us. You are our hero!!!! May you continue to be in good health!!!!
Dolcechic, thank you for visiting and for your kind words!
Becky suggested getting a mammogram at age 35 as a reaction to my story about breast cancer at a young age. If you have a family history, your doctor may want to screen you with mammography before age 40. My cancer was found via breast exam - that is what I would suggest to everyone.
thank you, thank you thank you for sharing
you give others strength
It's a beautiful photo. Hugs.
Wow, Lecia! Thanks for sharing...sounds like you snagged a good one if, after only a few months, he stuck with you through such a difficult time. I'm loving your themed photos this week. Someone didn't need much Foodsnap! guidance :)
Unrelated: love the new banner. I'm still trying to hack away at mine and figure out how to change it. Do you use photoshop??
I read about your history with breast cancer and was hoping you could give me some advice. I am only 22 but have been suffering from severe pain in my right breast for months. I recently went to a doctor who did an examine and determined that due to my young age, the fact that she didn't feel a lump, and that cancer doesn't typically "hurt", it was nothing to worry about. She advised me to take two Advil a day to relieve the pain. I am not satisfied. I have always had a gut feeling my breasts would be a problem (DD's at 15). Do you think I should demand a mammogram or do you also think, from your experience, that its probably nothing to worry about?
Anonymous: I'm sorry to hear about your breast pain. I can't give medical advice; you may find this website helpful:
http://www.facingourrisk.org/
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