In January 2012 I felt a lump in my right breast-and then asked my husband to feel it and he said it was a lump but it felt like a swollen muscle and for the first time.ever...I didnt think he was downgrading it because I believed he was right.....So I called my OBGYN the next day and made the first appointment. Also I confided in my bff google to have him tell me I was awesome and when he said I shouldn't be worried, I did what any other girl would do which is ask my sister n laws that had biopsies before and they always came back negative...if I should worry and they both said no...They also told me if it hurt or move they arnt cancer and they did both-hence me not being worried. I got a sono at where the Dr told me it was not good and even if it wasnt cancer I would still have to remove it because it was 5 tumors..yes one had friends. So I scheduled a biopsy . So on that day my husband and his Mom ,which I stole because my Mom lives in heaven, came with me. I WASNT NERVOUS IT WAS CANCER. AT ALL..So after he was done I asked on a scale from 1-10 being cancer, what am I? He said oh it is PROBABLY cancer. And from then on it sounded charlie browns parents-whahwhahwhah...so I told him to go talk to my husband and Mom....and all alone I cried, the ugly cry...like omg its cancer.. I then went to 45214 appointments all to say I had to have chemo first, double mastectomy and tram flap surgery, more chemo then radiation. And while in the midst of this I found out I had Malenoma. Now, just about a year later, I remember, every day ends and like my Dr said, this year was super tough but its over....Lucky me to be alive.

I was 36 years old when diagnosed with Stage 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. When I was diagnose I was told I had 7 tumors in my left breast with calsification that spread to the lymph nodes in my left underarm. A mother to two teenagers and a 3 year old child that I was still nursing, we had no history of cancer in my family so this came to a shock to the entire family.

When I first noticed my lump, I though it was an enlarged milk duct. I was breast feeding and had issues with clogged milk ducts while nursing, so I thought this was normal. At age 36 and had breastfed 3 children, I never thought I was at risk of breast cancer.

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When I was told my diagnosis by my doctor I was a complete mess for the first 24 to 48 hours. Then we came up with a treatment plan; chemo, radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection, radiation and reconstruction. I needed to be kept in the know at all times and wanted the utmost truth about my treatment plans and prognosis.

Within the first week and a half I was entered into chemo. By the second treatment my cancer started to shrink, and my Oncologist was so happy. Because of the size, amount of tumors and stage my Oncologist was Very Worried about me. I kept a positive attitude which is key to overcoming the disease. There is light at the end of the tunnel. When your going through it you don't see it. Not knowing what is going to happen, worrying, and having ups and downs is normal but you get through it by remaining calm and staying positive.

I had a wonderful support group at home and by the people that surrounded me. I am now a warrior of Pink and I wear it on my arm with my tattoo to show everyone around that I am a supporter.

A friend of mine wrote a song that inspired

myself and many others called "carry on".

He wrote it for Relay For Life but is a song

that can give many folks strength and hope

that are going through a difficult time for a

variety of reasons. May this song help give

you strength to "Carry On".

By Bruce Liam Ciccarelli

www.bruceliam.com

My story began in November 2011 with ductal carcinoma in the left breast..then surgery..lumpectomy..infection after that..6 month mammo in July more cancer..doc didnt get it all more surgery in August ..then motastosized to brain cancer 1 yr later in November 2012 ...now there is a cist in the left breast...after taking 44 days of antibiotics ..but ...I am still here and still smiling...the key is to have a great attitude ..MRI of brain clear of cancer..so is the breast..so you can do it...stay positive..thank you for reading..my name is Lynda..

No one on my mother's side of the family had breast, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 41. It scared me to death and I cried all the way to my mother's house so that I could tell her. While I was telling my mom that I had breast cancer, she gave me some sound advise that really helped me through it all. That advise was, keep a positive attitude and never let it beat you down, if you let it beat you down, cancer will win. She got that wisdom by going through lymphatic cancer in the groin area 25 years earlier. I remained positive, even started to laugh at myself while going through the reconstruction stage. My mom would always take me to my doctor appointments which was about a 40 minute drive. When I was almost ready for my implant to be put in, I was getting undressed to take a shower and got up the courage to really look at myself in the mirror. As I stood there, I started to laugh so hard at what I saw in the mirror. A year before, I had had a hysterectomy and that gave me a seven inch scar below the belly and with the placement of my mastectomy scar made my body look like it was winking at me in the mirror. Who wouldn't laugh at that.. After my implant was put in, since that was placed under the pectoral muscle, I am now able to "flex" that breast just like a body builder does to impress some women. For me, I am open and upfront about having gone through this in my life.

I feel that you should never be ashamed of what a person has gone through, I consider them battle scars and they are worth it because that means that I have been given another chance. I now tell friends that have been diagnosed with cancer to never give up, keep a positive attitude and laugh at yourself every day.

I dont know if she knew it or not prior to the hospital visit but she woke up one morning throwing up blood and could barely move she was so sick. We took her to Barnes hospital and thats where we found out she had breast camcer, Stage 4. I was devastated and scared. I stayed by her side through thick and thin. There was many times she would be in the hospital for weeks at a time and I stayed with her and wouldnt leave her side slept on a cot next to her because I was so afraid of losing her. When she was diagnosed she was 110lbs as the months went by she got worse, went through chemo and took all of her meds. Had her on just about everything. Near the end she had gotten edema (swelling) from the meds and the cancer. She lost her hair she also had a double masectomy everything that was possible was given to her. It spread to her brain, spine, lungs, and bones.. She was a true fighter until the end. She always dressed up and got her wig then eventually her hair grew back a little but the meds she was taking ended up poisoning her and she died on April 5, 2013 at 260lbs. I miss my mother so much words can never describe but what I can say is she fought her hardest and gave it her all. RIP Leatha Michelle Fox Beeks ; Gone but never forgotten :( <3

I dont know if she knew it or not prior to the hospital visit but she woke up one morning throwing up blood and could barely move she was so sick. We took her to Barnes hospital and thats where we found out she had breast camcer, Stage 4. I was devastated and scared. I stayed by her side through thick and thin. There was many times she would be in the hospital for weeks at a time and I stayed with her and wouldnt leave her side slept on a cot next to her because I was so afraid of losing her. When she was diagnosed she was 110lbs as the months went by she got worse, went through chemo and took all of her meds. Had her on just about everything. Near the end she had gotten edema (swelling) from the meds and the cancer. She lost her hair she also had a double masectomy everything that was possible was given to her. She was a true fighter until the end. She always dressed up and got her wig then eventually her hair grew back a little but the meds she was taking ended up poisoning her and she died on April 5, 2013 at 260lbs. I miss my mother so much words can never describe but what I can say is she fought her hardest and gave it her all. RIP Leatha Michelle Fox Beeks ; Gone but never forgotten :( <3

Hi my name is Liz. My mom is an ovarian cancer survivor. My mom was diagnosed with cancer and has been in remission I believe its 8 years now. I am so proud of the courage she showed threw the whole experience. Though I was not so brave or supportive n her struggle, I have truly learned from her. Since her remission I have become active in supporting all forms of cancer. I have done a few cancer walks, I have been an ear for others both fighters and there support. I am also an activist for proper screening in my community. Now I sit 8 years later and my Aunt is going threw Chemo and had a double mastectomy, and though I am to far to be there there I am always only a phone call away for my cousins and my aunt. Maybe I Am a little better this time around. But to all out there who are scared and are the family, if you think your scared think of how your loved ones feel going threw it. Be strong and you will find strength you never knew you had you will find faith that is in the depths of your soul hidden from all. Don't be afraid to show your emotions, be afraid of what you will miss if you turn your back. I have a great deal of love for my mamma the server and my aunt the fighter

My mother and my oldest sister had Breast Cancer at the same time. They had surgery at the old Memorial Hospital in Huntington, W.Va. They had different surgeons. My Mother's never returned. My sister's came back in two years in her ribs and then spread to her spine, then brain. She had chemo and radiation and fought the good fight for eighteen years. She never lost her since of humor. My youngest daughter and myself have had benign tumors. My niece had breast cancer. My sister Sue had breast cancer. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation. Thank Jesus she is cancer free. God is good. 😊

My name is Cherie, I'm a 13 breast cancer survivor and I discovered the hard way that there isn't any real equipment to heal in post mastectomy.It was suggested to bring my husband's used dress shirt! Ok is it me or does that sound as bad as if a man was to lose his man parts in the battle against cancer would they suggest he brings one of his wife's skirts so it's loose and not binding? NO of course not, that would never ever happen. Why then do women have to go home and create and invent equipment and clothing to heal in and figure out a way manage the surgical drains. After coming home in my "inappropriate" post op attire (I got reprimanded for- I brought a hoodie) I shuffled into my closet only to discover NOTHING would work, all my clothes were kind of cool rock n roll style not old man PJ's like. This is the only time I cried in the journey through cancer I said to my self "cancer is scary and hard enough, now I can't even get dressed" My Dad always told me growing up to "stop whining and just fix it!" I turned lemons into lemon aid and give back to my sisters by providing post mastectomy equipment. Even though Home Ec is the only subject I failed in school simply because I stapled my hem and tried to pass it off as a completed project to my teacher. I am a designer HA! I have designed and patented a post op garment as soft as feathers and a place to hold the drains, easy to put on so women can heal in comfort and dignity. Boom! Take that stupid cancer.I know most of your stories don't include breast cancer survivors becoming inventors as a result of battling breast cancer so I thought I'd share my story because you just never know who maybe inspired to invent another solution to make the journey a little easier for others as well.

Thanks for listening, Cherie

It's time to heal in comfort :)