Breast cancer
Survivor Experiences
Reading about the experiences of other survivors can be moving and inspiring.
We've collected a small selection for you from survivors in various countries. We hope these texts will be useful to inspire you to fight against breast cancer.
All survivor's names have been changed to preserve their anonymity.
Radha - Two and half year breast cancer survivor
I am a two and half year breast cancer survivor. Fortunately, my cancer was caught by mammogram in the very early stages. It was a stage 1 cancer.
I had a lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes removed under the arm on that side.
The nodes were all clear. I was able to get by without chemotherapy, but I had 35 radiation treatments
Like other women, I think I always took my yearly mammograms much too lightly.
When I was told that I needed to have an ultrasound because of something suspicious, I still was not really upset.
I had 2 benign cysts removed several years before. The ultrasound was followed by a core biopsy. It was definitely cancer.
I could not believe it. Nobody in my family had ever had breast cancer.
I had no major risk factors other than
I was never able to conceive. So, I felt that God had cursed me twice, no children and now cancer.
I think human nature makes us think that we have been dealt a death sentence when we're told we have the "C" word.
I know that is how I felt. The night before my surgery, I went out on our deck and prayed and prayed that I would have the strength to handle whatever was ahead.
When, I came in from the deck that night. I slipped into bed thinking my husband was asleep.
I was still crying. He rolled over, hugged me and told me we would fight this together.
Then, he held me tightly and started praying aloud. I felt such peace come over me all of a sudden.
I knew that I was going to be alright. I think I let go and let God at that moment.
My surgery went well as did my radiation treatments. Seems my breast has been sore all the time since my surgery and treatments which sometimes scares me until I have my mammogram every six months and it's ok.
I try to look at that constant soreness as a reminder of the blessing I received in early diagnosis and successful surgery and treatments.
My prayers are with all the women out there who have been through breast cancer or who may have to go through it in the future.
Also, I am a big advocate of mammograms and early detection now. Mostly, I am an advocate that prayer does truly work. I thank God daily.
Good luck to all the readers in fight against this dreadful disease.
Sanjoli – Seven year breast cancer survivor
I am 41 years old and still fighting for my life. Some seven years ago I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC).
I noticed a rash on my left breast. The next morning the breast was so swollen that it would not fit inside my bra.
I went home, celebrated festival with my family and promptly called my family doctor on Monday morning.
12 days later, after many scans and tests, I was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer which is the deadliest, most aggressive form of breast cancer.
Once I received the scan results, cancer was nowhere else in my body, I set out on a whole new path.
To fight this cancer, beat it and continue to live here with my family. I have 2 sons to finish rising and see my grandchildren someday.
I had chemotherapy from April to August. Modified radical left mastectomy on September 1 and began 38 rounds of radiation treatments the end of October.
I am Estrogen Negative and HER2+ which puts me at a very high risk for recurrence. I am taking weekly infusions of Herceptin to try to fight off recurrence.
I was bald for nearly 8 months and will never proclaim to have a bad hair day ever again
I was so sick that getting out of bed was not even an option on chemotherapy weekends. But, my pathology report was fantastic and my genetic testing showed no genetic mutation to raise concerns.
I am very positive and have been from the start. I have talked to my cancer from day one and told it that it was not welcome in my body, and that the chemo and I were killing it.
My family, friends and team of doctors have been an incredible support for me.
I am incredibly blessed to have them all standing beside me every step of the way.
Life is short and cancer puts a whole new perspective on everything.
The clouds look totally different every morning and I approach life with a new normal never to be normal again.
Life is a true gift apprize it!
Laura - Mammogram Technician
I was being trained in the field of Mammography, by the U.S. Air Force in 1993. I really did not want to do Mammography.
I was young and silly; I thought it would be very odd to handle other women's breasts, even though it was a medical test.
I became increasingly aware of the importance of getting a Mammogram.
I happened to think about it while having a conversation with my 67 year old Grandmother.
I asked if she had ever had a Mammogram, her reply was, "NO, nothing hurts so why bother?" I told her that not all cancer hurts and not all medical conditions have symptoms such as pain.
She agreed to get a Mammogram. Two weeks after her test, she had a double mastectomy. The Doctor told her that had she waited another six months they would not have been able to do anything for her.
My grandmother was very lucky. She is 76 years old now and is doing great.
She had a hard time adjusting to the scars and the fact of not having breasts, as she was well endowed, but she's glad she's alive and escaped with only losing the breasts. She gets regular checkups and will probably outlive us all, she's got gravel!
I tell women all the time about Mammography testing.
It's amazing that so many women out there are worried about the discomfort of the test and therefore don't get the test done.
A few minutes of discomfort is a lot better than losing your breast to cancer and possibly having metastases to other parts of the body.
I thank God that I was put in a position to do Mammography; otherwise my Grandma would not be here now.
I feel someone was looking out for us when given that opportunity.
I am much wiser now and don't think a thing about performing the test on patients. I had gotten on a first name basis with many of the women and they come back every year.
When I was separating from the Military, many of those patients told me how sad they would be.
It was very touching, and I miss the interaction I had with them.
I am currently a CAT Scan Technician, but hope to soon be able to do both positions.
I urge all women to do self-breast exams monthly and get yearly checkups and Mammograms.
Komal - 4 year breast cancer survivor
I am a 4 year survivor. I had a mammogram 10 months prior when I found my lump in my left breast while in the shower.
I was so shocked at the size and why I had never noticed it before, but then I was one of the stupid ones that did not do monthly self-exams and believed it only happened to other women! Within a week of tests, 2 needle biopsy, mammogram and an ultrasound.
I was diagnosed with the "C" word, breast cancer. It was such a shock as I was in perfect health.
Surgery was booked for a week later. My cancer was 2.6 cm, how it grew that much in ten months is a mystery and scary!
I choose to have a total mastectomy to be on the safe side as I did not want it to come back.
Even with 8 rounds of chemotherapy which made me very sick, had a lot of pain, lost fingernails and toenails, mouth sores and have permanent nerve ending damage in my right hand and I managed to keep a very positive attitude throughout my journey.
My husband Scott was my rock throughout my journey and no one should have to go through this alone.
Thanks to also my family and friends for the support.
Agnes – 12 year breast cancer survivor
I am a 12-year breast cancer survivor, dealing with metastatic breast cancer now.
Twelve years ago, at 34, I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer and had the "Mount Everest" of treatments: surgery that is mastectomy, standard chemotherapy, then high dose chemotherapy with stem cell transplant and radiation.
I was in remission for 12 years and thought I am probably cured.
After an ultrasound, CT scan and a liver biopsy, I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer with liver metastasis.
The metastasis in the liver was discovered only because I had complained to my GP about a bad stomach reaction I had in late. I have no symptoms and feel very healthy.
Since conventional treatment for Stage IV breast cancer doesn't offer a cure nor much hope, I have chosen an integrative approach to treatment: endocrine therapy, naturopathic cancer treatment, the low-glycemic diet, and lots of complementary therapies like, energy healing, prayer, Qigong, visualization.
My goal is to keep the rest of my body as healthy as possible, while dealing with the cancer.
I exercise regularly they are swimming, walking, hiking, cross-country skiing.
My message to any woman with breast cancer is: do not give up HOPE, choose the treatment that makes sense to you, do your research and live as healthy as possible, including nutrition!
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