Kelly's Story from Arizona

When Kelly found a lump in her right breast, three different doctors told her not to worry about it, that at 27 she was too young to have breast cancer.


This despite the fact that she had Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymphatic system, at 17 and that her mother had died from an aggressive form of breast cancer.

"One gynecologist laughed me out of her office because I was too young. She said, 'People your age don't get breast cancer' " said Kelly. "I guess she was wrong."

Kelly, who had never before performed a breast self-examination, found the lump when she did an exam one night when she couldn't sleep. At her husband's urging, she kept seeking medical care and had a mammogram, a sonogram and a biopsy to check if the lump was cancerous. It was.

At the advice of her oncologist, Marilyn Croghan, who Kelly calls an angel, Kelly had a mastectomy to remove the cancerous lump. Earlier radiation treatment for Hodgkin's disease prevented her from having more radiation, so she followed the surgery with chemotherapy.
During treatment, Kelly attended a breast cancer support group but stopped going because her age made her feel out of place.

"Everyone kept saying, 'Oh, you're just a baby,' " she said.

After her mastectomy and chemotherapy, Kelly started wearing a prosthesis and a wig to teach her second-grade class at Erickson Elementary School.

"It was like Halloween every day," she said. Her Jell-O-like fake breast came in a box, and artificial hair had to be placed atop her bald head. "It's like getting up and putting on a costume every day to be a normal person."

Now, almost five years later, Kelly looks the picture of health, with flowing locks and pink skin that no longer bears a sallow hue from chemotherapy.

After taking about a year and a half break from hospitals, Kelly had a mastectomy on her healthy breast, to remove further risk, and saline implants to eliminate the need for the awkward prosthesis.

Now, the 32-year-old has beaten her second go-round with cancer and jokes that she has already scheduled an appointment with her oncologist for when she turns 37.

Kelly thanks Croghan and her husband, Burr, for helping her survive.

"People always ask me, "How did you get through this?" she said. "You just do. You have to take it one day at a time. You have to look at each day as its own little victory."

Kelly maintains a Web site (www.azstarnet.com/~pud) with her twin sister, Tricia Marrapodi, where breast cancer survivors can read information and post messages about hope and fear, death and survival.

As a preventive measure, Marrapodi had her healthy breast tissue removed with a prophylactic mastectomy. While Marrapodi did not have cancer, she said the procedure has saved her a lifetime of worry. "It just lifted the weight of the world off my shoulders," she said. "And my chest."

Kelly hopes the Web site and speaking out on the subject will inspire young women to trust their instincts and get a second, third or fourth opinion if they think a lump may be cancerous.

"Everything happens for a reason," she said. "Maybe my reason was to raise cancer awareness among young people - and that's OK."

Tucson, Arizona

Terry's Story from South Carolina

Hi. I am a breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 1997. I was 26 years old when I was diagnosed. I will be 10 years cancer free this year.

I found my lump on breast exam. Lucky for me, I am a mammographer. If I did not work in the field, I would have not been taken seriously due to my age. I had to tell the doctor to order a mammogram, and he argued that it was probably nothing. I told him what I did for a living and I already knew it was breast cancer. Fortunately, I caught it in time. It was stage one with no lymph node involvement.

The disease has changed my life. I no longer take things for granted. I am truly an “alive for the day” person. Every day is a gift from God. I don't believe in saving because you might not live long enough to spend it, and every moment is precious, so enjoy life.

Swansea, South Carolina

Jody's Story from Maine

"I thought I did everything right!" That was the thought I had when I received my diagnosis of stage II Invasive Breast Cancer on Halloween 2006.

Four days prior, I found a lump on my breast while I was pumping breast milk for my 15 month old daughter. She was taking a nap on a beautiful fall day. I immediately started rubbing it hoping it was a clogged milk duct and that it would just go away. I showed my husband who agreed with me that we should call our family doctor.

My doctor was able to see me that day. He assured me that it was likely a clogged milk duct but recommended that I have an ultrasound done just to be sure. That night I just knew it was more serious. I insisted to have the ultrasound done the next day.

Last year I was watching an ultrasound under much different circumstances; seeing my baby girl for the first time. Ultrasounds had always been such a joyous occasion, but not this time.

The Radiologist informed me that I needed a mammogram and a biopsy immediately. The afternoon was a blur filled with these events. At 32 years old I didn't expect to have a mammogram for another eight years.

As a registered dietitian, I always tried to be a role model of how to assure good health. We ate right, exercised, avoided carcinogens and I breast fed both of my two children. Every moment until I received the diagnosis that Halloween night was full of anxiety.

It was hard to stay strong for my soon to be four-year-old son so he wouldn't be worried about Mommy. I tried to enjoy a night of trick or treating with my children. Later, my Husband and I picked up the phone to call my surgeon to find out what we were dealing with. I didn't hear much for the first few minutes after hearing the diagnosis. My husband was franticly writing every detail down. Something I do remember hearing was my Surgeon saying, "Jody, we are going to be aggressive with this. Be strong. We are going to grow old together."

That's when we went into FIGHT mode. We were aggressive. We went through chemotherapy and decided to undergo bilateral mastectomies just two weeks ago. I have started the first stage of reconstruction and will be starting physical therapy and radiation treatments soon. My children have been angelic. They know Mommy had bo bo's and they have been loving me so gently.

I have been blessed to have found an amazing group of breast cancer survivors and other women like myself that are young for support and just to sit back and enjoy each others company. My husband has gone through every step right by my side. When this is over he will be a Survivor too!

I have learned through this experience how loved and cared for I am. I have been amazed by the generosity and compassion from the people around me. Even people who had never been close to me have surprised me with support. So many new friendships have blossomed. I would never pick to have breast cancer and go through the treatment, but I have to say the experience has been a blessing in so many ways.

I am a better person than I was last year. I am a stronger person and I cherish every moment of life more tenderly. Life is a gift!!!! My pathology report from my surgery came back recently and told us that I had a complete response with the chemotherapy. The doctors tell me the cancer is gone and that we should likely not have to go through this again however there are no guarantees. I will continue with IV treatment for the remainder of the year with an antigen that is expected to reduce my chance of reoccurrence my 50%. I believe in my heart that this has been a bump in my wellness road. I have a zest for life and will continue to live life to its fullest. Thank you for reading my story. I hope it helps other women to know they are not alone and that there is HOPE! Live strong!!!!

Sanford, Maine

Kimberly's Story from Connecticut

Greetings! This is off the top of my head....a free write essay I guess you could say!

First, some basics: I am 36 (37 on September 23, 2007), married, work out fanatic, former teacher and gymnastics coach, and a mom to three daughters-ages 7,6, and 4.

I went for my annual appt. on May 7, 2007. My GYN said all was good and that she liked to have her patients get a baseline mammogram between the ages of 35-39. I was cool with that as was Blue Cross/Blue Shield!

May 23, 2007 I went for my first ever mammogram....I was a little amused wondering how they were going to find any kind of tissue to squeeze within that vice like machine! Lisa-the tech. (who was AWESOME!!) told me not to be surprised if I got a call back-totally normal-especially for baseline mammogram patients.

I didn't give it another thought....went on my way and had a great Memorial Day Weekend! Tuesday, May 29, 2007 I got a call from Lisa to come back in. I was able to get in on May 30. My mom stayed in the waiting room with my girls while I went in.

The radiologist sat with me and said she recommended I get a biopsy. "It's probably nothing. There is less than 20% chance this is anything to worry about." Again, I left not in panic mode. My mother was a bit taken aback because I had three kids to worry about with school and sports schedules!

I went on June 12, 2007 to Hartford Hospital for the stereotactic biopsy. Dr. Cronin and his assistant, Michelle, were fabulous! It didn’t take that long....uncomfortable as hell of a position to be in, but my dose of Ativan helped with nerves!!!! Dr. Cronin said he would call me within 24 hours with the results.

1:15pm, Wednesday, June 13, 2007. I was sitting at the kitchen table and two of my three kids were watching TV when "the call" came. Dr. Cronin’s aid the preliminary findings showed DCIS.

I was writing furiously every word he said on paper. From this point, I jumped into survival-"get this taken care of " mode.

The friends/family who knew I was going for the biopsy were owed an explanation- they were as anxious as I was to know the result.....every one of them believed I would be fine.....ME, from the time I was told I needed a biopsy, I was not convinced everything was OK. Call it intuition, pessimistic, whatever you want!

My husband came home from work and I started the phone calls. Throughout the remainder of the afternoon and evening I couldn't believe I was uttering the words to people "I have breast cancer."

I talked with the school psychologist, principal, kid's teachers....I needed to take care of my kids was my first thought! I had an idea of how I would handle telling them, but wanted confirmation from the experts.

If there has ever been a time I am grateful for my assertive, get it done, look out for #1 (and #1 is me when it comes to my health), and decisive nature....now was that time!

Close friends of ours are in-laws with Dr. Carolyn Kaelin-Director of the Breast Center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA. I had the privilege of connecting with her over the phone the night of my diagnosis....I learned more about breast cancer/treatment options/magnets on an MRI machine, etc....then I ever thought I would need to know!

My husband and I made the decision to seek treatment up in Boston. Russ, my husband summed it up very well.....treatment here in Hartford was like eating at a good restaurant in town-getting treatment in Boston at Brigham and Women's/Dana Farber was like a meal in New York City.....WORLD CLASS.

I elected to go for a bilateral mastectomy. Dr. Mehra Golshan is my breast surgeon and Dr.Charles Hergrueter is my reconstruction surgeon. I did not think twice about the bilateral mastectomy.

Dr. Golshan talked about a lumpectomy as an option. I point blank looked at him and said "Get this S*** out of me. I want the lowest possible risk of it ever coming back." He knew right then he was dealing with a straight shooter, no pussy footin' around kinda girl!

My two month anniversary of being cancer free is coming up on September 18, 2007. I have never had a woe is me, why me type attitude. Have I been mad...you bet! My life as I knew it has changed. Aspects of my "old" life are there....family, friends, the gym, volunteering at school, baking for the homeless, being too neat and organized...but my life is forever changed.

I am still trying to wrap my head around how it has changed...how I want to reach out and help other. I have contacted Oprah, Parents Magazine, our town paper, The Hartford Courant and Parenting Magazine and still have yet to hear a response from any of them.

When that tragedy in Chesier, CT happened over the summer with the four family members who were killed from the home invasion I have remembered the words of Dr. Petit. At the memorial service he said to reach out and help your neighbor and fight for a cause.

I know there have got to be young women like myself who are going through breast cancer, reconstruction, and the slew of emotions that go along with having the "C" word.

If you saw me on the street, you would never know anything had happened to me...one week post op I started walking to the mailbox and back to get the blood going again....the four drains came out six days post op so I began to feel a bit more human again. I started a series of crazy standing leg exercises to gain some strength and stamina again. Two weeks post op I made my debut to the gym...slow going to start and I am still SO WEAK in the chest area, but I am there every day! One step at a time-one sweat bead at a time!

My husband is a hero....the patience, support; involvement, commitment, and compassion are admirable. And the way I described him is how he is most all the time. He is a gem-thank you, Russ.

I have been told I am an inspiration to women for having a positive outlook and being back at the gym....thank you to all for your kind words, cheering, hugs, and listening! I am blessed with so many wonderful family members and friends.

Survivorship as Lance Armstrong calls it in "It's Not About the Bike" is a strange place to be.....I do not need chemotherapy or radiation. The two invasive parts were very small. I was "only" a stage 1 cancer patient. I am on Tomoxifen for five years. I understand that the sentinel node and one other were negative, I understand that the invasive parts are gone.....but still, I don’t have cancer and I don't not have cancer.

I'd be lying if I said I don't wonder if it's circulating around in my blood slowly getting ready to attack again. I don't live in fear, and I long for the day I feel comfortable in my own skin again and don’t think about cancer or recovery most of the day.

I beieve I will prevail. This sucks, and I will get through it. When the practical/sense of humor part of me kicks in I am so glad it was caught early......kudos to my GYN, Dr. Patricia Fagan for suggesting the baseline....never would have thought to do that on my own at this point!!!!

Cancer came knocking at my body and took parts of it. It will not get my spirit.

In Good Health, Kimberly Malz

South Glastonbury, Connecticut

Allison's Story from California

In January 2006 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 35 years old and 28 weeks pregnant. I underwent a mastectomy at the 34th week of my pregnancy, which was a risk since I could have gone into labor during the surgery.

The doctors told me when I came out of surgery that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, but one week later at my follow up visit, they gave me the results of my final pathology report, which said that the cancer had reached one lymph node, and that I needed to undergo chemotherapy.

By waiting six weeks from my diagnosis until the 34th week, when the baby was considered 100% viable, the cancer had the chance to spread into my lymph nodes and therefore become life-threatening.

It turned out that I had the most aggressive type of breast cancer - her2/neu positive. My tumor was over four cm in diameter, and had grown from not being palpable at all to the size of a golf ball in only about seven weeks. The tumor was also progesterone positive, meaning that the pregnancy had actually fueled its growth.

I needed to have my baby three weeks later, delivered by c-section. Luckily he was born healthy and we had a month to rest before I started chemo. I underwent eight rounds of chemo in over five months. They put me on the most intense regimen possible. I was receiving "dose dense" treatment every two weeks. I chose to have a portacath implanted in my chest so I could receive the chemo without having an IV inserted each time.

All of my hair fell out, including my eyebrows and eyelashes, and I was very tired. I threw up after the treatments, despite the anti-nausea medication. Later, I developed numbness in my fingers and toes and I was puffy and bloated from the drugs, so they changed the frequency of the treatments from every two weeks to every three weeks. I was always the youngest person in the treatment room, by far. And of course, I had to take care of the newborn baby and my other 2 1/2 year-old son during all of this. Friends and family rallied around, but it was still an incredibly trying time.

I finished the most difficult part of my treatments in August 2006, but continued to receive chemo (with no side effects) until July 2007. My hair has grown back, I've lost the chemo weight and I feel very well. I tried to have as much fun as possible during the whole thing by using different wigs: a brunette, a blonde and even a pink one! Now, you would never know I was a cancer patient because I look and feel perfectly normal. We had a party in May 2007 to celebrate my recovery and to thank everyone for their support. And my baby, Ethan, is now 17 months old and doing fantastic!

I recently completed another set of scans and the doctor found questionable spots on my liver and lung. She didn't seem too concerned, but I'm waiting for follow up tests. Of course there is always the possibility of the cancer returning, and this news makes it seem more real, but I am constantly reminded that life is by no means guaranteed - cancer or no cancer. I take it one day at a time and live life to the fullest!

Hollywood, California

Polly's Story from New York

My mother died of breast cancer 30 years ago. Now I am a breast cancer survivor of six years.

Six years ago I had my left breast removed. There was no need for chemo or radiation as the sential node was negative & the minute tumor removed was a stage 0. After interviewing with different doctors, I was able to have a beautiful left breast reconstructed from my tummy tissue. I was given a clean bill of health, just do my yearly mammograms.

Three years ago I had a reoccurrence; four of the lymph nodes that were in the left arm pit were cancerous. Highly unusual for the type of breast cancer I had. I had 18 lymph nodes further removed from that area, all were positive with cancer.

So that began four months of chemo & followed by six weeks of radiation as well I am now on daily Tamoxafin. I continued teaching pre-k during that year. I am so thankful for living in the city of Buffalo and having Roswell Park Cancer Institute to attend for my treatments and my continued visits. It is only five minute drive from my home.

I feel healthy at this point. I see my doctors every four months at RPCI. When I was first diagnosed six years ago I felt it was for me to understand the awesome power of God's healing. When the cancer returned I felt it was for others to see how there is victory in Christ over illness.

I knew people prayed for me the first time, but the second time I have learned hundreds more were praying. I had been teaching in a Catholic school and the children would pray every day for me. Once I lost my hair to chemo the kids in school would rub my head as I told them it was as soft as a puppy's belly. Even in my own class of 4 year olds' the little boys got buzz cuts to match my hairstyle. In the last three years I have found many ways to share the wholeness that I experience right now with other breast cancer patients.

This past June, after a total of 27 years of teaching I left to be a part time chaplain in a Christian medical practice in the city of Buffalo. I am thankful that God has brought me through this experience of breast cancer. I will encourage others who now will walk in it. And for my daughter's generation, it will be different.

Buffalo, New York

Sue's Story from Ohio

My name is Sue, and I'm 50 years old. I went for a routine mammogram on August 22 of 2006, I didn't have any lumps or any suspicions. They called me in for an ultrasound and spot compression August 30th. Then on August 31 I had a MRI done. I went to see a surgeon a week later.

She suggested a MRI guided biopsy, so on September 13th I had this done. I got the call from the doctor stating that it was malignant. A couple of weeks later I went back to the surgeon to discuss my options. The tumor was large and up against my breast bone. It was invasive ductal carcinoma, and was the fastest growing type.

We decided that the best thing to do was a double mastectomy. On October 16th I had my life altering surgery. A couple days later I was released. I was in the emergency room twice the next week with infection. A week later the infection was so bad that when I bent over the infection would run down my side. I was hospitalized for a week.

After that, I was directed to start my Chemo in November. I had Chemo until February 21th. During this time I was hospitalized twice for extremely low red and white blood counts.

I started radiation on March 1st and continued it every day until April 5th. I was hospitalized for a 3rd degree burn from the radiation. If this wasn't enough I was also diagnosis with a brain tumor during this time frame. I had to get a pet scan and then they found a spot in my lung to!

My mom died of lung and brain cancer at the age of 50, the same age as I was. As if this wasn’t enough I was in an abusive marriage and had a couple kids still at home. One was a senior and one a junior. I kept leaving and staying with my cousin or my best friend to get my strength up. They took care of me.

When I went back home, I’d didn’t receive any support. The church brought food to me three days a week. This helped me get through this time because I knew I'd eat on those days. I also was "saved" during this ordeal. I know that helped me to fight and survive even though everything was going against me.

I was on disability from work and had hardly any money coming in. My soon to be ex-husband wasn’t working and we sometimes didn’t even have lunch money for the kids. Christmas was coming up and I was really concerned that I couldn’t give the kids anything for Christmas.

One day, a representative from the American Cancer Society contacted me because an anonymous person told them about me. They sent me a form to fill out about my income and situation, and it went up in front of a board to choose who they felt needed the help. To my surprise they called me and told me that my family and I were chosen to be sponsored. I cried when they came with the basket of items. I couldn’t believe how nice they were to me.

When you have cancer you really become part of a family of patients, survivors, and generous people who really care. I was given information about going to a cancer shelter and was able to get food for the family. I was also given a coupon from the Women’s Health Center to purchase a free wig!

Also, the Girl Scout Troop 1011 of Westerville Ohio made up a care package for me with all kinds of Breast Cancer items. Lastly, I need to mention that my best friend (who helped take care of me), and I had planned on walking in the RACE FOR THE CURE. I wasn’t able to walk due to my illness. So her husband and daughter put my name on their shirts and walked for me.

We hope that next year I can walk for myself. God Willing… I was never aware of all the special organizations and people out there until I was affected by breast cancer myself. It’s too bad that everyone out there can’t be aware and participates in support for the cure. You never know when it can hit you or someone you love. I want to personally thank all of them for helping me out during the fight of my life.

Well here's the good news, I'm coming up on my one year survivor anniversary! I found out that my tumor in the brain is a benign meningioma, and I can put off the brain surgery for now. The lung spot is just a nodule that they plan on checking on a regular basis. Lastly, I filed for divorce, and I'm living in my own apartment. I love my new found freedom! I feel like a new person for so many reasons! I guess the moral of my story is: If I can overcome all these obstacles and actually look forward to getting up everyday... You can too! Good Luck and may God bless you.