Wendy's Story from Florida

My story starts two years before "MY" diagnosis. When my husband was 40 years old, he took a fall from a rope swing, that resulted in a belly buster. He knew he was embarrassed and hurting, but he had no idea what he was about to find out.

After weeks of pain and inconclusive findings about what was going on, we found out during a "Whipple" surgery on October 15, 2001 that he had pancreatic cancer. OK, what were the chances that he took a fall and had one of the worst cancer diagnoses possible? This was happening right after 9/11/01. We were having our own crisis in addition to 9/11....

He wasn't healing and couldn't eat, so he had to have surgery. That's when a 2cm tumor was found in the head of his pancreas. Fifty six lymph nodes were CLEAR of disease. He was officially considered a Stage 1 Pancreatic Cancer patient! After researching this disease thouroughly, I was convinced that even as a Stage 1 pancreatic cancer patient, he would not be alive within three years.

Over the next two years, he completed chemotherapy, radiation and more chemotherapy. We felt blessed to have him every day. I was his primary caregiver as well as full time mom to three young children. At the time of his diagnosis, my daughter was six and my boys were eight and 10 years old. I felt that it was imperative to keep their schedules as uninterrupted as possible. They were too young to understand the magnitude of this disease.

Needless to say, during this time, everybody was getting my full attention. Everybody, that is, except me. I was so busy taking care of my husband and family, that I was not eating properly and not going to the gym and just letting my needs WAIT. In fact, during the time that my yearly mammogram time rolled around, my husband was in the hospital with complications from his surgery, and I missed the appointment.

I finally got my mammogram scheduled five months later. About three weeks before my scheduled mammogram, I found an area of lumpiness in my left breast. While in the shower, I did a self breast exam, and noticed a discharge and tenderness from this same breast.

I called my primary care physician. He ordered a diagnostic mammogram, which was followed immediately by an ultrasound. I found out the day before Thanksgiving, that I had a highly suspicious mass, that would most likely prove to be breast cancer.

How could this be? I just had my 40th Birthday, and now it was my turn to have this horrible disease too? All I could think about was that my kids might very well be orphans one day. They needed at least one of us to raise them.

A biopsy confirmed the suspicions. This was indeed Invasive Intraductal Carcinoma. I was randomized into a clinical study to determine if an MRI could pick up areas in the contralateral breast and guess what? Yes, there was DCIS in the other breast. This meant that I was definitely having a double mastectomy. Six days before Christmas in 2003, I had a double mastectomy. During the sentinel node biopsy, it was determined that the first two sentinal nodes contained cancer. The surgeon went on to do a full axillary node clearance. Thirty two lymph nodes were removed from my left side. The right side had no involvement in the sentinal nodes, resulting in five nodes being removed.

Christmas had a cloud over it once again that year. How could this be happening to two relatively young, healthy people? We had people tell us that if "We" can get cancer, anyone can. I'm convinced that it was our relatively good health that helped get us through the physically exhaustive times.

I went on to have six treatments of TAC (Taxotere, Adriomycin and Cytoxan), followed by Radiation for six weeks and then an oopherectomy. This was a really bad dream!!!

After recovering from the treatments, I was looking for a motivational way to get back in shape. The first day that I began walking for exercise again, a newsletter from PANCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) came in the mail. The organization was starting a training program for a Marathon and Half Marathon Team to raise money for PANCAN.

That was it! I was going to train for this event. After speaking with "OUR oncologist" (my husband and I share the same oncologist), he agreed to the half marathon. Six weeks after completing my treatments, I began my official training. On February 13, 2005 I completed a Half Marathon in Austin, Texas and raised close to $7000 for PANCAN.

Many of my family members were there rooting me on, and it was the most incredible feeling ever! My children were so proud of me! Well, there's more! I still had not had reconstruction. I did a lot of homework and decided that I wanted to use my own tissue to do the reconstruction. I found a group of physicians in New Orleans who specialize in Microsurgical reconstruction using gluteal tissue. I underwent the first stage of the reconstruction in July 2005. Everything was going smoothly and I was scheduled for the second stage of reconstruction on October 5th, 2007.

Nothing can be too easy for this family, so something HAD to happen. Katrina struck New Orleans in late August 2005. My doctor’s office was scattered all over the country. During the month of September, they regrouped and went north of Lake Ponchatrain to a hospital where they could continue their work. I was still scheduled for Oct. 5th. I would be the first Stage 2 patient for my physician, since before Katrina had hit New Orleans. There were doctors and nurses still living without electricity and still working to take care of us. I would go on to have one more surgery to touch things up, and right before Christmas of 2006, I was finally done!

I can truly say that this has been a journey like no other. My husband will officially be a "six" year Pancreatic Cancer survivor on October 15, 2007, with no evidence of disease and I will be a four year survivor in December 2007.
We understand how incredibly fortunate and blessed we are. Our family has grown in so many ways. Our children are now 17, 14 and 12. They are the most compassionate, loving, thoughtful children in the world. They have endured hard times that others can only imagine. They have come out on the other side of this cancer journey as MY HEROES!

Our oldest son, who is a junior in high school, has decided that he wants to pursue a career in medicine. Our daughter is always the first one to arrive on the scene when one of her classmates gets hurt. Our middle child wants to befriend those around him who don't have a lot of friends.

They are my motivation..... Thanks for letting me tell my story.

Tallahassee, Florida

Tammy's Story from Oklahoma

In December 2001 I got the devastating news that I had breast cancer. My sons were three and five years old, and all I could think was "They are too young to remember me if I die". They were my reasons to fight my hardest.

I found out about a clinical trial to get a new experimental drug, Herceptin. I had a double mastectomy, did 1 1/2 years of infusions, 36 rounds of radiation, four reconstructive surgeries, and continue on hormonal therapy to this day.

My fight has moved from a personal physical battle, to one of advocacy for others. I have just returned from Washington DC, meeting with my elected officials, asking for increased funding for cancer research and support of cancer issues. My fear has been transformed into power.

I will continue to fight this disease until it is no longer a threat to individuals and families anymore. I have lived to see my sons reach milestones I was afraid I wouldn't see - and I celebrate each one.

Edmond, Oklahoma

Maria's Story from Alabama

In late May 2002, I had my routine yearly mammogram. Although I had and still have fibrocystic breast disease, I was not worried any more than usual. However, when the radiologist said he saw some clusters of calcifications that were suspicious, I panicked. He felt safe in saying that we could wait six months since I had a history of this and he would redo the mammogram at that time. I said, “No, let’s check it now”. Sometimes intuition and “taking charge of your own body” plays a huge part in your medical diagnosis.

I had a biopsy done that day and returned in early June for my results. As my husband,
John, and I were waiting for the doctor to walk in, I had a “gut” feeling that this was not going to be good news. The radiologist walked in and immediately said, “You have breast cancer”. I was in shock and numb! We had just lost my mother-in-law eight months before to breast cancer and I immediately thought this was a death sentence.

Then he says, “But if you need to have cancer, this is the good kind to have”. Whoever heard of a good cancer? Certainly not me! The big “BC” had just struck me unexpectedly. The tears began to flow. Will I not be here to see my sons marry? Will I not see my grandchildren grow up? What have I left as a legacy for my family? Negative thoughts and questions kept popping up in my head. I could not think much less react.

I had a hard time accepting this diagnosis. Since there was no history of breast cancer in my family, I could not understand how it could happen to me. This was something that always happens to other people. Wrong! I was humbled and brought to my knees and realized that I am not the one in control of my life. God is!

It took me several days to “digest” the fact of having breast cancer. I could not think clearly nor function in my normal manner. I became depressed and inundated with so many decisions, from several doctor’s appointments to surgical procedures and treatments. It all happened so quickly that I had no time to really “glue” myself together.

I immediately told the doctor just to remove my entire breast if it would be the best option. I wanted to live! Dr. Helen Krontiras, my breast surgeon, recommended a lumpectomy with radiation treatments as the best and most promising breast conserving treatment.

I went to Birmingham in July and had outpatient surgery with a sentinel node biopsy, a procedure to determine if or to what extent the lymph nodes are involved. I anxiously and fearfully awaited the results for a week. When Dr. Krontiras herself phoned me, I knew something was not right. They did not “get it all”; the margins were not clean. I went back for a second lumpectomy a week later to remove more tissue and cells from the area. This time the results indicated clear margins.

After several weeks to heal from the surgeries, in August I began my radiation treatments, five days a week for almost eight weeks. I thought that there was nothing to this; it actually took longer to undress and dress than it did to undergo the radiation treatment itself. But, WHAM! After about five weeks of the radiation accumulating in my body, I became very drained and extremely tired. Although I did continue to work as much as possible, the frustration of not being able to function normally was overwhelming.

Our first grandson was due in September and that kept me focused on life and living each day to the fullest. I began reading personal stories of breast cancer survivors – some made me laugh, others made me cry, but they were all inspiring and healing. I began to heal as I faced the fact that this was a battle I was going to win.

God’s timing was not mine, but I believe now that he put this “speed bump” in my road to first of all make me realize who is in charge and secondly so that I can now help others going through this disease. “BC” no longer means “Breast Cancer” to me but “Been Cured”!

From this experience grew Women of Hope (WOH) - (Women Of Montgomery Embracing and Nurturing Hope Of Prevention and Eradication of breast cancer). Last Fall I had a dream that has now become a reality – a foundation to provide education, promote awareness and help those patients and families that are facing breast cancer. HOPE is the assurance that one day we will all be able to live cancer free. I founded this organization so that other women (and men) can have the support and education that was not available at the time I was diagnosed.

WOH pledges to become an involved group in our community dedicated to the cause of breast cancer awareness and support. Beginning in October, WOH will begin support group meetings. These sessions will not only be educational, but a rewarding experience for those who need to relate to someone who has “walked in their shoes”. For more information regarding these support groups or for membership in our organization, please contact womenofhope@charter.net , http://www.womenofhope.info/ or call 334-220-4599.

Had it not been for my yearly mammogram I would not be here today! Had it not been for the huge “speed bump” in my life, my dream for Women of Hope would not be a reality! For those of you who have helped make all of this possible, I thank you. To my family and friends, thank you for your prayers, support and patience - I love you all. And to my God, thank you for loving me and giving me wings to rise above the storms of life.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down; it is how we handle them. “Those who HOPE in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31.

Montgomery, Alabama

The Montgomery Independent Newspaper

Maria Ashmore beat cancer and now has a passion for spreading HOPE!
By BILL RICE, JR.

When Maria Ashmore learned she had breast cancer five years ago, she was struck "numb". She admits that she "cried and cried" and battled despair and depression. The life-changing news arrived about the same time she and her husband John learned they were about to become grandparents for the first time. But then character revealed itself and Maria, one of Montgomerys most indomitable spirits, decided to fight back. "I wanted to live. I wanted to see my grandchild", she says today.

She would fight cancer and become a better person because of the experience. After surgery and 40 radiation treatments (five days a week for eight weeks), the cancer had disappeared. But, by then, Maria had a new passion and when someone like Maria Ashmore is passionate about something, anything is possible. During her treatments and the scary months and years that followed, Maria realized she wanted to help other people and families who had undergone what she and her family has. To her, there was not enough information and support groups to help breast cancer patients get through this trying time.

About two years ago, she decided to change that. Women of Hope was born. "I used to think that breast cancer was something that happened to other people, but when it 'hits home' you realize that you are not the one in charge of your life", said Ashmore. "It humbles you and brings you to your knees.

It took a while to 'digest' the fact of having breast cancer, but after surgery and treatment, and time to reflect and pray, I choose now to believe that BC does not stand for breast cancer but "Been Cured"! I now feel that my mission is to educate others about this dreaded disease and this is now my passion! "

Today, Women of Hope is a certified non-profit 501-c3 entity with the goal of educating, promoting awareness, providing technical and medical advice through its professional board and providing hope and encouragement for families coping with breast cancer. The idea for such a group grew out of Maria's desire to help others and the encouragement of friends to lend a hand. Informal conversations led to a meeting at her home which led to a vision and an organizational plan.

Charter members (at least 40) quickly signed on. Seven members are breast cancer survivors. A board of directors was elected. Last October, the group held its inaugural event, a fundraiser luncheon for the Montgomery Cancer Center. At almost 200 people, attendance was very good, but Maria had plans for more members and a bigger event. All with the purpose of raising money to increase awareness and fund a variety of support groups, informational classes for patients, survivors and their families.

Maria said organizing Women of Hope has been one of the most rewarding projects of her life. She's made many great friends and has been touched and humbled by the willingness of so many people and businesses to help. Members of the medical community (especially those who specialize in cancer treatment) have been enthusiastic supporters. Several doctors serve on the group's professional board. Her son designed the organization's inspiring logo of two angels locking hands.

Everyone she's asked to donate a door prize has been happy to oblige. Friends helped her with structuring a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Other businesses have made "in-kind" donations or sold products or services at discounted prices. "You can't believe the friends we've made," she said. "There's no substitute for friends ... and the power of prayer" for those trying to cope with a diagnosis of breast cancer. She's also a big believer in the therapeutic qualities of "laughter".

Of course, when you have the zeal, passion and vision of Maria Ashmore, you want everything to be accomplished yesterday. "My friends remind me that you¹ve got to take baby steps first", she said. But the baby steps are pretty impressive.

"Wow. Your vision is taking wings now and we are so blessed to be taking the ride with you," a Women of Hope member e-mailed Maria recently. In the weeks, months and years to come, those with breast cancer (and their families) will not have to go through the experience with the fear of the unknown that Maria did. The organization's name says it all - Women of Hope. And as Tim Robbins' character says in the classic movie The Shawshank Redemption, "Hope is a very good thing. Perhaps the very best thing."

Eleanor's Story from Tennessee

The year 1993 rolled around easily as most years do when one retires, but in March of that year, a lot of changes came into my life. I was diagnosed with a lump in my left breast which turned out to be malignant.

My surgeon was the “best”---good Christian doctor, and a great caring person. Seventeen nodes were removed, but thankfully only one was cancerous. I wound up having six months chemo plus having to take the pill Tomaxifen for five years. My oncologist was also the best in his field (I thought) I braved these treatments with optimism.

I believe in my heart that our attitude has a lot to do with a full recovery. My husband was right by my side all the way. I endured these treatments really well, as I never suffered any ill effects or sickness. My hair became thin but then I am fortunate to have thick hair. No wig was ever needed.

My life changed at this point and made me aware of the number of women who suffer from cancer and many of my church friends went through the same procedure the same year.

In the year 2001, after checking in on my yearly visit with my same surgeon, I was informed that a lump was found in my other breast. I chose to have a lumpectomy. Two weeks later my surgeon called me and my husband into his office. With the doctors knowledge I knew he was wiser than this ole gal, so we agreed to have my other breast removed. This surgery turned out much better than the other one as it was classified as being non- invasive. No chemo, no tomoxifen, just a recuperation time. I recuperated beautifully and now have two prosthesis.

Other than this problem my health is good, I am 82 and lost my husband three years ago. Life is good and I’m blessed with two single children living with me and they certainly take good care of their mom. I may die from cancer, but not BREAST CANCER.

Thank you for this opportunity.

Jackson, Tennessee

Darlene's Story from Arden, North Carolina

I would like to nominate Darlene who is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a complete mastectomy followed by many months of chemotherapy. The heavy doses of chemo affected her breathing - her lungs - severely. She was put on oxygen and had to struggle for each breath even with the oxygen. Her doctors at Duke Hospital evaluated her and put her on a lung transplant list.

As Darlene waited for "the call", she lost weight and continued her battle with breathing. The wait was long, but the call finally came. Today she is a living - breathing testimony to the power of prayer and medical science. Darlene gained weight and although she must be monitored regularly at Duke Hospital and will always be on heavy doses of medicine, Darlene is a smiling, happy cancer survivor.

Her oldest daughter is now a freshman at Wingate College because of scholarships and the help of friends. Even though her husband lost his job, the family has survived one hardship after another.

Her husband and three children, her extended family and her church family have loved and supported and prayed her through over five years of struggle with cancer.

Arden, North Carolina

Melinda's Story from Ohio

Breast cancer has affected my life since I was 12 years old. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 38. We had a very close relationship and this was devastating to me. I watched her go through having a mastectomy, going through chemotherapy and radiation both. Watching her lose her hair was possibly the hardest part for both of us. She was very strong through all of it and set a great example for my brother and myself. She worked through the whole ordeal and my father supported her through it as well. She survived the cancer but it left lasting radiation burns and memories for both of us.

Two of my aunts were diagnosed with breast cancer a few years later, a couple years apart from each other. They were both in their early 30's and both survived and had different treatment options. My Grandmother was then diagnosed with breast cancer in her 70's last year. She also survived and had great treatment options. So I come from a family of strong women survivors. I got genetic testing done and discovered to no surprise that I had the BRCA1 gene. I knew this meant that I would most likely get this disease, but I decided to worry about it when the time came and do what I could now to keep myself healthy.

I discovered my lump myself in May of this year since I knew the importance of early detection. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25 on July 6, 2007. I was alone when I got my diagnosis because I had gone in for my mammogram and had no idea I would get the results that day. When I heard the news I immediately called my mother and she came as fast as she could. She was devastated; she never thought I would have to go through this, this early in my life.

We both had the same idea that by the time I got breast cancer there would be a cure so it would be no big deal. Unfortunately, this was not the case. I didn't know what to think or how severe it was or anything, I was terrified.

I then had to make decisions about my treatment. The day I decided to have a double mastectomy was the day I made the hardest decision of my life. With our history I did not want the cancer to come back in my other breast after I beat it this time, but at the same time the thought of losing both breasts and my hair at my age was absolutely terrifying to me. I was hysterical at this thought, but my oncologist and mother made me realize this was the best option for me in the long run.

My double mastectomy surgery came next, and everything went wrong with it. There was an equipment malfunction and I got a 2nd degree burn. The anesthesia caused me to have severe migraines the first day and then be sick to my stomach the second day after surgery. I finally got released three days later to go home and be in so much pain. I soon got my results from the lymph node biopsy and for the first time my mother and I both had lots of hope. There were no nodes affected and the tumor had been contained and there were no traces left of the cancer.

I soon started my chemotherapy shortly after and also started to see my plastic surgeon to continue on with the reconstruction I chose to do. The first two rounds of chemo were awful and I ended up back in the hospital with such severe migraines that I could not function and could not eat. I lost 16 pounds in six days the first session. Then my plastic surgeon informed me that I needed to have emergency surgery to fix something that was going wrong with my reconstruction. This was devastating to me because the only thing getting me through all this is that in 6 months I will look normal again. I can handle this right now but not for the rest of my life is what I kept thinking.

The surgery was successful, thank God. So far the reconstruction is looking good since then. I also shaved my head, having witnessed my mother's hair fall out in clumps I did not want to experience that. I shaved my extremely long hair that I had been growing out to donate to cancer patients. Irony is so great. This made the process easier for me to handle because I was in control of when I lost my hair not the cancer.

Shortly after, we discovered that my anti nausea medication was the culprit behind my migraines with the chemo. We switched that and since then things have been going okay. I live alone and support myself so I have been trying to work as much as physically possible. This is also made more difficult because I need to maintain a certain average of hours to keep my insurance. I am tired all of the time because I have become anemic and my white blood counts keep dipping as well. I do everything I can to go to work and then come right after to take a nap or get some rest.

I am very confident that I will survive this. I have no doubt in my mind because in my family cancer is not a death sentence it just means having a really bad year medically. My family is what gets me through this, and I could not have come this far without my mother. She supports me through all of it and comes to my chemo sessions. She is the first person I call when there is a problem and the first person I want to talk to when there is something good to share. I feel that I can talk to her about all of this because I know she has been through most of it herself. I still have a long road ahead of me with five more chemo sessions to go and then another surgery to finish the reconstruction. By this time next year I will be just another survivor, and joining that group with such amazing women such as those in my family is an honor.

Findlay, Ohio

My Mother's Story from Batavia, New York

About six years ago my mom went for her annual mammogram. They found a lump in her right breast. After the doctor told her, she called me. Ever since then we went to her appointments together.

We went to have her biopsy done, and I had the chance to look at it. To me it looked like the size of a golf ball. It was hard and nasty looking. The test showed cancer. Then, we went to a surgeon and talked about what options to take. MY mom chose a mastectomy.

After it was removed, she went to see an oncologist. He said because it was cancer and it wasn’t too bad he still gave her tomozifin. It’s been six years and she is still here with us today. I am doing things that involve breast cancer awareness through my employer. I believe God had his hand on my mom and also thank God for programs like Healthy Living that help women of all ages. They helped my mom when she didn’t have any health insurance and needed help. (Healthy Living is part of my employer and I help then out doing breast cancer awareness.)

Enjoy your time with your mom, friend or sister because something like this could come.

Batavia, New York