I have been battling breast cancer for 25 years now. I was first diagnosed at 29, then again at 34, 36, and 52. For me, breast cancer is a chronic illness and a lifetime battle. Although I long suspected that there was a heriditary basis for my cancers, genetic testing when I was in my 30's came back inconclusive. It wasn't until 2011 with breast cancer number 4 that I was tested again as I was told that they had mapped more of the gene and could find more mutations. This time I learned that the last 4 sections of my BRCA1 gene were blank or missing. The genetic counsellor compared it to reading a book only to find that the last 4 chapters had been torn out. Armed with this information, I had my ovaries removed last May to greatly reduce my chances of contracting ovarian cancer. During the last 25 years, I have had 2 lumpectomies, 2 masectomies, all the lymph nodes in both armpits removed, 2 courses of radiation, and 2 series of chemotherapy. I have had one completed reconstruction and another that is still only partway done.

Having breast cancer in your 20's and 30's is much different than having it in your 50's. At 29, my biggest concerns dealt with body self image, wondering if I would ever even date again, let alone get married, whether I would be able to have children and whether anyone would hire a brand new lawyer with a history of cancer. By cancer 4, my main concerns were about dying and leaving my 2 preteen children without a mother.

I can tell you that I did indeed date again, got married, adopted 2 wonderful children and have worked as a lawyer for the past 24 years. I want to share my story with other young survivors, to let them know that they can still live a long and fulfilling life even if it seems that all the odds are stacked against them. I am grateful for every additional day of life I have been granted since my first diagnosis.

Cancer gave me a new love for life! Where the devil meant it to tear me down it only built my faith in God and gave me a wonderful testimony and story to share to the world! I still live with a few of the side effects of radiation but it only reminds me how good God is every day, and how blessed I am to still be here!

My family got some awesome tattoos in honor of my mom who is currently

fighting the fright ;) and winning. She and I will be getting ours once she

finishes all her treatments ;)

Stay strong everyone! God bless

Today I am celebrating my 11th year being cancer free. When I was diagnosed, the fear was over-whelming and all I could think was that I was going to die from it. Not that I was afraid of dying, I just did not want to leave my family and miss out on my grandchildren growing up. As I prayed for strength, God, through His Word, assurred me that I was not going to die and that I would "walk through the valley of the shadow of death". Through. What a great word! Over the past 11 years, I have been able to comfort and assure many other women, including my own daughter who is now recovering from HER-2 breast cancer surgery and treatments. Her battle is not over but we know that God is faithful to His promises.

A picture of my daughter, Kimberly and I taken while I was having radiation treatments. My daughter was always there for me when I needed someone most.There are no words for the deep love I have for her. It was the little things that she did during the time of my treatments that made a big impact on my recovery, she made me cards and encouraged me to eat when I was sick and made me laugh when I was down and when I lost my hair she would always tell me how pretty I was, even without hair. She would clean and prepare small meals and answer the phone while I rested.One day I came to realize that she was mothering me as I had mothered her.That was nearly 10 years ago and now she has grown to become a beautiful woman and a mother herself with an honest, sweet, loving soul and I thank God for her everyday.

My Aunt Teresa recently had a double removal and she is now doing better. I don't really talk to her that much anymore, life just kind of happens that way I guess. Anyway, she was near and dear to me growing up and was pretty much the "hip" aunt. I should really plan on getting out and seeing her one of these days. She inspired me to do this photo shoot for which I kept an open mind. I know there are those who are not as fortunate as I am, but I hope this photo might give others hope to live another day.

So, this is for my Aunt Teresa.

Even though I don't really see you much anymore -I still love you like I did when I was 5.

P.S. Never stop dancing.

Sean

My mother is breast cancer hero.For her,it was never a chose to give up-from us,from her life.She start a war,thinking that she is not going to live more than sex month,but almost 5 years lather,she is still here,doing better then ever.She did not aloud do feel sick,and I know that she was,she look the best as she could,and today she is now a proud grandmother,who is trying to keep up with her grandson.Today she has a big smile on her face,and very often said,that no matter how hard it was,all the bad days will one day be yesterday.I am very proud to be her daughter.Love you.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in January, 2011. Since I'm such a baby about pain, I could not believe that I told my husband these words, "It's just another bump in the road" that we have to get over. With much support from my community and my church family, I came through this journey as I expected. I had no insurance and had been turned down by Medicaid. I was more worried how I would pay for all this before I knew He was with me than I was about having cancer. When the Lord instructed me to do what He said (read your bible, go back to church, and let others know what He did for me), I followed His instructions. I was immediately blessed by Him. He made sure the right people were put in my path so that I lived through this (chemo and radiation). Almost all of my bills were paid for and my motel stay in San Antonio for radiation treatment was paid for anonomously. I could never have paid for these things myself. I give all the glory to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. There are many other details that I could not share due to the limit on words. I am blessed! Thank you.

Hi my name is Kimberly, I am a breast cancer survivor so far. I had a good job, a home of my own, and going to school to be a medical assistant. Everything changed for me on Oct 1, 2009.

I was told I had breast cancer, third stage ductal carcinoma on the left side. I already decided to have a bi-lateral mastectomy, when they found a tumor on my chest wall that was lobular 1st stage. No breast cancer in my family accept my grandmother, had a lumpectomy long time ago. I was devastated of course. I Moved in with my mom, could not afford rent anymore, lost my job, and had to quit my schooling. My whole life changed in an instant. I had mamagrams every year, and was told I had I fibrocystic lump. I had dense breast. I think they did not take the time to really check back then. I was 45 and getting my life in order. I thank my mom for being there for me. I had 16 surgeries for my breast and reconstruction. I have to be on chemo drugs for 8 yrs that cause all kind of side effects. I thank my lord everyday for his blessings. Without god I don't think I could have made it. He changed my life forever and I am so blessed.

April 1, 2013 I was 7 years cancer free!! I have a coonhound, Zoe, who was only 1 year old when she started smelling at my mouth. She would try to paw at my face and get her nose all the way in my mouth. I had my cancer tumor removed, and she will still sniff at my mouth, but after a few seconds, she just looks me in the eye as if to say, "good to go Mom!"