It was a very hot day outside. My husband and I were doing yard work. My wig was to hot to wear outside so I put it in the bathroom on top of a standing mirror, and then put on a light turbin. We had explained to my grandson Taylor that Gama Nell was sick, had to take medicine and I lost my hair. Well Taylor was helping us outside with the yard, he stopped and said he was going to go in the house and go to the bathroom. He comes running out saying “I found your hair Gama Nell, I found your hair” hands swinging he was so happy. Well Tim and I burst out laughing. We then explained it all to him. I was 45 had a lumectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, 36 radiation. Never missed a day of work. 9 year survivor. Never wanted to join the club but since I did I've become a much better person. Ladies we are fighters & winners!!!

Diagnosed Christmas Eve 2008 HER2 triple positive breast cancer. 6 Mos. chemo (carboplatin, taxotere, herceptin), 35 rounds of radiation, and 18 mos herceptin.

December 21, 2012 diagnosed HER+ er- pr-, taking chemo (taxotere, herceptin, perjeta) Radiation

Going Strong- GOD IS GOOD.

I am going to win this battle.

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I found a lump about a month ago, and do not have insurance. Thankfully there are people and programs like this that help. I had a biopsy done this morning and waiting for results. Thanks for all that help this site, from people like me that would not be able to afford the help!!

This February, I celebrated my 68th birthday and today is my 3rd birthday. Yes, my 3rd birthday, because it was 3 years ago that the cancerous tumor was removed from my breast, followed by 13 months of treatment (including Herceptin infusion), 2 years on Femara (with 3 years to go), and more than 2 ½ years of tiredness (which appears to finally be behind me).

I am so happy! I am a survivor, and I am a winner! I fought cancer, and I won! I am now using my experience to pay it forward for other women in treatment for cancer. During my radiation treatment in October 2010, following prayer that God would use my cancer journey to help others, I started “The Sparkle Caps Project.” Through sponsorships, we give out Sparkle Caps gift bags to women who are traveling the difficult road of cancer, with the goal of uplifting, empowering, loving, and praying for these women as God blesses them through it.

No two journeys are the same. They are as unique as we each are. Yet we are in a sisterhood--we are Sisters in Pink, and we pray and fight for ourselves and each other.

Remember, you are NOT alone. FIGHT like a GIRL! Have HOPE, COURAGE and STRENGTH.

Four years ago my older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent chemotherapy followed by a bi-lateral mastectomy. I was diagnosed 6 months later the same year with DCIS and also underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy. We talked everyday.

In September of 2012 she was diagnosed a second time . She stayed positive again and once again we talked everyday as she underwent chemo and radiation to shrink this tumor. Feb. 13th she underwent her second mastectomy and the news was better than we had hoped. The Drs. said her tumors had shrunk and they felt they had gotten all the cancer but she would never be cured.

Then I was diagnosed on Jan. 4th 2013 for recurrance of breast cancer. Three days ago, one week after my sisters surgery I underwent my second mastectomy and am hoping for the best. My sister continues to be positive and we talk several times a day. We laugh at each other and discuss drainage tubes, that we both are stripping, and ugly scars that have left us concaved on one side. We tell each other together we make a couple of boobs! She has the right side and I have the left. She tells me its not that bad being bald as I am looking at my first round of chemo and radiation. However, she tells me she will never go thru the chemo again but tells me I have to. I told her she will do everything they tell her to do because she is my rock and I need her.

We live in two different states and can't wait to see each other as soon as one of us can travel. She is my right and I am her left.

Many years ago, a friend encouraged me to click every day, to help women receive mammograms. Since then, I have read hundreds of these stories - and every time I click, I say a prayer for those women I know personally who are battling this disease, and for those whose stories I read - and for those unknown, brave women I will never know. I just want to say thank you for sharing your story - you have inspired me, brought me to tears, and encouraged me to support breast cancer awareness, funding and research. My daughter - now a teenager - is adopted, and her biological grandmother died from breast cancer. I want there to be prevention and a cure in her future! Thank you - and bless you.

My world collapsed with my breast cancer diagnosis and I immediately scheduled an appointment with a surgeon at my local hospital.

I also happened to search US News and World Reports Best Hospitals for Cancer and found Massachusetts General to be high on the list. Even though Mass General was a long drive from home, my amazing husband suggested we check it out. On their website, I noticed something called Nipple Sparing Mastectomy, a term I had never heard before.

During my consultation, the surgeon told me she thought I would be a candidate for this delicate surgery and I was elated. I had a double mastectomy with immediate implants. I came from the surgery with my breasts, areolas, and nipples completely intact, silicone implants inside, and looking very much like my old self. I call it the “One and Done” surgery.

I was extremely grateful to be eligible for the NSM surgery, but began to wonder why I had never heard of it before and how I could spread the message to women that this option exists. I had stumbled upon it while surfing the internet. Had I only gone to my local hospital, I would have had the traditional surgery and never known what I missed. Since this surgery requires a high level of expertise to perform it, not every hospital offers it. If women happen to go to a hospital that doesn’t offer it, they may never learn about it.

After my successful surgery, my “Pay it Forward” crusade has been to educate women that Nipple Sparing Mastectomy exists, so if they ever have to make breast cancer surgery decisions, they will be more informed about all the options. Although not everyone is a candidate for this surgery, it is worth exploring for those who are interested.

Through tears, denial, fear, courage, hope, strength, love & will power cancer has forever changed me & my family. We are stronger, love deeper, genuinely care about others & know in our hearts that God has been by our sides the whole entire time. I was diagnosed in April 2011 with stage 4 breast cancer EP+ HER - that is a day a will never forget it was devastating; now it will be a date to go down in history as the years past & remission continues to get closer. We have cried, laughed, received high fives, done lots of thumbs up, shaved heads, dressed up at boobs for Halloween, dyed my hair pink, felt like sinking when the anchor was pulling us down but our God has brought us too the top to show the world & my fellow cancer warriors it can be done. You can beat cancer; you will have really bad days, really good days, it will seem like life will never go on or be the same. I can honestly say that with my last chemo Halloween 2011 & radiation ending in Feb 2012 after two major surgeries that I'm starting to feel alive again. The credit for that goes to God first, my kick butt hubby, my three amazing angels from above (my)kids, my extended family, many friends, even strangers, my drs & nurses & my stubborn side to never let anything get the best of you. Keep fighting my sisters & brothers there is HOPE for us the word CURE has never meant so much to one person! Hugs & love to all!! God Bless each of you.

My name is Cynthia and I were diagnosed with Stage II BC on 12-21-12 which in significance were also my deceased mother's 50th birthday. I instinctly cried and prayed "By his stripes I am healed". I carried that scripture with me through my lumpectomy and once informed of the cancer spreading made the decision to have a mastectomy with lymph node extraction. I gave my CEO (GOD) the wheel from day one and he instructed his interns (doctors..nurses..etc) to lead me down the path of righteousness. On 2-2-13 I went for my test results and were informed my margins and nodes were negative and the cancer was gone and no treatment of chemotherapy nor radiation therapy is needed!!! I have a testimony and as long as you keep the Faith so will you!! Always keep with you in mind and in heart "the battle is not yours..its the LORDS!!!

I was a 29 year old single mother of two beautiful little girls when I found out. I found a lump in my breast one morning while getting ready for work. I checked again that night and what I first thought was one turned out to be two lumps. Immediately, I booked an appointment with my Dr. She found 3 lumps and sent me for testing. I will never forget that day - the tech telling me that the Radiologist would read my tests and I would only see him if something was found. As the door opened and a man walked in my heart sunk into my stomach. He went on to explain what was wrong with me. I honestly felt completely numb and all I remember are the words " you have breast cancer".

The good news was we caught it early. The decision I made next was easy for me and hardest for strangers. For some reason complete strangers that heard about my "situation" felt the need to offer up their opinions and advice. What I knew whas I was young and had two young children that needed me. So for me the decision to have a complete double mastectomy was a very easy decision to make. Don't get me wrong, I did morn the loss of "my breasts", but they were able to remove all my cancer. This decision saved my children from having to see me go through any other suffering and saved them from suffering.

As May 2013 is quickly approaching it is SO hard for me to believe that it's been 10 years. I can still remember every part of my journey - the good, bad, ugly, painful, joyful, and everything in between!

We are Survivors! We can beat this!