Believe in a Cure
sur
vors
DEBRA
SURVIVOR Since 2008
I had no lump, no pain, no discoloration, and no discharge. But I knew I needed a mammogram due to a family history of breast cancer. So I went to one of those mobile home-like mammogram places in the parking lot of my doctors office. I had a baseline mammogram done when I was around 35 and that was all clear, so I wasn't too worried. But this one showed something different. It looked like calcifications, but they weren't sure. I was asked to come back for a diagnostic mammogram and then for a biopsy to confirm if it was cancer or not.
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I was 41 years old and at home with my 7 year old daughter when I got the call from my doctor. She said I had ductal carcinoma in situ- stage 0. I was in shock and silent. The doctor repeated herself and asked if I had heard what she said... that I had cancer. I said yes and asked what the next step would be. I numbly listened. I knew I couldn't do anything about having cancer now, so I just wanted to deal with the next steps- something I could control.
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The only step I needed was to have a lumpectomy. I was good with that. Apparently, God wasn't. All margins(area surrounding where they removed) were positive for cancer. Therefore, I now needed a mastectomy. Due to me being relatively young, my plastic surgeon recommended that I have reconstruction and a double mastectomy so that my breasts would be even. You know, not having one saggy and one perky. So that's what I did.
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Because I didn't need chemotherapy or radiation, we did the expansion first and then I was to have my implants put in at the same time as my bilateral mastectomy. Seemed like a logical plan. Well, one margin was positive after my surgery. This meant I would now need radiation. What a rollercoaster of emotion.
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I now needed 33 treatments of radiation. My side effects were unusual. My white blood cell count dropped and I was tired and nauseated all of the time. I just tried to keep a positive mind throughout because I knew how important it was for recovery.
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The radiation caused scar tissue to form in the breast that had the cancer(this is why reconstructions are usually performed after radiation). I later needed 2 capsulectomies(where they remove the scar tissue and replace the implant if necessary) because I had the radiation after reconstruction.
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I survived it all and even ran in a half marathon the very next year, which I wouldn't have done if I never had breast cancer. I also, would not have gone to Casting for Recovery and learned to fly fish with my river stud(a very cute guy :) ) or participated in the breast cancer exercise program and yoga classes. Most of this was even free! And I am still in my original support group called Bosom Buddies, where I have met a lot of awesome ladies and learned a lot from them.
ARNELL
SURVIVOR Since 2015
My name is Arnell Rein, and I have been married 45 years and have three great grown children: a doctor, a nurse, and a businessman. I've lived in Ohio most of my life, am retired preschool teacher, love the buckeyes, gardening, traveling, and am in fairly good health.
Several days after having my routine mammogram back in the summer of 2015, I received a phone call on our way to a Cincinnati Reds game. I needed a diagnostic mammogram as there appeared to be a suspicious area. Less than three weeks later after tests, a biopsy, and many doctor visits I was having a lumpectomy for Stage One invasive ductile carcinoma in my right breast. During this time I experienced tears, fear, anguish, doubt, and love and support from my family and friends. I had 20 radiation treatments, and today I'm doing really well. Yes, it was draining and tough, but I faced it head on and tried to be positive and strong. I focused on what I had to do, trusted the medical community and my skilled surgeon and her team(I was not the first), prayed for strength, laughed when I could, and thanks be to God, today I am a survivor!
MARILYN
SURVIVOR Since 2004
My medical cancer journey began in the shower. I was slathering on some shaving cream when I felt a lump under my left arm, later to be diagnosed as cancer with the primary site being breast cancer. Since that time, I had eight surgeries in four years, sixteen weeks of chemotherapy, thirty-three radiation treatments, and thirty physical therapy treatments. I was also on IV Herceptin every three weeks for a year, to hopefully prevent a reoccurrence, since I was Her2nu positive, an aggressive form of cancer.
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Most of all, I would like to talk about my support journey because without the fantastic support system I have had, I probably would not be here today. The Lord has definitely taken me under his wing. My husband Dan had been at my side through this emotional and physical roller coaster. Although, it has helped us to have a sense of humor to get us through this journey. For instance, when my hair started to come out in clumps and getting so messy and annoying, we decided to do something about it. So Dan shaved my head, but I still had a little stubble, so Dan got out his electric razor and buzzed off the stubble. Now he said, "you have the Norelco Do." Dan said I was with him during his open heart surgery and rehabilitation so he was going to be there for me. He has been my rock.
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My daughters Angela and Melissa have been overwhelmingly supportive. They were with me when I picked out my wig. They were with me when Dan had to go out of town on business, even though they have children of their own for which to care. Then have given me constant encouragement and support. My youngest grandchildren, Phoebe and Izaak, were always making cute little "grandma get well cards." My oldest granddaughter, Shelby, even made me a breast cancer lap blanket.
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I was working at Mansfield Senior High School at the time of my diagnosis and I was very humbled by all my co-workers did for me. They put together an American Cancer Society Relay for Life team in my honor called "Tyger Paws." They even provided meals for us every day for what started out to be a month but ended up being three months. They said they wanted to fatten me up! Even the cafeteria ladies made sure I had Turkey Tid Bits, my favorite cafeteria meal. I don't know if you remember much about your cafeteria school meals but Turkey Tid Bits over mashed potatoes are umm umm good.
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My friends and neighbors rallied around me also, with kind words of support through gifts, cards, flowers, and meals on the weekends. Anytime I felt a little down all I had to do is look down our bedroom hallway and see the 400+ cards taped on the wall I received from everyone. It was an instant picker upper!
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Dr. Acuna and his surgical staff, Dr. Koh and his radiology staff, and Dr. Dewald and Dr. Hicks and their oncology staff were so kind and sincerely care about helping their patients to get through their treatments with the least amount of discomfort possible. They always go out of their way to be personable and make you feel like a special individual.
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The Reach to Recovery, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, and Bosom Buddies, sponsored by Mt. Carmel Hospital, are breast cancer support groups that have been a great source of education and encouragement to me. You develop a "sisterhood" with those who "have been there, done that," that no one else can understand.
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I had just finished my chemo treatments a couple of weeks before I attended my first Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, and the Race for the Cure, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which took place about a month apart. I was so moved by both events. The generosity of all the participants and sponsors was unbelievable. I am not an outwardly emotional person but when I walked the "Race" and the "Survivors Lap," and saw all the courageous people representing those who are now and those who had faces the challenges of cancer in the past, I was moved to tears it was so touching.
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I am now a 14 year survivor. I am a volunteer for the American Cancer Society's Reach for Recovery program. I also volunteer at the Mt. Carmel Cancer Support Center and co-facilitate a Breast Cancer Exercise program in Columbus, sponsored by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Being a part of these programs, has given me great satisfaction in helping others who are going through some of the same trials and tribulations I went through during my cancer journey. I continue to be inspired by their courage and strength. With God's guidance there is hope!
MARYALICE
SURVIVOR Since 2008
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Breast cancer has given me a new outlook on my life. I so love the people who treat me right. I forget and forgive about the ones who don't. I believe everything happens for a reason, even my Breast Cancer. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. I'm living each day so happy I woke to see another day!
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I just celebrated a mild stone with my 10 years anniversary from my diagnosis of cancer on March 18, 2008-2018. I went to Mt. Carmel and had a Lumpectomy on my right breast, 10 lymph node removed, where 3 were positive. My cancer was Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Stage 3. I was 45 years old when I first heard the news. It has changed the whole outlook on my life. Your life is your story, so write well and edit often. Cancer is a word and not a sentence. Cancer didn't bring me to my knees it just brought me to my feet. So I'm only letting cancer be a chapter of my story and not the whole part of my life.
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I realize all the wonderful friendships I have. I'm so happy that I have a special group of women in my life. I love all my Bosom Buddies and they are all so dear to my heart.💜 I'm a very lucky woman.💕