Letter from my daughter - Please help educate America

This is long but so very good to pass on.  There was no history of cancer in our family, she fell in the least risk catagory and almost died.  Please one and all help educate America that cancer is no respector of persons, it can happen to anyone at any age.  In August it will be 7 years since her last treatment.  She remains healthy (except for weight problems) and we pray to have her in our lives for many more years to come.

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October 1st, 2004

Today I was asked to write a paper on how I felt when I found out I had breast cancer. Well, that was the day before Thanksgiving, 1998. I had just turned 34 years old and had no family history of breast cancer. I was informed that it was a fast growing cancer and I was to be at the clinic first thing Friday morning, I was scheduled for a full mastectomy on my left side a week from THAT day?. Wow! Ok, I hung up the phone and thought?. ok, I better call and let my employer know I would be gone a bit? hmmm, better do that now so they know to cover me when everyone comes back from vacation. I felt ok, no crying, so I figured I would make the call and get it over with. I made the call?. Thinking, I?m ok with this, it ok?. But, when I started to SAY the words?. I HAVE BREAST CANCER? then I started to cry, I was mad at myself for allowing this reaction, after all, I?m the mother, the wife, the worker, the one that holds everything together! What would my family do, how would this effect THEM, I was thinking of everyone else. Seems funny that I had a life threatening disease but was worried about other things!

I remember being more upset about loosing my hair than my breast!

In hindsight, I get a good laugh at myself over THAT.

I found out a lot of things I didn?t know.

#1- there are a lot of different kinds of breast cancer. Isn?t it bad enough that there IS breast cancer without there being more than one kind?

#2- Depending on the kind you have depends on the type of Chemo they give you and how often. I thought chemo was chemo.

#3- some chemotherapies cause you to gain weight?. A LOT of weight!

#4- Laughter really IS the best medicine! I laughed and joked about EVERYTHING that was happening to me, and it not only made my outlook better but it helped other people to be able to deal with it as well.

Of course, there are a lot more things I learned and felt. But I would have to write a book!

I do feel that people need to be open about breast cancer and how it affects lives. When I was going through chemo and lost all my hair my kids lovingly dubbed me ?Kiwi Momma?  Haha :O)

When I had reconstructive surgery I was amazed how many people actually thought that it would be the same a normal breast? another big Haha   But I can go without a bra, I can wear backless, or anything else I want without hassle. Now my kids refer to ?it? as ?frankenboob? But we laugh! Always laugh? laugh? laugh?

My best advice to anyone? be positive!! Have fun. Don?t feel self conscious about it; if being open and talking about it helps just one person either, find it, get treatment or just deal with going through it you will have done a great service Don?t think that because you don?t have a family history or that you are ?Too young? that you are safe? do a self exam every month, get a mammogram, be aware of your body. Ask questions.

Most importantly? Laugh? laugh? laugh?

I really, REALLY needed this right now, thank your daughter for me.

WOW!!!  I'm so glad she is healthy!  My dad's mother had breast cancer, and both were removed.  That topic (any cancer, so many different types are in both sides of my family) has always been important to me.  Thanks for sharing her story! 

Thank you for sharing your dughter's story, how touching this was to read! I have had cancer affect those that I love and know how it changes life. Praise God that your daughter is healthy and what an awesome outlook she has (must've had a good mama)!!!

Supersized, I glad if this helped you.

If you notice the date, this was written in 2004.  I just keep it on my pc and every so often send it out to the people I know and love to remind them.  In the night last night, I thought of posting it here.  She really is a very strong person.

Thanks very much for sharing this.

I am 37 and I guess I am now considered high-risk since my mom is presently being treated for breast cancer.

I am going to go ahead and have a mammogram, even though they say 40 is when to start.  It might help them to have this first one, just in case.

And what a great reminder about being positive and enjoying the life you have been given.

Thank you!

nomore you must go! I turned 39 this past February. Last September I went for my first mammogram after putting it off for oh a year. They found a lump in my left breast and decided it needed to come out. When you went to do the surgery it "disappeared" They told me to come back in three months for a repeat mammogram. Me not wanting to deal with that situation all over again, put it off for 5 months and went in March, needless to say they then found the one that had disappeared in the left and now one in the right. I had them removed and all is fine now, but the whole point is take care of it now before it takes care of you. P.S. my Mom had her left removed and a portion of the right. 

Thank you for posting this. :)

VeeVee, thank you for sharing this with us. What an inspirational story.

Just make sure all of you pass this on to someone you know and urge them to take care of themselves and be sure you take care of yourselves, too.  Don't put off what needs to be done.  I am sure you all know there is a lot more to this story, but bottom like don't let this stuff take over.

Have had breast cancer in my family.  My best to you and your daughter.  If you would like to send me your names via private message, I will put you in my prayers.  May she stay well!

Have had numerous biops and lumps removed have been very lucky. Have to go get rechecked again. take care and hope all goes well with you daughter.

Thank you for sharing your daughters story!  She truely is blessed to have such a strong loving family and she's very strong to be able to keep a sense of humor about herself.

I admire her strength and determination! I only hope if I'm put in the same situation that I will be as strong.  No history here either, but I do a self exam every month (only 25 - but can't be too safe).

LOL @ Frankenboob!