Komen For The Cure

  Breast can survivors share their stories of hope and survival.

SHARE YOUR STORIES!

Name : Carol E
Hometown : Fleetwood PA
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : I am a survivor
Share your survival story : On May 12, 2008, I was overwhelmed with my diagnosis of breast cancer. That day will remain imprinted in my memory forever ....I was devastated. My parents, siblings, three daughters and fiancee became my concern but not for long. I was going to fight for me. Page forward, it is May 13, 2008, enough sulking I am ready to get started with getting this dreaded disease from my body. I have begun educating myself, making countless phone calls and scheduling multiple consults and appointments. I will survive but I must know everything about my treatment before I can make a decision. My friends and family have told me that it is my positive attitude that has sustained me emotionally and physically throughout this past year. Positive or not I will get the job done right. I had a 9 cm lump in my right breast. I called on my friends and family and everyone rallied around me to support me, cry with me and most especially love me. I am very lucky to have everyone on my side and my care being provided by godsend angels, my doctors and nurses. I could have not gone through everything without all their help, support and love. I had 5 months of chemotherapy, then surgery and 6 weeks of daily radiation. Many days, I could not see the end of the tunnel but it was there! December 10th was my surgery date. NO CANCER FOUND! February 26 was my last day of radiation. We celebrated the last day which is the first day of the rest of my life with a loud and lively gathering of all my work family. What a great night we had. How lucky am I to have been blessed with my family and my friends. Having been where I have been I will be there for anyone who needs to "know how they feel", I do and have been there. But, I am not there anymore. I am better!

Name : Trish Carroll
Hometown : Philadelphia
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Mom and Me
Share your survival story : My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and is a 9 year survivor. She is doing wonderful. Even though mom had it, I still never imagined it would happen to me too, especially not at 33 years old. I was diagnosed July of 2008 and I'm happy to say, I'm doing great. I'm almost through with radiation and counting down the days. Please tell everyone you know to do self exams and get those mammograms. I just want everyone to know, this disease can strike anyone. You have the power to take control and do something about it....early detection is the best medicine.

Name : Kriss M Bowles
Hometown : Land O' Lakes, FL
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : My husband had breast cancer and DID NOT SURVIVE
Share your survival story : My husband Brock got breast cancer and was dead 2 1/2 years late. If only we had known he could get breast cancer. Please tell everyone you know MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO.

Name : Terri J
Hometown : Mount Laurel, NJ
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : I am a survivor!
Share your survival story : Last year my mother and sister were diagnosed a month apart from each other with breast cancer. The both did very well and are cancer free today! Almost a year later I was diagnosed with stage IIA breast cancer. I know I will get through this because I have the support of my family, especially my mother and sister. Please donate to this worthy cause so we can find a cure for breast cancer!

Name : Diane Miller
Hometown : Philadelphia
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Survivor
Share your survival story : In May of 1999 I was first diagnosed. I was scheduled for surgery to have a lumpenctomy on June 23, and on the thursday before, my husband;s bosses company burned to the ground. Needless to say i was quite worried that he would be able to be there , but his boss being the compassionate man that he was alloowed my husband to come and be there for me, and that wasn't the only time. I needed a second lumpectomy 1 month kater because they found more cancer cells and he was there too!. As a matter of fact he took me to every chemo session.He was my rock and supporter through it all.After chemo. I went on to have radiation and he took me on a cruise after i was all done to celebrate. One year later we were at our first Komen Race. and then became advocates in the fiight against breast cancer. We chaired theCelebrate Life Luncheon, we co-chaired the Race for the Cure in 2004 and 2005 and we continue to work actively to help find a cure for this horrible disease. I don't want my grandaughter to have to worry. she is only four, but my dream is that the disease is eradicated soon. My husband and I are co-survivors and hope for the day when there is no need for a Race because we have found a cure!

Name : Charles Whitehead
Hometown : Westampton, NJ
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Husband
Share your survival story : In 2003 my wife, Mary was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. She had surgery to remove her breast and started chemotherapy. While receiving treatment, the doctor told her to quit work and focus on herself. Mary did just the opposite, she continued to work and would receive her radiation treatments early in the morning before going to work. Within a year, the doctor found a lump on her other breast and it too was removed. Mary decided at this point to have reconstruction surgery. Her surgery went well, but she got an infection that almost killed her. While recovering, Mary had to have a daily IV of antibiotics, which she did herself in the privacy of her cubicle at work-yes, she continued to work, even through this. Mary continues to receive chemotherapy and will for another 3 years. Mary continues to work as an Air Force officer, now stationed at McGuire AFB, NJ. Ever since her diagnosis and treatment for cancer, we have become active participants in the race for the cure events, especially in Washington, DC. We celebrated her fifth anniversary of being cancer free last year by, again, participating the the race for the cure, this time in Pennsauken, NJ at Cooper River Park's event. I am very proud of her strength and determination to beat this disease and the part she plays in contributing to cancer research and telling others, especially newly diagnosed women how she conquered cancer and offers her support as needed. She's my hero. Thank you for this opportunity to brag on her a bit.

Name : Arleen Boyes
Hometown : Churchville, PA
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : survivior
Share your survival story : I was diagnosed in 1999 and had a mastecomy with reconstruction in my left breast. I had 4 rounds of chemo and then I was on tamoxifen for five years and femara for three years. In Nov 2007, my cancer returned in my spine and then in Jan 2008, it returned in my mastecomy and in my right breast. I again had 4 rounds of chemo and a monthly treatment of zometa. I am now on aromosin, zometa and an oral chemo pill called xeloda. I take things day by day and enjoy volunteering and going to activities at Gilda's Club. Now our family is struggling because my 21 year old son had been diagnosed with melonoma,

Name : Thomas Sword
Hometown : Birdsboro PA
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Self- Victim of male Breast Cancer
Share your survival story : Hello! Last year I discovered that I had breast cancer. It has been a long road. But. I am shocked my how the United States seems to ignore men with breast cancer simply because it is not as common in men. We are a silent minority and are completely ignored in the press, on television and even in Cancer Society news. But, men still die of this disease too. Please do a story on breast cancer in men.

Name : Kriss M. Bowles
Hometown : Land O' Lakes, FL
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Wife
Share your survival story. : My story isn't a story of survival. My story is about my husband Brock that died from breast cancer. Brock was having pain in his spine and ribs. He went to the doctor in November of 2001 to get an appointment because he was having back pain. As he was making an appointment he mentioned to the receptionist he had a lump in his right breast. Within 5 minutes he was in to see the doctor for the lump. The next day Brock went to his surgeon and was sent for a mammogram. This is when we found out that he had breast cancer. The beginning of January Brock had his right breast and 13 lymph nodes removed. The doctor didn't give us much hope. Brock went through chemo and radiation treatments until July 2004. On September 16, 2004 I lost my husband to breast cancer. Brock fought a hard fight. While he was getting his treatments he inspired the people around him with his positive attitude and outlook on life. Since that time I have tried to get the word out that "MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO." Fathers that get breast cancer can pass it on to their children just like mothers can. More men are loosing the battle from breast cancer. Please Channel 3 when you mention breast cancer in women also mention men get breast cancer, too. BREAST CANCER ISN'T JUST A WOMAN'S DISEASE ANYMORE.


Name : Patti Kostrubiak
Hometown : Perkasie,PA
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Self
Share your survival story. : I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 39. I had no risk factors,no family history. I didn't have a lump,just a thickening in the skin,which the doctor ordered a precautionary mammogram since I was not 40 yet. The cancer journey began. A lumpectomy, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy,3 months of radiation.Because of research and money being raised to fight breast cancer, I was one of the first in my area to receive Herceptin once a week for a year. I was not going to let cancer stop me. I have a wonderful husband and two awesome children who needed me and I was going to do whatever it took to make it through this.I was way to young to die.I was going to fight and fight hard. I kept a positive attitude,laughed alot and took one day at a time, one treatment at a time. It is now 4 years later ,I am cancer free. 1 year after my cancer treatments I fulfilled my life long dream and became a firefighter.I truly believe with each new day there is HOPE that we will find a cure for breast cancer and we will win the fight.

Name : Christopher Koniers
Hometown : Willow Grove PA
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : SELF
Share your survival story : On May 9, 2008 I underwent a right mastectomy for breast cancer. In and of itself this would not be out of the ordinary except that I am a male (1 in 1000 men get breast cancer) and also I am married to a Breast Cancer survivor (11 years). We won't be at the race this year as I am still in Holy Redeemer Hospital. All our thoughts and prayers are we our fellow survivors. My wife told me you become a survivor the day you get the diagnosis. I am a 2 week survivor. If you need anymore information, I can be reached at ckoniers@comcast.net or fkoniers@hotmail.com.

Name : Kriss M. Bowles
Hometown : Land O' Lakes, FL
Relationship to Breast Cancer Survivor : Wife
Share your survival story : My story isn't a story of survival. My story is about my husband Brock that died from breast cancer. Brock was having pain in his spine and ribs. He went to the doctor in November of 2001 to get an appointment because he was having back pain. As he was making an appointment he mentioned to the receptionist he had a lump in his right breast. Within 5 minutes he was in to see the doctor for the lump. The next day Brock went to his surgeon and was sent for a mammogram. This is when we found out that he had breast cancer. The beginning of January Brock had his right breast and 13 lymph nodes removed. The doctor didn't give us much hope. Brock went through chemo and radiation treatments until July 2004. On September 16, 2004 I lost my husband to breast cancer. Brock fought a hard fight. While he was getting his treatments he inspired the people around him with his positive attitude and outlook on life. Since that time I have tried to get the word out that "MEN GET BREAST CANCER, TOO." Fathers that get breast cancer can pass it on to their children just like mothers can. More men are loosing the battle from breast cancer. Please Channel 3 when you mention breast cancer in women also mention men get breast cancer, too. BREAST CANCER ISN'T JUST A WOMAN'S DISEASE ANYMORE.

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