Survivors' Journal
Dear Barbara, God Bless you and your friends for sharing all kinds of useful info. I'm 53,diagnosed Nov 07 with Stage 3, node positive on right breast. Opted for doing chemo first, 8 accelerated rounds, now going for surgery. Insurance denied me a genetic test so I am pushing for a bilateral. Question is: should I try to get expanders put on w/Stage 3 and still going for radiation ? Or should I wait for any cosmetic procedure until I am completely healed? There are not many survivors Stage 3, node +, bilateral with expanders or reconstruction that I could find to get their experiencia. Any, any info would be greatly appreciated. I am very confused. Sincerely, Mac.
makita lacy
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In the dark hours of the morning on July 3rd 2005, a searing pain in my left breast woke me. Two weeks later, my entire world fell apart and began at the same time when I was told I had breast cancer. I was a temporary employee, had no health insurance, little savings, lived alone in a city with no family and fewer friends. I had never felt so completely hopeless and helpless in my life. My family was more than concerned and just as upset which made it more difficult. I thought being told of the cancer was the worst part of it all. But then there was to be surgery, a lumpectomy, and I couldn’t seem to wrap my mind around that. Just as the wounds from the surgery started to heal, the chemotherapy treatments were to begin. But somewhere in the madness of my thinking, I got out of bed and onto my knees to pray. I asked God to hold my hand and to ease the pain. The following Sunday, I called my mom to tell her that I no longer asked the question “Why Me”, I told her that “it had to be me”, as I dressed for church. As it turned out, I had not lost my faith. Cancer was the brute God used to change my life. After 6 months of chemotherapy, 36 rounds of radiation, mental therapy sessions for over a year (more if you count the sessions that I have with my mom and sisters) the loss of savings, good credit and having to move in with my family, life is better than it ever was. Since the cancer, my sister and I founded a non-profit for women with breast cancer in the Dallas Texas area, created to help women financially from diagnosis to recovery. Please visit our web @ smallpearlsofhope.org. In the 70's we were told a cure was on the horizon, The cure is great, but what about the day to day battle with finances? The cure means nothing if homelessness is 2 steps away from treatment. Small Pearls of Hope just want to make the public aware and get hope for those no longer living from paycheck to paycheck, but from one day to the next. Currently awaiting non-profit status.
Joyce Robert
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In Feb of this year, I became a 6 year SURVIVOR of breast cancer. Your book, Uplift, was such a blessing to me when I learned that I had breast cancer. Since then, I have recommended it to many other women with breast cancer. Being diagnosed with breast cancer is so devastating but coming through surgery, chemo & radiation has made me a stronger person with a much greater love of life. What a blessing my husband, family, & friends were during this time. My husband & I will celebrate our 50th anniversary in June & we feel so blessed that I am healthy & we will be able to celebrate this very happy occassion. I also found out how very important my faith in God was & still is an important part of my life. Thank you for your help during this time. I used so many of the tips offered by other survivors. Your book is GREAT!!
Lois Marks
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Barbara I think of you often and your UPLIFT books. I will be thinking of you tomorrow as I go for my 6 year check up. Can't believe it has been 6 wonderful years. Keeping my fingers crossed that there will be many more cancer free years to come. I can't tell you how many times I have had friends who have had breast cancer or their friend and I alway tell them to get your UPLIFT book (or I give them to my friends). Everyone of them has come back and told me what a wonderful book it is and it gave them so much courage to go on.
Lynda VeArd
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Uplift was introduced to me by my friend, Mary Kalinowski of Royal Oak, Michigan, who was diagnosed with BC about 6-9 months before me. (I have since told countless women about this amazing book.) Mary was my informal counselor throughout my ordeal, letting me know what to expect in chemo and radiation. Alas, we fell out of touch and it was with great sadness that last night I learned of her recent death. This one's for you, Mary.
Joyce Wiswell
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When I was diagnosed with breast cancer (small lump in my left breast) I opted for radical surgery..bilateral mastectomy. I was 62 and felt this was the safest route. I was upset by my family and friends reaction to the fact I had breast cancer. I had to lighten their load ... so I went to a sex shop and bought a pair of pasties(the kind the strippers wear). I told everyone what I had done and I planned to wear them into the operating room. I think those little red tassles shattered any concern my family and friends had for my well-being. I was a hit and a hoot ... the nurses and doctors still are talking about the crazy lady with the pasties. Needless to say my recovery has been just great. I have no cancer for today and for me the living of one day at a time with lots of injections of humor is the key. Forward ho!
mary macmillan
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Hi Barbara, Uplift has been a Godsend to me. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on 11/30/2007. I am currently undergoing chemo with a lumpectomy and radiation scheduled for later this year. I am grateful I caught it early (stage 2) but it is a terrifying experience. I started reading medical information and it just scared the life out of me. That's when I came across Uplift. So positive, so uplifting, such wonderful advice from women who have been there. In fact, one of your contributors, Sharon Daniels, is my wig lady! She is awesome! She helped me through my hair loss by shaving my head for me and helping me select a wig for every mood - three to be exact. I used the chapter on chemo to develop a shopping list for my first chemo session. Every little tip and trick has worked. After two rounds I'm feel remarkably well, not nearly as sick as I had imagined. I know it gets harder with every round but I'm determined to beat this monster. Thank you so much for your wonderful book. It gives me strength every day!
Sheree Beissner
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Hello Barbara We have just lost a dear member of the family after a 10 year battle with what started out as being breast cancer. Through this ten years I watched her husband stand by her through, chemo, radiation and assorted treatments. He was her rock, the shoulder to cry on when the cancer came back for a third time, she thought she was finally free of it.Yes she did cry, but guess what, she laughed at it and kept on going. She kept saying,"Ca va bien aller," everything will be fine. I think her biggest allie in her fight was her sense of humour. She might have cried once or twice but she mostly laughed. She was extremely optimistic. She was always planning some activity, a trip to Florida, to the cottage, pontoon boat, somewhere. Always talking about her plans, her children and her grand children. What her acquaintances remember her for, is her smile and grace. When she passed away her smile remained. Her catch phrase is now mine, Everything will be fine. And it is fine. She was an extraordinary woman who showed us how to live.
Andrée Saint-Louis
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Barbara, I'm celebrating my 7th year of being cancer free! No more tamoxifin or arimedex. Thank you again for including me in your wonderful book, "Uplift," so many women benefit from it, it's not a mystery anymore. I recommend it to everyone. Hope we meet someday! www.sharonswiggallery.com Hugs to you,
Sharon Daniels Schmitt
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I am still in treatment. Your book is wonderful. I have a hint. I do not like needles (does anyone). Each time I am going to be stuck, especially with IVs, I ask the nurse to talk to me while they are doing their business in my arm. I ask them to tell me something about themselves. When they answer, I listen, and it distracts me. I have learned a lot about a lot about the people who are trying to help me this way. I have learned not to focus on something unpleasant. And best of all, each time I am uplifted to see how hard the nurses try to come up with a story about themselves that will interest me. They really do care and I feel that caring and not the needle!
Joyce Zygelman
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