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• May 14, 2013 4:16 a.m.

  my mother age is 66.she is having breast cancer 4stage. doctr recmend for chemo but she is not ready for chemo.so mother take ayurvedic medicin from himachl (meclodgnj)so please tell the full diet chart

  - chetna

• July 24, 2012 3:33 p.m.

  Reading all the commentsit gives me great comfort and encouragement to continue my treatment. I have completed my 8 rounds of chemo (including 4 rounds of Taxol), taking herceptin for a year and is about to do radiation. Believing and trusing in God have strengthened my faith to go on and I consider myself a Survivor.

  - Jocelyn

• October 31, 2011 5:43 p.m.

  This is my second time around with breast cancer. I had it in '94 and was free for 17 years. Now it is back in both breasts and I had to have a bilateral masectomy. I had 3l days of radiation and am currently struggling with tightness in the chest and a seroma left by the radiation. I am not joyful I am angry and frustated that it came back. I can't seem to move on as I did before in '94. I also have lymphedema in the chest area and I am seeing a Physical therapist for that now. I hate the tight feeling across the chest and nothing seems to help relief it. I tried ice, heat, NSAIDS, PT, and exercises.

  - Colleen

• May 28, 2011 10:08 p.m.

  Like Mary Ellen, I was a stage two, no node involvement triple negative patient. Because I am participating in a clinical trial, I was involved in neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment (makes total sense to me, as the tumor's response to chemo can be tracked), and my 3cm tumor disappeared after five rounds of chemo. However, unlike Mary Ellen, I am finishing up the last of 16 rounds on Tuesday of next week. A lumpectomy follows in early July followed by radiation. Like Mary Ellen I feel very good about my treatment, chances of long-term survival, and look forward to resuming life as I once knew it, though I know it'll be awhile before that fully happens. I refuse to live in fear and "give in" to cancer. I face forward, not backwards!

  - Wendy

• May 14, 2011 11:39 p.m.

  I, too, am a breast cancer survivor/thriver. My diagnosis 2 years ago came initially as stage 4. I am truly blessed to have achieved remission and even now approaching a second remission, thanks to my brilliant oncologist and much lifestyle remodeling. I am here to tell you that this disease is not hopeless and you are not helpless. I blog at help your own healing.com - all one word - and hope I can help everyone else the way I have been helped. I thank the Mayo Clinic for the wonderful resource material and this encouraging blog. We all need as much encouragement as we can get with this and other serious diseases. For Erin and others like her who are young and facing stage 4 mets, you must remind yourself that there is so much research coming to fruition today, new treatments every year and we are at the point, I believe, where the disease stats are changing and long term survival at any stage is possible. Believe and do, and if your doctor does not think this is possible like my first doctor didn't, get another one who does. You can do it as scary as it seems right now. Live and thrive, not merely survive. My best wishes to everyone.

  - PATRICIA

• April 27, 2011 8:53 a.m.

  I am so glad I went to this site, as "living" is what I am trying to focus on. I had two surgeries on my left breast in October 2010 and was done with radiation by the New Year! I thank God everyday and the people who helped me. However, I am still afraid, and again "living" made me focus today. Thank you ALL

  - Pam

• April 13, 2011 12:18 p.m.

  It give me pleasure to be able to post a comment on this site. I am a 45 year survivor. Treatment was quite different in 1966 than today, and by all accounts I probably should not have survived, but I had a wonderful doctor who did a radical mastectomy and a simple mastectomy two years later. That was it. No chemo, no radiation, and actually only a yearly followup after that. I believe I was blessed because I knew so little, that I just believed I was cured. I thanked my doctor and God and went on with life. I too carry my battle scars, but I never let them slow my life. Even at 80 I still do Aqua Areobic (I make my own swimsuits)enjoy my time with my son and grandchildren and life is good. Just think about how much more is known about treatment today. I send each and everyone of you my prayers, and believe you too will be a survivor.

  - Karoline

• April 6, 2011 6:10 p.m.

  I deeply appreciated reading Mary Ellen's "testimony".I can identify completly as I too am no longer living with cancer, but simply living. I have the battle scars to prove I was in a battle,(the exact same scars that she mentioned) but they only serve to make me more grateful that I won the fight.I thank and praise God for healing virtue in my body and for all my wonderful doctors and nurses at Montefiore North in the Bronx, New York. I am blessed and I am grateful for my "testimony".

  - Camille

• April 2, 2011 2:16 p.m.

  i was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. i have some fears and anxiety about treatment, poss incl surgery, chemo or radiation. i appreciated reading each ladies' comments on how she is dealing with her cancer and its effects on her mind, body and spirit. thank you for sharing, you encouraged me, Lani-typed by daughter michelle

  - Lani

• April 1, 2011 12:41 p.m.

  I to live my life each day to the fullest. I had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radation. I beleive with everything in my body that the Lord has healed me. I received my diagnosis in 2008 and I am blessed, as of today I am cancer free. I to struggle with the changes that chemo and radation left on my body. I have to remind myself each day the scares that our Lord and savior Jesus suffered on the cross for all of our sins. I try to be a blessing each day and be happy facing the world with a smile and the joy that is giving me. My advice to anyone going thru treatment is to let go and let God be your healer. Cancer is a terrible disease but we can survive it with the help of a good support system and the love of God.

  - Annie

• March 28, 2011 3:44 p.m.

  Erin - hope you are still checking in on this blog - I too had breast cancer initially in 2007, lumpectomy, chemo & radiation and still the cancer returned to the bones in my spine (and pelvis) 3 years later. Do not blame yourself or think you were foolish to believe the doc. They don't know everything! No one fully understands this disease, be it breast cancer or another form. I am considerably older than you, 58 at first diagnosis so my heart goes out to you having to deal with this at such a tender age. All best.

  - Cynthia

• March 19, 2011 4:27 a.m.

  I am new to your group but look forward to being part, I was first told i had breast cancer at 27yrs and following a bilateral mastectomy was told by my dr that I was cured no need to follow-up folish me. Now here i am at 34 the cancer is back and has moved to the bones in my spine. My new dr says I am responding well to treatment as my tumor markers keep dropping but the spread to my spine scares me. Any words of wisdom that might help.This latest diagnosis came in october of this past year so my current battle hasen't been going on for that long yet. Thank you.

  - Erin

• March 10, 2011 12:51 p.m.

  kat, I do understand how you feel.I can't say having breast cancer is a blessing either.I have been dealing with faith issues because lots of bad things happen to good people.The positive is I really don't care about small issues anymore and I am going to have fun.I am leaving for some warm weather since my treatments are done now. I really hope things get better for you.

  - Kathy

• March 3, 2011 3:03 p.m.

  Thank you so much for this blog. I had a mastectomy on February 17, 2011 after being diagnosed with Paget's disease - a rare form of breast cancer. I'm doing pretty well physically and emotionally too but there are days when I'm so fearful. I have a strong support system in terms of my family- my mother is a breast cancer SURVIVOR and THRIVER for more than ten years. She is my hero and my help.

  - Denise

• February 28, 2011 7:05 p.m.

  I'm a little over a year post treatment and soon to be two years out from my diagnosis. I'm doing pretty well physically and emotionally although I will never be the same. What I never hear from others is the irritation I feel when people talk about the blessings and positive things that came from having had cancer. To me this is "happy horse****!" There is nothing positive about having cancer. I do not have a day without discomfort (pain in my breast and arm from the lymph node dissection that research is now telling us is unnecessary and peripheral neuropathy in my feet) , my sex life is virtually gone, and I have a decided lack of energy. I can and DO cope but spare me the "I'm better for it" speeches.

  - kat

• February 27, 2011 6:57 a.m.

  Today I am so very tired of not just fighting cancer but of having to be oh so positive in the face of it all. I am just so tired of all of this, and now feel guilty for being tired of all of it.

  - Cynthia

• February 26, 2011 12:55 p.m.

  Sorry everyone...you can tell I am a rookie blogger (and too wordy) however here is what was cut off in my first post: Kris, with respect to your question about what I consider to be my “cancerversary” date (great term!), my understanding is survival rates are considered from the date of diagnosis. However, my oncologist first used the term “survivor” once my treatment was finished. So, that is the point where I feel comfortable calling myself a survivor. However, honestly, my personal goal is to not pay too much attention to either. Why? I really need to work on being present today. I am afraid if I focus too much on past issues or future milestones, I will replay my life much as it was before cancer, i.e., reliving past difficulties and worrying about and/or waiting for future events that may or may not occur. Ultimately missing the gift of today. If I pay too much attention to the term “survivor” I feel I risk that becoming the primary focus for who I am or how I am perceived. Instead, I kind of like “MaryEllen, totally amazing mother, wife, grandmother and friend!” Ok, ok...I may have some more work to do to earn these labels, however, they fit better with what truly is important to me and what I aspire to be...now more than ever. Thanks all for being here. MaryEllen

  - MaryEllen

• February 26, 2011 12:49 p.m.

  To each and every one of you, I offer my genuine thanks for reaching out to others and me through your comments. As I read your remarks, I am reminded how important it is to acknowledge the fact everyone’s cancer journey is unique and must be understood as such. We are done such a disservice when we are lumped together in terms of experiences; no two are exactly the same just like no two of us are the same. We may share a diagnosis in common, we may share a fight for life in common, however, the weapons, the reinforcements, the support and the power of the enemy facing us are unique to our own battlefield and our own bodies. The challenges of your cancer diagnosis and treatment are not mine and vice versa. As I reach out in a global way my prayer is that I do not minimize your experience with my comments; rather that I value the differences while providing a sense of camaraderie and support. Cheryl, you questioned how long ago I was diagnosed. I was diagnosed in November 2009 with Stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer with no node involvement. I had six rounds of chemotherapy followed by radiation. My last treatment was the end of June 2010. As of this writing I am eight months post treatment. It is hard to believe. Kris, with respect to your question about what I consider to be my “cancerversary” date (great term!), my understanding is survival rates are considered from the date of diagnosis. However, my oncologist first used the term “survivor” once my treatment was fini

  - MaryEllen

• February 22, 2011 10:33 p.m.

  I had a modified radical mastectomy at Mayo in 1988 for stage 3 breast cancer. I had some problems with chemo brain for a while, especially rage and depression, but fortunately my OB-GYN at home was able to help me with Prozac, on which I have remained for most of the 22+ years since then. I have been blessed with two grandchildren, retirement, and the opportunity to care for my mother during the last 10 years of her life. Life is full and I am so blessed. Thank you, God, and thank you, Mayo Clinic!

  - Caroline

• February 22, 2011 12:09 p.m.

  Thank you for this Mary Ellen. We share the exact procedures and I wear the scares proudly. I am almost 4 years clear and am now retired. I think I approach life in more detail and less hurry. I agree that whatever comes my way, I am cared for. Bless you and all the others who have responded or will respond.

  - Wendy

• February 21, 2011 11:01 a.m.

  I'm entering my 2nd year after dealing with breast cancer. I was very fortunate with a stage 1 with only speckleing in the direct lymph nodes. I have learned to enjoy &appreciate every day and strongly believe that God is taking care of me with what ever is in my future. I still "wonder at times" if & when but keep saying God is handling everything.

  - Judy

• February 19, 2011 7:27 a.m.

  like deanne .it is hard to say cancer free.7yrs ago i had vocal cancer 6yrs ago thyroid removed. suspect. 3 yr had dbl breast 2 different kinds both invasive. radiation and cemo done 2 yrs no problem .Getting through easier then now .Im very busy and going on with my life but its always there where next ?? Sometimes its hard living with cancer.

  - lee

• February 18, 2011 10:57 a.m.

  I want to share this poem based on my working with kids with cancer and which explains why I consider my stage IV metastatic cancer the greatest gift I have ever received! my angels terminally ill we walk together only they are innocent and pure our fun together my small gift through their joy my atonement their gift to me is love unconditional approach the ward a deep breath quick prayer now slowly i enter one is awake his face racked with pain i greet him and am seen a suffering face now smiles through their love i have been transformed to these young kids i am an angel dear God i have become a better man

  - Derrick

• February 18, 2011 7:59 a.m.

  Our will to embrace life even in the face of cancer is astounding. I surprise myself every day with my strength facing Stage IV metastatic breast cancer to the bones. I agree we are in a new category and sometimes I feel like one of the untouchables...To anyone who enjoys reading, please find a copy of "The Red Devil" by Katherine Russell Rich. Published 1999. I had to buy used on bn.com. What a uplifting read. "Cancer reconfigures body and mind". This book helped me find a few new ways to cope.

  - Cynthia

• February 17, 2011 11:48 p.m.

  I always think it's wonderful to hear someone say they are cancer free. I wish all those who are diagnosed and treated could eventually utter those words. Sheryl has the best attitude- to concentrate on living. However, there is a very real distinction between living, living cancer free after successful treatment, and living with cancer having had treatment. I had a mastectomy, was declared cancer free after my post operative pathology ( in fact, I was told I probably never had cancer!), only to learn three years later that the breast cancer had metastasized to my stomach lining. I had chemotherapy and am very fortunate to be responding to adjuvant therapy, and believe me when I say I am very much concentrating on living with cancer. I feel well, have good energy and am living my life to my fullest because I know it is compressed. I agree with Mary that a patient is in a totally different category when he/she is declared cancer free. The former has a cloud that always lingers and affects all decisions while the latter allows one to resume a much lighter attitude toward the remainder of his/her life. Perhaps someday all those diagnosed will be able to refer to their journey in the past tense, but until science finds the cure, many of us still have to use the present tense- and that comes with many challenges. Good wishes to all those continuing to live with cancer. Deanne

  - Deanne