Survivor Profiles

My name is Suzanne and I am a wife, a mother, and a survivor. I was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer almost eight years ago at the age of 31. My prognosis was only six months and three of those first few were spent in turmoil of trying to understand treatments and procedures. It was through the ACOR list-serv that I met a gentleman that changed my life. He, too, had colon cancer and was receiving treatment. He suggested that I look for another oncologist and grab onto some hope of my own. He had a daughter my age. I was diagnosed 19 years before screening is even recommended and learned too late that a family history is a predisposition for colon cancer. It's important that everyone become aware of their histories and know the warning signs for this disease. Knowledge helps to make the disease preventable, treatable, and beatable! I have been fortunate in that when I was diagnosed only one chemotherapy was available to treat it. Since then seven more have been developed and I've benefited from all of them. I no longer think of my disease as a terminal one and enjoy the discoveries that help to make it a chronic one. I am an active advocate for Colorectal Cancer Coalition, ACS, LAF, and NCCS. This past year has given me opportunities that I never thought would be possible including an appearance on the Today Show, published articles in several magazines, and countless appointments with elected representative and Senators. In addition to that, I've watched my oldest daughter start off to college, enjoyed my youngest daughter's sixteenth birthday, and celebrated another birthday of my own and my husband and I shared our 21st anniversary together. Support systems - comprised of family and friends and those with a similar diagnosis - are very necessary on this journey. It makes the path much easier to travel.
-Suzanne

I was diagnosed with stage III ovarian cancer in 2001. I have the most wonderful oncologist, Dr, Matthew Burrell who always answers my questions and takes the time necessary to examine and speak with me. I have been cancer free since 2001. My family has been there for me in every way, and I thank them so much for their love and support. I couldn't have done it without them!
-Peggy J.

Hi, my name is Meri. I am 29 years old, a wife, a mother and a 3 year breast cancer survivor.

My journey began November 17, 2003. I remember the day like it was only yesterday. The day was sunny and unusually warm for November. My mom and my newborn baby went with me to get my first and only mammogram. I remember sitting in my gown surrounded by woman much older then I was. I remember thinking to myself "I don’t belong here". The tech called my name and I went in for what turned out to be my saving grace. After about 1 hour I got called back in for the mammogram results. My worse fear was confirmed. There was an 80% chance it was breast cancer and I needed to schedule a biopsy immediately. I ran out of the room leaving my Mother, baby and the radiologist. I could not stand to hear the words. How could I have breast cancer at 26 years old? I just had a baby. I wanted to see my baby take his first steps, say his first word. My life was now full of uncertainty. My surgeon scheduled me to have a biopsy the following Monday. I cried through the whole p rocedure. I went home and had the longest wait of my entire life. 24 hours later it was officially confirmed. I had invasive ductal carcinoma with extensive DCIS, a non invasive breast cancer. Because of the extensive DCIS, I had no choice but to have a mastectomy. When my surgeon told me I had to have a mastectomy I was shocked! I was going to lose my breast at only 25. 2 days later I had my mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy. When I awoke from the mastectomy my entire chest was covered in bandages and I had 2 drains in my side. The drains were in place to keep the swelling to a minimum. It didn’t hit me until a month later that I only had 1 breast.

Thankfully, my lymph nodes came back negative. I thought I was at the end of my breast cancer journey, but in reality it was just the beginning. I went to 3 different Oncologist. Every Oncologist had a different opinion on what course of treatment I should have. After seeing the 3 Oncologist I picked the one that made me feel safe, the one that gave me a hug and said you’re going to be fine. At that time in my life, that is what I needed to hear. I needed to hear that I was going to be okay because I didn’t know what my future held. My Oncologist and I decided on 3 months of chemotherapy because of my age. The day of my first chemo my Mother, husband and sister-in-law came with me. I walked into the chemo room with my hair done, makeup on. I thought if I looked good then the chemo wouldn’t touch me. It was hard for me to sit in the chemo room. Everyone looked at me wondering why I was there. Giving me sympathetic looks. I was the youngest in the room by a t least 20 years. I could not be in the room. I asked the nurse if I could go into a private room. My family and I put on a movie and I tried not to think about what was going into my body. 21 days after my first chemo I started to lose my hair. Losing my hair was harder then losing a breast. I could hide the fact that I lost my breast, but how was I going to hide the fact that I lost my hair? I wore my wig almost 24/7. I could not bear to have my husband, children or even myself see me without hair.

Going in for my 2nd, 3rd and final chemo was a little easier because I new what to expect. I told myself I was going to try and sit in the chemotherapy room with all the other women and men getting there chemo. I sat in the same chair at every treatment. The chair was in the back and it made me feel safe. After a while I was laughing and joking around with the other woman and men in the chemotherapy room. One thing I noticed was even though the people surrounding me in the chemotherapy room were fighting for their lives they still had so much more life left. They were happy to be alive; they cherished ever moment and always took the opportunity to laugh. Those woman and men taught me to do the same. After chemotherapy ended I decided to have a prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction on both sides. I wanted to be whole again. I wanted to be able to dress in tank tops. After I had the reconstruction I felt like a new person. I felt whole again. I even felt beautiful and that was something I didn’t feel for a very long time.

6 months later I decided to have a total hysterectomy to eliminate the estrogen in my body. The hysterectomy sent me into complete menopause at the age of 26. The decision to have the hysterectomy did not come easy. Part of me still wanted to have children. But most importantly I wanted to be here for my children, and my husband. I am still feeling the effects of the hysterectomy. I frequently have hot flashes and have all my windows open in the dead of winter.

I won’t say the last 3 years have been easy. It’s been tough. A roller coster of emotions. But I did learn an important lesson. You can and do get breast cancer young. But you can survive. You know your body better then anyone. Monthly breast exams can save your life. The earlier you catch breast cancer the better your prognosis.

It gives me great pride in being able to help others with my story.

Sometimes I still look at my mastectomy scars and can’t believe what has happened the last 3 years. Those scars tell a story of my fight for survival.
-Meri

In 2004 during a routine colonoscopy (for Crohns Disease) a polyp was found to be Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was a 78 year old widow but with two wonderful children, five super grandchildren and even three great-grands. I also had a supportive group of friends which was a great help since none of my family lived in Lakeland. I never said "why me". I just decided to go to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville because my husband had been treated there twice. Tests showed that there were no other sites involved. My chemo treatments were every three weeks for a total of six. My son and daughter-in-law live in Jacksonville which made it easy for me to stay with them for three or four days before and after my treatments. I had other necessary lab work done here at home. Fortunately I tolerated the chemo very well. There was fatigue. Had to give up tennis and working out but that was a small price to pay. After each session my kids would pick me up and we would go out to dinner. It is now three years since my initial diagnosis and all scans and colonoscopies have been clear. At 81 I am doing everything I did before the lymphoma. My family and friends played a most important part in my recovery. To anyone facing the same diagnoses, I say, "Just do what is necessary, keep a positive attitude and NEVER give up!

This is a poem I wrote after I had finished my chemo for Non-Hodgkins lymphoma and had been pronounced cancer-free.

The path report, the disbelief
The trip to Mayo Clinic
It makes on one a stoic
But not of one a cynic.

The scans, the tests, the waiting
And finally the chemo.
Tracking down those little nodes
Was a lot like finding Nemo

The ups and downs, the highs and lows
Were with me all the while
But looking like Yul Brynner
Never failed to make me smile.

I still don't have to worry
About how to style my hair.
The caps and scarves are easy
And the wigs are wash and wear.

It took so many people to help me see this through,
My children and their children
And the little great-grands too
And all my friends from near and far
Like you...and you...and you.

But now the worst is over
And my new life has begun
So I'll borrow words from Tiny Tim,
"God Bless you, everyone"

I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 1991 when I was 37 years old. This was discouraging because it followed a three year period in which I had radically improved my diet, exercise and lifestyle and I was the healthiest I had ever been in my life. I was given a lumpectomy and treated with chemo and radiation. Thanks to the alternative methods I pursued to augment these treatments I had minimal side effects other than losing my hair. In fact, I was even able to run the NYC marathon in the middle of chemo! Five years later, my mother threw me a party. A year after that, I had a recurrence in the same breast, which merited a partial mastectomy. At that time, I was reluctant to do any further mainstream treatments other than surgery since I believed they caused the recurrence, and instead upped my alternative/holistic regimen and spiritual practice. A year after that, I discovered a lump above my collarbone which was possibly a sign of Stage IV cancer. Once again, I was reluctant to do any further mainstream treatments other than surgery, and instead put even more emphasis on my alternative/holistic regimen and spiritual practice. Today, I remain cancer-free, and I can truly say that I am grateful for having had cancer as it provided the impetus for me to improve my life in ways I never imagined I'd find meaningful, and to accomplish several lifetime goals, including the publication of my first novel, Boob, A Story of Sex, Cancer & Stupidity.
-Karen V

My name is Jan and I am a stage 4 ovarian cancer survivor for 11 years now with no recurrence to date. Had a complete hysterectomy in Aug. of 1996 and chemo treatments following the surgery. A lot to get through and while things did not look good I over came this cancer. Today I am doing well and cancer free. I am very lucky and thankful. I have met many ladies dealing with this ovca and we must continue to get the word out there for awareness. Keep talking about it to others and perhaps we can help some how. Pay attention to your body and if anything is suspected get to a good gyn. and get checked out with the right exams. Never ignore anything that is not quite right as it can be too late. One day at a time and keep the faith.
-Jan

Tell you story (100 words max): I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer back in 2002 and I’m still here to talk about it after 6 Doctors and a Major Cancer Hospital gave me the diagnosis of terminal stage four with envolvement to two lymph nodes. I was able to be refereed to a Doctor, who was willing to take a chance with me for surgery to debulk my cancer, that was 3 ago and presently there is no cancer visible. And a special thanks to my wife who has done more than any human could possibly ask. She is the real hero. And especially to G-d who granted me a second life to live and appreciate every day and moment.
-Harelik L

I went to see my regular physician in November 2005 and he ran some blood tests. When I went back for the follow up visit he told me that my PSA was 17.4. He told me that I would have to see a urologist. In January 2005 I heard three words that I did not want to hear. “You have Cancer.” For some unknown reason the doctors went three years without taking my PSA. It went from 2.1 to 17.4 and my Gleason score was a 9. The most amazing thing was when I asked the doctor, “How do we treat this?” he could not give me a definite answer. He gave me a book to read about prostate cancer. I went to Duke and they told me that they would not do surgery. My doctor told me that Brachytherapy would probably leave cold spots and cause urinary morbidity. I finally went to a radiation oncologist who told me that I needed three methods of treatment. I needed hormone therapy; External Beam Therapy, followed by Brachytherapy PD-103 implants. On July 14, 2005 I was implanted with 103 seeds. For the first three months, everything went well and then the urinary frequency began. They said that it would happen and last for only three to four weeks. Three months later it was only getting worse. None of the medications for frequency had any impact on it. About two months later I was voiding every hour both day and night. One night I sat in the bathroom with a bottle of drugs. I was about to overdose with the bottle up to my mouth and then I said, “NO!, I am going to find a way to survive.” I put the pills away and began to think about my family and what this would do to them.

I had a Video Uradynamics Test done at Duke that showed that I had Bladder Outlet Obstruction as a complication from the radiation therapy. I flew to the west coast and saw a Dr. James Gasparich in Seattle. He said that I needed surgery to remove the obstruction. I told him that my radiation oncologist told me that I had a 50/50 chance of being permanently incontinent from the surgery. I said, “I do not wish to go on living, being enslaved by a urinal.” He told me that he had done the surgery before and the patients had no problems from it. On November 14th, 2006, Dr. Gasparich performed a PVP green light surgery to remove the obstruction. Today I still have some frequency, but it is nowhere near what I was going through before. Last night we went out to eat with my son, grandson and his wife. My grandson is 20 months old and lighted up like a Christmas tree when I picked him up. He smiled and hugged me. He said, “My Georges!” as he patted me on the back. I do not know if the cancer is gone, but for now I have the greatest treasure any man could ever want. I have two beautiful grand children.
-George S.

Back in Dec. '00 I hurt my neck on the job. In Jan. '01 I needed an MRI of my neck. A friend Doctor of ours (we didn't have insurance) did the MRI for us and the owner of my job paid for it. Dr. Nucci said he thought he would never have to say this "It is a good thing you got hurt". I had cancer. The next few days I don't recollect, this part comes from my unbelievable husband. The following day was " ask a Doctor" day on Fox News 13. He got through and the Doctor asked who was that screaming in the background. It was me. My husband was instructed to take me to the hospital that the recommended cancer Doctor worked out of (Helen Ellis) through the emergency room. It was a 45 minute drive from our house, but well worth it in the end. I was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer with less than a 5% chance of making it to the end of the year. I had a grapefruit size tumor on my upper, right lobe which was attached to my ribs and through my lymph nodes on the upper, right side. My husband had to be sedated for a couple of days. A day or two later He said I told him "I'm going to kick this in its a__ and send it right back where it came from. The rest is where I start remembering: I remember being hooked up to a morphine pump, around about 70 or so lbs., be-bobbing around my bed with Dr. Araujo sitting in a chair with his mouth touching the floor.

After a few days they decided to go ahead and do chemo and radiation treatments. The morning of my first batch of chemo I sent my husband home to check on our cat (Mike had been here for days). There were 2 Doctors and 8 - 10 nurses that were on my floor whom actually weren't supposed to be there (but yes they were). The batch was too strong for my body to handle. I remember trying to jump off my bed (to get Mike - screaming his name) and hands trying to keep me on my bed. I remember seeing a great, white light which was very calming. The next thing I remember is waking up in ICU at 1:00 am. I was put in my room by 8:00 am. I proceeded to have 35 radiation treatments and 6 - 7 batches of chemo. In June '01 they decided to remove my upper, right lobe. The surgeon told me the minimum he was taking out was my upper, right lobe, several of my ribs and some of my lymph nodes. He ended up taking just my lobe. They allowed Mike to go into pathology with them while they dissected my lobe. They had an idea which kind of tumor I had, but they wanted to be sure. While they were dissecting my lobe they asked Mike if I was a smoker. I was a 30+ year smoker. They were amazed.

They could not tell by looking at my lobe. They continued to dissect my lobe, but the tumor was no where to be found. To this day I am still cancer free, I can do my cancer scans once a year instead of every 6 mos. I have always been a very positive person. Now I am even more positive. I almost forgot: Dr. Araujo put me in the newspaper and to this day he tells every one of his patients that walk through his door "my story". I cried when I found out. His chemo nurse and I try to keep in touch as much as we can. The last thing I also believe in is "You have got to Believe"
-Christine B.

I was 10 years old when I first started menstruating. During this time, my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and the doctors told my father that she had six months to live. I can remember being so upset that something was happening to me because of the bleeding, and I was afraid to tell my father. When he found out that I started menstruating, he asked a female friend of the family tell me the facts of life because my mother was too sick. My mother died six months after her surgery, two months after my 11th birthday.

I didn’t have an easy time of young womanhood. My periods were painful and heavy. At the young age of 13, I was taken to an osteopathic doctor who gave me my first internal examination, and he put me on birth control pills for the cramps.

After my marriage and two successful pregnancies, the periods would still be painful and heavy. I faithfully made my yearly visits to the gynecologist. One day I got a call from the doctor's office that my pap smear showed pre-cancer cells. Finally, after years of complaining of heavy bleeding and cramps, I had a laparoscopy and was diagnosed with endometriosis and a fibroid. The gynecologist also told me I had high levels of estrogen. I was given injections of a powerful drug called Lupron, which puts the body in a menopausal state. I had these injections every month, for six months. Everything seemed to be under control for a while, but the heavy bleeding and cramps came back, and I started complaining of spotting between periods. An endometrial biopsy revealed I had endometrial hyperplasia.

During a routine gynecological exam, I asked my gynecologist if I should have a hysterectomy, since I seemed to be plagued with this diagnosis of endometrial hyperplasia. I was in my late forties now, and I surely wasn’t going to have any more children. She told me that it wouldn’t be a good idea, that it was major surgery and she didn’t think it was necessary.

Around 1998, I wasn’t feeling well in other areas of my body. I started experiencing indigestion and gas and I was popping antacids and over-the-counter gas medications like crazy. I started eliminating certain foods and drinks from my diet hoping I would feel better. I was making homemade organic soups, using recipes from health food cookbooks, drinking lots of water and exercising, but nothing seemed to help. When I turned 50, I finally got up the nerve to go to the gastroenterologist. In March 2003, I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. I had one polyp that was removed and declared negative for cancer. The endoscopy was normal. The gastroenterologist prescribed Zantac for the acid reflux and said, “See you in five years.”

I had my yearly gynecologist appointment in early April 2003. I mentioned to her that I had a lot of pain in my left side and was having gastrointestinal problems. She ordered a sonogram. They found a cyst on my left ovary, which concerned them because it was large. The doctor said they would do another sonogram in three months to see if it was still there. That same month, my gynecologist also performed a D&C because I was still experiencing unusual bleeding between periods. I was diagnosed with endometrial polyps and a thick endometrial lining (hyperplasia again). They monitored my left ovarian cyst with sonograms and it finally disappeared, but I developed three more cysts in my right ovary. That was in June 2004. They told me these were small and it was not a concern. They would keep an eye on them.

It was a beautiful fall weekend in October 2004. After a four-hour drive, we finally arrived in the “Happy Valley” for a Penn State football game and tailgating party. I was so excited being there with my family and wanted to relax and have fun. Unfortunately, I was getting my period–or so I thought–because it was hard to tell these days since my periods were so irregular. When we arrived at the motel, I just wanted to have a cup of hot tea because I was having some cramping and felt bloated. My husband managed to get me a cup of tea from the office manager. I can remember curling up in the fetal position, not feeling well and having a lot of pain. I was taking two ibuprofen tablets every 4 hours. I managed to get through the next day at the tailgating party and football game, thanks to the ibuprofen. I continued to take the medication for the pain and got through the weekend without a complaint. On Monday morning, I knew I had to do something because I was still in pain. It was getting hard to walk! I called my primary care physician’s office and made an appointment with the nurse practitioner for that afternoon. I give her the credit for saving my life! When I explained my pain to her, she felt my right side and told me she thought it was my ovary. She ordered a transvaginal ultrasound at the hospital, had a nurse draw blood for a CA125 blood test and told me to call my gynecologists office and make an appointment with whoever could see me ASAP. (Prior to this, no doctor had ever ordered a CA125 blood test. When I had asked about it some time before, I was told, “It’s not routinely given because it’s prone to false positives.”) When I got home that Monday night, there was a message on my answering machine from the nurse practitioner. She wanted me to call her at the office. She’d be there until 7:00 pm. I immediately picked up the phone and called her. She told me the ultrasound showed a mass and asked me if I had been able to get an appointment with the gynecologist. I said I had one for that Wednesday with someone other than my regular gynecologist. The gynecologist examined me that Wednesday, agreed with the diagnosis, and ordered a CT scan. When the results came in, he called me and told me I had endometrial hyperplasia suspicious for adenocarcinoma. It could be endometrial cancer. My CA125 was also elevated to 98. I was advised to have a total hysterectomy ASAP! The cancer was probably contained in my uterus, but staging would be done during the surgery to see if it had spread. They suggested I see a gynecologist/oncologist and gave me the name of someone well respected in the area.

I saw the gynecologist/oncologist in mid November, 2004 and he agreed with the diagnosis. He also found a polyp on the inside of my cervix, that was hanging out through the cervix. It later tested positive for cancer. On December 14, 2004, I had an “exploratory laparotomy, lysis of adhesions, tumor debulking, hysterectomy, resection of multiple peritoneal disease, bilateral ureterolysis, resection of bowel nodules times two, one with enterotomy and repair, radical omentectomy, appendectomy, and retroperitoneal extensive lymph node dissection.” I was 51 years old. At the conclusion of the surgery, there was “No gross residual disease left behind.” They told my husband that they found cancer in my uterus and both ovaries, but the pathology report would be more specific.

In early January 2005, I was given the good news--if you can call a cancer diagnosis “good news.” I had stage 1C endometrioid-type ovarian cancer in both ovaries, FIGO grade 1 tumors, and stage 1C endometrioid-type endometrial cancer, FIGO grade 1 tumor. I had extensive endometriosis. All lymph nodes were clear! So, later that month, the gynecologist/oncologist put a port-a-cath in my chest, and I received six monthly rounds of chemotherapy (Taxol/Carboplatin). I was thankful that we caught it early. My gynecologist/oncologist told me my 5 year survival statistics are 95-98%. All my examinations and tests so far show no evidence of disease.

I’m very thankful that my chemotherapy is over and things are looking up. The chemotherapy did not keep me from working. My hair has grown back thick and curly, and I love having eyelashes and eyebrows again! You learn to be thankful for the smallest things. I pray that I will be around to see my sons get married some day, and to look forward to many more years with my husband. I’m very happy and thankful to be alive!
-Barbara A.

My name is Anne Brady Moore and I lost both of my parents to cancer. My mother, Betty Ann Moore to Colon Cancer December 21,2002 when I was a sophomore in college and my brother was a junior. We watched our mom battle Stage IV colon cancer for 3 and a half years. I personally believe the day she was diagnoses with colon cancer was the day she started living. I say that because she had a mission and the desire to live everyday to the fullest, never taking time for granted. My mom found her passion for colon cancer education and prevention as well as support after she had cancer. She spoke to anyone that would listen about screening, and how preventable it was. While at the same time she was undergoing surgeries, chemo and clinical trials. She did it all. After we as a family decided to stop treatment she made me promise I would become her voice when she didn’t have one anymore. Thus here I am today, letting my mother live on through me. I do everything I can to raise my voice with the facts about colon cancer!
- Anne M.

My name is Margaret and I am a cancer survivor. I am also a cyclist. I am also a stroke survivor. Last August, while my doctor was doing some tests to help find the cause of the anemia that I had been struggling with, he found a tumor on my uterus. It was small and so I had a total hysterectomy but no radiation or chemo. The fact that I was in good shape from allot of riding is the reason that my recovery was so quick.

Getting the cancer diagnosis was a shock since I have none of the risk factors except that I am Caucasian and am female. I have been blessed with a wonderful family but when the diagnosis came, all the priorities really took on new meaning. Now, whenever the opportunity comes up, I want to spend my time with them. My husband was incredibly supportive because with the hysterectomy and instant menopause, parts of our relationship have obviously changed. He has been so understanding.

Cycling has been a big part of my life for my whole life. When I was growing up, it gave me a freedom before I could drive. After my last child was born, it gave me an opportunity to get out of the house and get back into shape. Pretty soon, I was going farther and farther. Now, each year, I do a century ride or at least some sort of epic trip. Getting the diagnosis last year meant that my husband and I were going to have to postpone our planned Seagull Century ride in October. This year we were able to go ahead and ride it (in a Nor'easter!) and had a great time. It was my husband's first century. After my stroke in 1998, getting back on my bike also played a big part in my recovery. It was basically one mile at a time. Then two miles, then three and finally, I was back on the road.

Cancer was a scary diagnosis but God has been good to me and gave me my health back. Cycling was a big part of that.
-Margaret S.
I am a cancer survivor.

In Oct. of 04, at the age of 56, I was diagnosed with T4, metatastic, prostate cancer that had fully involved my prostate and begun to spread to my bladder. I'm a healthy,non-smoking, physically active husband and grandfather and I was devasted when the Dr. said "you have cancer." After the initial shock was over my first question was what can I do to beat this. My wife and I decided that we could do whatever was needed if it meant surviving the cancer. I underwent a radical prostatectomy, followed by 8 weeks of daily radiation therapy. I'm currently undergoing a 3 year treatment of hormone/chemotherapy injections to prevent the growth of any remaining cancer cells. We have adopted the attitude that whatever we have to do to beat the cancer, it will be worth it because life is precious. We are dealing with side effects from all three of the treatment forms, accepting the inconvience because it is so much better than the alternative. Never give up. It's now Nov. of 06 and I'm an two year cancer survivor. I'm still undergoing chemo/hormone treatments and will for 10 more months. The side effects from all three forms of treatment still persist. Some do get better with time just be patient. Knowing what could have been the outcome, they are tolerable. I have undergone two additional surgies due to side effects from radiation and prostatectomy. To anyone facing prostate cancer, it will be the battle of your life but it will all be worth it. I'm with my wife everyday of my life, I have two beautiful granddaguthers to love and spoil, I can work at my part-time job and I thank God everyday that I am able to do all of these things. Look forward everyday, never back. Look to others for inspiration. Remember Faith, Family and Friends. LiveStrong!
-Jack G.

I was at the Death Ride in the California Sierras when I found a lump. Lucky for me the place I was staying had a phone. I had an appointment for the following Tuesday. I had a 2cm. very aggressive tumor. My last mammogram was 13 months earlier. They told me to expect the treatments to take a year. I was done with the surgeries, dense dose chemo therapy and radiation therapy in 6 months. The next year I did 2 things. Hired a bicycle racing coach and became a fund raiser for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. I won a bronze medal at the state competition in the time trial (I had never done time trials before that year) and 3 State Championships at the track. My first fund raising year, I raised over $18,000 promoting a Time Trial Series, Auction and Raffle. This year doing the same things I raised over $22,000. Next year I want to raise even more. I cry every time I hear of someone not making it with cancer. We can fight this disease. I do not believe it has to be a death sentence. We are the lucky ones.
-Patt B.

I am a local bike racer in Northern California, and when you decided to sponsor a professional bicycle stage race in California earlier this year, drawing athletes from all over, I was thrilled beyond belief! In fact, I went to three of the stages in the Bay Area - taking time off of work for one of those days. At that point, I was just a spectator.

Within about a week of last year's finish of the ToC, I was diagnosed with cancer, and as you might imagine, I was stunned. I have been a competitive athlete all my life, including participating in the 1984 Olympic Trials as a competitive swimmer, and I couldn't believe that this was happening to me.

Well, it did. Fast forward many months, I will finish about 6 months of chemotherapy in three weeks! ...In fact, I am planning to return to competitive cycling with my team in 2007, and I can't wait.

So again, I say thank you for sponsoring the Tour of California. This time I say it as both a spectator and a customer/patient.
-Melissa

On November 14, 2006 I was diagnosed with Large BCell Lymphoma. I had a tumor approximately 6.5” x 4” on my right kidney causing Hydronephrosis and lymph nodes with the disease under my right arm. A bone marrow biopsy followed and came back negative; this meant that I was in Stage III B of the disease. Everything happened so fast that I felt in shock, and numb not knowing where to turn or what to do. I was told to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I felt as if my world was spinning out of control, my god I had “Cancer.” Everyone kept saying that it was a good thing that the doctors were moving quickly and that I should be thankful. Thankful? I should be thankful that I have “Cancer” that my life had been turned upside down that my husband and children were going to have to watch me endure treatments, lose my hair and become sick?

Like many before me I was angry, confused and scared. I remember standing in my kitchen looking out the window at the sky and screaming at the top of lungs to god. Asking him how much was one person suppose to take; why me? Why did I have cancer, had I been that bad that cancer was my punishment? I cried till I was exhausted, I cried for my children, I cried because I needed to and I cried for what the future might hold.

I was scheduled to enter the hospital on November 27 to receive my port and my first Chemo therapy treatment. I spent much of my time before my Chemo treatment getting everything in order, praying for strength and guidance. While going through paperwork I had at the house I came across an article. The article reminded me that I had once been part of a team at work called the Bunny Brigade. The Bunny Brigade would hold parties monthly for all the children with cancer at Shands Hospital. I sat down and thought about all those children I had met; and what each of them and their families had endured. I realized that if a child can go through this and still smile so could I.

I realized that my attitude was wrong I was looking at cancer as a punishment. In reality I had been “chosen” that this was a test of strength and endurance. Through this experience I know I will become stronger, wiser and find a way to make a difference in life. My father once said there are two types of people in the world those who chose to be a victim and those who chose life. I will not be a victim of cancer, I am determined to survive it and live!!!!

I began surfing the internet for information about my cancer. I gathered everything I could find about the treatments, medicines, diet, FAQ, and read stories of survival. I read testimonials, registered with the Cancer Society and wrote down questions for my doctor. I found that many people with cancer have done spectacular things, miracles have occurred, people have made a difference in the world because of the strength that they received through their battle and ultimate defeat of cancer.

Instead of thinking of all the things that cancer could do to me, my family, and my friends; I began to count all the things that cancer cannot do:

Cancer cannot stop love
Cancer cannot destroy hope
Cancer cannot shatter faith
Cancer cannot take your smile
Cancer cannot steal inner peace
Cancer cannot slay friendship
Cancer cannot suppress memories
Cancer cannot silence courage
Cancer cannot invade the soul
Cancer cannot smother eternal life
Cancer cannot halt determination
Cancer cannot conquer the spirit
Cancer cannot dominate strength
Cancer is very limited it cannot take from you what you are not willing to give up!

I continue my Chemo therapy treatments and my battle with cancer. I still on occasion cry but the tears are not those of a victim; they are the tears of a fighter whose battle is not yet won.

The Ultimate Cancer Fighter
-Tammy C., Survivor Extraordinaire

"When you find yourself on the journey to cancer survivorship, look to others for support, inspiration and hope."
-Jane
Jeffson City, Missouri