Stories of Breast Cancer

 

 

Mariya, Germantown, MD
Dreams Come True - June 2008




Hi! My name is Mariya. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when my son Stephen just turned 1. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was so happy with my family, so happy to be a mom, when I dreamed to have a second baby... I was sure that my happy life ended. And if somebody told me then that one day my dreams would come true I wouldn't believe it! And yet today, 2.5 years later, my dreams turned to be true! A big surprise! I gave a birth to a great baby-boy Philip! He is an invaluable prize for the winner!

Never say never, never stop fighting, never give up!

I'll take my son Philip to the walk to show you that there is a beautiful life after!

Marlene, Frederick, MD
My Quilt - May 2008

On May 1, I will be a 24 year breast cancer survivor. I have walked in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure for the past 10 years. I was so excited last year when I was able to get a size small t-shirt! I still have all of my shirts, but since they are a little big for me, I decided to do something special with them. I had a quilt made from the shirts along with some of the scarves given out on Race Day. It is now hanging on the wall in my bedroom so I can look at it everyday.



Molly, Reston VA
This past year..., October 2007

At 44-years old, with a 13-year old and 9-year old daughter, the diagnosis for breast cancer was not what I wanted. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2006, my treatment defined our family’s summer. I purchased brunette, red and blond wigs just to keep things interesting!

I set up large distribution lists and sent emails every two weeks after each chemo treatment and throughout my radiation. I wanted everyone to know that this process works, if caught early. Through my emails, four friends had mammograms. I want to make a difference for people and I believe my openness helped.

My employer has been a supporter of the Komen National Race for the Cure for a number of years. This year, we survivors – three women AND one man - walked with big pink ribbons. I emailed family and friends in the US and Canada to join me in finding a cure and they responded wonderfully as I exceeded my initial fundraising goal of $1000!

The walk in Washington, DC was a small portion of what I am doing to bring breast cancer awareness around me. I often wear my pink Komen Race for the Cure survivor shirt on errands and day trips! Life is getting back to normal...and I want everyone to know it!

Next year I hope to have my own team and proudly lead friends and families around the course. We can do this together and find the cure!

Marion, Springfield, VA
Almost 14 Year Survivor!, Spring 2007

I feel so lucky to be a breast cancer survivor. When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer back in August 1993, I just prayed to God that I'd still be around when my son graduated from high school in 1995. I have since seen him graduate from undergraduate school and go on to get his PhD. At the time I was diagnosed, I lived in south Georgia until I left five years later to live in Germany.

There I had the privilege to participate in the first ever Frankfurt, Germany Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in 2000 and continued to participate for the rest of my time in Germany. I looked forward to the Race every year. There is nothing like the feeling of being surrounded by fellow survivors and all the kind people that care enough to give their time and support for this great cause. It is an indescribable feeling. I feel that one of these days we will conquer this disease and make our daughter’s and sister’s lives breast cancer free.

Shirley, Riverdale, MD
A Bright Light, Spring 2007

The Komen National Race for the Cure raises money for a very good cause. I had given donations but never thought about being in the Race until I was really in the "race." After being diagnosed with breast cancer in November of 2006, I found out that my sister was participating in the Race when I approached her about walking.

None of us really knows if we are going to be affected with this terrible disease until it hits us. We are not prepared for the changes that treatment will have on our bodies; when I found out the symptoms that the chemotherapy would have on my body, I fought harder to go on with the normal routines of my life. Because of Komen for the Cure, doctors are better able to treat their patients to prevent the disease from spreading. All of my doctors are located in Annapolis, MD and I am very proud to have such a wonderful and caring group at my aid. From now on I am going to participate in the Race and get donations so that the next person after me will have an even better chance at getting the proper medications and care. I am now going through radiation and I will be doing that five days a week for six weeks. When that is finished, I will see that Bright Light at the end of the tunnel.

Nira's Story - February 2007

Breast cancer is a bad word in my family. My mother, mother in law and I, all have had to battle breast cancer. I was diagnosed in the fall of 2001 and went through a bad, bad, year of surgery, chemo, more surgery and pain for another year. I was so weak after all the chemo and surgeries I had endured that walking to the end of my driveway was an accomplishment!

The following year my goal was to walk in the Komen National Race. I signed up to be a team captain and began, little-by-little, walking more-and-more, to build up and be able to walk in the race. I really wanted to walk in the race with my family and friends and feel good again!

I was so overcome with happiness that I started to cry when I crossed the finish line for the first time, surrounded by family and friends. Since then, I have been a team captain for all the following years and at every single race, when I cross the finish line, I cry. I can’t help it, even when I tell myself, “It’s alright, you’ve done it before, no need to get emotional” - but it is still so meaningful to me.

I feel like I have come so far from where I’ve been. The Komen National Race for the Cure finish line has become an important marker in my life. It feels really good.