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Introduction Text Hello and welcome to my page. I decided this is a perfect time to share my breast cancer story. When I turned 40 in 1998, I was suppose to have my baseline mammo, but I didn't. I mean why should I. I never smoked, only drank occasionally, went to the gym 5 days a week, I didn't have any health problems, and I wasn't really overweight. SO I kept putting it off because I had more important things to do. Months passed and my husband would mention it on occasion and I would say ya ok I will call and of course I never did. Well now a year has gone by and my DH is really getting to be a pain in the butt about this, so to shut him up I made the appt. I went, but the whole time I kept thinking I can't believe I am wasting my time doing this. I got a call within 48 hours of the test that I had a lump and needed to have it removed. The next week I had surgery, the dr assured me everything was fine and not to worry. I went back the next week for my follow up appt and that's when my world turned upside down. I had to go the following week for another surgery to check the lymph nodes to see if the cancer spread, those came back fine. Next I had to find an oncologist to find out what my treatment plan was going to be. I went to the 1st one but I didn't feel very confident in what he was saying. He didn't ask any questions about my health or family history. He told me his course of treatment, but I just wasn't comfortable with his suggestions or lack of interest if I had any other medical issues. So I chose to go to dr 2 in Chicago. This dr was very thorough and explained things very well BUT his opinion was totally different from the 1st. Now I am really confused and don't know what to do. So I go to dr 3. His opinion is the same as dr 2. He was also very thorough, so I chose to go to him. He is 10 min from my home compared to an hour... plus I wouldn't have to fight the Chicago traffic. I had to have chemo, radiation, and 5 yrs of Tamoxifen. I was the first one diagnosed with BC in my family. 4 yrs later my mom's younger sister was diagnosed and the year after that my mom. Early detection DOES save lives.. it saved mine, my moms and her sister. Ladies please make sure you get your mammograms and do your monthly checks. If you feel anything suspicious go to your dr immediately. Early detection saves lives. Read as much info on BC as you can. Spread the word to all your family and friends. Help us beat this disease. Save the ta-ta's. I live in northwest Indiana. I have 2 daughters and a son. I have 3 beautiful granddaughters 17, 11 and 9 yrs and a handsome 6 yr old grandson. My children and grand kids are my pride and joy. They are my motivation to loose weight and get back to being a happier, healthier person. I am a 19 yr breast cancer survivor. I gained 70 lbs over 10 of those years. I was extremely frustrated and lost my self esteem. I was on medication for 5 yrs for BC and no matter what I did I kept gaining. I feel my life has had 2 phases... life before BC and life after. But some very positive things have happened because of it. Before BC I would always say someday I will do....... Now I am a doer. Since BC I have learned to ride a motorcycle, gone white water rafting, and learned to scuba dive. There are so many things I still want to do and places I want to see. I joined Sparks Jan 2008. So far I haven't achieved my goal but I keep fighting. I have lost and gained many times but I am determined to reach my goal. After all I didn't gain the weight over night so I shouldn't expect to loose it over night. No matter how many times you fail don't give up.... one day it will click and you can succeed!!! Together we CAN do this!!!!

199 by October 25, 2018 163 by June 1, 2019 (my birthday)

drinking 64 oz water fruits & veggies low carb riding my bike walking the dog

Hobbies: gardening fishing scubadiving Nascar Go Kasey Kahne bird watching Spending as much time with my grankids as I can, especially in the Summer.

I am a 19 yr Breast cancer survivor! Life each day to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Fav Book YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE" by Louise L Hayes

Add a Link Co-leader of Breast Cancer Survivors and Those Who Care
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