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I am a 28 Year Breast Cancer Survivor. Back in December of 1980, at the "ripe" old age of 26, being 6 months pregnant with my 3rd child, I was taking a shower and felt a "lump" in my left breast. It was about the size of a pea. At first, I thought my goodness, what is that?! I told my doctor when I went to my next exam. That was the beginning.
Biopsy after Biopsy they kept telling me the test came back negative, but "we'll keep an eye on it anyway". As this lump kept getting bigger, I was getting more concerned. I realized that they could not do anything until I delivered the baby. My worst fears came to pass after I delivered my son in March. They came and told me I wouldn't be able to breast feed my new baby and that I had a malignant tumor (about the size of a golf ball). In three months it had gone from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball.
Not only would I not be able to breast feed, but I needed to have an immediate modified radical mastectomy. At 26 years old, the mother of 3 small children ages newborn, 2 & 4. losing a Breast. I didn't know what I was going to do. My family helped in taking care of the baby while I recovered from my surgery. I always kept a positive attitude in front of everyone, but behind the scenes I was devastated. All kinds of thoughts raced through my mind. My cancer, if I had not had the surgery, would have killed me within a year. At 26 years old, I could not imagine what I was in for.
To make a long story short, my husband (now of 33 years) has stood by me from the start through all of my surgeries, reconstructions & daily life. I couldn't have done it without him and my family. At 26 years old, no-one should have to go through this, but on the positive side, it has made me a better person, I look at life differently than most young people. This horrible affliction has taken at least one of my cousins, and I fear for my daughter, who is now 31 years old. She has her mammograms done yearly without fail.
Early Detection is a woman's Best Defense. I was a "lucky one", I found my cancer early, where the doctors could treat me and I can stand here today and say "I AM A SURVIVOR".
The Horizon of Hope is My Favorite Longaberger Event. Not only as a Home Consultant, but as a Survivor, I feel it is a Mission that I was allowed to participate in to further the message of Awareness.
My Dad, Ernest Mailhot, was a very hard-working man who was retired from the NY Telephone Co. and raised two children. He drove a school bus on Long Island, and lived in an apartment, saving for his retirement dream home in Florida, when he was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2000. He was 58 years old, optimistic and idealistic in some ways, and also loved his job. He had a mastectomy with removal of some lymph nodes, radiation, and chemotherapy that year, and seemed to be doing well. Of course, he lost his hair and suffered much illness from the chemo. His prognosis, at first, looked good.
Approximately 4-5 months after treatment had ceased, he was developing a back ache that he felt, in his heart, was a result of cancer that had spread. I tried to reassure him, but encouraged him to go his doctor. It was as if his intuition was a sixth sense….he was correct. His cancer had metastasized from the breast to the bone, specifically in his back and some ribs. He met it with bravery, and his answer was to continue treatment as recommended by his oncologist for the next three years….he was going to live and have a great life, still. He continued to sing karaoke with his friends, spend time with by brother and I, and work toward his dream retirement, driving that school bus for the kids that loved being around him.
In May 2004, my father called me to let me know that he could not visit me in Alaska, as he loved to do every other year to fish for his halibut. His cancer had spread to his brain, as they had found lesions. His appetite had decreased, and lethargy had been setting in more frequently than before. He continued with chemotherapy, going bald again, and with radiation treatments, as much as his now very wary body could manage it. He still continued to work, planning for his recovery and feeding his ever-optimistic spirit. I heard him coughing in our phone conversations as well as in person, and heard and saw how he just could not eat much anymore. I visited him that September…he had lost a lot of weight, and looked a lot thinner. But he still smiled, with his big blue eyes shining.
Very reluctantly, he finally decided to stop working to try to focus on his health and “getting better,” still thinking ahead to his future. Looking back, I see how he felt he was giving up a big part of his life…his work and his future. In early November we discovered that his coughing was due to the cancer having spread to his lungs. I visited him again at Thanksgiving, again with my fiancé, now husband (who also came in September to meet my Dad for the first time). His sisters came to see him, along with his nieces, nephew, and their spouses, sons, and daughters. It was clear that cancer had taken over, as he was not nearly as lucid or jovial as he had typically been.
We had a great visit. I left for Alaska with an extremely heavy heart, with his care in the capable hands of my brother, knowing that this was probably the last time I would see my father alive. He died two days later, at age 62, with my brother and his girlfriend physically and myself telephonically by his side.
I am writing this story to share how devastating breast cancer is for men as well as women, though it certainly affects many less men than women. But it still robs some of us of those we love. I am trying to promote some local awareness to breast cancer in men through our group’s Horizon of Hope event, and through our local cancer organization.
It was Bee 2007 and I was one of the only ones there with a bald head....Yep, I was in the middle of chemotherapy, and my NSL, BL and Basket buddies had totally encouraged me to sign up for the Bee at our lil' Branch Retreat in May. I love the Bee, and didn't want to miss it. We laugh so hard, and cry; I knew it would be the thing to do for a positive influence during Surviving the battle.
I was determined to go the the Bee. I had my 6 treatments of Adromyacine and Cytoxafin (AC) that began in March; lost my hair, and was ready for Tomaxfin....12 treatments; once a week. I told my Oncologist in Seattle, that I wanted to go to my Longaberger basket convention in Ohio in July, and he said; we'll just skip that week.
I was correct; the Bee was everything I had hoped for!
I began my 12 weeks of Tomaxfin, which ended in September, then I began Radiation Therapy in Olympia, for 33 days in a row. My daughters even threw a party for me entitled, Yippee, Skippee, Off the Drippee....surprise
The other job I have a is Real Estate Agent. With my Longaberger, Realtor job and family and Church; I was blessed not only to busy and make money, but be a positive influence with all of those around me, and them a positive influence on me.
I wanted to write Tami and let her know 'I was there' - but how do I do that? Tami doesn't even know who I am other than a Sr. Consultant out here in Washington State. I love the Longaberger Company, joining in 1996. My timberframe abounds with pottery, wrought iron, baskets and linens.
First diagnosis was in the form of a cyst, with multiple drainings, then tests, and exams and surgery for a partial mastectomy, then lymph node surgery. My breast cancer was diagnosed early, state II, but had gone into my nodes, but faithfully only 1 out of 7 was positive.
Our latest adventure in our family, has been 'helping' the flood victims in Lewis County, which hit on 03 December 2007. My husband and myself have been faithfully helping individuals dry out 30 homes, which had up to 6 feet of water in them, by setting up box fans and diesel heaters. We are about finished and it's the end of March 2008.
Coming home from Bee 2007 inspired me, once again to build my business in the form of designated Gatherings, as we were coached there. So, I had postcards printed in advance, for the 'even' months of the year, for the first Thursday of the month....this has been a huge hit....my house, with fun and food.
The Horizon of Hope campaign is such a great endeavor for the Longaberger Company to be involved in, with constant money being donated for early detection, is so important. As a "survivor' of this disease, I can't stress how important it is to be involved in your health, love your make and have a basket buddy!
I was diagnosed Oct. 11, 2007 (my birthday) with Ductal Basal Cell Carcinoma which is in the breast. I Started Chemotherapy on Dec. 13.
As of today I have 2 more treatments of chemo. One next week, then three weeks after that. May 7 and 8th I will be having cat scan and preparing for almost 8 weeks if Radiation. I work also at a Financial Institute which keeps my mind busy. Getting out with the people is one of the best medicines. I lost a daughter Dec. 1997 to Cancer as well. She fought this for 9 1/2 years (Neuroblastoma). My father was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in 2000. He is still with us at an active age of 84 years. Family, friends, and just being around people has been one of the best medicines there is. And keeping busy. I hope to be an inspiration to others out there that when diagnosed, life does go on. You can read my story on www.caringbridge.org/visit/maryarvin.
I am a Home Consultant with Longaberger since 2002.
In 2001 I got the White County Relay for Life started in our community and this year again we are building a team to participate. This year will be a memorable year. I will walk around that track the very first lap, hand in hand with my father as my daughter will be there in Heaven cheering us on!!!!!
I am thankful it will be "10" years November 19, 1998 when I went for my annual mammography and would hear those dreaded words. Surgery was the week before Christmas and my gift the day before Christmas Eve was the cancer had not spread into my lymph nodes. The day after Christmas my family and I would go to Canada to watch my son play ice hockey with his new team the Junior Islanders. We were so excited for him he got chosen to play on such an elite ice hockey team. Of course I was still connected to drains so clapping my hands when something exciting happened was real difficult so I cheered by gently tapping my leg. Over the next couple of days I had gotten friendly with another mom on my son's team and she commented on my unusual way of cheering and that I looked like a penguin.
When I told her my story, she was very supportive and oh so friendly. After that time I hadn't seen her at hockey practices because I was having some difficulties as a result of chemotherapy. Later that February 1999 there would be another ice hockey tournament in Canada in which I was able to go with my family. At that tournament that same lovely lady, gave me a Horizon of Hope Basket. Only have gone to a Longaberger Show maybe about a year previously, I loved the product and was so touched by this wonderful gift and the company who made this beautiful basket and donated to the American Cancer Society.
Well as I was going through my months of chemotherapy and then radiation treatments daily, I was getting friendly with this lovely lady and was doing my homework on this wonderful company who handmade baskets. I learned of the integrity of the company and would feel the sadness expressed of the passing of Dave Longaberger and felt that any family owned business who would make a basket and donate for persons like myself who had breast cancer, cared about family enough to make a pie plate and name it after their grandma was a business who shared the same values as myself. I decided to become a consultant and this lovely lady named Patty Copolla would be my sponsor.
I became a consultant in October 1999, a gift to myself after finishing my radiation treatments late that September. I would be scared to do home shows because I never would talk in front of people but now I would have to get over my fear because I had something important to say. I needed to share my story in women's living rooms about early detection and Longaberger was the tool to get me into those living rooms. I could not sell a product in which I didn't have passion, the same passion that gave me the strength to speak in front of women about their health. I had understood what Dave Longabeger portrayed on passion. Over the years, there have been some scares on reoccurrence of the breast cancer but Thank God it has always been benign. I am a proud cancer free branch leader for Longaberger who needs to get ready for a Longaberger Show I am doing tonight for a brand new hostess with brand new people, can't wait to share my story and Longaberger's story...
My first Breast Cancer was in October, 1991. In September 2005 I was diagnosed with the second cancer.
I was totally shocked when the surgeon came in to my hospital room to give me the choices of my first cancer. I did not have other relatives living in Chicago, but it truly was a time when friends were right there by my side. The hardest part was when I had to call my father in Ohio to tell him I had cancer. My mother died 6 years earlier from a horrible cancer. I could just hear him break down, as my oldest sister had just died suddenly at the end of April 1991. All I could think was that he would see a second child die. We do not have any relatives with breast cancer, so how could it be me. Fortunately I did not need chemo or radiation then. Though I knew I was at a higher risk the second time, it was still hard to accept another diagnosis. I was not afraid this time because I kept a positive attitude and smiled as much as I could. It really does make a difference. I did not get very sick from the chemo and radiation. Last year I was nominated and invited to Tami's survivor's luncheon. I will say it was one of the best days of my cancer journey. She makes each person feel so good.
I started buying Longaberger products about 1998 and joined the Collectors Club when I lived in Chicago and continued buying when I moved back to Ohio in 2000. My consultant finally convinced me to begin selling in 2001. I have been a happy Home Consultant now for 7 ½ years.
I have always been very conscientious about having an annual mammogram, so when I became a Longaberger Home Consultant in January 1996, I put forth a special effort to promote the Horizon of Hope campaign. I was feeling wonderful in 2003….we were planning my daughter’s wedding, and I had my annual mammogram. A suspicious area was detected, so off to the surgeon I went, then a biopsy. Having no family history of any cancer, I was concerned, but optimistic. I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer in August, and felt as though I had been slammed into a brick wall! A few weeks later I had surgery. The good news was that it was non invasive. At no time could I or any of my Doctors feel the lump – it was only detected by my mammogram and because of the early detection, I did not have to undergo chemotherapy. Throughout my ordeal, I was overwhelmed, not only by my diagnoses, but by the care and concern I received from my Longaberger family and friends. I had a Bus Tour scheduled in October, and with the help of many, including my husband who went along to help, we managed to have a great day at Homestead and Dresden. My branch leader, and dear friend, Kim Krempel, came and pickup me up and took me to my first radiation treatment, saying that she was not going to let me go alone. That night I packed up my Longaberger and did a Home Show – it was the holiday season!! I finished with my treatments a few days before Christmas – and sure enough – many of my branch friends helped me celebrate with a luncheon at a local restaurant. It has now been about 4 ½ years and I am still on hormone therapy, but all recent tests have been good news. I am so blessed by my Longaberger family and friends! I have had the privilege to be invited the past two years to the Horizon of Hope luncheon at Tami’s home, and my husband has driven me over both years. Last year, it was on Wednesday, and my son’s wedding was on Saturday. I thought I was way too busy to attend, but my family made sure that I was there. Lessons I have learned – mammograms do save lives, and never underestimate the power of your basket friends!
In the fall of 1997, I discovered a lump. On December 23, 1997, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor's nurse called me at work to tell me I had breast cancer, and what was I going to do about it.
My second doctor confirmed the diagnosis, but said it wasn't a wild fire. I had 3 choices, do nothing, have a lumpectomy, or a mastectomy.
I decided to have a modified radical mastectomy. As it turned out, I had 2 lumps. Fortunately they were both small, and the cancer hadn't spread. I didn't need chemo or radiation.
February 11, 2008 was my 10 yr cancer free anniversary. I thank the Longaberger Co every day for making me aware of the benefits of self exam. My family doctor calls me the poster child for self exam.
I have been a Longaberger consultant since Feb 1995.
In May I will be celebrating my second year of survivorship. Alleluia!
When my mom was diagnosed in 1978, the year I was married and a nurse at a local hospital, I couldn't believe it. My dad was a patient in the hospital at the same time that she had her mastectomy. I will never forget wheeling him to the recovery room to see her after her surgery. With tears in his eyes he told her she was going to be okay and how much he loved her. We were blessed to have her for many years but she passed away in 1990 from her metastatic cancer, just 4 months after I lost my brother to brain cancer. My dad passed away last March from cancer and here I am, alive today and wanting to stay that way for a long time!
My story of hope is that I want to be here for my children's graduations, weddings and to see the birth of our grandchildren. I hope to love and spoil them just like my parents spoiled our children. Nothing for me compares to being a mother.
Today I received the ACS magazine Triumph in the mail. Right in the center of the magazine is an article about Lymphedema and part of the article is called Finding Answers. I was so proud to see The Longaberger Company mentioned in this article! When we came out with the Horizon of Hope campaign in the 1990's, I remember vividly fighting back tears because of the flashbacks of my mom going through my mind. Because of the Horizon of Hope campaign, today I have hope that I and many other brave souls who face cancer on a daily basis will be here much longer than those who have gone before us.
Thank you Longaberger, from basket weavers to home consultants to customers for embracing the Horizon of Hope campaign and for making a difference in so many people's lives.
I am writing to say that I am a 3 year (March 10) breast cancer survivor! I was diagnosed just about 5 weeks short of my 40th birthday on November 10, 2004, with stage 1 ductal carcinoma, after going for my yearly mammogram. I frozen with fear at first but, quickly wrote down all of my questions, called my OB-GYN who guided me through the next steps, oncologist, surgeon, plastic surgeon. After seeing the doctors, Gene (my husband of 21 years) and I decided I would have a nipple sparing, bi-lateral mastectomy. I was also informed that a medi-port would be implanted during surgery, this would make receiving chemo treatments much easier and would be removed when I went for my breast reconstructive surgery.
Breast cancer was just something that I never wanted to visit again, and felt this would be the best route for me. You see breast cancer runs in my family, and I began screening at the age of 30. I am the mother of two. A son, Jordan now 23 and a daughter, Taylor, 20. My daughter never left my side and my son, had the opposite feeling-frozen with the fear of losing me he stayed away until after I was feeling better, my husband, Gene was my rock, he always knew how to make me feel that my glass was half full when I thought that it was half empty!
Chemo followed surgery but not until after the holidays and of course I had a 40th birthday to celebrate! My husband and my children threw me a surprise birthday party! All of my close friends and family were there! The most sentimental gift was given to me by my friend Kristin, a beautiful silk scarf with pink roses-we all cried when I opened the box, knowing what was to come in the next weeks. Chemo was more grueling than the surgery. Gene took me to my first of four treatments (1 every 3 weeks), the nurses there were wonderful! I must have asked a million questions and of course they answered every single one!
Unfortunately, I did not respond well to the treatment and within two hours of leaving the office I began a bout of uncontrollable vomiting I had to be hospitalized until they could find the right mix of drugs to settle the nausea. Gene never left my side…he was the best! After the first week I began to feel more like myself again. I just didn’t have much strength. I lost my hair 10 days after my first treatment, that by far was the most emotional day of “cancer”. It made being sick real! Gene shaved what was left on my head after I showered and it all matted together. I cried like I did as a little girl, my head in his lap-listening to the buzzer. I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror, nor could I look at Gene or my children when they looked at me- bald!
That was a very low point for me…it did pass and I even sunned my bald head when I went away to Miami after my chemo was finished! I feel like a walking billboard. I where my pink ribbon necklace every day-a gift from my husband that was made by my local jeweler to mark my one year cancer free. Whenever I see someone with a bandana on I walk over and introduce myself to share the sisterhood of this dreaded disease.
My story is not different than anyone else’s…this is a horrible disease and I believe as women we must continue to raise awareness and educate others. I buy just about every product that supports breast cancer, I walk the breast cancer walk every year with my friends and family. I hold a Horizon of Hope get together every year to raise awareness and to show people our handmade baskets.
My deepest sadness is that I fought the fight of my life to overcome this disease and just as I was celebrating my first year cancer free, my husband Gene, the love of my life was killed in a motorcycle accident coming home from getting a tattoo of me to commemorate my being cancer free. It was me as a beautiful angel wearing my pink ribbon of course! I have wanted to throw the towel in so many times since then, but, I know that he carried me through my cancer and if I quit now that I would be doing his legacy a HUGE disservice!
I know that I wake up every day missing and loving Gene, grateful for the time that we had and thanking god for giving me my health and my family! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story…
My name is Adele Perkins and I am a Home Consultant. 2008 is a monumental year for me as I joined the Longaberger family 10 years ago in July 1998 and I will be celebrating my 5th year being cancer free in September 2008.
My story of hope is as follows. My girlfriend of 20 years, and co-worker, Dwen Wilson, called me one day and said, "I'm making my mammogram appointment and I made one for you, too." (Knowing that I was 42 and had not scheduled my appointment. - she didn't ask me, she told me!) We started our buddy system at that time. Dwen always took care of making our appointments - I relied on her to do it, as I knew she would. Afterwards, we would have breakfast and then go back to work. And as always, in September of 2003, she called and said, "we have our mammogram appointment on Thursday, September 11th." I replied with, yuk, on 9/11?" So, following our usual routine, we went for our mammograms.
On 9/12, I so happened to have my annual check-up with my physician who informed me that I needed to see a breast surgeon, that my mammogram showed "calcifications". My husband and I were on our way to a wedding that weekend and all weekend I wondered what was wrong. I tried to be strong. The following Monday, I made my appointment with Dr. Thomas Nims for the following Wednesday. On Tuesday of that same week, Dwen called me and said she had to have a biopsy, as her mammogram also showed something. (I was certain it was the water at work. :-). On September 23, 2003, I had a successful lumpectomy and needed to follow up with radiation only. It was also a blessed day as it was my wedding anniversary! On September 24, Dwen had her biopsy and the "little something" turned out to be "nothing," thank goodness.
To this day, Dwen is my champion. If she had not made my appointment for "our" mammograms, my cancer would not have been caught "early"! I owe her my life. We now consider ourselves "bosom buddies."
I would be remiss if I didn't include my story regarding my Longaberger friends. At that time, I was in Debbie Mead's branch (Tradition's Branch) from Columbus. Shortly after my diagnosis, we had a branch meeting scheduled. Our meeting turned into a long discussion of hopeful stories and tears of hope. My Longaberger buddies were there 1,000% to support me. And, as fate would have it, my business has always thrived, for years, during the campaign months. Ironic, isn't it?
Shortly before attending Bee 2004 I felt a lump on my right breast. For the past 5 years Doctors had been watching several pea size lumps. I was told if these lumps clustered I was in trouble. This no longer felt like those little pea size lumps. I was in denial, so to speak. This really can’t be what I think it is, as I have no history of breast cancer in my family.
I attended the BEE and remember thinking about it a lot especially during the Horizon of Hope presentations and wondering “Next year will I be one of those survivors?” And yet when I returned home, just knowing full well I was in trouble, I decided “to get my ducks in a row” before making a Doctors appointment. I finally went to the Doctor the end of October. That lump just wasn’t going away on its own. It was cancer, but lucky for me, it was a slow growing cancer. The Doctors convinced me that I was a perfect candidate for a lumpectomy. Due to the cancer being slow growing I was able to postpone my lumpectomy until the Monday of Thanksgiving. My aunt and uncle were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary the second weekend in November and I was attending. My aunt was going through Chemotherapy at this time for her second bout with colon cancer and first time ovarian cancer.
I had the lumpectomy on Monday as an out patient. On Thursday I had my family for Thanksgiving. And then the worst day of my life-December 3, 2004-I had a checkup with the breast surgeon and she informed me she didn’t get all the cancer and I would have to have a mastectomy.
I was so angry at her because she convinced me to have the lumpectomy and I just wanted to do this one time, therefore I felt the mastectomy was the way to go. But she was so convincing that I choose the lumpectomy. I remember for maybe 24 hours after meeting with her I was so angry with her. Then I bucked up and told myself “She did tell you that the type of cancer I have is rare-therefore making it a hard judgment call prior to surgery-and she was sending me to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. And besides we are all human and to error is human. I settled down and faced the consequences. I took charge and insisted on a double mastectomy followed immediately by reconstructive surgery. And I wanted the surgery Dec. 23, 2004. You see, I had a trip planned to Miami, FL the second week in December to meet my Finnish Daughter and I wasn’t passing that up.
I had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery on Dec. 23 and went home on Dec. 24. This time they got all the cancer but due to the history of abdominal cancer in my family they recommended chemo to get rid of any other cancer cells elsewhere in my body. In January, 2005 I started Chemo (poisonous cocktails as I like to call it). I would walk into oncology and ask “Do you have my poisonous cocktails mixed up?” By the end of January I was bald. This was probably the most humiliating thing I went through. But not for long, as I decided this is what I have to do so live with it. I wore caps and hats. Never a scarf or wig. At the office, I had a sign on my desk that said “Not Now, I’m Having A No Hair Day.” On March 26, 2005 I had my last poisonous cocktail. And by the first part of May I once again had hair. By doing the Chemo and 5 years of arimidix, I have a 92% survival rate.
Longaberger was my salvation during this timeframe. It was my escape to help me forget how nauseous and bald I was. I kept telling myself “I’m going to BEE 2005 and I’m going as a survivor.”
DON’T PROCRASTINATE like I did-it could be to late-I was lucky, that’s all.
TAKE CHARGE OF MAKING THE DECISIONS AS TO WHEN, HOW AND WHERE YOU WILL HAVE SURGERY/TREATMENT. After all, it’s your life.
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE.
Voltaire, the famous philosopher, once said, "Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her, but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game." For many years, my life was a typical “good hand”. I had a college degree, a career, a caring family, a loving husband, and a beautiful son, Trey. While nursing him, I felt an unusual lump in my left breast. After mentioning it to my husband, he urged me to get it checked out. I would do just that, but I was not in any rush. What did I have to worry about it? After all, I was ONLY 29. It's not like I had cancer.
The "ONLY 29" card was not a good one for me. Unfortunately it was played not only by me, but by the doctors at the local imaging center who wrote the report of my ultrasound. They suggested I wait six months before following up with my OB/GYN and my primary care physician. However, the report contained a major error. They referred to a mass in my right breast, but my left breast was examined. My intuition card, a good one, said, "Get another opinion." I took the films to a local surgeon who wanted to aspirate the cyst but when I shared with him my desire to become pregnant again, he off-handedly remarked that I wouldn't get pregnant because I was nursing. Mostly everyone knows that’s a myth, and I disproved it by becoming pregnant that very week! So now I was on to another local surgeon. Out came the "ONLY 29" card again when he agreed that I should wait out the six months. However, he wasn’t ready to wager a bet, he discarded it, shuffled up and sent my films to a prominent Breast Center.
What followed was an aspiration, a test, another aspiration, another test and the FEAR card appeared. “I'm 29, I have a one-year-old son, and I'm pregnant!” Was I about to be dealt the “CANCER” card, too? Just five months and six doctors ago, this was a cyst and now I was scheduled for a lumpectomy. After my stitches were removed, I knew what was coming. I turned to my husband and said, “he’s about to tell me that I have cancer, so listen up, listen good, and ask a lot of questions because I won’t hear a word he has to say.” And I was right, I couldn’t hear a thing. I was diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma. The news couldn’t be worse… or so I thought. Because of my pregnancy, the estrogen in my body was a 1000 times higher than normal and it could be fueling this aggressive cancer. I was advised to terminate the pregnancy, have surgery to remove the tumor, and have the lymph nodes tested. This would be followed by chemotherapy and radiation.
Could this really be happening? Trey had just turned one and we were in the middle of planning his big first birthday party…I had cake to order and balloons to blow up. These were the items that filled my agenda on July 30th, not BREAST CANCER.
Now, I had to take things one step at a time… one hour at a time… first, how would I tell my mother? My father? My in-laws? I couldn’t do it. My husband, Steve had to make these calls. They were devastated and falling apart. I felt like I had to support my support system… I had to convince them that I would be okay. I am strong. I am a fighter. I work best under pressure, and this time would be no different. There was work to be done.
Traveling near and far, we immediately began to consult gynecologists, breast surgeons and oncologists. We of course were also making decisions about tent sizes and party favors during these days. We looked at all the facts and with several second, third, fourth, and fifth opinions, we had very tough decisions to make. The cancer was the easy part. The doctors had plans for the cancer. The difficult part was the pregnancy. With each day that I remained pregnant, the tumor could be growing at an exponential rate. Five of the six doctors recommended termination of pregnancy in order to save my life – the life of Trey’s mommy. With heavy hearts, we prayed and sent that little life back to heaven. This was the devastating first step of my cancer treatment.
The next step was another surgery, followed by four months of chemotherapy and two months of radiation. I lost my hair, my eyebrows and my eyelashes. It was a look that I hope to never see again on me, but at the same time, I was grateful that it was happening. I truly felt that if the chemotherapy could kill all of those good cells, then it was the killing all those bad cancer cells, too!
It would have been easy to take these cards and FOLD ‘EM. But that’s not my style. I needed to stay positive. I had to turn this obstacle into an opportunity. I was going to play… SHUFFLE UP AND HIT ME… and I was dealt my empowerment card. Thirteen years ago, and ten years before my diagnosis, The Longaberger Company had introduced their Horizon of Hope campaign. Their goal was to improve the quality of life for women fighting breast cancer. In the seven years since I’ve been a Longaberger Consultant, I have embraced this goal and set goals of my own. Through letters and home shows, I have concentrated on selling the Horizon of Hope basket to raise money and awareness. Using my Longaberger business, I have redirected my energy and have been able to focus on the positive; trying to reach as many women as I could through home shows, health fairs and a tremendously successful Horizon of Hope event, In The Pink.
The commitment and passion of my Longaberger team is impressive. It makes me so proud to lead them in raising over $95,000 for local cancer organizations. Each year, we not only meet, but exceed our goal of raising more funds and reaching more women.
With each passing day from my diagnosis, I felt more comfortable sharing my story as a survivor, and finally I was dealt the publicity card. The Asbury Park Press ran a cover story in their “On The Run” section in October of 2003. My story and decision to partake in genetic testing was featured in an episode of Caucus New Jersey on Public Television. In February of 2004, I was invited by the New Jersey Governor to be the keynote speaker at a press event for his Early Mammogram Bill. I delivered my speech with very little hair of my head, and my story made a big impact because that July, I was standing right next the governor, as he signed the bill into state law, mandating insurance companies to cover mammograms for women REGARDLESS of their age. But my proudest achievement as a cancer survivor occurred in September, when I competed with 1400 women and a team of 100 cancer survivors as I completed the Danskin Triathlon. I celebrated my four year survivorship anniversary in great health – swimming, biking, and running– crossing the finish line in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
The celebrations of life after Breast Cancer are gifts that I receive on a daily basis. In the first few years of remission, I often dreamed of having more children but the likelihood of conceiving was questionable. However, I am overjoyed to announce that my husband and I have been blessed and I gave birth to our miracle baby girl, Keira Elizabeth in December 2006. For 11 months, I nursed Keira using my one good breast, which further proves that one can not only survive, but thrive after Breast Cancer.
As we weave a difference one basket at a time, I have two messages to share with you. The first is that breast cancer doesn’t discriminate by age. Young women get Breast Cancer, too. I felt so alone when I was diagnosed; none of my friends had Breast Cancer. Where were these other young women? I needed to meet them… or maybe one of them need to meet someone like me… and that’s when I knew I needed to be somewhat of a spokesperson for young women with breast cancer. The Longaberger Company’s Horizon of Hope campaign gives me that outlet, reminding women to be more diligent with their own health-care. The tools are out there: Mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI’s...but every woman has access to 10 very critical tools...they are right here…your fingers! Please, don't be afraid to perform monthly self-exams. Just being familiar with your breasts could save your life. For me, nursing helped me get “in touch” with myself. I actually believe that Trey was my guardian angel, sent to me to save my life.
And just as I believe Trey was sent to “save” me, Keira, my precious little Keira, I truly believe she was sent to “cure” me. Each day, as I look into the beautiful eyes of my baby girl, I am filled with the hope that she will never need to know about this thing called breast cancer. I am celebrating my fifth year of remission and my “cure” date is fast approaching. I believe I have a responsibility as not only a young woman but also as a cancer survivor to work hard to ensure that the cure is, in fact, on the horizon.
The second message I wish to share is that cancer is not a death sentence. For me, cancer was a life sentence. I celebrate July 30th… that’s the day I became a survivor. Cancer taught me to survive. It taught me to enjoy every moment…to not just live, but live strong. It taught me to take care of myself...my whole self, mind, body and spirit. It taught me about compassion. Cancer changed my life… but it is still MY LIFE and I’m going to decide how to live it.
These are MY CARDS, and I’m playing to win.
I am Pam Sink, Branch Leader, and I was diagnosed with IDC, DCIS and LCIS in September, 2007. At first, I couldn't believe this was happening to me; I had done everything right and I still got cancer, two different kinds in each breast! I thought that I was going to die, or have to live my life as a "deformed" woman, which was almost just as bad as dying! I had a double mastectomy in November, and prepared myself for the next step that I really dreaded--chemotherapy. I was told I was eligible to have a new kind of test, something that wasn't even available 6 months earlier that would tell my doctors whether chemotherapy would be of any benefit to me, and assess my probability of recurrence. Thanks to this new test, the Oncotype DX, it was determined that I didn't have to endure the chemo treatments that would have been given regardless, as a precaution, if I hadn't had the new diagnostic test. Advances in research like this, are being implemented every day, thanks to the efforts and support of the Breast Cancer Awareness movement and fundraising such as Horizon of Hope.
I had reconstructive plastic surgery with implants, and want to tell every woman in the world that this is a profound disease, but one that you can recover from--it is not an automatic death sentence, and it doesn't have to destroy your world, as I once thought it would do to me. I feel stronger each day, grateful to be alive, thankful for all the support from family and friends, and committed to helping other women save their own lives through early diagnosis/treatment and hopefully someday, prevention.
My attitude is that I had cancer, and now I don't. I am not a victim or a survivor, I am a warrior--not just for myself, but for all of us!
14 years ago I had no obvious risk factors.
14 years ago I had no "family history".
14 years ago I could not have guessed that I had breast cancer.
What i did have 14 years ago was a mammogram . . . and that mammogram saved my life. There are many types of cancer cells, and although my particular type of cancer was small and contained in one mammary duct, it was an insidious cancer due to its characteristic rapid growth rate. I believe that without that mammogram i would not be here today. Through the grace of God, early detection saved my life.
When given the diagnosis, your life changes in an instant. Time literally stops . . . you go into shock; your life becomes a blur, and a fear sets in that permeates your very soul. A fear that unless experienced cannot be fathomed. A fear that even today i can not put into words.
But the mechanics keep you moving: the doctors, the biopsy, the surgery, the radiation and/or chemo, and at some point during these mechanics you finally reach acceptance . . . and with that the fight begins. In my case reading everything I could find. Questioning my doctors on: my options, their proposals, current procedures, proven statistics, new advances, and generally, just what I could expect. With this came power . . . and then hope.
Because of that mammogram I danced at the wedding of my son August of 1997 and the wedding of my daughter October of 1999. Because of that mammogram I toasted my parents at their 50th Wedding Anniversary party April of 2000. Because of that mammogram I was present at the birth of our first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grandchildren 2001 through 2007! Because of that mammogram and every one that followed, I have reveled in God's miracles for 14 springs and cherished every moment in between. Because of that mammogram, I have hope.
As a consultant, I am given the opportunity every year through the Horizon of Hope campaign to spread the word that "early detection can save your life". Symbolizing the unwavering commitment of the Longaberger Company, consultants, and customers I have personally watched this symbolic little basket become more than a basket by making a difference in the lives of women everywhere. Thank you Longaberger.
my name is Christine Prosapio, and I am a home consultant who has been selling longaberger for 11 years this may. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last November. I just finished having my radiation treatment last week so this is still all very new to me. My hope came from truly wonderful and concerned friends and customers (most of which are one in the same) and of course family who tried as best they could to help me get through it. When that wasn't enough and I was out on the ledge I took comfort in my faith that God would take care of me. I kept a passage from the bible in my back pocket about hope and repeated it to myself as I lay on the radiation table everyday for 7 weeks. I am not brave and courageous as the numerous survivors who would get up and speak at the hope fundraisers we worked on and never could I imagine that I would one day be among those numbers. That happened to other people. So I go on one day at a time now with hope in my heart and my back pocket.
Hi I'm Marsha Herman, I'm a Senior Home Consultant for the past ten years, and a Breast Cancer Survivor for 26 years. I was 32 when diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer, and I had a modified radical mastectomy. I received a year of chemotherapy and with mounds of prayer and very good oncologist I'm here today.
I have been a Reach to Recovery Volunteer for the past 25 years, visiting with breast cancer patients, in their home, at the hospital, or over the phone. Reach to Recovery is a group of breast cancer survivors that doctors refer to help with everything from shopping for prosthesis, a wig, or just moral support.
I tell everyone I meet how the Horizon of Hope Campaign has helped all of us, whether its to have our first Mammogram, get that lump checked out, and how Longaberger's donation helps with the research needed to stamp out this terrible disease.
Our Horizon of Hope Event last year raised over $1500.00 and we're planning another event for this year. I have collected all the Horizon of Hope Baskets and I'm looking forward to this years.
Again Thank you so much for the Horizon of Hope Program, and helping us rid the world of breast cancer.
I thought I would share a little about myself. My name is Estelle Lesperance and I am from Madison, Maine. I am a Home Consultant and have been with Longaberger for 6 years. I love the product and I pretty much live the product. Longaberger goes everywhere with me, and of course my home is full of it and Longaberger is a part of my everyday life. I tell everyone that I sell insurance during the day but my FUN job is "Show & Tell" Longaberger.
My story is probably much like a lot of others out there. Who would have thought it would be Me!
At Bee 2006, I was in the convention center with my sister in law, Debbie, who comes to the Bee with me every year, enjoying all that was going on. It came time for the Horizon of Hope Segment and everyone who was a Breast Cancer survivor was asked to go up on stage. I was so amazed at the number of women who went up on stage, it made me realize just how many people are effected by Breast Cancer. I leaned over and said to my sister in law, "WOW, look at all the women who have survived Breast Cancer", We were both so amazed and touched.
Three weeks later, at the End of August 2006, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Needless to say, that moment came back to me in a flash and I have never forgot it. Those women on that Stage that night gave me "HOPE". I started my process of going to the oncologist. I sat in the waiting room with women who had bandanas on and no hair, some very depressed people. I made up my mind, no matter what the doctor said that I would be positive.
I was a lucky one. I was told that my cancer was detected early and I would only need 7 weeks of radiation, no chemo. I felt very lucky, everyone was feeling bad for me and I would say, I actually feel lucky, they all looked at me strange. I went to work every day, then to my treatments. In May of 2007, my mammogram came out clear.
So....I am a Breast Cancer Survivor.
I am a Home Consultant since 2000, and go every year for my mammogram.
Back in 2006, I went for my yearly mammogram the first week of June. Two weeks later over 50 of my family members & friends would be over to celebrate my son’s confirmation, & I would be turning 50 years old the week after. It was a shock to learn that I had breast cancer just days before this happy occasion. But, I had to keep a zip on it – I didn’t want to turn this into a sad thing. So I didn’t tell anyone till the month after (July).
The next 2 months I went thru many tests and many visits with the surgeon. The surgery was set up for the 2nd week of September 2006. Everything went ok. Then the results came in – we now have to go for another surgery to take out more tissue “Just to make sure”. You know, when they say that you just get plain scared. But you continue to Hope. I continued to have basket parties, but my heart wasn’t really with it. All in all, from September 2006 to December 13, 2006 I had 6 surgeries & 1 emergency surgery to fix a leakage. It seemed that every 2/3 weeks I was in surgery. It got so that the nurses & health personnel at the surgical center knew me by first name basis. I even brought wishlists & monthly booklets to them when I went!!!!
During this time I had a small problem with a liner return, and it was my fault, because I had been so scatterbrain these 6 months. Well, I called Customer Satisfaction and spoke to a wonderful woman (Barb Gutridge) who was kind and very helpful to me. After explaining that I was sort of “out of the loop” because of being sick she was especially sweet. Lo & behold a week or so later I receive the most lovely get well card and it was signed by Barb Gutridge as well as over 40 co-workers of Barb. Did I say I was surprised? Oh Yes! This card really did the trick & cheered me up.
After the surgeries were completed four weeks later I started 37 (8 weeks) of radiation. And not that long after that I received another card from Barb & co-workers. I thanked them for sending the cards along with their prayers, and responded by saying a prayer for everyone who sent me one.
I am a one year survivor, as of April 1st, 2008. And during this time, Carol Brown took over our branch meetings and I got re-excited all over about our Longaberger company, the wonderful people who make our baskets, and the wonderful program we have with Horizon of Hope.
