Telling Her Stories

I would like to share with you a group of ladies that I met, who I think are, so awesome and,  some of the most, courageous women on this earth!  They have a lot in common, being that they are all women, strong and relentless.  They also have another commonality, which is they are African American women, who has beat CANCER!  Yes, the C word.
I have heard for some time now, that African American women have a higher rate of having this disease.  My family has been touched by cancer, and I'm sure that you or  someone special or a relative,  may have been afflicted by the disease. 
 In most cases, one doesn't hear of  their story,  until they are not with us any longer.  Then one's first reaction is, "We didn't know she had cancer".  Her story wasn't told!
I'm posting this blog, with that in mind,  that this may encourage other brave,  African American women to share their story.  If you are not ready to share your story, that's fine.   Read their stories to help be encouraged, or encourage someone else to seek support, and know that you are not alone, and perhaps you can beat this disease that's plaguing, our beautiful women.   Let's talk about it!!!
Feel free to ask questions, or to make comments.

I met with a  group of women, on a chilly Saturday morning,  at the Bean.  It may have seen selfish of me to ask these women, to give up their Saturday morning, but they were happy to oblige.  I so enjoyed, meeting and speaking with each one.  It was incredible! (not to mention, I have new friends!) The information shared with me, during our one-on-one time was unforgettable.  I know, I know, get on with the stories...

Tracey:

1       
       In 2002, during self-examination she noticed something out of the usual.  There was a lump in her breast.  The "Oprah Winfrey" show revealed information that lead her to self-examination.  Stacey, believes that one should listen to their own intuition, when it doesn't feel right, it may not be right!

     She would give a word of advice to other women, a cancer diagnoses does not have to be a death sentence.  Take control of your diagnoses.  Learn your options, listen to your body, question things you don't understand.  PRAY, make sound judgments, and follow your treatment plan.

     During her therapy, her family was her rock! No one else in her family, had been diagnosed with cancer. She became the advocate for herself.

     She searched for breast cancer supports groups while going through therapy, but was unsuccessful finding one, that fit her needs.  Most of the support groups were of older women, who didn't share the same issues that I did, at that time.   She is now a Regional Board Member of the American Cancer Society.

     Her  motto is ” Life is like flying without wings, the only way we survive is taking others, who are struggling in ways you have survived, under the fold, and help them soar as well”.  It’s the only way we all can survive!”

 

.

Monica:

Her significant other found a lump  in August of 2008.  She then made an appointment for an appointment for a mammogram in 2009. She took this lightly, after a self-examination which she ignored.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, and in 2013, she was diagnosed with kidney cancer.  She has had 5 surgeries, in six years.
Her treatment consisted of chemo for 6 ½ weeks and radiation for 6 1/2 weeks.  It was very draining and a depressed state for her.
Her support came from her Mother, and a high school friend, whom took her to every treatment. Her family, and church members supported her, while going through therapy.
Some years ago, while she was going through therapy, she volunteered at a hospital where mammograms were given, assisting cancer patients with making doctor’s appointments.
She suggests that finding a support group is beneficial to recovery.  She fell into depression.  She didn't begin to talk about her health, until after she had kidney cancer. She feels it's necessary for her to talk about her story now, for it may help, or save someone else life. She hopes it will encourage others, to seek help and to see a doctor.  She doesn't want readers to take their health lightly. Don't take your life for granted!  Whatever the circumstances are, let a professional diagnose them.   It’s better to know than not.  If you don't do it for yourself, do it for your family.

Kim:
She discovered she had breast cancer by doing a self-examination.  She started performing self-examinations, after her mother was diagnosed with cancer.  She found her limp under her left arm.  A biopsy was performed, on the same day as a doctors' appointment.  Her primary care physician scheduled a MRI, which found a lump, that was benign.  She  then has a second opinion, and it found to be cancer.   She was diagnosed in September of 2008, when she was 37. didn't want anyone to be fearful and she tears.   It took a couple of days before she could share her diagnosis with anyone. After she prayed about it, she was able to reveal her diagnosis.  She felt  she would be okay.
Her lump was 1.5 centimeters, for which she didn't have to have chemo, but opted for it, because she only wanted to go through therapy once .  She had four rounds of chemo, once every three weeks.  After 3 weeks of chemo, her hair began to fall out.  Her hair was very delicate, the slightest wind would remove her hair.  She then started radiation, daily for 6 and half weeks. radiation robbed her, of all her energy, which became grueling.  It killed her good cells, and her bad cells.  One side effect she experienced was hair lost.  she also experienced constant leg, back pains, along with nausea.
She was on two different, IV medications for 1 and half hour and 30 minutes, each.  She mentioned that her nails became dark, and her cuticles were soft, as a side effect of the chemo.
In December of 2008, she had a mastectomy.  Although her mother had  beat breast caner twice, she had a double mastectomy, so she Kim wasn't familiar with the treatment, since treatment wasn't an option for her mother.
She never once thought that having cancer was a death sentence, although she didn't know what to do.  Her doctors were very influential in her diagnosis.
Her words of advise for someone who has just been diagnosed, if chemo is an option, use plastic utensils, to avoid the metallic taste, which is a side effect of the chemo therapy. Sour candies, like "Lemon Heads", helps to mask the metallic taste.
She didn't interact with the traditional support groups,  for her family, friends, coworkers and church members, were her support system.  She once participated,  in the Breast Cancer walk, for her Mother, but now it's personal. 
She feels that being diagnosed with breast cancer, isn't a death sentence! She's now a testimony for other women who may be in fear!

S

     Stacey:

     While doing self-examination in 2003, and 2012, Stacey found the tumors on her chest.  In 2003, it was visible and she noticed it on her chest while in the shower.  After a couple of weeks she went to the doctor, and he scheduled a mammogram.  Stacey was 36 years old at the time, with no history of Cancer in her family.  Because of that, the mammography tech only took a few images.  She insisted the tech take the additional images.  When the radiologist reviewed the images, she saw something was wrong and gave her an ultrasound.  She was referred to a surgeon, at Rush by the name of Dr. Witt. There were two tumors in her breast.  She opted for lumpectomy surgery, because she didn’t want a mastectomy.

She had chemo, once every three weeks.  Which was harsh on her system and she experienced

severe nausea.  Her youngest child was four years old, during the time she was going through
therapy. She underwent 35 treatments of radiation; 5 days a week for 7 weeks. The treatments were
tiresome and left her physically drained.  Radiation made her skin really sore and dark.   

She believes, nutrition plays a role with fighting this disease.  Nutrition, environment and stress are

 components to cancer.  You need a routine to relieve stress. She feels that a plant based diet is very 

beneficial, and having an outlet for your stress, and making time for self-time is critical for good
health, Water is vital to our body.  She was told, she had been under excessive chronic stress and it
was a contributor to her cancer.  She never took time out for herself, but makes it a priority now. 
You need an outlet for life stressors, have activities.  She's a firm believer in scheduling personal time
now.  A word of advice to newly diagnosed women, is to stay positive, because there are new
treatments, and cancer is no longer a death sentence. The survivor rate is increasing inquire about the
stage and type of your diagnosis. Do extensive research. Be your own advocate.  Always want to
know the truth, so you know where to begin your research, and be sure to get a copy of your
pathology report.

  

 

      Angela:

     She found a hard lump, while performing a self-examination, and she knew that if it didn’t move, it was odd.  She had a doctor’s appointment two days later, for a mammogram, then a biopsy.  In November of, 2009 she was diagnosed with stage 2, breast cancer.  The lump was .5 centimeters.  

      She has had five surgeries. One of which was intravenous, porta cast (in her breast).  She had, 8 rounds of chemo, every other Tuesday.  She received radiation daily, for 7 weeks.  In which after two treatments, her hair began to fell out. She was very sick during chemo. Her potassium was low, and her blood count was low.  She was dehydrated and she had to be hospitalized

      In the midst of this of this journey, she prepared a senior for college, and her eighth grader for high school, while going through treatment.  Her daughter is now graduating from Kentucky State University, and her son is a freshman at Kentucky State University. Yeah!!!

    

     




 

     Gail:  
     She found a lump in her breast, while doing a self-examination, of which she performed monthly.  she asked her husband, if he could feel it too, and he could. she made a doctor's appointment, and her doctor performed a ultrasound, and a MRI, but it wasn't aggressive.  In 2011, she had lumpectomy.  She had to have a second surgery to ensure that all of the cancer was removed.  Her doctor removed one lymph node, which removed all of the cancer during her second surgery.
     Gail's mother had breast cancer too, which led  her to be  more proactive to self-examinations. Her treatment included five weeks of therapy, in which she left work for daily.  She didn't tell anyone of her diagnosis, other than her husband, and a few selected prayer warriors.  She didn't want any negative spirits, or thoughts occupying her minds.
     Once she completed her therapy,  she shared it with her congregation.. She had no side effects of the radiation, no hair loss.  She didn't feared cancer.  She often said, "I might have cancer, but cancer does not have her".
    her support mechanism was praying, fasting, and the Lord's word was her weapon. Her husband, also  played a large role in her recovery She had no fear, that she would beat this disease.
S   She is a person, who loves the Lord, with all her heart, mind, and soul.  She values life, her family, and her friends.  When she's committed, she's 100%.  It's her testimony,  to tell other women of her story.  She's a walking testimony!  Gail is now 56, and cancer free!!!

 
     Alice:
     Some years ago, she worked at the YWCA, where she helped women get mammograms. There was a truck that would come out to her location, and give free tests to women.  Little did she know that the knowledge she was gaining, would become personal for her.
     She didn’t have a lump, of which she was expecting, because it was so common to have a  lump of some sort.  No lump, no cancer was her theory! She  thought, she didn’t have anything to worry about.  She thought she had a mammogram yearly, but she actually missed a year.  She had mammograms yearly, since the age of 40, with the exception of the one year she missed.
 She was diagnosed in 2011 with breast cancer, 2 weeks prior to her 46^th birthday.  She didn’t have chemo or radiation. She opted for a mastectomy, which she had later that year.
She feels that early detection is key, whereas she may have had a different outcome. Prayer helps, although it may be difficult at that moment, but you will  get through it. 
Her support group was her family, and her church.  There was never a time, she couldn't pick up the phone, and call someone.  She wants to spread her testimony, and wants other women to share their story.  It's a blessing,  when God brings you out of something!