LIVESTRONG BLOG

This was a newspaper article about me in Springfield, MO 3 years ago.

Cancer Survivor Prepares for her First Relay for Life
?

written 4/2007

by Ben Fry, The Standard

It has been a year of firsts for Kelli George. As a second semester nontraditional student, she will take part in her inaugural Relay For Life. While a sense of service compels many students to participate, for George it is more personal. As a cancer survivor, she feels the obligation to show her thanks for being given a second chance.

Two years ago, she was diagnosed with Uterine Adenosarcoma, an aggressive form of uterine cancer. Before hearing the news, she said she knew something was wrong, as she had been hemorrhaging for three months. “I didn’t find out until after I had been sick and in the hospital three times,” she said.

She endured three surgeries to rid her body of two dangerous tumors which didn’t seem to want to go away. “They removed the first one and it started growing again,” she said.

Two years later, she is cancer free. She said faith in God was what got her through that scary time in her life. “I drew on his strength,” she said. “It’s not enough to do it on your own.”

For those bearing the burden of cancer, she has a couple of prescriptions: prayer and a positive attitude. Her motto is: “You have the cancer, don’t let it have you.”

Relay For Life won’t be her first experience promoting cancer awareness. She found out about the event while volunteering at the cancer society last year. With the cancer in her past, she is focusing on another challenge: seeking a bachelor’s degree while getting reacquainted with the college life. She said Missouri State is nothing like she expected. “It’s totally different,” she said. “The classes are harder than what I am used to, but I love it here.”

A Tennessee native, she has attended North Arkansas College and Arkansas Technical University (NOTE — I do not remember going to AR Tech since it was right after my accident). Last year she decided to move to Springfield to reignite her education. “I’d been thinking about it for years, but the time was never right until last July,” she said.

Majoring in Antiquities and Modern and Classical Languages, she hopes one day to be a translator and travel to Europe. She is also taking several ancient mythology and civilization courses because she loves the literature. “That’s what I read for fun, I just thought why not take the classes?” she said.

I am 5 years cancer free and just living life one day at a time and enjoying all that life has to offer. I have strong faith in my saviour Jesus Christ and continuous support of my family and friends.

I was living my best life and suddenly I discovered I had stage 2 RPS Sarcoma, what an eye opener this was but it made me realize that cancer have no face, race, colour or creed. It attacks anyone at anytime.

Thanks for being such a positive inspiration for all cancer suffers and survivors everywhere.

My story begins five years before I discovered I had prostate cancer. I was 47 years old, healthy, and riding my bike almost every day to work along Chicago?s lake front, as well as with a buddy on Saturdays. At the time I was riding a full campy green Bianchi with a Brooks ?Swallow? seat. It was a responsive frame with the most comfortable seat ever!

In November of 1987 I was walking down a long hall in Jewish Hospital in Cincinnati, OH to visit my mother. As I glanced into one of the rooms I saw a veritable conservatory of flowers; a zoo of stuffed animals and an art gallery of get well posters and cards covering the floor, walls, windows and furniture! This incredible exhibit made me pause for a moment. In that moment the patient to which all these items had been bestowed could not see me, but could see my feet. The patient must have thought that I was a friend who had come to visit her. She called out to come on in, in the most cheery southern draw. How could I enter a stranger?s room? She again called out, even more charming this time. Well, I just had to find out to whom all these items belonged to. When I went in she could see I was a stranger and I awkwardly inquired about the abundance of “offerings.” She explained that she worked at the hospital and had lots of friends and support. She seemed to actually be in good health and spirits. She only had her right arm in a sling, a symbol I didn’t pick up on. Stupid male!

As I was leaving, I innocently said, “Oh, by the way, why are here?”

In a direct very matter of fact manner, she said: “I just had my right breast removed; cancer.”

Wow! Boy did I put my foot in it! How insensitive can a guy be? And me priding myself for being a liberated male! On top of that I was terrified to death of cancer of any sort as well as totally ignorant of cancer. Sherry became my guide into that world most of us do not visit until it visits us. Usually when we plan a trip we research where we are going, how we will travel getting there and what we will do during our visit. The case is the opposite when Cancer decides it will be “crashing in” to visit us unannounced. Neither previous research nor planning; and little time for the research necessary for decisions which might have to be made in a week or less.

Sherry openly spoke about everything of her experience. I can’t imagine anyone who would do that, much less with a total stranger. Maybe there were vibes between us that I was unaware of, but she bestowed this generous unconditional gift upon me. She outlined how she approached her treatment, plan, etc.

She removed all my fear, and taught me to be my own advocate. And, most importantly, she taught me to fight and to put my energy into positive thoughts and actions and not waste it on the negatives. That approach worked, I discovered when it came time to deal with my prostate cancer treatment!

She was a woman of great generous positive energy who is into Jungian thought etc.

Sherry told me “I just intuitively knew some things to do. I went through the whole emotional roller coaster, but I taught myself relaxation methods and visualization techniques. I wrote in a journal. I relied on my sense of humor. I put my medical team together and made sure everybody understood two things – I was in charge, and they had to communicate with each other.?

“To everybody looking at me, including my doctors, I was doing great. I was in control. Their perception was that I didn’t need a support group – and nothing could have been further from the truth. What I wanted more than anything was to be in a support group of my peers.”

Sherry and the late Lin Stern, another cancer patient, later started The Cincinnati Wellness Center which pioneered a support group for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, opening of the first satellite chapter outside of California. They also established a Jokefest (a semiannual night of joke-telling by cancer patients and survivors) to focus on having a good time.

Sherry told me, “It’s incredible to see eight to 10 new cancer patients come in the door so scared they can barely speak, and they leave two hours later looking a little better, feeling a little better and finding support and services to help them through one of the most devastating events that can happen to someone.”

I can attest to that, because I attended these sessions a number of times.

Over the years, I was in Cincinnati a couple of times each year and never failed to get together with her for a breakfast, dinner or just a pizza in her apartment. Each visit, she shared her approaches to overcoming and battling cancer as well as general good mental and physical health.

In October of 1991, during prostate awareness week, which I wasn?t, I happened to be watching one of the morning programs when Bob Dole, the Republican senator, appeared as guest. He candidly, for the time, talked about his prostate cancer and how important it was to get a PSA test. I thought this was a senior problem and I wasn?t going to do anything, but his message was so direct and clear, that I wrote down the 800 number he mentioned and called it. I was given the name and address of a hospital close by, so I called them and made an appointment and biked over. I was certain nothing would show up. When I received the results in the mail, it recommended I visit my doctor and get a follow up PSA test which I did. Other tests were done and there was no doubt there was a tiny tumor.

Because of Sherry, I was well prepared to deal with cancer without any fear. She was the first person I called and she helped me develop a plan. Following her approach, I researched the three approaches available at the time. The last doctor I visited was a radiation doctor who asked why I was visiting him. He said, ?You want to be rid of cancer, correct? Remove it!? It was the same thought process of Sherry. I had the operation and after some time was back on the bike. Yes, I have partial ED problems, but I would rather be rid of the disease and have a long life.

I am so very grateful to Sherry Weathers.

Surviving Breast Cancer

~I wrote this in September 2007

January 2007, I noticed I had a lump on my left breast.

Automatically, you think the worst.

I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. She was so professional with me, she tried to make me feel like it was just a lump, nothing to worry about, many woman have lumps in their breast.

But I knew. The lump was just under my skin, so it was visible. It was about the size of of a grape. It was on the border of my brown area (nipple) and my skin.

My Mother, Father, and Sister, all had cancer.

I made an appointment to get a mammogram. At the same time, I made an appointment with the general surgeon for a biopsy.

Both tests came back about the same time. With the same news. My surgeon called me first with the news. “Laurie, your suspicion is true, you have breast cancer.”

I just broke down. Even though I had a feeling, just hearing those words, there is nothing like it. A million things passed through my head.

I told everyone!! I want everyone to know, so they can learn from this.

Right away, he made the appointment for a lumpectomy. The next week, on February 5th, (2 days after my 40th birthday) I had the surgery. My surgeon removed 5 lymp nodes under my armpit also, to see if the cancer had spread. It did NOT!!!

The surgery went well. Can you believe it, they wanted me to go home that same day. I was vomiting, when I woke up from the anesthesia, so they kept me over night.

I was bandaged up really good. My breast did not hurt, nor did my armpit. But when I got home, the pain was so bad. Under my arm, hurt the worst. Even now, it still hurts. I could not bring my self to look at my breast, or my armpit. My husband had to change the bandages for a while. When the stitches came out, I felt a lot better. I looked at my self. I looked bad. My breast is a lot smaller and a little pushed in. But I have my life. So, no matter what my breast looks like, that does not matter.

My surgeon told me he got all the cancer. There were actually 2 lumps. One on the top and one behind that. The one on top was a non aggressive type, and the one behind was aggressive. I was at a stage 1 cancer. Which means early stage.

Thank goodness!! That was the best news!!

My surgeon told me he had to remove more of the tissue around the cancer, just in case. Also that I will need Chemotherapy and Radiation.

I got scared again.

March 16, 2007 I had a “port” put in for the chemo. So, I had to go under the knife again. It is on my right side, just above where my heart is on my left side. It protrudes a little, to remind me it is there.

March 21, 2007 was my first chemo. I had chemo at my oncologist office. I felt so comfortable there. All his staff are so nice. The chemo nurse took the IV and poked it through my skin, into the port. I thought I was going to pass out. It hurt so bad! The 1st chemo took 4 hours. I had to do this 1 time every 3 weeks, for 4 times.

Every week I had to get blood tests, in my oncologists office. So I got to know the ladies a little. The woman who took my blood, was very good. I didn’t even feel it. She would make me laugh. I would joke with her, telling her ” cant you see the hole? Every week, there is a hole there, just use the same one.”

The American Cancer Society was at my 1st oncologist visit. She gave me a lot of info on cancer, and chemo. She also gave me a free wig. I picked it out, of course. They give everyone a free wig. I thought to my self, I wont need this. My hair is not going to fall out. So, I put the wig in the closet.

A little after my 2nd treatment, my hair started coming out. It was like, when you brush your hair, and there is hair in the brush. But I wasn’t brushing my hair. It was just coming out. I had long hair. My hair kept falling out. It got really thin, see through. So I cut my hair to about 1 inch all the way around. That was so hard. Actually, my husband did it for me. Then I put the wig on. It didn’t look to bad. At least I felt a little normal again.

I went to work with my new hair. Everyone was so supportive of me. I worked with mostly women. Since finding out about my cancer, many have gone for mammograms!!

My job was very supportive of me. All the managers, and staff. I am so very grateful for that. They gave me all the time I needed to deal with this. I still worked. I just stayed out for about a week and a half, after each treatment.

The chemo, really kicked me down. The 1st treatment, I didn’t vomit, because I took some medicine for that. But, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, I did. I had to take stronger medicine. That finally helped. It made me so weak. Like I couldn’t even walk, or get my body up out of bed. For about a full 7-10 days. Then right after it had passed, I felt almost normal again. Still weak, but I went to work. I sat down a lot.

On my 3rd treatment, there was an elderly man who sat next to me. When he came in, he started crying. He said he had cancer a few years ago, and it went away. He didn’t go to any follow up appointments, or anything. One day he went to the doctors, and they found out the cancer had come back, double.

My wig looked good. Well, I had to like it. I had no choice. But I did like it. It was almost my same color. A little wavy, and to about my shoulders. It was so hot on my head, and itchy. It felt like I had a winter hat on my head.

It didn’t take too long for my hair to completely fall out. Bald!! I didn’t want to look at my self like that. My husband shaved off all his hair, so I wouldn’t feel so bad. He looked bad like that. LOL.

Isn’t it funny how the chemo works? My hair on my head, eyebrows, armpits, and private all fell off, but my legs, arms, and eyelashes did NOT. They got thin, but not out.

I tried to make fun of me with no hair. I took a couple of pictures, for the memories.

Losing my hair was so hard for me. My husband thought he should draw some eye brows on me, you can guess what they looked like…. hahahaha.

It is funny, to talk about my hair. I had just about the same hair do i had in the 80′s. You know, teased, and standing up in the front, with bangs. I looked good. But one of my managers kept telling me I needed a make over. So, one day, I started changing my hair. I put it down, and to the side. It took a lot to get use to, but I was. It looked good, more in style with today. So, for a couple of months, I got use to the new look. Then I got the news, about cancer, and all my hair will come out.

May 23, 2007 I finished my last chemo. Yippee!! My oncologist was so nice. He made me feel good, every time I saw him. Telling me I did great. Everything went well.

I had about 1 month off, before the radiation started.

July 3, 2007 was my first radiation. I didn’t know what to expect. The ladies there were so kind also. I have been lucky to experience all the nice people during my illness. My first day they had to measure, take pictures, put a blue marker all over my breast. The marker is to mark the exact area the radiation will go. That was a sight to see. A big blue square the size of my breast. It went from the middle of my chest, down under my left ribs, to my side, up under my armpit, across to my chest again, to make a square. It had to stay on all during my radiation.

The first, oh I will say, one and half weeks, I did not notice anything, that I even had radiation. Then all of a sudden, I was red, like a sun burn. Then burned. It almost looked black. Everything hurt. I didn’t blister though. My skin is sensitive. So it was bad. I still wore a bra, even though the ladies told me not to, because it would scratch the skin, and make it opened. If that happened, I would have to post pone the radiation, until it healed. Thank goodness, none of that happened for me.

I never got use to showing my breast to every ”Tom, Dick and Harry’. I had to show it almost at every visit, to someone. Glad that’s over.

The whole radiation thing, including getting undressed, laying down, getting radiation, getting dressed, only lasted about 15 min. The drive to the hospital took 40 min. 5 days a week, for 6 and half weeks.

I had two radiation ladies. They had me laughing on my first day. And every day after that. I’m glad. That broke the ice. Made me feel comfortable. I was lucky to have such nice people.

My skin turned almost black / brown. It looked really bad. My whole breast and under arm hurt so bad.

But I made it through that too.

August 17, 2007 was my last radiation treatment. The ladies gave me a hug, and a little certificate, stating I completed the radiation.

By now. my hair is about 1 inch. I can put my fingers on my head, and close them, and catch some hair in them. LOL

I feel much better. The fatigue is mostly gone. My breast does not hurt much, but under my arm, still does. My skin feels much better now. I just have a very bad tan on my left breast area.

I just bought a new wig. I love it. It looks more like my hair. I feel new again.

I feel like I can enjoy again.

I have to take Tamoxifen for 5 years, go to follow up appointments.
I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR. I HAVE CANCER, CANCER DOES NOT HAVE ME!

Laurie A.Gomez

Our story starts May 18, 1996 – 14 years ago. Our son, Mitch, was 2 1/2 and suffering from adominal pain – and having “issues” going to the bathroom. To make a long story short, he was diagnosed with inoperable astrocytomas along his spine that shut down his nerves that controlled his bowls. He underwent three surgeries and 25 radiation treatments. The three tumors remained stable for almost three years when Mayo found two more tumors closer to his brain stem. Two more surgeries, 25 more radiation treatments and six months of chemo – almost killed him. We were sent home from Mayo “to spend the time we had left with him”. We didn’t – so went to Tijuana, Mexico for altnernative treatments – the Alivizatos program. Mitch had lost half of his weight in six months of chemo and we truly belieive the Alivizatos program saved his life. It may not have cured his cancer – but the program made him healthier. We spent about $30,000 over the three trips to Southern California – and have no regrets. We did try one more type of chemo from Mayo – but Mitch still has five tumors along his spine! In October, 2003, Mitch rode in the Ride for the Roses in Austin, Texas. It’s definitely been one of those moments he’ll never forget – nor will his older sister, Myriah! Both of them were able to attend the dinner at the ranch and meet various celebrities! Everybody was so nice – and they even put Mitch in the brochure for 2004! Mitch still hangs the U.S. Post Office flag Lance autographed for him in his bedroom! Thanks for understanding that cancer doesn’t discriminate – it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, the color of your skin, or how much money you have in the bank! The Colfax High School where Mitch attends held a nice celebration a couple of weeks ago and Mitch’s friends all made t-shirts in his honor of “living 14 years with cancer”. It was a very proud moment!

Thanks.

Linda Borofka

short and sweet..
stage 2 lymphoma survivor.married 2 kids both under 2, small businees owner.(which I lost my business) may of 05 was my first chemo treatment. I ran my first half marathon(cleveland half)this may. sept will be my first marathon.(akron road runner) sept of 05 was my last chemo treatment I am shooting to quailify for boston! plain and simple. cancer sucks. the depression, the money, the pain. it ruined our life financially!!!!! I still livestrong though! Find a cure!!!

i was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1994, i had an orchidectomy and then chemotherapy ( BEP ) it was life shattering 2 young children and a lovely wife, here i was thinking what will they do without me ? i am 55 in july and have been a survivor for 15 years, my family are still the most important thing in my life, i feel so lucky to have had all this time with them, on sunday as a survivor i shall take a moment to think of those not so lucky as me and remember how lucky i have been!

Survivor of two years with CML, on the razors edge. It was discovered last June that I have the one mutation that is resistant to all the available therapies. Currently participating in a Phase I drug trial and doing great! I am grateful every day for the advocacy that is out there and for all the outstanding doctors and researchers making a difference in this world!

It has been an incredibly tough journey at times, but one that has been filled with lots of joy and hope as well.

July 30, 2010 I was diagnosed, at the age of 40, with Stage 1B2 cervical cancer. I had a radical hysterectomy 2 weeks later. 5 weeks later I began 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation and completed treatment October 30, 2009.

Having cancer totally sucked but it changed my life for the better in oh so many ways. I have a new view on life and a deeper appreciation for my loved ones. I still have a lot of healing to do – mostly mentally. I regularly fear the cancer will return but that changes as time goes by.

On June 19, I will be doing the Lumberjack 100 – a 100 mile mountain bike race in Northern MI.

In September 2007, they found a tumor in our 8 year old daughter’s right femur. Less than a week later, they told us that it had already spread to both lungs, and several distant bone sites, she would succumb in 9-12 months and there was nothing they could do to save her. She had Stage IV Metastatic Osteosarcoma. THAT was the worst day of our lives.

The next nine months were spent at 3 different hospitals. North Carolina Children’s Hospital (UNC-Chapel Hill), MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) and Duke (Durham, NC). By early December, the cancer had spread to every single growth plate in her entire body. The experience was horrific for all of us. A nightmare that we could never wake up from.

Colleen died June 9, 2008. I know that I am a survivor, my husband is a survivor and so is Colleen’s big sister. But I live my life dedicated to helping the children and families who are still battling this disease because, you see, for 6 of the 9 months of her journey, she received no emotional or spiritual support. She didn’t and we didn’t. No child psychologists, no therapists, no support groups, 1 child life specialists shared across more than a dozen pediatric units, no pastors. No programs to help her (or us) cope with this devastating diagnosis.

I now run a non profit called Striving for More to help fund these types of programs in the hopes that other children and their families are provided the proper level of emotional and spiritual support. (www.striving4more.org)

Three days before my 13th birthday I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right leg. After 9 months of chemo and a limb salvage I went into remission for 7 month before being re-diagnosed in my left leg during my freshman year of High School! Doctors from Milwaukee to Sloan Kettering in NY thought there was no way I would survive a second diagnosis. After20 months of chemotherapy and 30 surgeries to date (15+ knee replacements/revisions), I am proud to be standing on my own two feet, and say that on this National Cancer Survivors day I will be celebrating my 17th anniversary in remission! I am grateful everyday that I was so lucky to survive what no one else has! Therefore I have chosen to honor my 2nd and 3rd chances at life by starting my own nonprofit, Super Gimp Services for disABLED athletics…my way of giving back!

It was 12th July 2000, I was in the City Hospital in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for my third [of four] cycle of BEP chemotherapy. Some weeks previously, on 16th May, I had been diagnosed with seriously-advanced Testicular Cancer – my bHCG hormone was in excess of 364,000 [at 50,000 your prognosis is NOT good, and I was over seven times that figure]. I didn’t know it at the time, but apparently when I was presented for treatment I had about six weeks to live!
Anyway, on 12th July, I got myself out of bed @ 6.15pm and awkwardly and slowly made my ‘painful’ way up the Ward to the Day Room to see that day’s Tour de France programme on TV – ‘painful’ in the sense of REALLY awkward, I was weak and quite honestly felt like shit…. totally shit!!!
I made it to the Day Room, tuned in to [UK] Channel 4 and settled down to watch that day’s Tour.
Damn! That day was a Rest Day on the Tour – nothing new to report, but Channel 4 repeated their programme of Monday 10th July.
Now the Monday programme really was worth watching. The race had reached the Pyrenees and Monday’s stage finish was at the top of the Hautacam Mountain, one of the more cruel climbs regularly featured on the Tour. At the bottom of the mountain all the main contenders were in a group. Suddenly one of them took off, like the proverbial ‘bat out of Hell, and stormed up the mountain, leaving all his rivals far behind. Lance Armstrong had made his move, and it was a daring move! That day he took a full six minutes out of his main rivals, and took the Yellow Jersey which he held all the way to Paris to record the second of his seven consecutive TdF titles.
There I was, sitting in that hospital Day Room, with my wheely pole and a bag of chemo drugs dripping into my bloodstream, drugs so toxic that if I scratched an itch I got brown ‘burn’ marks on my skin. There I was watching a supreme athlete ‘do his stuff’ in the knowledge that just three years previously he had been in exactly the same position I was then in. We both had been diagnosed with the same variety of Testicular Cancer – Choriocarsinoma [just about the nastiest, most aggressive form of TC], our treatments were directed by the same doctor, Dr Lawrence Einhorn in Indianapolis, and while his bHCG peaked at 110,000, mine was over three times higher – his had reached his brain, thankfully mine had only got as far ‘north’ as my neck. [It's just NOT true that, in my case, there was only an empty void above the neck, I do have a brain (as proved by the MRI scan), I was just 'lucky']
For someone in my ‘totally shitty’ condition to sit and watch that performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring ['awesome' is just too much of a cliché to adequately do justice], it was inspirational!
After the programme was over, I didn’t shuffle painfully back to bed – I positively ‘glided’.
For me, this was a pivotal moment – if Lance could come back and perform at that level, then there was every chance I could also come back – and at least perform at an ‘adequate’ level. It’s really all about what I refer to as ‘The POWER of ONE’ – all it takes is for ONE person to inspire someone else going through what they have already gone through … just imagine the effect if every cancer survivor could inspire just ONE other person – damn it, we’d have so many survivors …..
All of us who have ever received a cancer diagnosis, and have lived to tell the tale, have a choice – do we ‘leave Hospital’ by the ‘Public’ door or by the ‘Private’ door. There’s NO disgrace whatsoever in choosing the ‘Private’ door – but there SO much to be gained by choosing the ‘Public’ door. Being open, honest and forthright about your cancer experience, using it to help others going through the same dark tunnel you have passed through can be such a rewarding experience.
A couple of months ago I agreed to abseil down the front of Belfast’s Europa Hotel, one of the city’s tallest and most iconic buildings, to raise cancer awareness and hopefully some ££££ for Cancer Research UK, the charity whose scientists perfected the drug (Cisplatin) that saved my life, the drug that changed a 5% survival rate for TC (and then only if the TC was caught in the very early stages) into a 98% survival rate, even for people as ‘far gone’ as I was.
The local newspaper did a half-page story about my cancer experience and I posted it on my Facebook page. I got a ‘friend request’ from a girl I didn’t know, but on the basis that we shared a ‘mutual friend’ I accepted her request. Next day another request from a guy who was a friend of hers and I accepted him too. Moments later I received a message which said “I’ve just had my diagnosis of Testicular Cancer confirmed at Belfast City Hospital, and just reading your story meant the world to me.” That’s surely what ‘survivorship’ is all about! I’ll NEVER be able to thank all the people who made a difference and assisted my survival (many will forever, alas, remain anonymous), but I can do the next best thing, and honour their contribution to my survival by being open and honest about my experience and making it available to help others. No one could blame Lance Armstrong if he had simple got over his cancer experience and got on with his life – but it speaks eloquent volumes that even while still undergoing treatment he resolved to use his experience to help others. It sure as hell helped me!

Four years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a surprise at 28. Saturday I’ll be running in the National Race for the cure, and I completed my first marathon last month. It’s nice to be able to make my body do what I want it to again.

My best to all of you who are still fighting!

Hello All,

Some incredible and moving stories – and so many familiar events that you have all been through.
Diagnosed with Non hodgkins Lymphoma Friday 5th October 2007 at 5.10 pm with a tumour in my chest of 11cm x 5cm.
Over 10 chemo’s, a stem cell transplant and 3 x weeks of radiotherapy i eventually had the all clear in April 09.
Its taken me virtually a year to really come to terms with my journey – and something that in a very strange way, may have just changed my life and my approach to life for the better.
Surviving cancer is another tough role and the volume of stories that are on here just shows the extent in which it impacts on your life. I don’t think that anyone can truly comprehend the enormity of it until they actually go through it.
Here’s a film of me talking to the BBC about my survivorship issues: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8481597.stm

I wish you all well in your journey

Livestrong

Peter
Wales, UK

Yeah, I know someone beating cancer (AML). Me. Notice it’s beating, not beat. We can never really beat it, can we? But I’m going to scrap for every day I can get now that I’m at least healthy again.

I had achieved remission by Survivors Day last year (was dx in March 09), but I still had a LONG road of treatments. I have since finished with the really harsh full-dose stuff that KO’d me. I’m now taking lighter maintenance medications and I can essentially do what I want.

I will be celebrating by going for a mountain bike ride on Sunday.

This is My Story

In 1998, after being treated for what I was told was just an ?infection,? I was diagnosed at the age of 31 with a rare vulva cancer, which had invaded one lymph node in my pelvic area. Following a radical vulvectomy, I was given radiation to the area and told that I would not be able to have any more children. Since vulva cancer is not responsive to chemotherapy, I was not given that option. The radiation treatment forced my body into pre-menopause. Just at 5 years out from being free from the vulva cancer, I discovered a knot in my left armpit. My fear was that the knot was an indication that the vulva cancer had returned. My oncologist sent me for a mammogram but due to my age and the density of the breast, the mammogram was clear. They then did an ultrasound under the arm but did not do an ultrasound of the breast, and once again I was told I had an ?infection? and was put on antibiotics. After a month, several knots appeared in the breast. I underwent a lymphectomy to remove lymph nodes and a lumpectomy to remove the tumors ? one of which was five centimeters ? from my left breast. Nine lymph nodes and the tumors tested positive, and I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I then underwent a mastectomy. At that time, I had a tumor marker of around 172. I received the normal protocol of radiation and chemotherapy. When it was discovered that the breast cancer had metastasized into my bones, the chemotherapy was stopped, and my new oncologist decided to begin a bone strengthener and an anti-hormone treatment. The tumor marker plunged to 15 and I was told that “normal”, for someone who had never had cancer, would be around 30. My final report stated “Healing and Response to Therapy”, which I was also told is rarely stated in reports of this kind.

Twice I was treated for ?infection,? but instead I had advanced cancer both times.

December 5th of 2008, another chapter began as tumor markers began to rise. I returned to chemotherapy and completed 6 rounds (36 treatments) in 8 months.

April of 2010, I had to step into the ring again and the fight was on as tumor markers were on the rise and new activity in the bones were revealed. Took a trip out to MD Anderson and changed to a new local oncologist at the Cancer Center of the Carolinas.I am currently on the chemo pill Xeloda and doing well with a great team of medical professionals.

No worries, I am given it a “beat down”!

I live strong and I stand strong because I am not alone!

I started cycling 4 years ago when I turned 54. 2 years ago I hit a wheel and crashed heavily in a veterans race and broke the usual bones, clavicle, ribs and the bleeding lungs. That was the good news. Scanning revealed a 7cm tumor on my kidney! After plating the collarbone I was back in surgery having the kidney removed. 2 years on I am clean of cancer and back racing my bike again.

Cycling saves my life every day through fitness and enjoying the great outdoors. A cycling accident saved my life. Weird! If it hadn’t been discovered the docs say I would now be ‘in serious trouble’ – I think they mean I wouldn’t be here at all.

Be active – be positive – be in the moment. You never know what’s around the next corner… keep riding!

Shortly after his second birthday, doctors gave Brett Wilson six months to live. At age two, Wilson was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Against all odds, he went through five years of chemotherapy and then into remission. A year and a half later, just shy of his ninth birthday, cancer returned to his young body, but this time in the form of non-Hodgkin?s lymphoma. Three and a half more years of chemotherapy followed, and at twelve years of age, he went into full remission.

Not long after his own recovery, three members of his extended family were diagnosed with breast cancer. Their battle with the disease was not as successful as Wilson?s, and eventually all three succumbed to it.

All that began nearly three decades ago. Now, Wilson, a two-time childhood cancer survivor and Huntersville resident, provides cancer therapy and consulting for north Mecklenburg area residents. It was that loss of family that compelled Wilson to go into therapy and counseling services for cancer patients and those close to them.

?I realized I was fortunate, and God had a purpose for my life,? says Wilson. ?Having been through (cancer), this is all I?ve ever wanted to do.?

He received his master?s degree in community agency counseling from Marshall University in his native West Virginia. After he earned his degree, he moved to North Carolina where he worked as an adult counselor for Duke University Medical Center?s cancer patient support program. His work was grant-funded, and when the grant ran out, he relocated to Huntersville.

When he moved here, he scouted around area hospitals looking for consulting opportunities. Most of the work he found was volunteer, so in order to pay the bills, he got a job at a local hotel. Meanwhile, he volunteered wherever he could with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Kids Cancer Connection, for whom he is the local outreach contact.
?Not a lot of people are comfortable talking about it,? says Wilson. ?People don?t like to discuss this stuff, but they need someone to support them.?
That?s where Wilson comes in. He works as a liaison to help family members talk about their issues with friends and family. He can also provide support during cancer therapy and treatment.
Wilson says his main goal is to make a difficult experience as positive as possible, believing that so much of surviving or succumbing to cancer is psychosomatic.

I’m celebrating National Cancer Survivor Day 2010 by doing the swim portion of the Austin, Texas Women’s Danskin Triathlon this Sunday with about 25 of my fellow cancer survivor mates from Capitol of Texas Team Survivor.

I’m proud my bald head will be swimming a half a mile across Decker Lake just 3 months after finishing 14 months of excruciating chemo for radiation induced angiosarcoma.

This agressive and dismally prognosed cancer is my 3rd cancer in 32 years and my second cancer to be caused by treatments for the first.

There are 3 major types of cancer: blood cancers, tissue cancers and sarcomas. Lucky me. I’ve had them all: Hodgkin’s Disease at 27, breast cancer at 50 and angiosarcoma at 57.

Even after all that, on this National Survivor’s Day, I’m thrilled to be swimming with NED again! (No Evidence of Disease.) It was a touch and go rocky road to get to NED. I hope it was my last trip down that street.

I never wanted cancer to define my life or be my story, but I’ve learned the value of accepting that what is is what is, and I’m getting much better at going with the flow.

I’ve learned to savor every second and to not sweat the small stuff.

On Survivor Day 2010, I’m charged up to advocate for expanded survivor services for longterm and multiple cancer survivors and healthcare reform.

On Survivor Day 2010, I’m proud to join my Livestrong buddies throughout the world as we rewrite this cancer victim crap into stories of cancer victories.

Together, hopefully we can eradicate this dastardly disease.

I’m celebrating Survivor Day this year with my arms wrapped around myself in honor of having had the pleasure of having had another wonderful year on this planet.

I feel blessed that the cancer treatments d’jour in the the late 70s were successful enough to keep me here for thirty plus more years.

I remain eternally optimistic that should I have more ventures down to Cancer Town, the newer treatments d’jour will keep me going just as long as my path goes.

On this Survivor Day 2010, I give thanks for those who have gone before me, many who valiantly gave their lives to the War on Cancer.

I am grateful for all those who went before me upon whom all the lifesaving strategies and treatments were developed that have kept me alive.

I give thanks for all my friends, family, coworkers, church members, support group members and unknown angels around the world who pray and hope for me and for the survivorship of each of their one in three.

I am 5 years cancer-free after having leukemia (CML), a ruptured and removed spleen and a bone marrow transplant. Those were 2 tough years, but I am a different and better person now. When I was diagnosed (at 48) I had so many regrets about the things I’d never get to do so now that I’ve been given a second chance at life I never pass up opportunities to really live it! I’ve learned to live with fear, that I am much stronger than I ever thought I was and that support and community mean everything when you are sick. Thanks Lance and Livestrong – you were the first to give me a little hope and that turned into determination and that is what got me through. I am grateful to my husband and family who never failed to be there for me and wish all the best to those who are still fighting. You are not alone. All of us survivors are behind you.

thanks for the information….very helpfull

From my blog, FMR: Fat Man Running. I was diagnosed during surgery on April 16 of this year.

http://pennsyrunning.blogspot.com/2010/06/172-end-of-beginning.html

I can see the mouth of the tunnel from here. We went to the doc today to check on the PEG tube. It’s been a rough week since it was placed. I developed an infection around the site where it pops out of my belly. We wound up on the ER on Saturday morning of Memorial day weekend. They gave me some antibiotics and sent me home. Today the surgeon gave me a clean bill. The infection has cleared up, the tube looks good, and we are all clear to start chemo and radiation on Monday. At last.

It’s funny. I’m looking forward to starting what promises to be the worst part of my treatment. I’m not sure though. The waiting has been pretty bad. Anticipating something awful can be worst than the thing itself. Like waiting in the office to see the elementary school principal.

There were horror stories about Miss Grove and the instruments of torture she kept in her small chamber. The most dreaded was the “Electric Paddle.” It was said that only the worst of the worst miscreants of our school had ever even seen, let alone felt it. I’m not sure I ever even heard anyone explain what it was. Only that it was the most cruel, painful punishment imaginable. I made a trip or two into that office. I was whacked with a ruler once or twice, and I have a vague recollection of a confiscated paddle-ball paddle, but I never did see the evil machine hidden in her closet.

That’s what this feels like, this waiting for treatment to start. All the preliminaries are complete. Tumor cut out. Teeth gone. Tube installed. They have prepared me for the worst, and my imagination has filled in the rest. I have no idea what awaits me in those dark little rooms full of needles and isotopes and whirring machines. I only know that I am exhausted with dreading them. I’m ready to go.

The beginning of my Cancer treatment is over. Time to turn toward the tunnel.

“breast cancer ? you’re the healthiest person I know !! ” just a gift of karma I said, something to go through with the docs and everyone else ……non smoker, non drinker, vegetarian, 105 lbs, fit skier, biker- 42 yr old (now 54) cancer free since 1998, support from family and friends is key as well as having a positve atitude.
Had to show up with 1/4″ of hair 6 months later at my winter job, trust people will find ways to laugh with you about it , Set some new goals with new activites and people, mine – get back on the bike and today I
finished my 2nd ever 80 mile women’s road ride to benefit cancer research, and finshed strong and fast compared to 2 yrs ago…. Little Red Riding Hood in the beautiful Cache valley in Utah – 3000 + riders this year and over 400 volunteers

My husband is a three-time Sarcoma survivor and going through his daily radiation treatment as I type this. He was training for the US Marine Corps Half Marathon up in DC when it all started back in October 2007. He felt a bump on his right thigh and went to Navy Medical. After a referral to John Hopkins Hospital, he was diagnosed with Soft Tissue Spindle Cell Sarcoma in his right thigh. He went through radiation, had surgery at John Hopkins in January of 2008 and chemotherapy after that. The following year, in March 2009 the Sarcoma metastasized to his right lung. He underwent a Lobectomy of the right lower lobe at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. We started to relax after that and thought he was in the clear as he went over a year without anything new. Last month we learned we were wrong. He passed out at work and had a seizure at a local hospital. After a CAT Scan, the doctor informed me that my husband had another tumor and that he would have to undergo an emergency Craniotomy to evacuate the tumor near his right temple. He is doing ok now and will continue with his regular scans. For all of you out there who are fighting this horrible disease, Don?t Give Up! For those of you who are caring for a loved one, Don?t Give Up! My husband is an inspiration to me and he teaches me every day that life is worth living and we should be grateful for we do have; friends and family who love us..

Lisa M. McDermott
Virginia Beach, VA

I am a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 20 years of age. After two surgeries, and several radioactive iodine treatments, I have now been cancer free for 25 years.

I am a cancer orphan. My mother passed away from lung cancer in 2008, at 64 years of age, after an 18-month battle. She had raised me virtually by herself, and was my sole parent.

I am the granchild of two cancer survivors. Both of my grandmothers had cancer. My maternal grandmother had breast cancer twice, 9 years apart, and then skin cancer 13 years after that, all of which she beat, though the battle aged her too quickly, and ultimately took her life earlier than she should have gone. My paternal grandmother survived an incredibly aggressive stomach cancer.

I am the grandchild of two cancer victims. My maternal grandfather succombed to stomach cancer. My paternal grandfather succombed to cancer.

I am the friend of many cancer victims. I watched my “big brother” die of a brain tumor at 27 years of age, and his mother, who was my mother’s best friend, succomb to lung cancer six months before it took my mother. I have watched another friend battle, and lose to leukemia. He was in his 30′s. I have many other friends whose family members have battled and lost.

I do not know enough survivors. LiveStrong.

Cheri Lambert
Montana

I am a two-time ovarian cancer survivor! My battle with this beast began in 2001. I knew something was wrong and went to doctor after doctor only to be told by an Ob/Gyn that my symptoms were, ‘all in my head’ and that I ‘needed therapy.’

I fought for a year to find out what the symptoms (bloating, severe lower back pain, feeling of being full, etc) were and what I could do to alleviate the pain. Also, I had had a hysterectomy in 1996 with only one ovary left intact. Truly, I could not get a doctor to ‘think outside the box’ and investigate what was going on with my body – but I KNEW that something was seriously wrong… little did I know that that something was ovarian cancer.

I ended up in the emergency room where they did an ultrasound. The ultrasound located a 5.3cm cyst on my only remaining ovary. The ER doctor stated that she would forward the findings onto my Ob/Gyn. When I met with the Ob/Gyn, he did nothing but give me a script for estrogen and told me to return for another sonongram in 6 months. I thought this was the solution to my problems – again, I was wrong… I went back in Jan. 2nd, 2002 and that was when the ultrasound found the ovarian cancer which had now spread to the pelvic wall (caused by the estrogen given to me by the Ob/Gyn). The Ob/gyn finally ordered a CA-125 (he never mentioned the blood test before this point), and it was 980. The Ob/Gyn sent me to Dr. Barnes at the Georgetown Hospital’s Lombardi Cancer Center and on Jan. 15th of 2002 I was diagnosed with Stage II ovarian cancer. I went through surgery and chemotherapy and was in remission for one year. One lymph node was found (I had an elevated CA-125). Again, I had surgery to remove the lymph node, followed by chemotherapy, conventional radiation, and laser treatment via the Cyberknife. I was given less than 25% chance of beating this beast.

That was in 2003. I am still here and still living my life to the fullest – I am a warrior. I am not going to let this beast slow me down.

Advocate for your lives, your health… If I had given up, I wouldn’t be here right now. Listen to your bodies, YOU know them best. Stay strong…LiveStrong.

In June of 2007 I noticed a small lump in my neck right above my collar bone. In January of 2008 I was playing college baseball at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, a sister school to UVA, when I noticed that the lump in my neck had gotten larger. Being 18 at the time I figured the lump probably wasn’t anything to worry about. A friend of mine from the team was also having health issues, and I decided I could at least get this lump looked at and go to the doctor with him. Well, a month later on Feb. 17, 2008 my second year at college, and the age of 18 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Upon finding out I withdrew from school to come home the Chincoteague Island, VA (where the ponies swim). I found that I was going to need 4 cycles of Chemo and then 30 radiation treatments.
Half way through treatments, about the beginning of July 2008, a PET scan revealed a small spot on my right lung. My oncologist did not know whether to treat for it or if to just let it go, so he referred me to the expert at John’s Hopkin’s in Baltimore. She requested that I be treated with more cycles of Chemo. So I was no longer half way finished with chemo. Upon finishing up Chemo in September 2008 I began radiation.
30 radiation treatments later and I was announced in Remission from Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 19. Before my treatments began I was given a LIVESTRONG bracelet. I wore it everyday and NEVER took it off. Until I completed all my treatments. The night I took off this LIVESTRONG bracelet I took a shower, and did a self examination of my body, and found a spot on my testicles. I immediately set up a doctors appointment, and the week before Christmas was diagnosed with Testicular Cancer. I did, however, catch this early enough as to not need treatments.
I went back to school for the Spring Semester of 2009 to play baseball back a UVA-Wise. I just finished my FIRST full season back to playing at college. I have one more year of school before I graduate with double majors in History and Business, and to play my Senior year of baseball. After missing a year of school I will TECHNICALLY be graduating on time. The friends i made at school stood by my side through this entire process, even coming to visit when possible. Phone calls, and even letters. My friends and family helped me to fight through and defeat these two MONSTERS. Their prayers made it possible for me to be a two time cancer survivor, and I am only 21 (almost 22) years old.

Oh, and I still wear that LIVESTRONG bracelet EVERYDAY. I plan on leaving it on my wrist for the rest of my life. Whether thats just stupid baseball superstition or if its real, this bracelet will not leave my wrist! It reminds me to NEVER GIVE UP! And it humbles me to look at it, and I thank God everyday for giving my family, friends, and myself the strength to fight these diseases!

I am a 5 year survivor . Iwas diagnosed with non hodgekins lymphoma in 2005 .. LIVESTRONG friends and fight hard I LOVE YOU ALL …. BRIAN FIGNER VERO BEACH FLORIDA

I am a childhood cancer survivor. I was diagnosed and treated at St. Jude Childrens’ Research Hospital 36 years ago. Tomorrow is the anniversary of my diagnosis.
I am now a happily married mother to 4 great kids and thank St Jude’s for all that I am!

I lost my Dad,his younger brother,my paternal Grandmother and a 12 year old cousin to the disease and it makes me really sad to say that i don’t personally know any survivors.I live in constant fear that i’ll wake up one day and be face to face with the monster.It brings me great joy to know that there are so many fighters and survivors out there.

My mom is a Cancer survire 5yrs now! This was the hardest battle That Our Family had to Fight they gave her 3months to live She beat that Praise God! But its gone 4 now we know it could come right back so if you have or had this Ugly Thing called Cancer have Faith and Hope! Never give up those who have lost there battle 2 it may you be RIP relaxing in Heaven where there no pain or suffering God Bless

Hi my names Chris, I was diagnosed with a tumor in my kidney nearly 5 years. It was a very stressful time, more so for my family than me, as I am quite a positive sort of person, who believes things happen for a reason. I had my kidney out and had to wait for the results of tests to see what was next. I received a call from my surgeon 3 weeks after the op with the results, waiting for the worst he told me the cancer had been completly contained within the kidney, relief all round. He was quite surprised himself, but I required no further treatment. I attend clinic every 12 months, having a catscan and blood tests, October will be my 5th full year and I have to attend for 10 years, so fingers crossed. I concider myself to be a very fortunate person, who has always had very good support within my family and medically. Thanks to Whiston hospital and its staff:)

Wow, I’m 9 days short of 5 years free. I’m not ready to celebrate until the 15th. But everything so far has been clean for cancer. I had two surgeries a day apart in june 2005, radioactive I-131 treatment in July and several follow up low doses for Thyroid cancer, Papillary with Follicular variant.

Having had cancer and being clean is not the end of this disease. I’m now in a clinical drug study for Hypoparathyroidism at UCSF/VA in San Francisco. it’s a large commitment. My Parathyroids were destroyed during surgery and treatment because of the cancer and causing an life time of heart, bone, and possible kidney problems. So far my kidney are okay. Cancer really changes your life. Being cancer free is great but dealing with the outcome because of it is a bummer.

I would just like to thank god for everyday me and my wife
have together she was diagnosed in Jan 2006 and on 1st feb
had her first operation for skin cancer and 2weeks later had
her second operation and now she has been clear for 4 years
also can I thank lance and the team for making everyone aware
of the fight and struggle through cancer love you Louise keep the battle
up

How fitting that today is National Cancer Survivors’ Day. Three years ago today, I was diagnosed with non Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Mother’s Day marked 2 1/2 years in remission, and so I am happy to celebrate another June 6th without cancer. I am wearing my Livestrong band for my friend Mitch and everyone who is still in the fight, and for everyone we’ve lost to cancer.

Thirteen years ago this July, I was diagnosed with the “Big C”, at age 37 I had colon/rectal cancer. That?s impossible I thought to myself, I feel great there must be a mistake. No mistake, it was a rare form and very aggressive the doctor said. And after several more tests I was off to surgery. In a way I was lucky, no chemo or radiation was needed. Because of that, I sometimes feel like I’ve cheated death and don’t feel like I’ve had to go thru what so many other cancer survivors have had to endure. Still I know all too well the affects cancer has physically and mentally on family & friends. I?m reminded of it every day!

Cancer is in my family. My Fathers Mother died of Pancreatic cancer and my Mothers Father died of Multiple Myeloma. Several coworkers of mine have been affected by cancer; their parents fought and lost or other members of their families or friends were affected by Cancer.

At times it seems Cancer is everywhere, an equal opportunity killer!

Thirteen years ago I wish I had known about the Livestrong Foundation and the support they provide for cancer research and supporting patients and survivors. Last year I participated in the Livestrong Challenge in San Jose, CA riding 65 miles. This year I and several members of our local cycling club CycleFolsom, are raising money and participating in the 100 mile challenge.

Livestrong!

I am currently fighting liposarcoma and have been off and on for 11 years. I need to thank my wife Mary, my friends, and my family for all of the support they have supplied, especially over the last year and a half while I received chemo, then radiation, then surgery. I’m not out of the woods yet but I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them.

Now is time to fight back. Please visit my website http://www.TeamRavenLunatics.com to see how I am trying to do my part to raise awareness and funds for clinical trials for this rare form of cancer.

I am a cancer survivor. I got a malignant sebaceous gland carcinoma about 4 years ago. Fortunately two lots of surgery removed all traces and I’ve never needed further treatment (just check ups every six months).

I’ve used it as a reason to live life to the full – travelling to see places I never thought I’d get to from the UK (the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Yosemite so far) and it’s made me appreciate the day to day things (like friends and family). I’ve even taken up running and started to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

I survived cloacogenic carcinoma 13 1/2 years ago. I consider myself lucky…it is a curable cancer and it is fairly easily treated, as cancers go…I had 6 weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. But…5000 rads of radiation to the pelvis is like sitting in a bucket of boiling water. The burns and discomfort are enormous. But I survived.
Since then, I have walked a 1/2 marathon, participated in a triathlon and biked an almost century (I got tired at 86 miles!). I regularly walk/run 5k’s and I am determined to survive the next one as well.

I am a cancer survivor! On August 25 1976 I was born with a rare eye cancer – Retina Blastoma in BOTH eyes. I lost my left eye at 3 months old, but through radiation my right eye was saved. (My mother also has same condition in the same left eye. We both wear artificial eyes. There is an 80% chance I will pass it to my kids.) I only have one photo with both eyes, so I don’t remember having eyesight through both eyes. I have never considered it a handicap and try to remain independent as much as I can. I have limited eyesight though and a cataract from the radiation. As of which I am getting removed in July 12.

March 2003 I was diagnosed with a malignant, stage IV, glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor. Last year I applied for a job with the Lance Armstrong Foundation but was turned down. Life goes on.

I was diagnosed with NH lymphoma in 2007. Guess I was lucky that we caught it early and knocked it out with six rounds of chemo. Thanks to excellent doctors and support of family and friends, my attitude has always been positive. Sure there are some new challenges–like peripheral neuropathy, but, more than ever, I try to take each day as it comes and to experience the beauty of life to the fullest. Now, I work out regularly and try to eat more fruits and vegetables. In some ways, I’m almost healthier than before. To those out there living with cancer, “live strong.”

I am a 2 time survivor; uterine ancer and tongue cancer. Horrible but inspiring, since surviving these 2 I had WLS and lost 115 pounds and in the next 12 months before my 50th birthday I will lose 60 more. I ride horses now, am ambitious and focused and ommitted to reaching my potential in this life.

Growing old is not a garentee – it is a gift. Never squander it. Live. Love. Give. And go out at any age expanding the passions you love.

Two year prostate cancer survivor, don’t let it stop you from living your life to it’s fullest. Cancer is still part of my life but I refuse to let it control my life, just never ever quit. Great to have so much support from my wife Rhonda,my family & friends and our church The Chapel. I thank God everyday that I feel great! LIVESTRONG!!!

“Alone, we are a tear drop. Together, we are an ocean.” Strength. Our wonderful mother is a ten year survivor of breast cancer. Thank you, Lance, and so many others, for all that you do.

I was a healthy, athletic 14-year old in 1987 when I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my femur. Two major surgeries, two bone grafts, a metal plate and 9 screws later (+ 7 full-leg casts, a bizarre bionic leg brace, a year on crutches and 2.5 years in physical therapy), I am still amazed to report that I am 23 years cancer-free and able to participate in most sports with about 85% range of motion of my knee.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my journey, those who have lost their battles or those who are fighting cancer right now. Thanks for recognizing all the many facets of cancer, LIVESTRONG.

I’m on my 2nd year cancer free ~ and want to thank all the personnel of Kaiser-Permanente, Santa Clara and their excellent patient preparation group who ‘hand held’, never tried to ‘put on a good face’ and expertly provided chemo and surgery.

I was one of the lucky ones whose breast cancer was discovered early enough to eliminate completely.

It’s been a learning experience ~ and life perspective becomes quite clear and focused after this ‘brush upside’ death’s path.

Always stay truthful to yourself, keep communications open (even if emotional~get MAD at that cancer) and remember the ones around you dont have a clue what you’re experiencing unless they’be ‘been there’ too. Be kind.

I’m a 38 year old breast cancer survivor; I’m german so I hope you excuse my bad english..
Two years ago I felt a little little ‘thing’ in my left breast. All my doctors said- that’s o.k. But I didn’t want to live with a tumor in my breast. So they made a biopsy and said: That’s bad, it’s cancer. I just sat there and said:
ok. How long do I have to live?
Next day there was a MRT… and they found a tumor in my right breast, too.
My mom died because of breast cancer in 2001. She’d lived with the cancer for a very very very long time.
So I had the operation- and there was a little metastasis left.
I had chemo- and radiation.
During this time I had a very very very good friend of mine always being there. She was always there for me, left me never alone. Chemotime was the funniest time in my life, I’ve never laughed so much before.
Every year I’m running the race for the cure. First under treatment. Every year I say: I’m gonna be faster next year, stronger to fight cancer.

I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer, 2 days before Christmas at the age of 33. I had 3 different doctors tell me that I had NO reason to be worried because of my age and medical/family history. This is a lesson to everyone to keep talking with your doctors even if they think at first that nothing is wrong. 3 surgeries, 6 months of chemo, 6 1/2 weeks of radiation, and a year of Herceptin treatments later, I’m THRILLED and blessed to say I’m cancer free for 3 years now.

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about it or think about all the people I have met along the way. My 34 year old cousin who was diagnosed with lung cancer around the same time, sadly passed away this past Friday. She left behind a husband and 2 beautiful little boys.

As strange at it may sound so to some, cancer was actually a positive experience for me. It made me step outside my comfort zone, it made me realize how special my family is, and it brought me some of the best friends I’ve ever had. I will NEVER forget those who sat next to me in those treatment chairs week after week. <3

I lived strong today!!! I just finished “My First Tri” (a beginners triathlon). I have been cancer free for 9.75 hrs. I never thought I’d see this day!!! For every survivor and every fallen I swam 300 meters, I biked 12miles, and I ran 2miles. LIVESTRONG my frenzy! LiveStrong!!!!

Oops, my friends not frenzy. stupid iPad!!!!

I AM STILL A SURVIVOR! I believe God has once again bestowed the gift of survivorship upon me. It is the same gift just a different package; this one came in a heart-shaped box. First cancer and now heart-disease.

Last summer, I had open-heart surgery. Hearing that news hit me as hard as my original cancer diagnosis. And it was very probably that all the chemo and radiation helped to accelerate what family genes would have likely caused in my 50?s or 60?s.

My Cancer Story
I was diagnosed with stage IIIA Hodgkin?s lymphoma in early 2004. Hearing it for the first time was a very surreal moment. I thought that the Doctor was talking about someone else at first, then I looked at the tear rolling down my wife?s face, and I knew it was me. I?ve always been a very active person; just six months before this, my two awesome kids and I had earned our 1st Degree Black Belts in Tae Kwon Do. I?ve always been a fighter, and it was very hard to have to step back and go into treatment, but it was time fight a different fight. I was afraid, but I knew I would win this one, I knew I?d be fine.

I underwent six cycles of ABVD (chemo) and two additional cycles of ABV. (Those last two were without the Bleomycin, which has harsh side effects and has given me some difficulties.) Each cycle consists of 2 chemo treatments. I would get a treatment and wait two weeks to recover, and then get another. I did have a mediport put in for the chemo. After all that, I underwent 40 cycle?s of radiation therapy, which was not as bad as the chemo. All this took a little over a year. (This is the short ?clinical? version of the whole treatment experience.) And I must say, I had a lot of family support and I tried to keep a positive attitude the entire time.

Right after my treatments, my oncologist explained to me that because of the advanced stage of my lymphoma at the time it was diagnosed, my chances of recurrence was about 60%. (60/40…I’ll take it, I like my chances) He also said that the further out I get from my last treatment the lesser the chance of recurrence. My percentages would have been different of course if I were originally diagnosed at a lower stage. (And at a younger age too) I?ll be following up with CT/PET scans and lab work and whatever else over the long term. I’m down to once a year now and my 6-year mark has past. And my heart health has put my cancer on the back burner, but not out of mind and never forgotten.

It?s been over five years since my last treatment and I?m doing well. I was getting easily fatigued and a little short of breath for a while, (thanks to the Bleomycin) and I have also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which simply means that my thyroid gland has slowed down to the point of almost non-function. (thanks to the radiation) So I now have to take a levothyroxine drug, Synthroid, and I will be taking this or some type of medication for the rest of my life. I’m also using a treatment for low testosterone, AndroGel® (also thanks to the radiation treatment and/or chemotherapy), and I regularly get B-12 shots. Plus I am taking vitamin supplements and I’m very careful about my regular eating habits. So with all things considered, I?m doing well for 45 years young. Well enough to train for and finish the 2009 WALT DISNEY WORLD Marathon Weekend as a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team in Training. I’ve continued to make running a part of my life, for the improved health benefits and the social side as well. (Runners are pretty cool people)

Oh, and many thanks to all those who made generous donations on my Team in Training page. Please feel free to re-visit my Fundraising Page (Donations can no longer be made on this site but all the chronicles and photos are still available): http://pages.teamintraining.org/nfl/wdw09/aharmon

My survivorship is a gift from God and I am trying my best to make the most of it. This awareness of how fortunate I am is a big part of what drives me to do the things I do.

I don?t mind sharing my experience. There’s been so much in a relatively short time; it sometimes overwhelms me to think back over it all. But I am continuing everyday to get better physically, mentally, and spiritually. I volunteer for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and also the American Cancer Society. That has become my new medicine. Along the way, I?ve heard and read a lot of inspiring stories of strength and survivorship and I’m deeply moved by them all. Everyone has a story to tell, and I?d love to hear yours.

Your survivor brother,
Alan

Livingstrong….

June 6, 2010. It is two years today that I finished radiation for Breast Cancer “DCIS insitu”. I had Lumpectomy, 16 rounds of radiation. So pleased to have celebrated this 2 year anniversary. I pray that everyone that has gone through this will be relieved from all suffering, and will be free to enjoy their lives in good health and happienes, and will be able to turn the page and move on leaving it far behind them.

I lost both Grandpa’s, one Grandma, an uncle to cancer. I won my battle with cancer which was retinablastoma and lost my right eye though so I am a survivor of cancer that I had when I was only 2 years old and I am now 31 years old.

My wife of 22 years, Margaret Reddington, is a 22 year Breast Cancer Survivor. Cancer took away her ability to have children and disfigured her body, but it never broke her spirit. We even adopted a little girl from China 10 years ago. I have a lot of heroes like Arnold, Lance, Patton, Mark Duda, and Coach Mike Ditka, but she is my ultimate hero because I was with her through all of the operations, the chemo twice, radiation, and the vomiting, the complete loss of all of her hair twice, people making fun of her, everything, but nothing ever broke her spirit. In fact as each event happened I think it just pissed her off and made her more determined than ever to beat the disease. She is my number one Hero and I look up to her!!! Rob Reddington

I was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. Cruising right along until recently. Tumor growing. more seizures than I want to count. These things are hard to get rid of. Chemotherapy next. PCV for those that know what that is. on the other hand, I got up this morning, working on a fundraiser for Livestrong.org and our local cancer treatment center. It is a great focus for me and the money we raise ($86,000 last year) will help those locally and nationally. I have a great family and amazing friends. There are always two ways to look at things like tis. I feel I am looking the right way.

Two years ago I was diagnosed with carcinoid cancer. Treatable but not curable at this point. It rocked my world but it also gave me a new love for life. I started riding my bike again, lost 35 pounds and got myself as healthy as I’ve ever been. It helped me bounce back from two surgeries. Today to honored all cancer survivors by doing a 30 mile solo ride with two massive hills, lots of curves, straightaways and suprizing potholes. I smiled and waved at everyone I sawa long the way and made sure I took time to look at all the beautiful scenery around me. When I finished I realized that was pretty much like my last two years fighting cancer.

Be well everyonone and never stop living strong.

I was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2003. I have been cruising along with just a few stumbling blocks until recently. Tumor is growing again (boy, it is hard to get rid of these things) Chemo, PCV for those in the know. We know it would be a matter of time. On the other hand, i got up this morning, spent time with my loving family. I have an amazing group of friends. I know I must sound like some sort of Pollyanna. I work on my fundraiser (tourdeschutes.org) bike ride and that is a great focus for myself. The money we raise helps Livestrong.org and our local cancer treatment center. We raised $86,000 last year. so, here we are on national cancer survivorship day. Actually I never did like the word survivor. It is either a bad T.V. show or someone who washed up on shore after a boat wreck. I go with thriver. In the big picture it does not really matter. What matters is that we are thankful for everyday and we remember those that have past on from cancer.

Gary

I have been cancer free for 5 years!! Yahoo…renal cell carcinoma aka kidney cancer was my diagnosis and boy did that come from left field. I almost hesitated about being checked but decided after 4 days of weird symptoms I needed to get checked. Thank you Jesus for giving me the nudge because after that visit to the doc I never had another symptom. I could have just let it go and then been in real trouble. Please please get anything checked that doesnt feel right….just go to the doc..who cares if it is a false alarm..early detection is the key. One year almost to the day I completed my first 1/2 marathon in Chicago!!! I am so thankful to God for healing…lost one kidney but no big deal in the long run! Thanks Lance and Livestrong for the wonderful work around cancer awareness. Tracie, Georgia

I’m celebrating this day honoring my Dad. He and my Mom have recently passed on–it was they who decided long before I had decided that I would beat ovarian cancer. They truly spent the past 21.75 years teaching me to keep LIVINGSTRONG and speaking out for quicker access, more specialized treatments, as well as expertise in the field of cancer treatments. A second opinion saved my life 21.75 years ago. A second second opinion changed my life 3 years ago. Never give up and always hold out for hope.

I was diagnosed with stage 3b testicular cancer on 10.27.09. I have survived 4 rounds of BEP chemo, pulmonary embolisms, and this Thursday 6.10.10 I will have surgery to have all the lymph nodes in my abdomen removed and once I fully recover from that, probably August I will need to have 1/2 of my left lung removed. Hopefully the surgeons wont find live cancer in my body and I will avoid additional chemo.

I celebrate being a survivor by completing the 10k Bolder Boulder last Monday and I also got engaged to my beautiful girlfriend.

I LiveStong every day

I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer 11 years ago. I had surgery the day before the start of the Tour de France. On a daily basis, I watched the Tour coverage and rooted for Lance. He kept my spirits up for those 2 weeks post surgery. He rode for me that summer and won his first title.

I remain cancer free and encourage early mammogram screening. My tumor was so deep that it was only caught by having a mammogram.

My thoughts, prayers and encouragement are with all of my fellow survivors.

A year ago I was getting my second round of chemo for testicular cancer and could barely sit up for any length of time. Today I wrapped up teaching a 5 day photo workshop in Yosemite, sharing my love and passion for photography. I’ve been in remission since September, and by God’s grace I’ll stay that way.

I praise God that I am a cancer survivor and for the lessons cancer taught me. My life is better now than it has ever been. My prayers for all of us fellow cancer survivors.

I am a breast cancer survivor and I wanted to thank all those on my Tour de Cancer “team bus” who were there with my every step of the way, however there are three special people that are forever on the podium – my oncologist Dr Braybrooke, my wonderful husband Rob and Lance himself who inspired me with his books and amazing spirit. The three of them will always be wearing the Maillot Jaune as far as I’m concerned.
My experience was actually a positive one and I feel lucky to have experienced it, it has made me a calmer person who now realises what is important in life. Also many funny things happened during my chemo, like when I tried Cold Cap to try and save my long hair, I was telling my brother how it worked and that there was a chance the frozen caps may mean I may keep my hair, he calmly asked me “are they giving you cold pants too?!”
Sadly it didn’t work for me. Also, when my hair started to fall out I was sat on a sofa with my sister-in-law, she put her arm around my shoulder to comfort me just as I lent forward, and most of my hair came out, trapped under her arm! We looked at each other for a moment not knowing what to say… and then fell about laughing, it looked so comical under her arm.
There was another day when I was having a bad day at work when my friend phoned me to ask how I was and when I explained it was a bad day, she said “you must be tearing your hair out” I replied, “no, the chemo has already done it for me”
These are just three of the many funny things that happened and they helped me hugely.
I’m glad I got cancer because it gave me perspective, it gave me masses of love from friends and family and it gave me Livestrong. Now every day is yellow and more importantly, every day is BRIGHT yellow. May you all LIVESTRONG.

I was a 28 year-old Captain in the US Air Force when I was diagnosed with Lymphoma on Sep 30, 2003. By the end of the year I was in remission and my wife and I thought the worst was over. I had radiation therapy the following spring just to make sure the cancer never came back but a year after radiation therapy one side of my body started to progressively go paralyzed while the other side started to go increasingly numb. My body was over-sensitive to the radiation which hit my spinal cord and there was no way to know if I would end up in a wheelchair because of paralysis on my left and lose all feeling on my right from the neck down. Over the last five years I’ve had to cope with the slow degeneration of my body.

I went to the Air Force Academy and prided myself in my physical fitness. I got into running races and playing soccer after I graduated. But I woke up one day in late 2005 and my leg was too weak to run on. Before I knew it I couldn’t walk without a limp. Of course, radiation to my cervical spine didn’t only affect my mobility. Daily tasks also started to give me trouble. I lost the dexterity to tie a tie and tie my shoes. Then I couldn’t lift my hand to button my shirt. Then I couldn’t grip hard enough to open bottles. On the computer, I was forced to type one-handed which is especially frustrating now that I’m in Grad school.

Radiation didn’t only affect my cervical spine. It damaged the hinge that opens my jaw so I can only open my mouth a fraction of what most people can do. Cheeseburgers are impossible to eat. I guess that’s no great loss for my arteries but now I couldn’t even eat a banana, without chopping it up, or a sandwhich. What I can and can’t eat doesn’t really matter anyway since radiation destroyed my jaw bone. At the end of 2006 I had the first of what would be five jaw surgeries to try to repair the damage. The longest surgery was 14 hours but they all failed. After the last surgery I lost the ability to swallow so now I get all my food through a feeding tube and I constantly drool since I can’t even swallow saliva. It breaks my family’s heart to eat a dinner that I cooked but would never be able to taste.

My wife, Betsy, and I were fortunate enough to adopt a baby girl from China in 2008. She has brought so much joy into our lives, but there are so many things I wish I could do with her. I can’t play soccer or tag. I can’t run to her if she falls down and starts crying. I can only pick her up with one hand so carrying her doesn’t last too long. Changing diapers is a nightmare for both of us. Radiation affected my voice and my last jaw surgery paralyzed the left side of my face so reading a book to her is exhausting, not to mention the fact that I can only use one hand to do it.

Radiation damaged one side of my brain also. This caused me intense headaches that continued to get worse until I had surgery early this year to remove part of my skull to make room for my swelling brain. All of these problems seem to have stabilized but radiation damage often pauses for a few years before continuing its slow destruction of whatever it hit during cancer treatment.

What I’ve been through is nothing compared to what my wife endures. She thought she married a young Air Force officer who was ready to immediately start a family with her. Yet just over a year after our marriage I got cancer. Chemotherapy made me sterile and though she’d always dreamed of giving birth we were forced to adopt. Since our adoption agency wouldn’t allow me to adopt domestically, we had to deal with an expensive foreign adoption. Looking back, we couldn’t think of life without our daughter, Grace, but this was one of many hardships my wife has had to deal with.

I was medically retired from the military so life as an Air Force wife has been replaced by life with a drooling disabled man and a toddler. Betsy holds a part-time job and now does things that I normally handled early in our marriage. Betsy now mows the lawn, does most household maintenance, ties my shoes, feeds me, cleans, does laundry, and does most of the work raising our child.

I’m not telling you my story for sympathy. There are far worse diseases out there and some children are born with disabilities they’ll have to deal with their entire lives. The military takes great care of me. I don’t have a lot of medical bills, get good disability pay, and they’re paying for me to go back to school for my PhD. I have a beautiful, supportive wife and a daughter who’s the love of my life. Cancer has brought out the best in the people around me and I can’t believe how blessed I am. I’m telling you my story because I could have avoided all this hardship if there were alternative treatments to radiation or if there was some test to determine people’s sensitivity to radiation. Our lives would be much easier if we didn’t have to coordinate visits and medications between oncologists, neurologists, neuro-oncologists, oral surgeons, ENT specialists, dermatologists, urologists, gastroenterologists, podiatrists, physical therapists, and cardiologists but no family practice doctor is willing to take on this load so Betsy and I can only hope and pray that we’re making the right decisions.

My brother and Great Aunt died from cancer. My uncle is a cancer survivor. For all of those who have yet to hear the term “malignant” and for those of us living with the aftermath of treatment I hope we can put organizations like Livestrong, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the American Cancer Society out of business!

We make sure to provide you the best options for how to survive lung cancer. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung cancer, then this would be the right place for treatment of lung cancer.

Lance, You lost a member of your bicycling family Saturday. My mother who was 75 and a 3 time cancer survivor passed away and she believed all bike rider’s were family. She was an avid rider (having riden over 50,000 miles starting at age 50! Biked 18 RAGBRAI’s, the I-150 from Long Beach, CA to Washington, DC, the Mississippi River ride from New Orleans to International Falls, MN and last summer rode the first half of the Lewis & Clark Trail Ride. She so admired your courage and determination as we admired hers. We are planning to put her memorial contributions towards a new bike trail they are building in Iowa that will hopefully one day reach across the entire U.S. Next time you are in Iowa (possible for RAGBRAI) we would be honored to have you ride her trail!!! God Bless her and you for what you do and who you inspire!

Angels are all around us. Bill Barry spent his life helping others. Now with cancer, he needs the help he would never ask for.

It is a very difficult moment for a person to suffer any cancer disease. We are trying to raise funds for Bill Barry’s cancer care.

On July 7, 2010, Bill Barry, was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, which has already metastasized to his liver.
It leaves him only with an expensive and grueling course of chemotherapy to extend his life. He just turned 48 on August 1st. His family want him to have so many birthdays to come. In the past year, they lost their family member, his beloved 21 year old son. Now it’s only him, his wife, and daughter, left to deal with more than they ever thought they’d face.

He has Medicare, which will only pay for 80% of his medical costs, and nothing of his prescriptions. The remaining cost is much more than his wife can afford on her limited income. He has never lost a battle, and they can’t imagine him starting now, so they’re looking to pay for a lot of chemotherapy treatments.
It is the people whose lives he has touched over the years that are reaching out to you now. It would be wonderful if he received just a fraction of the kindness that he’s given to others, now, in his time of need. Our community has been improved for his being here, and would not be the same without him.