We are the Breastcancer.org Community!

ruthbru

I must add that every single person on here is stunningly beautiful....inside and out both!!

Penzance

Hard hat because visiting an area at risk for rockfalls, on a Geology field trip at the bottom of huge cliffs! It was a brilliant if windy day, and I watched hang gliders and vowed to try that out one day. Still on my list (lack of time and money)!

40, LCIS, UK.

JJOntario

1. 
2. Rebecca - age 43 at dx on December 1/14
3. IDC. Lumpectomy and rads.

I had just had a clear mammo and breast augmentation done 10 months prior so we were totally shocked. BCO became the one place I could go to when I wanted to hide from the rest of the world. Most people sort of know what breast cancer does to your body...but have no clue how deeply it affects your mind. I got my tattoo on my wrist to signify the end of treatment. I didn't want my radiation tattoos to be the only ones I have

shorfi

You ladies are simply beautiful!!!

Sharazhad707

Hi everyone

My name is Sanchia (Sharazhad is just an online alias). I'm a 33 year old optometrist from South Africa. I was diagnosed with triple negative IDC in June this year. I started Chemo in July and joind the Chemo July 2015 group. A few weeks after diagnosis I decided to cut my hair into a short mullet :P (as seen below)

I stumbled upon Breastcancer.org when I was looking for help regarding folliculitis and I'm so glad that I did. Not all questions get answered in the oncologist's office, and I've found many answers in the wealth of articles here that help me understand what I am going through. The reading material provided are comprehensive and easy to read.

I thoroughly enjoy the discussion boards, as it provides an excellent platform for me to share my expriences, concerns and a non-judgemental space for me to let of a bit of steam. I love the sense of community and encouragement amongst the users. It's truely an inspirational space.

annieb4

This is quite a journey we have all been on and I guess when the going gets tuff, together we just get tuffer !!!

yogamama

This is me, in the midst of chemo, sporting my wig, just before the rest of my eyebrows and eyelashes all fell out. I live in Niceville, Fl. I was 44 at diagnosis of Stage III ILC. BCO has helped me through many anxious late nights, searching for words that someone understood what I was going through, and managed to make to the next day. I find inspiration every time I come back. Thank you.

SummerAngel

Longmont, Colorado.

Bilateral IDC, Stage IIA.

45 at diagnosis (this picture was part of family photos taken by a friend after I was diagnosed).

I've found BCO to be extremely helpful in learning all I can about breast cancer. I was completely ignorant of it when I was diagnosed, and there is a ton of very accurate and up-to-date information posted here! It's also nice to feel like I'm part of a group and not a freak, because I don't know anyone on a personal basis who has had BC.

shaz101

I love this thread. So nice to see everyone's beautiful face.

Anonymous

Oh my gosh, I am loving looking at all the posts and these beautiful, gorgeous people. One good SE of BC is beauty! Tell that to your oncologists (bet they never heard that one either!

Artista928

Han Tagh- My parents are Iranian as is my family. I was born and raised here but have some family here to feed me yummy Iranian food! You're very pretty. My family doesn't know about my bc so I won't be posting my photo to be extra careful, but you all look great and are brave!

cbwitt1970

• I am 44 years old. Just diagnosed with ILC on 8/18/15. I am scheduled for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on 9/29/15. At present my cancer is Stage I, Grade 2, ER+,PR+, HER2-
• I am so thankful to have found this forum to vent, connect & educate myself. I have felt so alone & scared & it has been an enormous comfort to know that many other women know exactly how I feel!
• I live just outside of Knoxville Tennessee. My husband of 3 years & I just built our dream home at Norris Lake. I work from home as a medical biller & coder.
• I am trying to remain positive & hold onto my faith that God has a plan for me & that with his help, I will beat this horrible disease

jojo2373

Hi, I am Jo from Maryland. I joined as part of the 2012 Sept Chemo group. My dx was IDC grade 3 ER+ Luminal B 2 nodes pos. I had AC T, surgery, rads, and currently on hormonals. Dx was at 50.

I couldn't have made it without BCO. I met the most wonderful and inspiring women here. They were my friends in the darkest of times and they understood. We journeyed to Vegas after most of us finished treatment and it was a life changing experience ( note we all have the same haircut!). We still chat almost daily 3 years later. Thank you BCO!

Anonymous

Great pic, jojo.

Moderators

You are all so gorgeous!!! Thank you for contributing! Keep 'em coming!

Ossa

My Name is Åse, (osa) originally from Norway. Moved to Beautiful British Columbia, Canada in 1977. Married a "canuck" in 78 have three handsome sons and now three daughters-in law and three grandbabies.. Was diagnosed in april 2011 at 52 with a 5cmx7cmx1.5 cm tumor (eight months after I has a clean mammogram) with IDC and DCID in situ stage tree. Er+ Her2+ Had eight chemo treatments, then uni mastectomy, with expander placed,. Radiation , a few more surgeries to try to make my foob look somewhat normal It is what it is... at least I am here to talk about it.. The ladies on this site has been my rock, I have cried and laughed along with you all.. for that I thank you. You truly understand Friends and family try, but they can never really understand what we have and continue to go through every day.

maryna8

My name is Mary. I am 63 and from Missouri USA. On January 31 2014 I was diagnosed with IDC Stage 2 Grade 3 ER-/PR-/HER2-. I next had a rt. Mastectomy in February followed by chemo starting in March.

I do know quite a few women with Breast Cancer but since my husband was also seriously ill at that time I saw them rarely. We struggled through the summer and fall but he passed away in February 2015. This website has been a companion to me through the darkest times. I found information, support and friendship here. It has been a way to connect with, and learn of other's struggles with similar diagnoses.

Birdysmom

Hello! Name is Rebecca, age 44 at DX. I was diagnosed with stage IIIC I.D.C. hormone triple positive. I'm a boat mechanic and live on a boat that has traveled for 15 years until having to stop for cancer treatment. Location varies between Florida coast and farther north. The tumor in breast was too big for surgery first, so am in the midst of chemo to shrink it. This photo taken in middle of chemo, with hair loss and one can see the implanted port. Uhg. It's a long, uncomfortable process, but this site and its compassionate people help keep me sane!

SpriteB

Upstate NY. Diagnosed 2/2015 at 37 with IDC, triple positive, grade 3, no nodes. 

I found BCO when I was frantically searching Dr Google after my mammogram/ultrasound/biopsy. It has become my go to place when I need answers or reassurance that I am not alone in this. Even though I have a great support system, sometimes I need support and answers from those in the trenches of this battle. I am so thankful for BCO!!

Honeytagh

Hi Artista928

Thanks a lot for your kind words. My family also do not know anything about my bc. But this is a place that I m sure they will never visit.

Wish you the best

Hanieh

AmyQ

This is me trying out a new hair do after chemo - I kept about 2/3 of my hair with cold caps - Diagnosed at 57 in Feb 2013 - brought to NED 7/3/13 after 5 rounds of TC. Tried and failed reconstruction so am flat and will stay this way. Unfortunately dx at Stage IV shortly after BMX with numerous bone mets. I am self-employed and none of my current client's know of my dx nor do I wish to share it with them. I can continue to work just fine and since I'm the boss, I can take off any time I need to without explanations. BCO is my safe haven, and I'm so lucky to have learned so much about MBC which gives me less to worry about. I have 6 children and 6 grandchildren, all under the age of 6...geez does that mean my lucky number is 666? Think I'll stop now. Amy

Kjones13

My name is Kristin Jones. I was diagnosed with stage 4 er+/her2+ BC with mets to my liver and spine, on September 14, 2012 at the age of 34. I am now 37. I live in the beautiful mountains of western NC with my family.

I have a ton of support from family, friends, churches, people I don't even know and I feel incredibly lucky. Even with all that support, no one has been able to help me like bco. To be truly heard and understood from women all around the world. It's a gift like no other. I love the depth of the boards. So many kind loving people to cry with you, pray with you, laugh with/at you, and to get angry. So many emotions. And all are welcomed

LilacBlue

I'm an American living rural in England, on the outskirts of a small village not far from the white cliffs of Dover.

Diagnosis in 2012 at age 57: Stage:1b, grade 2 multifoical DCIS of left breast, including two small tumors, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- left breast mastectomy, DIEP flap reconstruction.

My participation on the BCO discussion boards has been the single greatest factor to shaping the recent direction my life has taken since diagnosis. I am a regular poster on Let's Post Our Daily Exercise and through the inspiration of woman who post on this thread, have embarked on a life path to help move breast cancer woman forward in recovery. Since February 2013, started a small, grass roots initiative with a qualified fitness instructor called, Pink Ribbon Pilates to provide a safe, supportive and effective free Pilates classes for woman in or out of breast cancer treatment. I have now become a qualified level 2 Gym Instructor, certified instructor for Body Balance/Flow, level 3 GP & Exercise Referral Fitness Instructor and currently on a level 4 Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation qualification course ending early November. We hope to offer more free exercise classes including one that particularly targets younger women. Thank you BCO and my tribe, as I love my "now" life purpose and direction, fulfilling a deeply held desire to help and be part of the solution to breast cancer. xox

39andhip

This is a great thread! I love reading everyone's stories. Cyberhugs to all.

Becs511

Hello from New York City! My name is Rebecca and I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer in May 2014, 5 days before my 33rd birthday. My cancer is Triple Positive, with mets to 4 lymph nodes, my sternum, and lungs. This July I was also diagnosed with a small area of Triple Negative breast cancer in my left breast. I have the extremely rare distinction of being stage 4 and stage 1 at the same time.

As a childhood leukemia survivor, I knew from previous experience that a cancer diagnosis, especially at a still (relatively) young age is extremely isolating and lonely. BCO provides me with a sense of community. There is always going to be someone, at any time of day or night, there for you, ready to listen, and understand. Reaching out to people across all walks of life who are going through what I am has been an amazing sounding board, sense of inspiration, and support.

Claire_in_Seattle

I am Claire., as many of you may have surmised from my screen name. I moved to Seattle just under nine years ago to start a new life post divorce. I love being outside hiking, skiing, swimming, running, and especially cycling. Fortunately, I was able to cycle and ski throughout treatment. Based on the relatively easy time I had, I'm afraid I tend to go on way too long on the benefits of exercise. That said, I also think I was one of the trailblazers in that area. My goal was to get to "better than ever" post treatment, and I do believe that I accomplished that. In the process, I learned that we often set the bar too low. I do not feel that I was in any way diminished by the experience, but of course, it did shape my life and work going forward.

I was 59 when diagnosed, and now in my mid 60s. Now, I view breast cancer as one of the not fun things that happened to me in my life. Yes, you are never off the hook entirely, but I also hear horrific tales of things that happen to cyclists. It doesn't keep me off my bicycle though.

Here is a picture demonstrating the benefits of exercise. You will notice that the garment in question is a bit different from the one my grandmother wore. BTW - I use the Spanx counter as inspiration to keep moving!

That was taken 18 months ago. Here is a more recent one of me on top of the world, hiking near Mount Rainier.

Life is exciting for me right now. One benefit of having gone through treatment is that I now invest in professionals to cut my hair! I do exciting and challenging work. I am planning on doing 10 for 10 with the Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic next year. Most of all, I have decided to rewrite the script for this part of my life. Not sure exactly what that means, but I do know that it DOESN'T mean fading away and that it does mean living each day to the fullest.

So to those starting out, I would say...keep moving forward. You will have crappy days, but guess what? You would get those anyway. Make sure you set small goals and do them. Take time to enjoy the world around you. We don't get to do these things twice.

Which reminds me....next summer I will make a point of camping out at Dewey Lake (background of photo). Barrier is finding someone else up to the adventure. Any takers??? - Claire

Carol99

I was dx 9/2013, I was 44, double BMX 11/2013,BRAC1+, immediate recon, after multiple revisions I've scheduled DIEP flap surgery for 1/2015. This sight has been a wealth of support & helpful info, especially my December chemo group💕

It was very difficult for me at first, because of my triple neg. dx. But I believe none of us can take any day for granted, live life, love life, breast cancer is not a death sentence!

Moderators

Beautiful photo's :-) Thank you all so much for sharing them!

Chevyboy

Hi y'all! I thought I was getting too old to even go in for a Mammogram...found a small spot at 72! DANG! Kind of takes your breath away, hearing "Well, I believe it is breast cancer, but we'll just wait for the tests, then if it is, take it out, then radiation, and you'll be good to go!"

I just turned 78...(which is the new 50) and doing great! Pictured here with my DH of 58 years (in 5 days!!!!!!)

So many caring women on these threads... They helped pull me through the scariest parts....And I'm staying to help others, maybe give them something to smile about... or just to give them hugs....

Take good care, friends!

Westphal107

My name is Geri Westphal and I was diagnosed with Stage 0 DCIS on 7/14/15. Age 53

Because of family history - One grandmother as BC survivor and another grandmother who died of OC, I made the decision to go ahead with BMX with DIEP recon. Lymph node test came back negative yesterday, so I'm very thankful. Early detection has been my blessing.

I find this site to be my life saver. Pre-surgery answers to all my Qs were soooo helpful and brought me peace before the Big Day. Post-surgery answers are helping me navigate through all these changes. Such a great support group and out pouring of love. Xoxox