We are the Breastcancer.org Community!

I live in San Jose, CA

Diagnosed over 4 years ago with Stage IV Grade 1 IDC, with a single bone met

59 years old

"Though a fortunate minority, with no pain and disease that has had minimal impact on my life, the emotional support I have received from many women has been an important factor in coping with MBC."

Hi. My name is Hanieh . I got diagnosed at 32 in July 2014 with stage 1 medullary carcinoma grade 3 three days after my birthday. I live in Tehran, Iran. I have MA in English literature and now I'm an English teacher. Throughout this hard journey this site has been a great help and relief to me. I got to know some wonderful people here to whom I could share what I could not share with my loved ones. I love this site because it helped me find some great friends here .

Hello:

I am unable to share a photo due to privacy reasons around my work (self employed), but wanted to contribute here whether you choose to share this with the greater community or not. I have included a photo representative of where I live.

Age: 55, dx at 52

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Dx: Bilateral breast cancer, IDC and DCIS

Quote: BCO helps women with support with timely articles and a wonderful network of breast cancer survivors. There are women on BCO whom are waiting for results all the way through treatment, through the five year follow up process, and beyond. I have met many great friends here, and had the good fortune to meet one in person so far!

Hi my name is Susanna, aka feelingfeline, pictured here with my daughter Nina.

I live in Wicklow Town in Ireland.

I was 44 at the time of my diagnosis, I'm now 48.

I was diagnosed with a stage 3, grade 3 Ductal Carcinoma with 3/22 positive nodes and had a mastectomy and axillary clearance.

I've done chemo, rads and am currently signed on for the long haul on hormonal therapy.

Two years after my own diagnosis my husband was diagnosed with a stage 3 cancer. It's said that lightning never strikes twice in the same place but there are plenty of families on BCO who know that's not always true.

There is a huge amount of love, laughter, humour and friendship on BCO as well as other emotions associated with the BC journey. I came onto the site never expecting it to become so much a part of my life as it has. Breast cancer is the catalyst for how we join the community here but that is not the reason for staying, BCO is about much more than just breast cancer, it is about friendship too.

Hi, my name is Julie and I live in Orange County, CA. This is a picture of me and my amazingly supportive boyfriend 2 weeks before my bilateral mastectomy. I was in that dreaded time period between diagnosis and surgery knowing that the lump I felt months before was cancer.

I was diagnosed in February 2014 at the age of 46. I am turning 48 in 2 weeks.

Thankfully, I was diagnosed with stage 1 IDC breast cancer with no lymph nodes affected. It was 1.4 cm and my regular doctor thought it felt like all my other usual lumps. My Oncotype DX score was 12 and I avoided chemo and radiation. I'm just on the Tamoxifen 10 year plan. I had two additional breast reconstruction surgeries and am pondering 3D nipple tattoos, flowers, or something!

I learned about BCO back in 2009 when I had an excisional biopsy for a radial scar. I found my way back as I waited for the call to know if I had cancer or not. The support on these boards is incredible! Cancer can be a lonely experience and it was so helpful to be able to talk to other women that were going through the same thing. I have made friends here and I am forever grateful for this site.

(susan3--you are STUNNING!!!!)

Age 56, two years after completion of active treatment.

No matter how much support you get from family and friends there are things only people who are in your shoes can understand.

BCO turns stats back into people!

Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 2b, grade 1

Age: 47

South Australia

Massachusetts

BCO - -These are the folks who "get it" Information and support from the best!

DX Sept 2011 with IBC Stage 3 B

DX Aug 2013 with spread to adrenal gland Stage 4

NED Since October 2013

Current age 61

LCIS & ILC at age 45 now 48. Northeast Pennsylvania.

BCO is an invaluable resource in helping me get the perspective on a huge variety of issues from other breast cancer patients/survivors. They understand; they "get it".

BMX. no recon.

My Quote: "I've had cancer. I can do ANYTHING!"

Edited to add my BCO quote: "BCO has been my lifeline since I had the good fortune to discover it shortly after diagnosis. It is the best source of informative articles and the peer support is so uplifting. I can get facts, friendship, folk wisdom, and FUN in one location. All at the click of the mouse. What more could I ask for?"

Here is a picture of my T-shirt. I made this.

Front. paint, embroidery and beads.

Back. paint and embroidery

My Quote: "I traded my Perky Bosoms for a Perky Attitude!"

Edited to add my BCO quote: "BCO has been my lifeline since I had the good fortune to discover it shortly after diagnosis. It is the best source of informative articles and the peer support is so uplifting. I can get facts, friendship, folk wisdom, and FUN in one location. All at the click of the mouse. What more could I ask for?"

I live in Rockville, MD.

DX Stage IIb IDC

Age at dx: 52

Currently 59 years old. Celebrated my 5 year survival anniversary by running a half marathon. I was never a runner before breast cancer, but going through surgeries, chemo, and the entire cancer experience brought out a zest for life and a desire to try just about anything!

From the early days after diagnosis when I was suddenly plunged into Cancer World, through the nastiness of chemo, through multiple surgeries, and now as I seek to rebuild my life, I treasure the women (and men) I've met through BCO who have been there for me every step of the way. I could not have done it without them and without BCO. It's the first place I send anyone who has been diagnosed or has had a loved one diagnosed. Friends, family, and loved ones are wonderful, but no one except another breast cancer survivor really understands. That's the beauty of BCO - everyone there understands.

Diagnosed 9 months before my wedding, here is me trying on my wedding dress after surgery:

Tiffany from Austin, Texas.

6/12/15 diagnosed with Stage 1A, Grade 1, ER+ PR+ HER2-, 1.3 cm, node negative IDC in right breast.

31 at diagnosis, 32 in a week.

BC.org helped me find some sense of calm during those early crazy months after my diagnosis. The ladies on the forum were so ready to help, even when I didn't know what I needed. As I prepare for chemo I know I will rely on this board just as heavily.