When you hear the term “breast cancer survivor”, you probably think of someone who has had AND beat this dreadful disease. Have you stopped to consider the other survivors of this disease, the silent survivors?
First off, I am not taking anything away from the unfortunate people that have been diagnosed with breast cancer — I lost my mother, my maternal grandmother, and a cousin to breast cancer so I have the utmost respect and admiration for these survivors.
However, it is because I lost these loved ones that I feel I am a survivor.
I first realized that there was something different about my grandmother when I was a child. One day I went into her bedroom without knocking (a BIG NO-NO) as she was dressing. I quickly noticed that she was missing a breast and horrifically scarred.
I remember asking her where her “boobie” went. She sat me down on the bed and explained that when she was 33 years old, she had breast cancer and had her breast removed to ensure that she would be around for her grandchildren. I accepted the explanation without much thought and went about my happy way as any child would do.
Nineteen years ago, I was your average 17-year-old when my mother died after battling breast cancer for 16 months. I was thrown into shock and despair. Suddenly, my curiosity about breast cancer became an obsession!
I talked to doctors, specialists, and other breast cancer patients to learn as much as I could about this disease that took my best friend. At that time, my grandmother had been cancer free for almost 30 years, bless her soul. With her guidance, she finished the chore of raising a motherless child.
For eight years after my mother died, I adored, listened, and cherished the bond that I had formed with my grandmother — thankful that I was lucky enough to have another love like my mother. Unfortunately, time was not on our side. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her other breast and the odds were stacked against her. “NOT AGAIN” was my first thought.
I really didn’t think I could bear to lose another person and to the same disease. Being wiser the second time around, we made the best of our time and said our good-byes on my birthday. Three days later, she passed away — from breast cancer.
So you see, I have survived this disease. I survived the deaths of two great women. I have stayed educated and healthy thanks to my doctors.
I have tested positive for the BRCA gene – no surprise there – and I am classified as high-risk. Even though it’s a lifelong fear that I will get breast cancer, I remain positive that I won’t die from this disease. I’ll simply become a different survivor – a breast cancer survivor, not just a silent survivor.
All year long, especially in October, I honor their memories and support the efforts for all breast cancer initiatives. Please do the same.
Thank you Dana for sharing your story.
Comment by Matthew Oliphant — 26 September 2008 @ 10:27
Wow… Truly, thank you for putting this out there…
Comment by misty — 26 September 2008 @ 12:20
Dana, It’s so difficult to explain to people what it means to have cancer in your family, to find out it’s in your DNA, and all probability you too will experience it yourself if you don’t take drastic measures. The point I am trying to make is survivorship is for all, for family, friends, supporters. It’s a difficult road – but with everyone communicating their experiences, there’s nothing but support out there. Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading more of yours in the future!
Comment by softservegirl — 26 September 2008 @ 16:37
I was completely touched by what you wrote. My mother had breast cancer when I was 9 years old. Thankfully – she survived and it has been over 30 years. I don’t know of anyone who hasn’t been touched by this awful disease. You’re rt. you are a survivor of breast cancer. Knowing you have the awful “gene” must weigh on you everyday. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Comment by Shari — 27 September 2008 @ 15:10
[...] Dana P. @ PeaPod Studio is sponsoring a Go Pink for October mug. Dana has also written a special Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness page on her site. Dana lost her mother, grandmother and cousin to the disease — read about her story here. [...]
Pingback by Introducing the contest sponsors | Pink for October — 30 September 2008 @ 20:35
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in February 2008, I had surgery, chemo and radiation. I had my mammogram last week, and all three doctors said the cancer was gone. My question is when do you consider yourself a survivor?
Do you start counting from the end of all treatment, or after the surgery? Please reply
Comment by Barbara Guzdial — 15 January 2009 @ 16:59
I was having the same question to the above question. My mom had her bilateral mastectomy in December, has completed chemotherapy and will begin radiation tomorrow morning. In my eyes, she is a survivor.. she is my hero. She cried with relief when her BRAC test came back negative since I am her only child and daughter and it was her biggest fear to have passed the gene to me. At what point do oncologist and the community consider a patient a breast cancer survivor.
Thanks for sharing your story. You and your family are in my prayers and thank you for your mom and grandmother’s brave fight with the disease. They are some of the bravest women I’ve heard of.
Comment by Jennifer — 28 January 2009 @ 12:38
I have a response to the last two ladies… Everyday we survive is counted as a blessing or survival. I was diagnosed last July with breast cancer and after surgery and treatment, I am here today to enjoy my friends and family. So, we are all survivors, as long as we look forward for the living and remember the ones we lost and the beautiful memories we have of them.
My mother HAD colon cancer, my dad HAD prostate cancer and I was the third in a family of five to survive my cancer too. I pray my two sisters will never have to go through what my parents and I faced. This October I’ll walk with others on the 3Day Walk in San Francisco. We can all do a little to fight this horrible disease. God Bless you all…
Comment by Kathy — 30 January 2009 @ 18:51
Hi, just found this site. I have a reply for the ladies listed above me. I count my days of survival from my day of surgery, the day I knew it wasn’t in me anymore. I had bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction done the same day. I don’t want to scare Jennifer but my BRACA was negative also and so was my cousins. My breast cancer was found during a breast reduction surgery, all my mammos were negative, my type of cancer isn’t usually found that way. Dana, this is a great site, wish I had found it earlier in my survival, keep up the good work, we need you. Now that I’ve found this site I will visit again. God Bless and take care.
Comment by Kathy G. — 15 February 2009 @ 7:01
I too am a breast cancer survivor! I had a double mastectomy last week, March 10th to be exact. Today they tell me I am cancer free. No other cells detected. Thank God, I’m 49 years young. I hope to see all my children and grandchildren grow up with me : )
Comment by Pat Hornbach — 19 March 2009 @ 17:39
Another year just passed. Be strong. I’m sure you’ll survive.
Comment by Utah Cosmetic Surgeons — 3 November 2009 @ 22:22