Testimonials

I'm a LIVESTRONG Leader with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, so the notion of awareness and the importance of early detection is not new with me. Knowing what you went through, reinforced this. Last month, after watching a re-run of "The Nanny," I was reminded of your story and message, and decided that I was going to have a digital mammogram done at lunch at the free Health Fair that my office building's landlord was offering. Now, I'd just been at my OB/GYN, and I was not yet 37, and she said a mammo wasn't necessary because I was so young, but I figured, in good Jewish thinking, "Meh! It's free, so why not?"   I went in for the digital mammogram, and they said everything looked ok, but I'd get the final word in a week or so - just in time for my 37th birthday. I proudly Tweeted that I just had my first mammogram, I wasn't yet 40, but that I was doing it to establish a baseline - yay, preventative measures.   Like clockwork, I received the letter from the hospital for the final word. Only, it didn't support the initial reading. They wanted me to come back for an ultra-sound and a more substantial mammogram. I panicked and called them. I was told because I had dense breast tissue, they just wanted to make sure. Knowing, after all, I'm a LIVESTRONG Leader, that more often than not, you're given calming news when they sense you're anxious, I told them I wanted to know the truth, not just a white-washed version to make me feel better. "Nope, not to worry - you're young, so it's probably nothing - just precautionary."   I was still skeptical - again, maybe it's the Jewish New Yorker in me - so I contacted LIVESTRONG just in case for some additional support. I was given a Nurse Navigator who verified it's likely nothing, pretty routine, and more often than not, it ends up being nothing.   I went to my follow up, and the mammogram was first. It was more than uncomfortable, but quick, and the technician didn't seem to gasp or show any concern, so I felt confident. I then went onto the sonogram. First, the left breast, and while it took a while, there were not indications that the technician was doing anything outside of routine.   But then the sonogram continued on the right. More and more pauses were taken, and re-swipes of the wand. I tried to watch the screen, and out of the corner of my eye, I see her changing from the regular sonogram to the blood flow screen, and I see something weird. And the panic set in. The technician says she wants to go over the results with the radiologist and I was left alone for maybe 5 minutes - though it seemed like an hour. I had left my cell phone with my friend in the lobby, whom I wanted to call while I waited to ease the tension. The technician returns and says that there is something in my right breast that they want to biopsy.   I shut off. I didn't break down, I mean I just shut off. Here I am, LIVESTRONG Leader, knowing that knowledge is power, I need to ask questions, I need to be aware, I need to be conscious of what's going on - and I'm blank. I'm not sure how I got back out to the lobby to my friend, but I must have gotten dressed and met him. I told him, in Hebrew (as I didn't want others to hear) that they found something and there would be further tests. We met with the Nurse Navigator at the hospital and they explained there was suspicious calcification in the right breast, though, I was assured, even if the biopsy showed malignancy, it is likely so early on that removal of the calcification and affected tissue may be it.   My biopsy is scheduled for July 14, and I'm still terrified of cancer, etc. BUT, can you imagine if I hadn't decided to get that freebie mammogram? Can you imagine if I'd blown it off?   I don't know if it's Cancer of Schmancer. And while I am hardly "grateful" that the test results are what they are to date, I am grateful that seeing you on TV, along with my yellow wristband, made me say to myself, "What the hell? Just do it."   Hopefully, I'll be reporting a happy ending in a month.   - Rica
I am so impressed to see an organization devoted to early detecting of cancer!  Most groups focus on research and cures, which the average person can only be involved in via donation of money.  But you have finally hit the nail on the head with early detection.  Bravo!   In July of 2002 my father was diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma of the Lungs.  We live in MN with a population of around 89,000 and the Oncologist here told my dad he maybe had 6 weeks to live, but my dad  replied "I don't feel sick, just a little short of breath?"   My dad decided that he would not take that as his final answer and the very next day he began research, and I did the same.  He chose a hospital and the surgeons told him that the surgery that needed to be done involved removing his right lung, and rebuilding the "mesothelium" of his heart, right lung, and diaphragm with gore-tex to protect it from further spread of the cancer, and that the surgery was incredibly risky.  My dad's response, "what do I have to loose at this point?"   My dad endured the 17 plus hour surgery on August 16, 2002.  When they finished they said that the detection was so early that there was no remaining cancer that would need radiation or chemo.  He was truly a miracle. (My dad was the longest surviving Mesothelioma patient in Northern Minnesota at the time.)   Though my dad was given a "new life", he made it his new focus to educate and work to get early screening and testing done for people who have been exposed to Asbestos.  I too joined my dad in this crusade.    In August of 2005 a small speck of cancer showed up on my dad's PET scan.  He volunteered to try a Chemo study since there is no effective treatment for Mesothelioma.  On February 6. 2006 my dad succumbed to this awful disease; his small "speck" had grown from the size of a baseball to the size of a football in under 5 days.   I still preach early screening and detection, and offer assistance to those who are recently diagnose.  Education is the key.   Thank you for what you have started.  Mesothelioma is a rare but deadly cancer.  In Northern Minnesota the rate is almost the second highest in the country because of the Taconite mines, and it is estimated that it will be skyrocketing in the next few years. - Only 3,000 people are diagnosed each year, and almost 40 of those cases were in Northern Minnesota in the past two years.  There is no cure, but with EARLY detection the survival rate goes from 6 weeks to at least 3 - 6 years.   Keep up the EXCELLENT work!! Jodi
I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 21. My doctor told me it was 100% my attitude towards it, he told me there was not an expiration date stamped on me anywhere and if I wanted to live, I would. I have now been in remission for a whole seven months, and laughter was the best medicine. My family never understood my humor about it, but it kept my spirits up. This site is very inspiring and makes me want to put my voice out there and share my story. And as a survivor sites like these really touch the heart, thank you. - Katelyn L.
I lost my mother almost 3 year ago to recurrent cervical cancer. In 1984, was the 1st time she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. At that time, she had a radical total abdominal hysterectomy along with radiation treatments. She ended up having some complications from that surgery, but all was mended and she remained cancer-free for 21 years. Until she was diagnosed with a recurrance of cervical cancer in 2005. By the time Mom went to the doctor (after she had been showing signs, like vaginal bleeding  for many months), the cancer was already at stage 3. The only options were a full pelvic exeneration surgery (which the doctors said she more than likely wouldn't survive due to other health issues) or chemotheraphy (which they said would not be a curative, but would postpone the inevitable by about 15%) or she could do nothing (which they only gave her about a 6 month outlook at best). Mom opted for the chemo. She received chemo every 3 weeks over a 3 day period each treatment for about 2 1/2 years before she had to be hospitalized for the last time. During her 2 month hospitalization, she was too weak to receive chemo so the cancer spread. It eventually caused a fistula (hole) between her bladder and colon. So, that she wouldn't suffer from this, the doctors thought it best to performed a colostomy on her. Surprisingly, she survived this surgery and even showed some signs of progress......but without receiving chemo for almost 2 months, pallative (hospice) care was prescribed. Mom went from the hospital to a long-term treatment facilty for 1 month (while hospice arrangemnents were being made - Mom hadn't accepted this yet).......after her acceptance and decision, she finally was sent to the hospice facility.....where surprisingly, she hung on for another 5 weeks before she finally passed on April 24, 2008 at the young age of 65. I am writing you of my mother's story, to prove the point that your message of EARLY DETECTION is key!! If my mother would have followed that message,  I strongly believe she would still be here with us! There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think about her and miss her terribly!! At first I was mad at her for not going to the doctor sooner, but with all the struggle I saw her go thru just to spend one more day of living, she became my HERO!! So, to everyone out there that is afraid of going to the doctor because they are afraid of getting a cancer diagnosis.....think of your loved ones. If you don't go for yourself......do it for them!!!   Written in tribute to Valerie Lea Verdin,  6/11/1942 to 4/24/2008 of Hiram, Georgia.  Survived by husband, Robert L. Verdin, Jr, of Hiram, GA, children Kimberly and Tom Arnett of Acworth, GA, Lori and Robert L. Verdin, III, of Dallas, GA as well as sister Denise Kouril of Bay Shore, NY.   Thank you all for all the fabulous work you do!! Hopefully, if by the telling of my mother's story can help get 1 person to go to the doctor for early detection and help save a life, then reliving the pain of her loss again was well worth it.   - KIM  
My cousin is facing cervical cancer . She was diagnosed with Stage II. Just starting her treatment. But  she is positive and you are an inspiration to all, so I am going to tell her to get on CANCERSCHMANCER.ORG  and live :) -Lorie