In 2017, I was diagnosed with stage one ovarian cancer solely because I persisted with my healthcare provider. I underwent surgery and chemotherapy. My DNA was checked, revealing that I had Lynch Syndrome. Six and a half years later, I became quite weak and required a wheelchair. I went to …
Read More »Angela’s Story (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease and Lupus)
I’m grappling with mixed connective tissue disease and lupus. This illness has affected my body in numerous ways. My lungs are damaged, there’s numbness in my extremities, pain, severe dizziness, vertigo, and a constant feeling of sickness, among other symptoms. It all began in 2021 with pneumonia, then progressed to …
Read More »Mikki’s Story (Endometrial Cancer)
Five years ago today, I became cancer-free after being forever changed by three little words that no one ever thinks they will hear. Sunday night 1/26/19 – I called the nurse helpline because something wasn’t right and hadn’t been for about a month. I was spotting every two weeks and …
Read More »Celeste’s Story (Colorectal Cancer and Lynch Syndrome)
At the age of 54, I am considered a survivor. I was initially diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer in 2015. The odds were stacked against me since I was informed that having the Hereditary MSH6 gene Lynch syndrome meant that my body was at a higher risk for cancer …
Read More »Angela’s Story (DCIS/Her2+ Breast Cancer)
Hello, my name is Angela. I was diagnosed with DCIS in August 2023 after a biopsy. After a 2nd biopsy the decision for a double mastectomy and reconstruction was made. I had both done in September 2023. After my mastectomy, I was diagnosed with stage 1 Her2+ breast cancer. I …
Read More »Nancy’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I never thought that it would happen to me. I have had regular mammograms since the age of 50; which was the normal age in Canada. They have now lowered the recommended age to 40. I had a mammogram in October of 2020. There have never been any issues with …
Read More »Katie’s Story (Breast Cancer and Mastocytosis)
In 1988, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I was then diagnosed again in 1997. In 2019, at my annual skin exam, the doctor noticed red spots on my thighs. She did a skin punch and it came back full of mast cells. They then did a bone biopsy to …
Read More »Dawn’s Story (Metastatic Breast and Bone Cancer)
I was diagnosed in July 2018 with stage 4 metastatic breast and bone cancer. The cancer was found in the spine (L2). For treatment, I had radiation and chemo. The chemo sessions were very strong. I lived in an apartment for 10 years and during treatment, my landlord sold the …
Read More »Christi’s Story (Breast Cancer)
I turned 50 years old on July 3rd this year, and 10 days later, I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a double mastectomy with reconstruction on August 28th, and my pathology came back with metastasis to the lymph nodes. I’m currently waiting for radiation and chemotherapy to …
Read More »Lisa’s Story (DCIS Breast Cancer)
My mom was diagnosed with an aggressive stage 4 breast cancer at age 37. Single radical mastectomy, radiation, chemotherapy, and Tamoxifen prolonged her life for 10 years. She passed at 47 years old; I was 17 years old. That’s when my mammograms began. At age 43, I was diagnosed with …
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