Aretha

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"I don’t want any of my family, friends and even strangers, to have to live with the daily uncertainty that this disease brings!!!"

In December 2014, I had a bilateral mastectomy for DCIS (Stage 0). In April of 2016 (16 months later), the cancer had spread to my bones. After genetic testing and being positive for BRCA2, my ovaries and tubes were removed and tested positive for cancer cells. Throughout this three-year journey, I have realized there is a desperate need for more awareness (public and medical), which can only take place if there is more research and funding. I don’t want any of my family, friends or even strangers, to have to live with the daily uncertainty that this disease brings!!!

 
 
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Renne
Renne
Mamie
Metathriver
Illinois
Mamie
Metathriver
Illinois

I have been in treatment since 2013. In 2012, I had cervical cancer and had a total Hysterectomy. I was misdiagnosed and told the lump in my breast was calcium and the size of a pea. In 2013, it was taken out. It was the size of a baseball - stage 3.

Metathriver
Illinois
Elka
Metathriver
Illinois
Elka
Metathriver
Illinois

I was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic transitional cell collecting duct cancer (renal) in 2013. I have been forced to continue working for employers with adverse cultures and aspirations to my own as a result of the fear of being left without continued choice of treatment which comes with insurance only offered by group plans, and being able to seek treatment at the facilities of my choosing.

Metathriver
Illinois
Danielle
Metathriver
Wisconsin
Danielle
Metathriver
Wisconsin

Life isn't easy by any means. I used to be a girl that would run constantly, have so much energy, but that has changed!

Metathriver
Wisconsin
Maura .jpg
Metathriver
Nevada
Maura
Metathriver
Nevada

It's so strange how time can go so slowly and fly by at the same time. I got my metastatic breast cancer diagnosis in December of 2009, almost 12 years ago. I have had no evidence of disease for ten years.

Metathriver
Nevada
Rebecca
Metathriver, Cancer Survivor
California
Rebecca
Metathriver, Cancer Survivor
California

The word metastatic first came into my vernacular June 18, 2013. Well actually, I was told at that moment I would be lucky if it wasn't at least stage two. A month later I found out after scans it was stage 4 from the very beginning.

Metathriver, Cancer Survivor
California
Noelia
Loved One
California
Noelia
Loved One
California

My husband was diagnosed with colon cancer initially in 2019, had surgery in January 2020, went through chemo and was in remission. Then, when he had a routine CAT scan, they told us he had a spot in his liver. He had the PET scan and it showed stage 4 liver cancer.

Loved One
California
Frank
Metathriver
Alabama
Frank
Metathriver
Alabama

For me, it has taken a team of amazing doctors, each with different specialties. Primary Physician (Internal Medicine) who detected my elevated PSA at 141.

Metathriver
Alabama
Jerry
Metathriver, Loved One
Washington
Jerry
Metathriver, Loved One
Washington

In 2020, my warrior husband, Jerry Kester, was diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Metathriver, Loved One
Washington
Rachel
Metathriver
Indiana
Rachel
Metathriver
Indiana

At the age of 28 in 2018, I was given the unthinkable news.

Metathriver
Indiana
MetathriverGary RickeTexas