My Say

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August, 2002. My breast cancer treatment consisted of lumpectomy, node removal (17), chemotherapy
(4 AC, 4 Taxotere) 33 radiation treatments, subsequent bilateral mastectomies and DIEP reconstruction. I KNOW what you are going through...every single step of the way of an initial diagnosis. I know your thoughts...I know your fears, for I have been there. In being diagnosed with breast cancer, I was thrown into a new land of discovery. I did a lot of research and learned much. I met a lot of wonderful cybersisters, who took a scared soul by the cyberhand and helped me find my way. For that, I will be forever grateful. It is now my turn to give back.

We walk a long, hard road in dealing with breast cancer. We have to fight to live and then we have to fight to survive. In being diagnosed with breast cancer, I did an extreme amount of research and met many cyber sisters. I belonged to many forums. That is how I coped. I learned that many women are near poverty level and cannot afford this disease. They do not qualify for free drug programs, medicaid/medical, assistance from their medical facilities or from their providers, because they are barely over the minimum income level of acceptance...so they make an effort to survive, without their needed medications or care. They have to choose between feeding their children or paying for their meds. My heart broke with every story that I read. This is an absolute shame. A shame that medications can be so expensive that these women cannot afford the medications they need to survive. Some women have not been able to get the immediate care and attention they needed simply because they did not have insurance and could not afford to pay cash or make cash deposits. So much change is needed in dealing with this disease. Some women lose their positions...just because they have breast cancer. How disgraceful is that?!!!? Many times the termination is subtle, but the bottom line is the fact that the employee has breast cancer and is seen as a loss to production and sometimes even viewed as a lower class citizen because of a dreaded disease. Yes, believe it. When they lose their jobs, they lose their medical benefits, then their homes...and off to the poor house they go.

I implore YOU, the pharmaceuticals, to think about the lives of these women...those who cannot afford the cost of the needed medications. Programs are needed to assist these women who fall into the gray areas.

I impolore YOU, the physicians to think about these women when you turn them away because they do not have insurance or cannot pay cash or come up with a cash deposit. Can you possibly set aside some of your time and expense to accept a couple of charity cases per year? Can you set up a payment plan?

I imploreYOU, the employer, to give these women a chance. If they lose their jobs, they lose their insurance. If they lose their insurance, they lose their lives. If you feel there is loss of production, can you think about possibly putting them into areas that require less production or less exertion until they can get on their feet?

I implore ALL OF YOU...employers, pharmaceuticals, physicians and medical facilities to think about if YOU were the one with cancer; if YOU were the one who did not have the funds to purchase your meds; if YOU were the one who could not find a physician to treat you because you did not have medical insurance or the money to pay for treatment; if YOU were the one whose employer thought you were no longer an asset to the company just because you had breast cancer and were not functioning 100%. Think about if it was your mother, your daughter, your sister, or other loved one who were being treated in this manner. I implore ALL OF YOU to look into yourselves and try to make change.

It is the intention of this site to bring the TRUE faces of breast cancer to the forefront. A presentation to society...the truth about what we are going through, as a result of this disease. I am certain you will all agree that the way society visualizes breast cancer is not the way it really is. I hope for change. Change is imperative at a time when breast cancer has reached epidemic proportions, yet, for some reason its status seems to have failed to phase or alarm anyone but us...why? My daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer (gene tested and not inherited). My DOG died of breast cancer...and now...breast cancer is on the rise in men. Does that not tell you something? WHERE IS THE CURE???

True Faces Of Breast Cancer is dedicated to all who have been affected by breast cancer, be it through personal diagnosis or having a friend or loved one who is afflicted with this devastating disease. Knowledge is power; however, you must remember to take that power and do something with it. Take control of self and remain strong in knowing what confronts you. Without action, power is futile. Unite for the cure...for unity breeds strength. We are linked together all over the world. I find that truly amazing. One is only as limited as one allows self to be. It is my hope that the True Faces site will go far to help you understand some facets of your breast cancer journey. Many blessings.



Disclaimer: Information presented within the pages of this website is, for the most part, that of my opinion and for informational purposes only and not to be used in place of the advice of your medical provider. You are strongly encouraged to seek the advice of your medical provider and to conduct your own research on any topic of interest, for fact finding.