Breast Cancer Survivor Stories – Nancy

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so all month long we're going to feature information and stories to help raise awareness. If you have a story you'd like to contribute, feel free to email it to us and we'll share it here.

This is about Nancy, her story is from PinkRibbonShop.com

My name is Nancy. I am a 2 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. Luckily, my cancer was caught by mammogram in the very early stages. It was a stage 1 cancer. I had a lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes removed under the arm on that side. The nodes were all clear. I was able to get by without chemo, but I had 35 radiation treatments. God truly blessed me.

Like many women, I think I always took my yearly mammograms much too lightly. When I was told that I needed to have an ultrasound because of something suspicious, I still was not really upset. I had 2 benign cysts removed several years before. However, this time I was not so lucky. The ultrasound was followed by a core biopsy. It was definitely cancer. I could not believe it. Nobody in my family had ever had breast cancer. I had no major risk factors other than I was never able to conceive. So, I felt that God had cursed me twice---no children and now cancer. I was scared and angry.

I think human nature makes us think that we have been dealt a death sentence when we're told we have the "C" word. I know that is how I felt. The night before my surgery, I went out on our deck and prayed and prayed that I would have the strength to handle whatever was ahead. I had taken care of my mom who suffered from Parkinson's disease for 8 years and lost her 2 years before. My only brother had died of a massive heart attack at the age of 51 the year before my cancer. My dad had just been place in a nursing home, because I could no longer care for him after his stroke. I felt that I had no strength left in me. I knew prayer was my only hope.

When, I came in from the deck that night. I slipped into bed thinking my husband was asleep. I was still crying. He rolled over, hugged me, and told me we would fight this together. Then, he held me tightly and started praying aloud. I felt such peace come over me all of a sudden. I knew that I was going to be alright. I think I let go and let God at that moment.

My surgery went well as did my radiation treatments. Seems my breast has been sore all the time since my surgery and treatments which sometimes scares me until I have my mammogram every six months and it's ok. I try to look at that constant soreness as a reminder of the blessing I received in early diagnosis and successful surgery and treatments.

My prayers are with all the women out there who have been through breast cancer or who may have to go through it in the future. Also, I am a big advocate of mammograms and early detection now. Mostly, I am an advocate that prayer does truly work. I thank God daily.

Good luck to you and all your readers in the fight against this terrible disease.

Nancy