Louise's Story (aka “Bunky”)

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In 1994 Bunky found a lump in her right breast.  After having a needle biopsy done, it was determined that she had malignant Breast Cancer.  So on the day before Thanksgiving, a mastectomy was done.  The next morning, she was released from the hospital with 2 drains and instructions on how to measure the fluid as it drained.  A traumatic experience to say the least!  Unfortunately there were some complications with her reconstruction and the plastic surgeon suggested that she have the other breast reduced so they would match!  She quickly changed surgeons!  After 4 rounds of chemo and 5 years of Tamoxifen she went into remission.

In 2003, the cancer attacked again, this time in her lymph system, first in her neck, then in her lungs and various other locations.  After trying several cancer drugs, and nothing worked, she changed Oncologists.  After a few more tries we finally had success!  In November 2007 she was told she is in remission!
While there have been many bad side effects, she says, “the most important thing is that I am still here with good quality of life.  No hair yet, but a beautiful wig.  Don’t ever give up, God has a plan!”

This wonderful woman who is now 72 years young is such a “poster child” for survival.  She has never given up, has always met this head on while a very positive attitude.  I truly believe that both her attitude and her faith have not only seen her through this difficult time but has also provided inspiration for others who are struggling with this dreadful disease.

Thanks,
Jody DeYarman

Judy's Story

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I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my 30’s. The minimum age for the baseline mammogram was 40 years old. I guess I was lucky enough to find the lump and decided that I should get it checked out. I was sent immediately for a mammogram in addition to a biopsy. But, prior to all of this the doctors knew it was cancer. They told me it didn’t look good. We were a very close family….my husband, son and I. My son was 6 years old at the time and all I could think of was that he would grow up not knowing how much his mother loved and adored him.

I was told that the tumor was beginning to metastasize and I had no choice of what I needed to do. They set me up for surgery and I had to have a mastectomy. The very sad part of this story is not so much my cancer, but that my beloved father who lived in NJ was also diagnosed with stomach cancer at the same time. I was also very close to my parents and family back home. My parents were unable to spend time with me and my family for additional support through this terrible time. Although I was in constant contact with them I couldn’t even take time to be with my Mom and Dad through his ordeal. Sadly, my Dad passed away less than 4 months later. I was devastated.

I felt that I needed to do something for my son if I didn’t survive this. I wanted him to know how much he was loved by his mother. I didn’t want him to forget me or think that I deserted him. So, I made tapes for him telling him how much I loved him and his Dad and that I didn’t want to go but Jesus wanted me to live with him. We are Christians and my faith is very strong.

Somehow I got through that. My faith and a strong bond with my family and friends got me through the next 5 years. That was the 5 year marker as to whether or not you ‘might’ survive longer and there would be no recurrence of the cancer. You are never told you’re cured only that you have percentages of survival. There are the 3 month checkups, the 6 month checkups then the annual. I slowly stopped thinking every time I had an ache or pain….’was it cancer’?

I passed my 10 year mark and after that the doctors said that I am no longer in remission. If I were to get cancer again it would not be a recurrence of the previous cancer. I breathed a sigh of relief.

It’s now been 21 years (cancer free) and I’m so proud to say that my little boy who has now grown into manhood got the opportunity to know his mother and know how much he is loved.

That’s why today, I welcome every single birthday! I’m thrilled each year to turn another year older. I stop and smell the roses and I thank God everyday he gave this time to me.

Judy Jason

Pamela's Story

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ARS Made a Difference

On Saturday, October 5th at the Race for the Cure, a woman wearing a pink survivor shirt approached the ARS booth. She stated that she had been a patient at The Women’s Center in Owings Mills, and that ARS had saved her life. A few moments later she was telling this very same story to our CEO, Bob Carfagno, who was touched by what she had just said about our company. A few days later, (after some intense investigation), we tracked down the patient. She was kind enough to tell her story over the telephone and gave us permission to share her story with everyone.

Our patient was fifty-four and asymptomatic at the time she came to the center for her annual mammogram. She was upset and preoccupied about something else that had happened earlier in the day with her parents. After the scan, the technologist reviewed her films and noticed a mass in the patient’s right breast. She immediately took it in to the radiologist to be reviewed. The radiologist turned the screening into a diagnostic study immediately.

After additional mammographic images, an ultrasound was performed and the patient received the news that there was a problem. She remembers feeling caught off guard and numb when the radiologist gave her the results of the tests. She doesn’t even think she heard the results the first time. Her referring physicians were contacted, and the radiologist set her up for an appointment to see a breast surgeon in two days.

The one thing that our patient remembers most is how concerned both the technologists and the radiologist were. She appreciated the consideration she was shown as the tests were reviewed with her, and was even more appreciative that the radiologist was up-front and straightforward with her regarding the results.

Eight days after receiving the news, she returned to The Women’s Center for her needle localization. She had yet another positive experience with the caring and concerned technologist and radiologist. Next she was headed to the Surgi-Center. The patient had a lumpectomy, followed by radiation treatments.

One year later she returned to The Women’s Center for her follow-up mammogram. One month prior to the Race for the Cure she found out that the results of her mammogram were negative.

So who is this mystery patient and who gave her such great care? The patient, Mrs. Pamela Lichty, is the mother of two grown (married) sons. She and her family are forever grateful for the care she received at ARS. Dr. Barbara Jager was the radiologist, and the technologists were Sharon Dick and Krista Davis. Dr. Joan Berkowitz and Jean Smink performed the needle localization as well as the last mammogram on Mrs. Lichty.

Stories like this one make us realize how truly important our jobs are. Kudos to all that took such wonderful care of Mrs. Lichty.

Written by: Angelina McGinley, Director of Technical Operations

Laura's Story

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My niece, Laura Baverman thankfully is a survivor and she is a very special person in my life. During Laura’s most difficult days she never lost sight of keeping the world around her normal for the sake of her family and friends. Complaining was not an option for her but instead she had a goal and focused on “just getting through this” and she did and I am so proud of her. A celebration dinner was held to mark the “end of treatments” where Laura graciously expressed to all her feelings of the past few months and what it meant to her to have the support of family and friends. To know Laura, is to truly love her - her values, sense of humor and larger than life big heart. Laura supports the cause by raising money through an auction at work. Our family and her friends are truly blessed to have Laura in our lives!

Written by: Linda Meyd,Call Center Scheduler

 

Denise's Story

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I would like to take a moment to tell you why Race for the Cure is so important to me. There is a very special person in my life that was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. This beautiful woman is 51 years old, a mother of four girls and a grandmother of two. This woman is my mother. This is our story.

My mother went for a screening mammogram, at my urging, in September 2003. Her findings were negative. In May of 2004 she felt a lump in her left breast that prompted her to see her doctor. I received a phone call from her on the evening of June 7, 2004 and was shocked to hear her say the words that she was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is the first incident of breast cancer in my family’s history.

While the doctors felt that they were catching the cancer early, my mother had a full mastectomy of her left breast on July 8, 2004. Being her oldest daughter I felt as though it was my duty to be by her side through this difficult time. On the day of her surgery, I was there when she had her body scanned for the central node. I remained at the hospital during her two and a half hour surgery and slept by her side in the hospital room until she was released.

When she was released from the hospital there was a sense of relief that her cancer had been fully removed. However the emotions of the situation started to out weigh the pain. My mother has experienced many sleepless nights and many days filled with tears, but the support of her friends and family are carrying her through this emotional time. All of the simple gestures of people sending flowers and preparing food will help the course of her healing process. Her employer and co-workers have opened a savings account in her name to help her financially through this period.

You will see me at the Race for the Cure and I will be walking in Celebration of my mother. But I will also be walking for all the mothers, daughters, sisters and other loved ones that are battling this disease.

Written by: Andrea Lytle

Lucille's Story

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My grandmother Lucille DeYarman is a great example of living with and surviving breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in her mid eighties with breast cancer. She went through treatment and continued to live her life on her own in the farmhouse that she has lived in all her life. She went to the doctor for her 7-year checkup and was fine with no traces of the cancer. The very next week she found a lump so back she went to the doctor. The cancer was back! That was almost 3 years ago and she is celebrating her 93rd birthday this month! She is doing great and yes; she is still living life on her own in the farmhouse that she has spent all of her life!

Written by: Jody DeYarman

 

 

Sharon's Story

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Three years! But, I remember the details like it was yesterday. I was dressing for work, just smoothing down my scrub top, when my hand brushed my right breast and I felt a lump. I almost didn’t believe it but then I knew this was something and I’d better get it looked at right away. I had a mammogram, sonogram, ultrasound guided biopsy and then the wait! Only three days but it seemed like three months! Although I was 99% sure what the results would be, in my heart I hoped for that 1%. But that 1% was not to be – the results were infiltrating ductal carcinoma. I must admit I shed a few tears but then said “OK. Let’s just take care of this.” Being a mammographer I really had an advantage. I pretty much knew what needed to be done. The next two weeks were a whirlwind – surgeon’s appointment, oncology appointment, radiation doctor appointment, pre-op testing, additional imaging and planning a surprise birthday party for my husband. It was very important for me to do everything that was needed for my treatments and health care but to also go on with my normal life even through chemo and radiation. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful support group. My husband, daughter, son and daughter-in-law are the greatest! Then I have my extended family of sisters, in-laws, nieces and nephews. And, then I am blessed with the best neighbors, friends and co-workers. It would take a book to tell you all that they have done for me – the prayers, cards, hugs, gifts, kind words, meals and laughs! Now it’s been three years! I still get nervous at my mammogram time but I don’t take my health for granted. Being a mammographer has given me the opportunity to talk to many breast cancer patients and their families, to share my experiences, and to offer encouragement and support. My life has changed in some ways. I’m much easier going and I don’t worry about the little things I have no control over. When I leave work, I leave my work. I’m more aware of the needs of others. And, lastly, I’m more appreciative of my family and our time together.

Written by: Sharon Sloan

Mary's Story

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A mammogram saved my life two times.

One of the worst days of my life was when I had a mammogram and they had to do extra views. I worked at a radiology office in Mitchellville so they did it immediately. There had been a change in the calcifications in my right breast. My mother had had breast cancer at the age of 48 and I was 47. The doctor sent me for a biopsy and 4 LONG days later I received the nasty results. The cancer was intraductal carcinoma in situ. At this time they did a lumpectomy and I had 31 treatments of radiation. It was amazing the outpouring of love and affection. God can turn any bad situation for the good. Then two and a half years later, having my mammogram again, there was something suspicious in the same breast. Again I went for a biopsy and again there was a malignancy. It was a carcinosarcoma, a spindle cell neoplasm, a tissue not normally found in the breast. I had a mastectomy this time. It is amazing what God can do. I received cards, flowers, gift baskets and fun candy baskets. For three whole weeks someone from my family, church or friends brought my family dinner. My husband is wonderful and loves me no matter what, and he would have done the cooking, he likes to cook but was surprised by all of the help we got from everyone. Once again God turned a bad situation to the good and I am fine and have been doing well ever since. I do go to the oncologist again on the 30th but I know all will still be fine. The moral of the story is every woman should have a mammogram every year, even if it hurts. It’s only for a few seconds and can save you and your family a heart full of pain.

Written by: Mary Morawski

Sandra's Story

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Here is a short version of a long 18 year journey with breast cancer. At age 38 with 3 small children, ages 8, 6, and 20 months, I found a breast lump. After a few months of trying to make a definite diagnosis, it was made clear that I was not too young to have breast cancer. My doctor could hardly look me in the eye to tell me the difficult and devastating news, that I had stage 2 Breast cancer. It had already spread to five of my lymph nodes. I was told that a lumpectomy, radiation, and 6 months of chemotherapy was the recommended treatment.

With the help from a wonderful family, husband, friends, and lot’s of prayers, we survived! Eleven years later I went in for a routine mammogram, once again there it was. The radiologist knew that it was cancer, not a reoccurrence but a new cancer. I decided this time to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction followed by chemo. Nine months later I discovered another lump in the tissue near the cancer site, which again meant cancer and more chemo for me. During treatments, I continued to work in ultrasound. I wanted to help other patients face their fears when coming in with a breast lump, not telling them of my cancer.

I consider myself blessed in the sense that I’ve been able to see my children grow into adulthood and pray for a cure for cancer in their lifetime. I continue to be strong, healthy, and happy to be here, knowing that all have not been as lucky. I am thankful for wonderful and compassionate healthcare providers that made such a difference in my survival.

Breast cancer awareness and mammography can save lives

Written by: Sandra Creaney