Lisa

"My first breast cancer journey began in March 2006. I knew my whole world would change after finding a lumping when I was doing a self-examination. I called my doctor immediately and had a mammogram, ultrasound, and then a needle biopsy. The results came back that it was a malignant tumor in the left breast and that I would need surgery to remove the cancerous lump. When my doctor told me this news, I told him, 'I have a lot of life to live and will stay positive. I will beat this and I will be fine.' He was amazed of how positive I was. He explained the procedure and I had surgery, a lumpectomy and lymph nodes dissection, on April 6th, 2006.A month later, I would start chemotherapy--eight very aggressive treatments every other week. I finished chemo on August 10th and that was the best day of the whole ordeal. I started radiation in September and finished on October 9th. I was so glad and looking forward to getting my life back in order down the road. My husband and kids were amazed at what a fighter I was, with such a strong positive attitude. I never gave up hope that I would win the battle.In the middle of all this, I heard of an organization called Circle of Hope. I contacted them immediately and was amazed how much love and support I received as Circle of Hope's mission is to help patients going through breast cancer treatment here in the Santa Clarita Valley. I was relieved that they were able to help me out with my COBRA payments as my income went down due to my leave of absence from work. Circle of Hope takes the worry out of how I can afford my medical insurance. I am so fortunate to have Circle of Hope in my life.Everything was going great with all my follow up doctor appointments and body scans. I went back to work on April 9th, 2007 after a year long battle. As I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and my battle was ending, my mom was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer and our family was in shock once again.I had a follow up body scan on May 25th. The results came back that something did not look right in a few lymph nodes on the same side that I originally had surgery on. Needless to say, I was in shock and had questions about how this could be. My doctor scheduled a biopsy and MRI right away to double check the area and to determine if I did in fact have a recurrence of breast cancer. The results came back and I indeed had a recurrence, with surgery, chemo, and radiation needed once again.I could not believe. I asked my doctor how this could be. Was something missed in previous scans? I kept thinking how my family has to go through this again while my mom was now battling cancer. Who knew mother and daughter would be battling together? I again remained positive that I could beat it. I contacted Circle of Hope once and am receiving the support I need with my COBRA payments again.Circle of Hope is such an important and special group and I am so lucky to have it in my life. I went on leave from work again in July of 2007 and had surgery to remove the cancerous lymph node. My doctor was relieved that it was only one, not two that needed to be removed. I started a different chemo in August and finished on December 17th and again, it was the best day of my life. I am starting radiation at the end of January and am looking forward to finishing and starting a new beginning.I want to add that during all this, I was getting great support from family, friends, and Circle of Hope. It was overwhelming. I am a lucky person to have such a great support network."