Share your story of hope so that others will be encouraged.
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Breast cancer runs in my family, so it’s something I’ve always been aware of and passionate about. It wasn’t something though, at the age of 24, I was actively thinking about and looking for through self breast examinations. I just so happened to find two large lumps on my honeymoon only because you could physically see them striking fear in my husband thinking that his new wife was going to have to fight cancer and ruining a time that should have been celebratory. I called my doctor during my honeymoon and scheduled an examination for the day after we returned from our trip. Needless to say, my doctor was concerned and immediately scheduled surgery to remove the lumps and have them tested. Luckily, the tests were benign and I could breath easy with an appreciation for self breast examination.
Jump twelve years later and Linda Lewis becomes part of Womentorz with her lifesaving invention, The Breast Chek Kit. I am so honored to have such an amazing woman and product part of this network of creative and innovative women. What she is doing for women on an ongoing basis and so many areas of her business is just astounding and inspiring. She takes such pride in her product not only in its function, but also in every aspect that goes into bringing a quality product to market that truly saves lives. She is defining what “early detection” means and is making a positive impact on this world and women’s health.
Thanks Leslie for such an inspirational message! What Leslie does not say here is that she has moved on with her life and her business. She is the creator of a wonderful product called Grill Charms, http://www.grillcharms.com and has appeared on a recent episode of ABC’s Shark Tank and actually got a deal with one of the Sharks. Leslie is most likely one of the most spirited people that I have ever encountered. Her spirit for living life in the moment is apparent in everything she does. She exudes that spirit in her voice whenever she speaks. She is not just a survivor, she has overcome a dreadful time in her life. She is a successful business women but more importantly, she is humble and gracious, a rare quality these days!
My first introduction to Breast Cancer happened at the tender age of 16, when my then thirty-something mother sat the family down to talk about the terrible disease. Mom found a lump and after a lumpectomy, biopsies, and further testing it was determined that she did indeed have breast cancer and it had progressed to stage IV. Mom and Pa sought treatment from one of the most aggressive oncologists in the area who bombarded the advanced cancer with high doses of chemotherapy for a prolonged period. My two sisters and I watched as the treatment to this horrendous disease drained the mind and spirit of the most happy, healthy, positive person they had ever known. After the fight was over and the battle won (YES, my mom is now 21 years cancer free) I knew I had to be ever vigilant. Having a mother who was stage IV in her thirties, I knew the genes were not on my side.
At the age of 30 I went for my first baseline mammogram. All was well, but I knew I could never become complacent. At the age of 34 I went in to have my digital mammogram and this time something was “different”. A week later they did the needle biopsy and I waited for the results, wondering if this time was going to be THE time. It was. I thought about my own two precious daughters who were 1 and 3 years old and felt so sorry for the genetic legacy that I had potentially left for them. Now with my bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction complete, the scars won’t let me forget, but my personal fight is done. Both mom and I won our battles, but the war is far from over. I have two younger sisters and two beautiful daughters, so my mind still cannot truly leave the disease behind. Thanks to wonderful products like The Breast Chek Kit we are getting ever closer to preventing others from having to endure the pain of this disease.
I am a 10 year breast cancer survivor. I found my lump by doing a breast self exam. I love this product! I did not know how to do a self exam and had no idea what to feel for. I had to search on my own with very little support. At the time I was not married and had decided that my life was just over. Well I met the man who is now my loving and supportive husband. Needless to say I totally believe that all things are possible to those who believe! I am a strong advocate for doing a breast self exam and this product is just great! I plan to give these as gifts this holiday season because I know many of my friends still don’t know how to examine themselves! I think this will make it easy for them.