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In November 2005, I knew something was wrong when my left breast was swollen and itchy. I was given antibiotics and sent home. From November 2005 through June 2006, I went through two mammograms and two ultra sounds and all four tests showed nothing wrong. When I finally insisted on a biopsy, the surgeon sent me for a breast MRI, which was new at the time. The MRI showed "suspicious" tissue but I was told it was probably an infection and not to worry. I knew it was serious and told my doctor to do the mastectomy if it was cancer. When I woke up without my left breast everyone was surprised, except me. I was diagnosed with stage 4 (scary since there is no stage 5) Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC)—a very rare, aggressive type of cancer that spreads through the tissues like an infection and does not have a tumor. My family took my illness pretty hard. I learned that I am stronger than I thought I was.

You know your body better than anybody.

Today, I feel better than I have in years. I was considered terminal because the cancer had spread in my lymph system and now I am cancer free. When I lost my hair, I crocheted more hats than I could ever wear, but it was something positive. Always decide to stay positive. If you know something is wrong don’t stop. Don’t let the doctor say you are a hypochondriac. If you are not comfortable with the doctor and the answers you are getting, find another doctor. You know your body better than anybody. You just have to decide what it is that you need and take care of yourself. And be sure to have your yearly mammograms since they still detect most breast cancers.

- Catherine