Jan's Story

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About her story

"I am one woman among hundreds of thousands of women who are learning to be courageous, and to overcome, and to live in the face of cancer."

Jan was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in June 2009 after undergoing a routine bone scan for an unrelated injury. A wife and mother, Jan described her initial diagnosis as a complete shock.

"I remember just the sensation of having the wind sucked out of my lungs, a sucker punch, or something that stops you mid-stride," says Jan about her diagnosis. "And then as you begin to breathe again, there's this one million questions that circle your mind. "

Realizing that her family needed her and that she had some things she still wanted to accomplish, Jan decided to fight. Her touching story of survival and hope is an inspiration to anyone facing the difficult journey of breast cancer.

Related Questions

  • My wife Fiona has breast cancer which has spread to three areas of her liver .i would like to know if anyone had this and survived . The doctor says she maybe has two years . She has had three chemo sessions , and is doing great

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    4 months ago 7 answers •
    • View all 7 answers
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2007

      Stephen,
      I like to be realistic but I also wouldn't put a time limit on any woman. This is serious but none of us know.... even doctor's, how long we have on Earth. We do have women here who have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. They are being treated and are still taking part in...

      more

      Stephen,
      I like to be realistic but I also wouldn't put a time limit on any woman. This is serious but none of us know.... even doctor's, how long we have on Earth. We do have women here who have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. They are being treated and are still taking part in our discussions. Increasingly, metastatic breast cancer is being treated as a chronic disease. As long as there is life, there is hope. All the better Fiona is doing so well with her chemo. treatments. My question would not be, "How long do I have" but "Well, what are we going to do?" I think those of us with breast cancer get plenty of bad news and horrible thoughts we manufacture in our own minds. What we need is some shining hope out there for us to reach for. God's blessings to you and your dear Fiona. Take care, Sharon

      1 comment
    • anonymous
      Stage 3C Patient

      Well said Sharon! Prayers to you Stephen and your Fiona! Hugs, Pazit

      1 comment

  • What can I take to make my bones stronger? Someone recommended Citracal?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    about 1 year ago 3 answers •
    • anonymous
      Survivor since 2007

      Citrical and vitamin D. (I have to take 3 Citricals and 5000 IU of Vit. D a day) If you have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis) or osteo. your oncologist may put you on Boniva or one of the other osteo. drugs. Your oncologist may suggest a Dexa Scan to check for osteopenia or osteoporsis. I have...

      more

      Citrical and vitamin D. (I have to take 3 Citricals and 5000 IU of Vit. D a day) If you have osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis) or osteo. your oncologist may put you on Boniva or one of the other osteo. drugs. Your oncologist may suggest a Dexa Scan to check for osteopenia or osteoporsis. I have osteoporosis from chemo. TALK TO YOUR ONC. ABOUT THIS! Take care, Sharon

      Comment
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Thank you Sharon!

      Comment

  • My mother recently had breast cancer, am I at risk also?

    Asked by anonymous

    Learning About Breast Cancer
    almost 2 years ago 4 answers •
    • View all 4 answers
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Probably not it doesn't hurt to get checked. My mon is suffering from a rare form of breast cancer called HR2

      6 comments
    • anonymous
      Learning About Breast Cancer

      Has your mother been tested BRAC1 and BRAC2 mutation? The BRAC 1

      Comment

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