It's Me!... Laura Payne
Well, I wasn’t going to include myself in this project, but several people have very strongly voiced their opinion on the subject, which is YES! I definitely should! Lol
My plan is to post a few videos later, with this years journey with Breast Cancer in more detail, so I will just give you the short story here.
I am Laura, Owner of this page :) I am 61 years old, a Wife, Mother, and Grandmother.
On Sunday morning of April the 14th, I jumped in the shower to get ready for church, this is where I noticed a very large lump in my right breast, I have been very good at getting my Mammograms on time every year, and at checking myself (not regularly, but when I think of it).
To say that I was a mess was an understatement, I immediately called my husband in and told him between bursts of tears. His reply was… “well, there is no need to get upset about it till you know what it is”
If you know Andy, you know, He is a very matter of fact, no BS (my kids say that means balogna sandwich :P) kind of guy! He grounds me!
I went for a walk to get out of my own head for a while, I put my head phones on and the first song that I heard was "Strong" by Anne Wilson, If you have never heard this song, go listen to it now... I'll wait. This was the first message from the Lord. Then while I continued my walk, I looked down on the ground and found a little plastic female action figure, missing her right hand (which is the side I found the lump on) picture below, This was message #2 from the Lord. If I have ever felt the Lords presence and speaking directly to me, this was the day.
So the next morning I made an appointment for a mammogram. They got me in on Thursday the 18th, and an ultrasound, then scheduled me for a Biopsy on the Next Thursday (the 25th), which confirmed it was Cancer.
I immediately called my friend Britt (who’s Husband is an Oncologist) These very dear friends, got me in touch with the best doctors and surgeons in this area! I thank the Lord for bringing them into my life every day!!!
On May 2nd I met with the surgeon, on the 8th I had an MRI, which confirmed that I had “Invasive Lobular Carcinoma”
Guys, trust me when I tell you, up until the day I knew for sure that I had cancer, I was a basket case, with panic attacks, and tears, but when I knew, I sat down and asked God to give me peace, and to wrap his arms around me. I never once panicked again.
On May the 24th, I met with the Best Plastic Surgeon Ever!! (Dr. David Lo) Look him up!
On June 7th, I had a double Mastectomy, With my Mother and my Husband by my side non stop ( Props to my Mom for doing all the nasty wound care) I am so blessed to have such a wonderful Tribe.
Fast forward to today, after 6 weeks of Radiation, I am healing well and Cancer free ( as of October 14th)
In April of next year I will have my reconstruction and be done with it all Praise the Lord!
Penny Crook
Hi there,
I’m Penny Crook, resident of Loudon TN and recent Breast Cancer Survivor.
My journey began with my annual mammogram on June 11th. The following day I received a phone call asking me to come back in fr a second mammogram, this was followed by a 3rd mammogram and 2 ultrasounds. I then had a biopsy on June 25th and I was diagnosed on June 26th with Lymphovascular Invasive Mammary Carcinoma. I still remember today, that phone call and hearing the word “Cancer”. I went numb, my husband just hugged me, which told me everything I needed to know “We got this, as long as we have each other and Gods love and support”
Before all of the treatments began, we took a trip to Lake Tahoe, (one of the most tranquil places in the world) this trip allowed me to get emotionally and mentally prepared for the upcoming battle.
Upon my return I had many doctors appointments, a lumpectomy surgery and 5 weeks of radiation ( 5 times a week).
When treatments were completed I was able to ring the bell. This was an emotional moment for me.
I cried!
I am so thankful that we caught me cancer early (stage 1B) if it were a couple of months later, it would have been a completely different story.
I would like to remind everyone, no matter how busy life gets, take time to get screened and take care of yourself!
There’s only one YOU!
Dena Gallaher
On December 28, 2023, I went to the dreaded Mammogram appointment. The next day a received a phone call that crashed my world. I was told that I had Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer. Of course I cried, I cried with my family and loved ones.
I had my first chemo treatment on January 9,2024, by the end of January, my hair was starting to fall out, I cried again. I was very lucky with my chemo in that I did not get too sick, exhausted but not sick. My last chemo treatment was July 5,2024.
I had a partial mastectomy, the first of August. When my pathology came back it said ‘No decease found” although I did still need to do radiation treatments to make sure there were no remaining cells. I started radiation on Nov. 1st of 2024. I am very lucky to have a Great support system. This is a journey that has made me realize how greatly loved and appreciated I am.
Stuart Ann Bently
Hi, I am Stuart Ann Bently, I am a 78 year old Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Care Giver.
I have a positive attitude and outlook on life, My Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren are my pride and joy! I enjoy Church, word search, and staying active.
My Breast Cancer Journey started on January 3, 2024, with aggressive, Invasive, HER2 Positive cancer that had spread to my Lymph nodes. After several tests to make sure the cancer had not spread to other body parts or bones, I began my chemo treatments, 3 &4 chemo at a time. I was originally told I would need a double Mastectomy. The chemo made me very sick, at times I could hardly walk, I lost 25 lbs. I developed a terrible rash from the strong chemo.
I continued chemo till May 23rd. I had many prayer warriors on my side, We found that the chemo had shrunk my tumor to 1/3 of the size and on June 17th 2024 I only had to have a partial Mastectomy. Praise the Lord!
I went back on chemo July 11, 2024, and on August the 6th I started radiation, every day for 6 weeks, (30 treatments in all). My chemo treatments will continue until Feburary 2025.
God is watching over me and I have faith that he will heal me completely, and give me many more years on this earth.