My bump in the road started for me in July 2009.  I guess I always knew in the back of my mind that it would eventually find me.  The question was not if but when.  I say that because my mother's side of the family.  Her siblings died of one form of cancer or another.  I was able to evade it for 59 years of my life and then one day after one routine examination they told me that I needed a breast sonogram.  I argued with them because I only got pelvic sonograms because of the fibroids that I have and never had to get breast sonograms.  Finally I told them to do it and that's when they told me that they found something and that I needed to go for a core biopsy.  I went for the core biopsy which was a little uncomfortable but that's where they did find something.  My doctor called and told the gruesome news.  All I could think of was when I was going to die.  She told me that I wasn't going to die and that I would go to the surgeon she had used 12 years prior and get a lumpectomy.  I guess then I realized that to just do what I had to do and get this thing out of me.  I went for my surgery in September of 2009 and then radiation after that.  I heard some women complaining about what the radiation did to their skin and how tired it made them.  I never got any of those side effects at all.  The technicians were wonderful and everyone that I dealt with at Sloan Kettering was great.  I finished the radiation in January 2010.  I never let it get me down.  I'm the type of person that is afraid of everything but I wouldn't let this scare me.  I just wanted it out so that I could go on with my life.  I had the love of my wonderful fiancee and my friends and family that's what helped me get through this.  It was even difficult for me to say the "C" word.  Mine was barely stage 1 and that was a wonderful thing but also knowing my family history I am diligent with my checkups.  The main thing is that you have to think positive when going through something like this and go for your checkups.  Also enjoy each day because it is a gift.

Story By: Piera Gordon