My Buddies Corner

My Buddies Corner

| | | | | | | | |

I want to dedicate this website to my husband Mitch, my Knight in Shining Armor. Without him, my journey with breast cancer (and this website) would have had so many more U-turns and detours. To my three beautiful children, Grant, Tyler and Marisa, who along with Mitch, made me want to get out of bed and face each and every day! My family made me more determined to beat this disease!

Also, my extended family and friends (and my "card Angels") you know who you are. Thank you all for your support, love and believing in me. I love you all!

For Central Maine Medical Center and nursing staff, thank you for such wonderful and professional care during my mastectomy. Also to CMMC Oncology Department., Dr. Erickson and staff, CMMC Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Mandell and staff. Thank you to my surgeons, Dr. Rietschel, Dr. Bonawitz and their staffs. Thanks to Central Maine Imaging Center and its staff. Thanks also to Bennett Breast Care Center, Kathi Varney and staff. To Family Health Associates, Dr. Burns, Jerri Wade and staff. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart and soul, you gave my journey with breast cancer a comfort zone!

To Derek, thank you with your assistance with this website! You have helped to make one of my dreams come true!!

To all my Bosom Buddy's, thank you for being a part of my life! We are partners in survival, I love ya!!

Carlene

If a little pink ribbon could save a life, wouldn't it be great.

The first ribbon dating from the Vietnam war, but also honoring those POW/MIA's of previous wars and the Gulf War, was a yellow ribbon
The yellow ribbon was followed by the introduction of the pink ribbon before 1992 for breast cancer ; The pink ribbon may have been around unofficially before its introduction into the marketplace by the 'Estee Lauder Company'. I don't know about this for certain. [In 1992, Evelyn Lauder and Alexandra Penney started what would become the universally recognized symbol of breast cancer awareness. 2002 is the 'official 10th Anniversary of the Pink Ribbon by Estee Lauder'. Avon followed in 1993, with its Avon Breast Cancer Crusade. ]

This site is about you! The just diagnosed, the survivor, the care-giver, the spouse, the child, anybody whose life has been touched by breast cancer.

Hello, my name is Carlene Sperry. One month shy of my 44th birthday on January 20 2003, I was diagnosed with Ductal Invasive Carcinoma, stage IIl A breast cancer. Since that day I have had a mastectomy followed by reconstruction surgery.

One month after my mastectomy I started chemotherapy. This was the first of eight treatments over a period of 16 weeks. Chemo was followed by seven weeks of radiation therapy. In September of that same year I started my hormone therapy, Arimidex. During my treatments I continued to work, which for me was great medicine.

As I reflect over the past four years, I know what got and still gets me through my journey with breast cancer-- my faith and trust in God, the love and support of my wonderful husband Mitch, my three children Grant , Tyler and Marisa, other family members and great friends, and of course, lots of humor. Also, not to go unnoticed was and still is the professional care from great doctors, nurses and technicians. They helped me clear many hurdles through trying times.

My cancer was found through a routine mammogram. If I hadn't had my yearly mammogram I was told that it could have been three to four years before I felt a lump. Finding out that I had breast cancer turned our world upside down. But at the same time I have been truly blessed. Being an advocate has put me in the path of many wonderful people, and I know that I still have more to meet; Mammograms, prevention and early detection saves lives. Love yourself and your family. Be proactive! Breast cancer could strike your mother, daughter, sister, your best friend...even you!

Sisters in Pink, Carlene

My Buddies is a place where we can talk about things we have in common, where we can help each other out. It's just nice to have someone who will listen or respond to your emails. It's about sharing your thoughts, prayers, laughter, tears, pictures, anything you want to share that will help you or others as you travel this journey of breast cancer. Learn about upcoming events where we can all fight the battle together! Mitch and I welcome your comments about this website. E-mail us to offer comments and join our mailing list.

mailto:mybuddyscorner@msn.com