I was blessed to discover something so small and early stage – I share my story to help others.

One year ago this week (Sept ‘08), I told my colleagues at the McCain Campaign that I’d be right back to headquarters after a “quick” doctor’s appt. I had a small lump in my breast for a while, but it had been determined as normal – fibrocystic. The “quick appt” for a mammogram led to an ultrasound, then to a needle biopsy, and ultimately to see a surgeon that same day. The very small area of concern was so minimal that the surgeon said we can remove the lump for a biopsy to make sure, but not to worry as it was only about a 5% chance of cancer.

I sought a second opinion and went to a highly recommended top surgeon who did NOT believe that we had to perform surgery at all, and told me to basically have it checked again in ONE year. I told him that I believed that “I saw something in the ultrasound” and I wanted HIM to take it out of my body to make sure. After my first surgery, that same surgeon called me days later and said, “Ms Jones, I am in shock. You were right…there is cancer, it’s very small (only 2 millimeters), but it is cancer. I need to see you tomorrow.” My family was in shock. I focused on faith, finding solutions, being vigilant and staying positive!

After my second surgery, it was determined that the cancer was only Phase1 and very early stage. It did not spread and I tested negative for BRAC1, but I still had a marker called LCIS – an indicator that reveals that cancer may return someday. Therefore, I had to be treated and only had two treatment options. I chose the most radical treatment – a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction to make sure that it would never come back again. I didn’t want to live the rest of my life wondering and testing. I just wanted to get rid of it without a doubt and live an active positive healthy lifestyle!

I just had my 6th surgery last week (Sept 3, ‘09). I am cancer-free, clean and clear. I share my story and express the absolute need to be as healthy, vigilant, solution-based and positive as possible. Keys to my success story: My Catholic faith. Support of my wonderful family. Vigilant perseverance. A great positive attitude. Seeking other’s Success Stories. Nutrition counseling. Positive and supportive people. A sense of humor. Gratitude and Grace. As a military brat, I am also thankful to be an American and to receive treatment immediately. I am a SURVIVOR! I thank GOD every day.

“One year ago November doctors found a lump in my throat and I was diagnosed with two tumors in my lymph nodes. There was a 70-80% of survival but the treatment was going to be very aggressive as they never found the primary cancer. I began treatment over the holidays with a series of surgeries, scans and other activities that led to my ultimate treatment program that began in February including 33 radiation and four chemotherapy treatments. When I completed these rounds of treatments they discovered three new tumors in my thyroid again all three were cancer. After resting my body which had lost 100 pounds and stabilizing a bit over the summer, I then went in for my next round of treatments including taking out my thyroid in August and radioactive iodine treatment in isolation in late September.

After a year of living hell for me, my family (including two little girls one and a half and 3) I was declared “cancer free” December 13th of 2008. Since then I have received two all clear follow-up check-ups and will go in for my one year tests in November.

I am officially a “survivor.”