Plate Count
4464 Sets
Reserved !!
Updated 8/28/05
What's New:
Follow the
progress
of
bill HR 1247
here....
A Sincere
Thank you to:
Denver -
9News-KUSA,
KOSI 101 Radio, Channel 7 KMGH
Colorado Springs-
the Gazette, and Channel KKTV 11
and KRDO 13.
Grand Junction-
Mix 104.3
You have enabled
us to get the word out. We truly appreciate your support!
Thanks also to
those of you who
are telling your
friends and
graciously sharing
your stories with
us.
| No
Family History Avelina Marie Sullivan's Story Carol Rallo's Story My Story I Am So Happy |
We
would love to hear about your experiences, email your story. Check out more stories >>> |
No Family History
....Of Breast Cancer. So, imagine my surprise at finding a lump in December of 1999. How can that be? I was only 42 and no family history!!
At the time, I did not have any health insurance; under my new employer, I was up for coverage effective February 1, 2000. On February 2, I visited my family practice physician, was referred for a mammogram and the rest, they say, is history.
After having been diagnosed with breast cancer (I elected to have a lumpectomy and lymph node removal) I pushed back HARD on the chemo and radiation treatment, basically in denial of what had transpired in my life in the span of several months. My physician and friend at the time, Susan Robertson, M.D. of Broomfield Family Practice, called me at home and told me she had heard that I was rejecting the rest of the treatment plan.
Susan has kids the same age as my youngest and what she said to me changed my mind and my life. She advised me to move forward with treatment because I would not want to look back on my life if there were a recurrence of cancer and realize I had not done all I could to be here for myself, my husband and my kids.
I completed the treatment plan, remained working full time and am now on Tamoxofin for the next few years. My happy outcome is that I am still, four years later, cancer free and loving my life.
I will be eternally grateful to Susan, my supportive family and friends and the Oncology circle of caregivers that assisted me through what seemed to be a very long, dark tunnel. Back to top
Avelina Marie Sullivan's Story
My family and I were stationed at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer February of 1993. I had a pea size lump on my right breast since 1988. I go in every year for my pap smear and breast exams since I can remember. I noticed this little lump and I called for an appointment to have it checked, at first they said they couldn't get me in for two months, so I told them that my husband was going on a remote tour in a couple days and I would like to get it checked in case something needs to be done before he left. Well they got me in two days later. I was told that it was a cyst. They took x-rays and a mammogram and said not to be alarmed because women get cysts all the time.
Every year I go in for my annual pap smear I mention the lump which I still had. They send me to see the flight surgeon and in turn the same diagnose, a cyst. Well five years later, when I went in for my annual pap smear I again mentioned the lump and I told them that there was a change whereas my nipple was dimpling. So once again I was sent to see a flight surgeon. This particular surgeon god bless him, asked me if I ever had a biopsy done. I said I never heard of it and none of the other surgeons ever mentioned it me. Well he proceeded to tell me about two kinds of biopsies. After inquiring about the two I chose to have the biopsy where they cut out the lump and have it dissected. I went two days later for the results and was told that it was cancer. I allowed myself 10 minutes after the doctors' news to absorb the fact that I do have breast cancer which I kind of knew but needed confirmation. I resigned myself that I am in Gods hands now. The doctor wanted me in the hospital the following day to have a radical mastectomy on my right breast. I had radiation treatments and then had reconstructive surgery nine months after my radical mastectomy.
I've been cancer free to this day. I thank my family and friends for their support and I thank god for being there for me. I do not dwell on the fact that I had breast cancer but I feel privileged and thank god that I am alive and a survivor! Back to top
Thank you for letting me tell my story!
Avelina Marie Sullivan
Carol Rallo's Story
It's been almost exactly one year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Within less than two months, I had been seen by a surgeon, a radiology oncologist and a medical oncologist, gone through a number of sessions with breast care center specialists, and was operated on.
There was no reason for me to suspect a problem; I do self-examination every month, and I had just been to my internist for my yearly physical. She also checked my breasts and didn't find anything. The only way we found the cancer was through my yearly mammogram!
My lumpectomy was successful; I took 6 weeks of radiation treatment, five days a week throughout last summer, and my prognosis is excellent.
Whereas before I would suggest to friends that they have mammograms, I have become a rather insistent proponent of yearly exams for my friends/co-workers.
I support wholeheartedly the effort to commit Colorado in offering a pink plate for anyone in the state. I've already ordered mine, and I've sent your web site address to all my friends/family in state. Back to top
Thank you.
Carol Rallo
My Story
I am actually ordering these plates because my mother had breast cancer. She has had one breast removed. She has also had a kidney removed recently from stage 4 cancer. She is doing well now and seems to be cancer free at this time. I was by her side all through the breast removal surgery and happened to be living in Phoenix where she lives at the time so I was able to help her recover too. So, when she comes to visit in July, hopefully I will be able to take her out to my car and say "Here's to you mom!" Back to top
I am so happy.....
to hear that you are working to have breast cancer plates made. I am a breast cancer survivor and was trying to do that also. When I received the information from the State, over a year ago, I was intimidated by all the work that had to be done to accomplish this. I am in awe that you have taken this very important project on and am forever grateful!
In 1984, I was diagnosed with cervical and uterus cancer. Because of this, every Christmas I gave myself the gift of a mammogram and a complete check up. The Breast Diagnostic Center here in Fort Collins found some questionable marks on my mammogram and notified my doctor that I needed another one in three months. Unfortunately, my doctor at the time did not tell me. A year later, we found breast cancer in both breasts. I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy without reconstructive surgery.
I guess you could say that I was prepared, having cancer before. I knew what it would take to get my husband, children, and I through this. I made a sign that was with me at all times. It said, 'Enter here with positive thoughts, positive words and positive actions. Only.' It forced people to be positive not only about my cancer but also their own life.
After three months of my surgery it was time to look for prothesis. We called it The Great Carnevale Boob Hunt. I must say I think we found some good ones too. Thru the last five years I have found it quite liberating to go home after a long day and take the boobs off and put them in the drawer. Actually, most of the time I don't wear them, they aren't important, life is important.
Three years ago, I started Operation Bears. I buy stuffed teddy bears that are specially made for breast cancer patients. I put a little tag on them that says, 'My name is Courage. Give me lots of hugs and I will walk with you on the path of hope,' I donate them to the pre-op section of the hospital, who in turn gives them to the breast cancer patient just before surgery.
I guess what I am trying to say is that this is what you and these license plates will do, give courage, hope and awareness. You will planting a seed in the minds of everyone who will see the plates. Back to top
Thank you.
Lana Carnevale
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