I was diagnosed on May 3, 2006, at the age of 48.

Melanie

I first felt a very large mass on March 18, 2006 that came up overnight. I went to my Nurse Practitioner immediately, and she ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. I asked if I could just get the ultrasound, and they wouldn't let me.

The radiologist sent his assistant out to tell me that the paperwork was wrong, and I'd have to go back to my Doctor.

When I spoke to her, she told me that he said I came in there acting like I knew more about medicine than him and I was tieing his hands, etc. So he refused to do the ultrasound or mammogram.

I live out in the country in Kentucky, and he was the only person in 2 or 3 counties that could do it. Since no one told me it could be breast cancer, I thought it was a breast infection and didn't do anything for 6 weeks.

Then I went to a Naturopath, and she gave me antibiotics to see if it was a breast infection. After the two weeks with no results, she ordered a mammogram and ultrasound.

I had to drive 1 hour to a large town to get it done. They DID do the ultrasound first but then said I had to get a mammogram.

So she took 2 pictures on the left side and about 9 on the right. None of them came out. She finally came in and said in a nasty voice, 'Well, I believe you have breast cancer!'

She then fussed at me for wasting time with natural treatments and treated me like a two year old (and made me cry). Very unprofessional (that's two people so far).

I got a second opinion in Nashville, Tennessee and had my insurance moved there. This is now 9/1/06, and I've had a bone scan and CT scan. I'm still using many natural treatments and have not gone thru any chemo, surgery or radiation.

I believe God can heal me with His natural things from the earth better than having 'man' slash and burn me.

If it has moved into other parts of my body, I may consider chemo with natural products together. But I doubt that I will change my mind about surgery. I'm just a stubborn rebel.

I am getting an MRI on 9/7/06 and am praying it has not moved out of my breast.

God bless each of you in your fight. God is in control either way you go. Do what you believe in; not just whatever the doctors say. They were only taught one way - theirs! Do your own research on natural cures and treatments.

Please click on the title of the hymn in order to hear the music.

Be Not Afraid

You shall cross the barren desert,
but you shall not die of thirst.
You shall wander far in safety,
though you do not know the way.

You shall speak your words in foreign lands,
and all will understand,
You shall see the face of God and live.

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the pow'r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you, through it all

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

Blessed are your poor,
for the Kingdom shall be theirs.
Blest are you that weep and mourn,
for one day you shall laugh.

And if wicked men insult and hate you,
all because of Me,
blessed, blessed are you!

Be not afraid,
I go before you always,
Come follow Me,
and I shall give you rest.

* * * * * * * * *

a Catholic Hymn written by
Bob Dufford, S.J.