A Message from your Coborn’s Pharmacist.
Early detection and treatment are keys to breast cancer survival. When breast cancer hasn’t strayed outside the breast, the five-year survival rate is close to 100%. So early detection through regular examinations is crucial. Women should begin doing monthly self-exams at age 20 and ask their doctors to do clinical exams at least every three years. By age 40, women should have annual mammograms and breast exams by a physician, in addition to monthly self-exam
Stacey
4 Year Breast Cancer Survivor
Coborn’s Pharmacist

A Story About A Year
I would never want to repeat a year like 2010, but I will admit, it was filled with many blessings! My cancer diagnosis opened my eyes to the wonderful facility we have here, the Coborn’s Cancer Center. I was treated with such compassion and respect by my doctor, the nurses, and all the staff I met through this process. They go above and beyond. I am also thankful for all the women I’ve met along the way, my fellow sisters in pink! None of us wished to join this “club”, but the friendships we’ve made as a result are so rewarding! The health-related knowledge I’ve gained is invaluable, and when my hair came back, I thoroughly enjoyed a whole year with a soft, curly, wash’n wear hairstyle (even though it wasn’t the color I ordered)! Last but certainly not least, I can call myself a “Survivor”! I found my Stage 2 tumor myself, so I can’t speak enough about the importance of self-checks. Early detection is the key! No, I certainly wouldn’t want to repeat that year, but I am most grateful for the attitude that “I beat this, now I can tackle anything!”
Nancy
2 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story To Make You Laugh
It was a very hot day outside. My husband, Tim, and I were doing yard work. My wig was too hot to wear outside so I put it in the bathroom on top of a standing mirror, and then put on a light turban. We had explained to my grandson Taylor that Gama Nell, as he called me, was sick. We explained that I had to take medicine and also lost my hair. Taylor was helping us outside with the yard that afternoon, when he had to go into the house to go to the bathroom. He came running outside with his hands above his head holding my wig saying, “I found your hair Gama Nell! I found your hair!” He was so happy. Tim and I burst out laughing. We then explained it all to him.
Lynell
8 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story Of Faith
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,“This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21. On the night of December 18, 2005, my ears heard God tell me put my hand under my arm. I found a lump and was diagnosed with stage 3A breast cancer. This lump was found two weeks after a normal mammogram. It has now been five years since chemotherapy and radiation and I praise God everyday for speaking to me that night!
Michelle
6 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story About Life
I was diagnosed in January 2003. I had a lumpectomy on January 17 followed by 33 radiation treatments. Early detection is the key. Cancer has taught me a valuable lesson: to love, be kind and live life to the fullest. The silver lining in my cancer diagnosis was joining a terrific group of ladies in the Hope Chest Support Group. Juli Sanner is a great facilitator. I love you all!!
Jane
9 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story Of Support
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 27. I found the lump on my own at the age of 26. The “Breast Cancer Survivors Club” is not a club I ever would’ve thought I’d join but I am so happy to be a cancer survivor and I am so thankful for all the advances of modern medicine. Because of my membership in the club, I have had the chance to meet many wonderful people and share my story with others. I hope my story encourages others to do monthly self breast exams and see a doctor if they feel anything out of the ordinary because breast cancer is treatable and survivable. I am happy to share that I am a five year survivor with a wonderful husband and a lively one year old. I feel doubly blessed to be a survivor AND a mom, especially after two rounds of chemotherapy. My cancer survivorship helps me be a better person, as well as a better parent. When my little boy is not being an angel, I just think about how grateful I am to be blessed with him and then I can better tolerate his mischief. Love life; you only get one.
Jess
5 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story Of Strength
It was April Fool’s Day of 2004 when I found out I had breast cancer at age 43. I really didn’t expect it. At first, it was hard for me to talk about, even with my family. I had lobular and ductal cancer so a mastectomy was the best option for me. There were so many decisions to make in such a short period of time...which decisions would be the right ones for me? After the mastectomy, I started the reconstruction process, which was not fun, especially with the expander, but I was too young to worry about looking lopsided! I had eight chemotherapy sessions every two weeks. I suffered from a lot of nausea and exhaustion, but the hardest time was when my husband shaved my head. I hope my neighbors didn’t hear me crying on the deck as I watched my hair fall around me. Now I look back and see how blessed I was. My husband took such good care of me, even when he wasn’t sure how to do that. My family called and visited. My friends brought over food. I remember my teenage son at the time saying,”Wow, I wish we could eat like this all the time!” That was the day my healing started and I am forever grateful for what cancer taught me...that I can do anything.
Gale
8 Year Breast Cancer Survivor

 A Story Of Friendship
Life was good...then, things changed. A routine mammogram revealed breast cancer so I had a bi-lateral mastectomy January 9, 2012. I married my husband in February and began chemo the day after our honeymoon. My last day of chemo was April 26, 2012. Life is good again. I just had a “bump in the road." I am a survivor and couldn’t have done it without all the support from my wonderful husband; daughters; brothers; Mom Pat, who’s also a survivor; friends; family; and co-workers, especially Jeannie because we support each other. In February, my husband and I made a 40+ year commitment to each other. We will not let cancer break it!