"I am doing as well as I have ever been! I love that my hair is finally getting longer! I am finished all my treatments. I am still taking Tamoxifen and going to my follow up appointments when I need to. The whole experience has really flown by. Its hard to believe that 2 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am busy teaching 4th grade and using all my energy towards the kids (and boy do I have energy!) The best part of all of this is the fact that as long as I keep with my follow ups I shouldn't need to do this again (or at least that's what I'm praying for!)" Amanda Menold
"Time is going by so fast and believe it or not, there are some days where I even forget that I ever even had breast cancer. I am doing very well other than the occasional scare (which is usually only some pain that was from radiation). My son is now two years old and is doing amazingly well (I had treatment during my pregnancy with him). My daughter just started kindergarten and is way older than her actual age. I am teaching first grade at a charter school in Philadelphia and I love it! All of my follow ups (oncologist, breast surgeon, plastic surgeon) have all gone AMAZINGLY well! I am considered cured, but am anxious to hit that five year mark. The best thing that came out of my experience from breast cancer was meeting so many amazing people, especially Emily, who continues to be my closest and dearest friend (we met during chemo). It also made me realize that life is VERY SHORT and you have to live every day as if it could be your last, because you just never know what life has planned for you!" Phyllis Markoff
"I'm doing so great. I finished treatment in March and I'm back to work. I feel great and look great. I'm working as a teachers aid for the high school. I love my job and as for the cancer all I have to do are follow ups and as long as I keep doing that I should be fine! It felt like I lived a nightmare, but now that's what was, a nightmare. It was an eye opener for me and now I don't take this for granted. It was the toughest thing I had to do but I'm done, thank god and no trace of it in my body so far. My hair is even growing back." Jessica Conde
"I continue to enjoy everyday with a new appreciation and live my life through a new vision. I can say with all honesty that I am truly living and experiencing every moment. I have been spending more time with my family including my 6 year old daughter Lilly who started first grade and my 3 year old daughter Samantha who is now taking the bus to preschool. I continue to go to my follow up appointments and all of my studies have been good. There are times when I sit in the waiting room and look at the patients around me and have a hard time believing that was me. When the thoughts "did I truly go through this experience?" enters my mind, I stop myself and remind myself that it is the experience of breast cancer that gave me the strength to change my life. It was the experience that gave me the courage to live a better and more meaningful life. It was breast cancer and all the experiences it brought with it that gave me the opportunity to make my life better for myself and for my children and family. Cancer did not change me. I changed myself because of the experience of cancer. I made great friends (Phyllis). I met amazing role models (Dr. Grana and Dr. Hughes). So....I guess after thinking about it. One year later feels great. It is 365 more days to enjoy." Emily Scattergood
