I get so many great emails from around the world that I thought it would be good to share some of them with you. I'll post them as comments to this blog... I'm sure there's a better way to do it, but I don't know what it is... lol. Enjoy.
Mike
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Face the Sun is an independent feature film by Sunflower Pictures that takes a personal look at the impact of breast cancer on the lives of a young family. This site is designed to update fans on the progress of the film, and to provide a place for cancer survivors and their families to connect with each other, and to share their experiences.
11 comments:
I am part of the Breast Cancer Campaign Manchester group, one of us whom you contacted thru facebook, so she’s passed your details on for us to hit your site.
I hope your film can put across the devastating effect this disease can have on families. All we tend to see on tv is how celebrities cope – well, of course, they have the money behind them for a start and, if need be, can pay for any sort of help they want.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer at exactly the same time as Kylie and although we got through with the spiritual and emotional help of family and friends, only a few realised the other impacts on our lives – especially financial. We are normal people with normal jobs and two growing teenage boys. We had no savings and I was only paid sick pay for six weeks – not good when I was off for about nine months. Unfortunately, my husband also lost his job and was out of work for about two months. I now have the cost of daily drugs as my treatment goes on for five years.
My father, also going through ill health and surgery himself at the time, was my rock! Without him and my mum, me and Phil would never have got through the ordeal.
Two years later, we are still trying to dig ourselves out of the hole that being off put us in.
I still face reconstructive surgery.
However, although at times I am very bitter and feel rather sorry for myself, we are a “pick yourself up and get on with it” kind of family and I’m still here!!! I am a survivor. I also know that there are people a lot worse off than me.
I have met some wonderful people along my arduous journey with many now being firm friends and I wouldn’t have it any other way now. As you can see, I am involved in researching the cure and trying to raise awareness by raising money for Breast Cancer Campaign in this country. I am also involved in raising money for a local cancer help charity. I enjoy both.
I hope your film is what you want it to be and it that it raises awareness for future generations in your country.
God Bless
Caroline Aaron
Manchester, UK
I was 23 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer and through networking and volunteerism have met dozens other women under the age of 40.
Personally, I think there is a dyer need for people (physicians included) to let go of this ridiculous
concept that breast cancer under the age of 40 is "unheard of." The truth is that it is "heard of" every day by a woman in this country. Please tell
this young woman's story and help debunk one of the most dangerous medical myths that so many people believe to be true!
Thanks for you work.
Milly Daniels, Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Dear Mike,
I too was a young woman of 25 when I found a lump in my left breast. I had a child of almost 2 and was told after a needle biopsy "not to worry about it you're too young." I insisted they remove the lump. It ended up being stage three breast cancer. I beat it and went on for 21 years until it reared it's ugly head again in January of '06. Am now in a research group and will be for 5 years. They had to put me into menopause, the shot they give me to do that I'm allergic to so have to take an antihistamine with it then daily for 3 and a half more years.Plus am on a total of 16 other pills due to the reactions I've had. But I can honestly say thank god I'm alive. I have 2 grandsons and live each day to the fullest. Good for you for showing the problems that women have getting treatment and correct diagnosis'. Sue Hodgson, Calgary, Alta.
Thanks for making this movie. This a very imprortant issue that all women all around the world must know and care about my mother passed away of breast cancer 6 month ago after 17 of fighting it so thanks again and please let me know what I can do to help.
Atra, United Arab Emirates
After personally being affected twice in the last week by a close friend and a family member facing the daunting diagnosis of breast cancer, I am anxiously awaiting the release of this movie. Hopefully it will make more people aware of the ways cancer affects not only the person receiving the diagnosis but also everyone in their world. Let's make sure the resources are available to those who want to help but don't know exactly how.
Sincerely,
Erin Meara, St. Louis, MO
I recently lost a dear friend to breast cancer. (In fact, she was part of my 'Chosen Family'). Yvonne Hunter was known to many in this area for her performances in several local plays. After her double mastectomy she played Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, and appeared in several more Bard at Brentwood productions. The last weeks of her life were so difficult: for Yvonne, and for all of those who came close to support her (and me, as primary caregiver). It will take some time for us to recover from the ordeal. We can only be grateful that her ordeal is over. Your movie and its message are very important.
Lynn, Duncan, BC
Ok Mike here is my story. I was 32 and a mom of 3. Kayla 12 who is autistic and has many many disabilities, Kristina 7, and my baby Aidan who was not even 2 at the time. It was June and we were finalizing our plans for Disney World. My husbands company was sending us because he had a job down there so we were all excited. I just happen to be talking on the phone with my best friend who was talking about self breast exams and how she always does them and for some reason it just prompted me to feel around just causually while I was on the phone with her. It was then I felt it. Upper left breast, soar, tender to the touch and pretty big. Thinking it was nothing I called my Doctor and of course they got me right in. She felt around and said yes there is something there but if its soar and not really a lump - its more like a mass than I wouldnt be to concerned. However, I am going to schedual you for a mam and an ultrasound. Go on your vacation and when you come back go to your appointment and we will take it from there.
We came home from a wonderful vacation. All expenses paid, kids were good we had a blast. I went to my mamagram a week later. I was called in so many times so that they could get closer and better images. It was so painful. I am not a small breasted girl so my dd's were going threw hell at this point. Next was the ultrasound, same thing the tech called the dr in and they looked and looked at it. Needless to say I was sent home still thinking it was just some sort of "mass". 1 Hour after I arrive home, my OBGYN calls. They want me to see a surgen. So I make the appt to see the surgen. He talks to my husband and myself about all sort of things it could be and how statistically he thought my age and because I have no family history that it prob wasnt cancer but he wanted to do a surgical biopsy take a bulk of tissue and that way we would know for sure. 4 days later July 3rd I am in the or having my biopsy. I knew then. I was under but not under enough not to hear the dr tell the nurse "look at all that white matter". I knew what that meant but still held out hope. I waited threw the july 4th holiday and called the following day not thinking the results would be in but I was anxious. No not yet the nurse said but she would cal me if they did. hours later the phone rings and its the Surgen. I am sorry - its cancer. I was frozen. I started to rock back an fourth like I used to as a child. Its cancer? Dr. Bently, I have 3 kids....what does this mean? I am only 32? My dad was just diagnosed in Feb with stomach cancer I cant possably have it too. I have to take care of my parents. I had just lost my uncle, my fathers brother, to cancer in June so cancer was like this dark cloud over us. Then I ask, what stage is it Dr Bently? a small pause..."it looks like a stage 3". We will know more when pathology comes back. Didnt take long. He was right. Stage 3 advanced invasive ductal carcinoma. grade 3+ which is the worst and also HER 2 positive. It was all such a nightmare. Next thing I know I am having PET scans, MRI's, CAT scans. chest x-rays, Bone scans and last? a Port-a-cath put in for Chemo. My oncologists plan of attack was to shrink the 7+ tumor down with 4 cycles of systemic chemo and have a lumpectomy with lymphnode dissection because 5 were suspicious than radiation to follow.We went to at least 3 different hospitals for opinions. We didnt doubt I had it, we just wanted to know how the other dr's would attack this cancer. 10 days after my diagnoses I was in for my first chemo. My poor children. They were scared. They new their grandfather had it, they new their uncle just died from it so they were so scared I was going to leave them. In the midst of all this I was told to see a genetics counsler to talk about weather or not to be tested for the BRCA 1 & 2 genes. We decided that yes it was a good Idea to find this out. Not just for me but for my children. I tested positive. I carry the BRCA 1 gene which makes my chances of reccurance higher not only for breast cancer but ovarian as well. When my 4 cycles were done, I went in for a double mastectomy with expanders put in for reconstruction. I have to say, our community was wonderful. They even threw us a benefit in february to raise money for me and my dad. they cooked for us and just really made us feel like they were all here for us. I grew up in this little town of plaistow NH so we are known to everyone. My Oncologist is wonderful and takes great care of me. after my mastectomy's, I had one problem after another with the expanders. My left side wasnt healing and I ended up with a horrible staph infection which landed me in the hospital for 6 days. 2 of which were in ICU. My poor kids had to watch as mommy was taking out to an ambulance and wisked off to the hospital because I was going into shock. My daughter Kayla, who has Autism has taken this very hard. It has effected her whole year. I hate to see her fall back so much after having come so far. My Kristina is ok, she is very needy and always wants my attention but at age 7 that is typical. My son thankfully hasnt got a clue. Just that the dd's that used to feed him are now gone along with my long hair. I have done pretty well with chemo. Nothing to horrible. The staph infection had me the most scared. I am still waiting for the rest of reconstruction which had to be put off because of the infection. I am now on this new drug Herceptin. I will need to be on this for at least a year they say. 3 of my nodes came back positive so there is no telling what might be hiding in my body. My best friends daughter and her dance class performed and dedicated a dance to me at this years recital. It was so beautiful. I have 1 or 2 pics on my page. Still havent figured out how to copy it onto myspace so people can watch it. it is so beautiful. there costumes have ribbons on them! I have been in awe over how the community has taking such an interest in us. My children had a special visit from santa this year and were given so many presents form all sorts of places. Church, Fire Department, Lions Club, the school my kids go to, the school my mom works at! It was amazing. Unfortunately my father passed away June 11th 2007. He was buried on his 62 birthday. His last 8 weeks were spent here in my house. This is the house I grew up in, the house he made for us so it was fitting to have him here for his last few weeks. It was the most profound experience in my life and the most emotionaly damaging. I love my dad and was so glad to be able to help take care of him but at the same time watching some one die of cancer when you have cancer is just awful. Now we are just trying to go on day by day. trying to take care of my kids and my mom. My husband has been wonderful. its been difficult for him. I have an awful body image and do not want to be touched. I am supposed to be in my prime. Like everything else though, we will get threw it. I have more information on my myspace page if your interested in learning more.
Thanks for reading! Emily Gelinas
Emjgelinas@comcast.net
myspace.com/emjvallettagelinas
Hello Mr. Moroz!
I feel the need to comment as well. As you know, I am very interested in this film. But not only for the film experience aspect of it, you see my Aunt passed from breast cancer at the age of 35. I was 10 at the time, and was sheltered through most of her long battle. I know that she had it for a few years, which would make her diagnosis age to be in the early 30's. I loved her dearly and miss her deeply, so this film means just that much more to me.
I am under Full Acceptance from BCIT now though, so I won't be in town to help you shoot. I read the draft of the script you gave to all of us, and I love it. Kathy seems sincere and poetic and beautiful, and I completely just burst into tears at the scene where Jake reads to her in bed. When the project gets going, please keep me posted! You may hear from me if I need advice on something for my classes!
Oh, and I would like to thank you again for the Production Bursary. I was truely shocked and honoured to share it with Rachelle, whose talent I really admire. So thank you for that.
You're going to change the world Mr. Moroz. If not the whole world, the little film room in the little school in the little town. There might have been some kids who didn't care, but for the ones that do, you are one hell of a teacher.
Thank you for being so patient with our group, and for everything you taught me.
Jill DiIorio.
Former Student.
Hi!!
My name is Tori Simon and I am a 1 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. I was
diagnosed when I was 25 years old just 6 months after I was married. I had
a bilatertal mastectomy, 16 weeks of chemo and 6 1/2 weeks of radiation. I
just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this
movie. I cant wait to see it!!
Take Care and God Bless!!
Tori Simon :)
I also knew someone with the same story as "Kathy's".
She had to go to 3 Drs. until one finally agreed to further testing just to appease her. It was cancer and she died within 18 months. Had the first Dr. listened to her 6 months earlier, it could've been a different outcome !
Here's part of my story...I too was just treated for cancer. early detection is the key! Good Luck with your movie!!
After having a "routine mammo" in Southern Md. in May 2003, the xray technician told me that I had cancer! She proceeded to tell me that I needed to have an ultrasound and the sonographer could squeeze me in right away. She said that I would meet with the radiologist when both tests were over.
She told me not to tell the radiologist that she told me anything In the meantime she gave me a pamphlet with some questions to ask him and also told me to pretend that she hadn't shown me my mammo or said anything at all. I guess I was in shock and did as told! I asked him if it looked like cancer and he said that signs are pointing that way but you never know for sure until you biopsy.
He left and the technician returned. She gripped my shoulders tightly, looking into my eyes, and told me "don't ever miss a chemo no matter how bad you feel!". She went on to say " call your husband at work and tell him you are on your way to see him because you have cancer". She also said "tell him you both need to go on whatever trip you have ever dreamed of going on in your lifetime ,and that you must go soon!"
She gave me the phone and had me call him in front of her...I did as told but when my husband answered I was only able to tell him that I was on my way and that I have cancer. I broke down when I hung up the phone. I sobbed uncontrollably for about 15 minutes. They had me sit in the room with a box of kleenex until I felt able to leave.
I went to see my husband on base and tell him the news and we briefly cried in each others arms. I phoned my Dr and she told me to see a breast surgeon as soon as possible. I fervently searched online to see where was the best place to be treated for breast cancer. I called John Hopkins immediately. The people on the phone were very empathetic and told me not to see a breast surgeon that they would automatically resort to surgery. They encouraged me to Fed Ex my findings to them after which we made an appointment for a stereotactic core needle biopsy the following week. I did not know that would end up being an absolutely horrible experience. I was at number 4 of the 12 turns(samples) they were taking when I started to feel what seemed like a razor was cutting me each time just before he announced a position to an intern/resident. I assumed the Dr. was oding the procedure himself and she was observing. I heard the Dr. tell the woman "don't move it so quickly" "stop and then turn". At that point I realized he was training somebody on me! The technician performing the xray during the procedure said "Dr. stop, I think the patient is feeling this"! He said "no, she's feeling pressure". After the next "cut" she saw my body tighten up and she immediately walked away from her machine and came around the table to see my face( My face was facing the wall). She could see the tears running down and my mascara running. She said "You feel this procedure don't you?" I said "yes,ever since the 40'clock position, it was now #8. She told the Dr. "Doctor STOP, I can't take seeing her like this, it isn't right that she feel this" . He said that I either have to "grin and bear it or come back to have it done again". He said the procedure was taking longer than expected and he couldn't give me more anesthetic". I told him to finish it because I would never come back again to have this done! So I felt each and every move they made! The xray tech left very upset while the doctor congratulated the resident on getting everything her first time ever doing the procedure! He told her that he had to leave and to see that I got down off the table and that I was to have an exit mammo. She said she would take care of things and he left. As I still lay on the table, she left! I lay there waiting for someone for a bit and sat up on my own. I then went and opened the door and looked out. Someone walked by and asked what I was still doing here? I told them I was to have an exit mammo. The employee said my procedure took too long and now they were backed up and she had another patient to tend to,she walked away. I walked into the hallway looking around for someone else to help me and another tech walked by and asked if I needed any help? I told her what happened and she said she would do my mammo and she did. She left when finished and so I walked towards the exit where my husband had been waiting for me when another employee walked past me and said"go into the restroom and wash your face ,you'll scare someone!". I did as told, looked into the mirror and saw my mascara streaked face which was pale (as if I'd seen a ghost).I washed my face and walked out of there as quickly as I could. I was "in shock" I guess. I walked past my husband and out towards the elevators and he hurried behind and asked "Elizabeth...WAIT, is everything okay?". Apparently I looked at him so sternly it frightened him. I said "I've got to get out of here now, don't ever bring me back here!". I couldn't talk about it for several days! The Dr. phoned and told me that I did not have cancer! The only good thing after such a tumultuous time...I DID NOT have cancer! The southern maryland tech was WRONG after all that. I thought I had cancer for 3 weeks! When MY Dr. found out about the tech,she wanted her fired.
I told the Dr. I first wanted to find out why the tech reacted this way to me and so I did. The tech's mom apparently had a mammo that looked like mine and the tech assumed that I had the same cancer that her mom did and couldn't hold it in.I told her that a person should never assume anything especially something like this.
I vowed never again to go there for a mammo.Three months later
I went for a mammo elsewhere and again something "suspicious was found. I asked my Dr. whom she would go to if she were me and she set me up with a wonderful surgeon that did an excisional biopsy Oct.2003,which was benign!
I decided I was through with mammo's and this emotional roller coaster that I had been on with all the waiting games and all.
We moved from Md. to Tennesee in 2005 and I hadn't yet had a mammo. I spoke with a very good friend of mine whom happens to be a surgeon in Kentucky. He basically told me that was a very stupid decision on my part and that I would only be hurting myself and my family because of something that someone did to me. He said that in the long run I would be hurting myself and my family. He also went on to say that he would never talk with me again! Contemplating on what had transpired and what my friend had said to me, I decided that I wanted to be well and enjoy my family! Needless to say, I went that October for a mammo. Remembering what the surgeon in Md. told me about never having a mammo without a sound, that's what I set out to have done.. Well, the Dr. ordered a sound but the radiologist at the hospital didn't want to do the sound. They said the mammo didn't warrant it. I told yhem about the previous finding at the same time being adamant abouthaving it done. They finally agreed to do the sound, at the same time making me aware that they were not pleased to do it. She told me I would have my mammos to take with me( I keep them at home due to the fact that a hospital in ohio lost my very first mammo) within 15 minutes because the radiologist was in a hurry to leave. They claimed they found nothing. I also vowed to myself not to go to Sumner Hospital for my mammo's.
I went to Vanderbilt for my next mammo Nov.29th 2006 and they said there was something "suspicious" again, I started to hate that word(smile).! I told them that John Hopkins' procedure was still too fresh in my mind and the Dr. agreed that we could watch this for 6 months. They booked me for a diagnostic mammo for May 29th 2007.
June 7th I had to have 2 biopsies in my right breast I was scared to death of the test, not for fear of a cancer diagnosis, but for fear of having that horrible experience relived! The radiologist met with me and I told him of my experience. He was quite sympathetic and they had ordered 3 ativan for me. I was to take one the night before the procedure , the morning of the procedure, and 1 after, if need be.
CVS made a mistake in filling the script and gave me 30 pills(for 57 cents) instead of the 3 that were written and circled on the script ! Lucky me, little did I know that I would need one for the day of my mastectomy that was to follow.
The radiologist assured me I wouldn't feel anything. I was so,so frightened to have this procedure done again! I emailed my friends in Europe, New Hampshire ,California, and Indiana as well as phoned my sons to pray for me to have the strength to go through with this! Everyone of them was super! They were empathetic and promised to pray for me. My husdand, my boys, daughter 'n law, older brother,and my friends were my support! They were absolutely wonderful!!
And the radiologist was correct, I did not feel a thing!
On June 12th at 2:48am I awoke from a dream. A dream
of a disturbing nature! In the dream I had a phone conversation with my Dr. in which she
was telling me I had DCIS and needed to have surgery. I woke up and never went back to sleep. This stayed with me all day until 4 pm that afternoon. The breast surgeon had phoned with the news! We had that same conversation.
I kind of chuckled when she told me the news,the kind of chuckle as if to say I don't believe what I'm hearing! She asked if I was okay? She said "Elizabeth,you know that means you'll need surgery?" I told her Yes, I'm fine and I realize this and I agreed to see her the next day. After she told me her findings I had asked the surgeon about having both breasts removed due to the fact of what I've researched. That DCIS generally does go to the other breast and I knew that there already were some microcalcifications . I didn't want to go down this path again. She is very much into breast conservation and said they would discuss this request.
I had called and made second opinion appts.at Sloan-Kettering and also at the Cleveland Clinic and also put in a call to a prominent oncologist in Tennessee. I was assured by him that Vanderbilt is one of the best places and if it were his wife he wouldn't hesitate about going to that institution. I was also assured that there is 0 chance for mistake with 2 biopsy pathology reports stating cancer was found. That was good enough for my husband as well as myself to cancel my second opinions and just get on with things instead of delaying the inevitable!
Meanwhile an MRI was scheduled to be done of both my breasts on June 19th. It confirmed that I had over 2.5cm DCIS in my right breast, but it also picked up something very tiny in my left .4 cm of something else not in the duct. They had me come back for a sound on June 21 but they still couldn't get a better picture. It was too small to biopsy. The Drs said that they wanted to have surgery within 3 weeks of the mammo. And it would possibly be that week. I told the staff on the 21st that I felt as if we were on stand by at the airport! Please just give me a day so I can plan! As of the 25th we had not heard a date yet.
June 26th was my bday. My husband had planned on taking me out of town for the day but we felt as if we couldn't go anywhere. We felt as if we must wait for this call(smile). I finally told my hubby that evening that we're going to do what we want tomorrow, no matter what! And we did enjoy ourselves!
On the June 27th at 5:40pm I was given a surgical date of July 12th.2007. It was agreed that the best thing would be to have a Bi-lateral mastectomy with a Sentinel Node Biopsy of my right side only. I will add more later about the pathetic care I received at the hospital....I am still smiling(smile)!
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