Sad update on my friend with breast cancer

[tylersmama]

I first posted about my friend Ragan almost exactly a year ago. (http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=374240&mesg_id=374240&listing_type=search)
She was diagnosed with breast cancer at her 6 week pp doctor appointment. Sadly, she lost her battle this morning, leaving behind her 13 month old daughter and husband. The past year has been a roller coaster ride, but she really seemed to be beating the cancer over the summer. About two weeks ago, she was admitted to the hospital with blood clots in her lungs and they found a major recurrence of the cancer in her liver and bone marrow. Her sister emailed yesterday to let us know that she was not doing well and only expecting her to make it another couple of weeks.

I'm absolutely heartbroken over this, although I know she is in a better place now, without pain and cancer free, watching over her daughter. Thoughts and prayers for her family at this very difficult time would be appreciated.

And please, please remember to do your breast self-exam every month.

[tylersmama]

I first posted about my friend Ragan almost exactly a year ago. (http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=37&topic_id=374240&mesg_id=374240&listing_type=search)
She was diagnosed with breast cancer at her 6 week pp doctor appointment. Sadly, she lost her battle this morning, leaving behind her 13 month old daughter and husband. The past year has been a roller coaster ride, but she really seemed to be beating the cancer over the summer. About two weeks ago, she was admitted to the hospital with blood clots in her lungs and they found a major recurrence of the cancer in her liver and bone marrow. Her sister emailed yesterday to let us know that she was not doing well and only expecting her to make it another couple of weeks.

I'm absolutely heartbroken over this, although I know she is in a better place now, without pain and cancer free, watching over her daughter. Thoughts and prayers for her family at this very difficult time would be appreciated.

And please, please remember to do your breast self-exam every month.

[Marisa6826]

Gaye, I'm so very, very sorry to hear of Ragan's passing. Hugs and prayers to you and her family.

-m

[Marisa6826]

Gaye, I'm so very, very sorry to hear of Ragan's passing. Hugs and prayers to you and her family.

-m

[buddyleebaby]

Gaye, I am so, so sorry.
I will pray for her family.

[buddyleebaby]

Gaye, I am so, so sorry.
I will pray for her family.

[JenaW]

I will definitely be praying for Ragan and all of her friends and family who are mourning her loss. I can't imagine growing up without a mother.

On a side note, there was an article in my paper this weekend about a local breast CA support group for young women. Four women ages 30-34 described their situation. We used to think of breast cancer as a diagnosis of older women (and unfortunately many still think that way) but it seems to be happening at a much earlier age now. I know a girl that I grew up with who was diagnosed (also in the early postpartum period) at 28!!! Women in their 30's do not even get routine mammograms, and honestly, how many of us are getting yearly breast exams? I have not had one by a physician since before I was pregnant with Carter (over 5 years ago now). At my first OB visit, that OB (and another since) said they don't typically do them in the first trimester since the breasts are so tender. At my first two pp visits, the OBs said they don't do them on breastfeeding women. My last two PP visits were nothing more than a chat with my OB...no exam at all. I am scheduled for my annual (the first non-pregnant one in years) in a few weeks, so I should get one then, but I guess I am responsible (or irresponsible) in not asking for one (I felt wierd, I guess). So, not to hijack Gaye's post but she is so right, we DO need to do our own monthly SBE, and ask a clinician to check ANYTHING suspicious. Do not let them put you off simply because you are "too young for breast cancer."

Thanks for the update Gaye. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.


Jera
Mom to Carter ~ 05.13.03
Madigan ~ 09.28.04
Natalie ~ 09.17.05 (born at 25 weeks!!)
Alexa ~ 11.03.06

[JenaW]

I will definitely be praying for Ragan and all of her friends and family who are mourning her loss. I can't imagine growing up without a mother.

On a side note, there was an article in my paper this weekend about a local breast CA support group for young women. Four women ages 30-34 described their situation. We used to think of breast cancer as a diagnosis of older women (and unfortunately many still think that way) but it seems to be happening at a much earlier age now. I know a girl that I grew up with who was diagnosed (also in the early postpartum period) at 28!!! Women in their 30's do not even get routine mammograms, and honestly, how many of us are getting yearly breast exams? I have not had one by a physician since before I was pregnant with Carter (over 5 years ago now). At my first OB visit, that OB (and another since) said they don't typically do them in the first trimester since the breasts are so tender. At my first two pp visits, the OBs said they don't do them on breastfeeding women. My last two PP visits were nothing more than a chat with my OB...no exam at all. I am scheduled for my annual (the first non-pregnant one in years) in a few weeks, so I should get one then, but I guess I am responsible (or irresponsible) in not asking for one (I felt wierd, I guess). So, not to hijack Gaye's post but she is so right, we DO need to do our own monthly SBE, and ask a clinician to check ANYTHING suspicious. Do not let them put you off simply because you are "too young for breast cancer."

Thanks for the update Gaye. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.


Jera
Mom to Carter ~ 05.13.03
Madigan ~ 09.28.04
Natalie ~ 09.17.05 (born at 25 weeks!!)
Alexa ~ 11.03.06

[tylersmama]

Amen to everything you just said. I am extremely lucky that my OB is awesome, but I know that many are not. And just to reiterate for those who don't know Ragan's whole story, DO NOT LET THEM PUT YOU OFF. She found the lump while she was pregnant and brought it up at her first prenatal visit. They blew it off as hormonal changes and didn't do anything to check it out further until postpartum. I'm trying not to get caught up in "what ifs" but, what if they hadn't? What if they had been able to start treatment earlier? Maybe nothing would be different, but maybe she would still be here.

Emphasizing once again what Jera said, because it cannot be repeated enough: "we DO need to do our own monthly SBE, and ask a clinician to check ANYTHING suspicious. Do not let them put you off simply because you are "too young for breast cancer."

[tylersmama]

Amen to everything you just said. I am extremely lucky that my OB is awesome, but I know that many are not. And just to reiterate for those who don't know Ragan's whole story, DO NOT LET THEM PUT YOU OFF. She found the lump while she was pregnant and brought it up at her first prenatal visit. They blew it off as hormonal changes and didn't do anything to check it out further until postpartum. I'm trying not to get caught up in "what ifs" but, what if they hadn't? What if they had been able to start treatment earlier? Maybe nothing would be different, but maybe she would still be here.

Emphasizing once again what Jera said, because it cannot be repeated enough: "we DO need to do our own monthly SBE, and ask a clinician to check ANYTHING suspicious. Do not let them put you off simply because you are "too young for breast cancer."

[jk3]

That is tragic. I'm so sorry.

Jenn
DS 6/03
DS 5/07

[jk3]

That is tragic. I'm so sorry.

Jenn
DS 6/03
DS 5/07

[denna]

Gaye I am so very very sorry. My prayers are with your family and hers.

Hugs

[denna]

Gaye I am so very very sorry. My prayers are with your family and hers.

Hugs

[megs4413]

prayers for you and your friend's family. i'm so sorry for your loss.

[megs4413]

prayers for you and your friend's family. i'm so sorry for your loss.

[almostamom]

I'm so very sorry to hear that Ragan passed away. Her family is in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing all who loved her peace during an incredibly painful time.

Hugs,
Linda

[SweetTooth]

That is so, so sad. I'm sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you & Ragan's family.

[jeminaal]

I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend. I also lost a friend from breast cancer earlier this year.

You and your friend's family will definitely be in my thoughts. Take care.


Jeanette
(formerly known as jeanmick, member since Feb 2003)

DD Born Christmas Eve
DS Born Valentine's Day

[LarsMal]

What sad news. It breaks my heart to hear about a child losing a parent.

I also wanted to echo what you said about not letting them put you off simply b/c you're too young for breast cancer. Also, don't let them put you off simply b/c you're pregnant. When I was 8 months pg with DS I found a lump on the side of my breast, near my armpit. I pointed it out to 2 of the OBs in my practice. They both said they wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't pointed it out. They both said it was probably nothing, but I asked to have it checked out. They agreed and I was able to get an ultrasound done. It showed nothing abnormal. The same lump reappeared with DD and I mentioned it to my (new) OB. She sent me to a breast specialist who did another ultrasound (b/c I was BF). Luckily, for me, it was nothing to worry about.

Bottom line, don't let your doc tell you that it's "nothing" b/c your breasts are "lumpy" or always changing during pg and BF. You won't be able to get a mamogram, but you can get an ultrasound.

Again, Gaye, I am so so sorry for your loss.

[Lovingliv]

I am so very sorry...praying for her family, you and especially that baby.

[glbb35]

I am so sad to have read this post. I feel for the family and friends of Regan. I recently had my first mammogram and many of my friends thought I was young to be getting one. I am 36 and according to my doctor, I should have my first one when I was 35 but I had just had my second child. It certainly does seem like you are seeing younger and younger women with breast cancer. I will definitely keep up with my monthly exams and pray for those who are currently affected by this terrible disease. I will also go hug my children extra long tonight.

B

DS 03 & 06

[deborah_r]

That is so horribly sad. I'm so sorry for your loss.

[kozachka]

I am so very sorry for your loss and that of Ragan's family. I feel for the little girl who would be growing up without her mommy.