04/14/97 21:01:21 EDT -- Kara Nelson <nelsonk@abc.com>,
To the Author: Keep fighting! You are doing an amazing job, and should be so proud of yourself. You must truly believe that you can conquer this. VISUALIZE yourself getting better, being better. Picture your body's anibodies fighting the cancer, like a true battle. Believe that you can win. As a journalist at ABC News, I have done much research on the topic of breast cancer. Below are some helpful groups. Use them! You can't win alone! Good luck and God bless you and your family. Improving Appearances: Look Good ... Feel Better: While hair loss is a temporary effect of chemotherapy treatment, most women feel it is a very upsetting effect. The American Cancer Society and the Cosmetics, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association co-sponsor a program to help women deal with the impact of chemotherapy on their appearance. The program will provide a referral to a volunteer cosmetician. These professionals will help women select and obtain a wig. They can teach women how to use make-up and demonstrate clever and attractive ways to use scarves, turbans and hats until normal hair growth returns. Contact your local American Cancer Society office or call 1-800-ACS-2345. Local hospitals may have information about support programs and services for breast cancer patients. PSIS - Plastic Surgery Information Service The goal of the service is to assist members of the public in their search for qualified plastic surgeons in their area. (708) 228-9900 1-800-635-0635 Executive Office 444, East Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 Reach to Recovery: The Reach to Recovery program of the American Cancer Society provides information and support to women with a personal concern about breast cancer. This volunteer visitation program is designed to help a breast cancer patient meet the emotional, physical, and cosmetic needs related to her disease and its treatment. Contact your local American Cancer Society office or call 1-800-ACS-2345. Local hospitals may have information about support programs and services for breast cancer patients. A Special Touch In partnership with Breast Cancer Early Detection Program, Sandra West brings with her 17 years of medical technology and experience, extending a highly skilled service emphasizing individual attention with a personal touch of sensitivity and grace. Custom bras, mastectomy bras, mastectomy garments, breast forms/enhancers, lingerie and more. 916-361-7469 http://www.sactown.com/special_touch/ A Shoulder to Lean On: American Cancer Society General information, Reach to Recovery, and other services for people with cancer and their families. 800-ACS-2345 , or check your phone book for the local office nearest you. http://www.cancer.org/support.html CHEMOcare CHEMOcare is a non-profit, voluntary program whose chief goal is to encourage people undergoing treatment for cancer to continue despite adverse side effects. Support is given by people who have survived a similar experience and have resumed living normal lives. It is the only treatment-oriented, one-to-one support program available to cancer patients and their families. 1-800-55-CHEMO 220 St. Paul Street, Westfield, New Jersey 07090-2146 Electronic Mailing Lists Users of e-mail can subscribe to a breast cancer electronic mailing list. Breast cancer patients, their family and friends, and health professionals share information and support through e-mail messages. To subscribe send e-mail to LISTSERV@morgan.ucs.mun.ca and write SUBSCRIBE BREAST-CANCER in the text of the message. I Can Cope: This program offers a series of educational classes for people with cancer, their families, and friends. Doctors, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals will provide facts about cancer, encouragement, and practical hints through presentations and class discussions For information about community resources, contact the local American Cancer Contact your local American Cancer Society office or call 1-800-ACS-2345. Local hospitals may have information about support programs and services for breast cancer patients. National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations Information on how to find a support group in your community http://www.nabco.org/support.html National Cancer Institute Provides tips on how to reduce your risk of cancer plus community services for patients and their families 800-4-CANCER, http://wwwicic.nci.nih.gov/ National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship Organization for people who have survived cancer. 301-650-8868 1010 Wayne Ave, 5th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910. On-line Support Commercial on-line services have added a new dimension to the availability of support for people with cancer. America Online, CompuServe and Prodigy all have bulletin boards where cancer survivors regularly provide support and information to each other. Look in America Online's Health and Medical Forum as well as Keyword: Avon, for a bulletin board dedicated solely to breast cancer support and information. On Compuserve, go to the Cancer Forum in the Health Professional section, or GO CANCER. On Prodigy, go to the Medical Support Board under the Cancer topic. For more information: America Online (800) 827-6364 CompuServe (800) 848-8199 Prodigy (800) 776-3449. Road to Recovery: This service of the American Cancer Society provides patients with a ride to and from treatment and therapy appointments. Trained volunteers donate their time and car to drive patients who do not have a means of transportation. Contact your local American Cancer Society office or call 1-800-ACS-2345. Local hospitals may have information about support programs and services for breast cancer patients. Y-Me National Organization for Breast Cancer Information and Support, Inc. Services include peer counseling, pamphlets, a list of resources, and links to other sites. Between 9AM-5PM Central time, 800-221-2141 Independent support groups for people with cancer. The 24-hour hotline is staffed by survivors of breast cancer. Callers can be matched with women of similar backgrounds or seeking specific guidance. 212 W. Van Buren St., Chicago, IL 60607. 24-hour hotline 312-986-8228 http://www.y-me.org The YWCA Encore Program: A program designed to provide supportive discussion and rehabilitative exercise for women who have been treated for breast cancer. 202-628-3636, to find the location of the nearest program.

04/09/97 21:12:49 EDT -- Jeffrey Hertzberg <jeffrey@fsg.com>,
I lost Cathy to breast cancer in January of 1995. She was loving, beautiful person who should have lived more than 37 years. Cathy was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer that had spread to her spine and pelvis six months after our twins were born. The changes of childbearing had hid the symptoms. Cathy and her doctors fought the disease hard for almost two years, with chemo, a stem-cell transplant and radiation. Cathy left behind Michael, now nine, and Amy & Emily, now four. Although she finally succumbed, Cathy fought to live. We all need to fight, to beat this empty killer.

04/05/97 11:05:40 EST -- Dick Hess for Marilyn Hess <hessmania@sisna.com>,
Breast cancer is horrible, it doesn't fight fair. I am sitting here watching over my wife dying from this disease. A good person, mother of Marie(10) and Marcus(8 next week) Will she even be here for the day? Doesn,t look good. I sometimes wonder if they will ever find a cure. I hate to sound ungrateful to her doctors, but there is no money in a cure. I know it sounds bad, but after 7 years of ups and down,its hard to be positive

04/04/97 16:04:10 EST -- Wendy Hagenbuch <hagenwb@ix.netcom.com>,
My thoughts are heavy with emotion because Holli is my loving friend -- a magic person, a member of a sacred tribe we belong to from ages and worlds long ago.. My thoughts about Breast Cancer is this: I live in San Francisco, Ca and we have the largest population of Breast Cancer in the WORLD..I see early detection all over the news today, studies of split cells out of control and studies on how to change that split and radical new changes of treatments, early and aimed with precise precision.. I bow to the women with courage & life stories to help their sisters through the jungle and unknown terrain..Holli Reich is a survivor with the ability to convey honestly and from the heart her truth. Thankyou Holli for your story & the light you hold up for others. Wendy Hagenbuch hagenwb@ix.netcom.com

04/04/97 09:45:37 EST -- smerts <smerts@t-one.net>,
I tool was diognosed with early stage breast cancer last summer with a routine mammagram. I had mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction at the same time. In December I had the nipple put on with some adjustment to new breast. I didn't have any lymph node involvement and am taking tamoxifen for 5 yrs. It really took me about 8 months to get my strenghth back. I am doing just fine now. Lea

04/04/97 02:51:06 EST -- Nancy Gilpatrick <irish4@earthlink.net>,
I appreciate you telling your story. I love the pictures placed in between your writing. As a bc survivor, myself, I always like hearing another woman's story. Mothering and living with bc is a huge challenge: learning to stay present with the kids and having the time to grieve and go through your own emotional experience, I have found to be a good learning. I live in the present moment better. I am more clear on my priorities. Life in the slow lane is most satisfying for me. Thank you for sharing.

04/04/97 00:19:52 EST -- Peggy <psumner@pe.net>,
I was just diagnosed with breast cancer on January 24, 1997. I am in my chemo/radiation/chemo treatment phase now and like you, SCARED TO DEATH! I feel like I'm a big baby sometimes, but what the hell! Right? My mother had b.c. when she was 46, lived 30 yrs. without a recurrance, died of heart failure! So, we have the same chance she did...actually better! We're girls of the 90s, right? Good luck to us both. God bless you. P.S. I had no positive nodes and had a lumpectomy instead of the mastectomy. I don't look real great, but will see what happens next! :) (smile)

04/03/97 02:02:52 EST -- Allan Rosteing <rossallan@webtv.net>,
Admire your bravery; hope your interesting and thoughtful account will help others.

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