I was diagnosed on March 20, 1991, at the age of 44.

Brenda

I was diagnosed with IBC in March of 1991. At the time, I had three boys in the Gulf War, and my husband was recovering from a ruptured appendix.

That same year my first grandchild was born 3 months premature weighing less than 2 pounds. She had a bleed in the brain resulting in Cerebral Palsy. She is a real inspiration to me.

I had very high doses of CAF before and after surgery, followed by radiation. I did very well for 4 years, with no other treatments.

In 1995 my CA27-29 doubled, and I had many tests which showed nothing, but the blood counts continued to rise. A CAT scan revealed the cancer was in the lymph nodes under the other arm.

Of course, I went through the same routine again, except that I had used up my lifetime allotment of Adriamycin. I was put on CMF for a year. Since that time, I have been seen every three months.

I have had a lot of symptoms that would make you think that the IBC is back, but nothing has shown up so far. My main problem now is lymphedema in both arms. It is very severe in the right arm, even though we have tried everything to help it.

I feel very blessed to be here after 11 years. I am relying on God, the Bible, my husband, my children (5), my grandchildren (9), and my church family to help me stay strong and to beat this.

'THE LORD IS GOOD, A STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE, AND HE KNOWETH THEM THAT TRUST IN HIM.' Nahum 1:7

Please click on the title of the song in order to hear the music.

Wind Beneath My Wings

It must have been cold there in my shadow,
to never have sunlight on your face.
You were content to let me shine, that's your way.
You always walked a step behind.

So I was the one with all the glory,
while you were the one with all the strain.
A beautiful face without a name for so long.
A beautiful smile to hide the pain.

Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

It might have appeared to go unnoticed,
but I've got it all here in my heart.
I want you to know I know the truth,
of course I know it.
I would be nothing without you.

Did you ever know that you're my hero?
You're everything I wish I could be.
I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings.

Did I ever tell you you're my hero?
You're everything, everything I wish I could be.
Oh, and I, I could fly higher than an eagle,
for you are the wind beneath my wings,
'cause you are the wind beneath my wings.

Oh, the wind beneath my wings.
You, you, you, you are the wind beneath my wings.
Fly, fly, fly away. You let me fly so high.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.
Oh, you, you, you, the wind beneath my wings.

Fly, fly, fly high against the sky,
so high I almost touch the sky.
Thank you, thank you,
thank God for you, the wind beneath my wings.