Laurie Tindall’s story

Laurie shortly before her first surgeries, wearing the breast cancer necklace her father had given her.

“Hearing the news that you have cancer, and then hearing the progression of the stages is daunting, fearful, and full of uncertainty… “FAITH, HOPE & LOVE” appear on most Breast Cancer tee-shirts and jewelry.  I now fully understand why.”

 

My name is Laurie Tindall and I have been diagnosed with Infiltrating Adenocarcinoma Breast Cancer, Stage IIA.

At the end of October 2014, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (infiltrating ductal carcinoma).  She had previously had yearly mammograms and required a lumpectomy after her diagnosis.  She chose to have radiation treatments and has since been given a positive prognosis of cure.  She is a survivor!

Her situation prompted me to schedule my first mammogram that was on December 9, 2014.  The next day, I was phoned by the hospital

Angela Cook’s story

“My dear Physician’s Assistant, Kim walked in with tears in her eyes and said to me that something was really wrong with my blood work this time.  We cried together as I shared with her that I felt great and that this just didn’t make sense to me”

My name is Angela Cook.

First of all I want to say who I am – I am a proud Christian!  I am a devoted wife to my best friend!  I am a mother to the best daughters a woman could ever ask for!  I am a daughter to my parents and to my husband’s parents!  I am a grand-daughter!  I am a sister and sister in law!  I am a very proud Aunt!  I am a cousin to many!  I am a friend!  I am a proud principal of a wonderful staff, parental community and students!  I am a neighbor!  I am ME!

Angela with her family

Now I will say….. Here is my story!

I was diagnosed in March of 2009 with stage three breast cancer. 

Barb Hayes’ Story

Barb (center) with friends Maria and Sue at the 5th Annual Bee Brave 5K

“My Journey to Defeat began in January of 2012 when I started having pain in my right breast…”

My name is Barb Griffin Hayes and I live in Alto, Michigan.  I work full-time for Blue Water Pools as an accountant and office manager. I’m also a PartyLite consultant/leader and have been selling for 20 years.  I’ve been married for 12 years and I’m a step-mom to my husband’s four children.  I have three brothers and a sister who all live in the Grand Rapids area.  I have twelve nieces and nephews and four great nieces & nephews.  I enjoy boating, watching sporting events and cooking.

Barb with husband Rick as the Blue Ribbon Winner of the 2013 Bee Brave Chili Cookoff

My “Journey to Defeat” began in January of 2012 when I started having pain in my right breast and felt an abnormal lump while

The Bee Signs in Caledonia are starting a BUZZ about the Bee Brave 5K

What are the Bee signs for?

People have started to notice the BEE signs around the town of Caledonia, Michigan.

A BEE here and a BEE there.  People have started asking “What are the Bee signs for?”. 

So what is the deal?  What do those BEE signs mean?

The bees are starting a buzz!

Well, they are helping the Bee Brave 5K start a buzz around Caledonia!  Located in front of homes in Caledonia and some of our fantastic business sponsors, we’re hoping to increase awareness of the Bee Brave 5k and our mission to end breast cancer.  Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/beebrave5k to help spread the word AND get registered for the RACE!  http://www.beebrave.com

Help The Bee Brave 5K in its effort to strike out this terrible disease. Click to Like us on Facebook today and help us spread the word!!

Smart Choice Market’s Cash For Your Cause to benefit The Bee Brave 5K

Smart Choice Market opened its doors in January 2012 after more than a year of consideration.  The owners, Brett and Jenni, decided to create Byron Center’s first health food store after experiencing the benefits of altering their own diets.  Brett had dealt with some minor health issues and rather than treat them with medication,

Free wigs for cancer patients

One of the hardships of battling cancer is dealing with the loss of your hair, particularly to women.  While purchasing a wig can help alleviate that frustration, some women can simply not afford to purchase one.  Typically, the average cost of a wig is $100 to $200, while a hand-tied synthetic wig with netting that’s easier on the scalp, more comfortable and customized, generally cost $300 to $500.  The Bee Brave 5K would like you to know the following resources are available for a free or reduced wig:

Jodi Sikma’s story

“God… didn’t give me something I could handle.  He gave me something I simply couldn’t have handled without him and then He proceeded to show up without fail every time.”

June 29 will be a date stuck on my internal calendar for the rest of my life.  It was June 29, 1979 that my mom lost her battle with breast cancer.  I was 11 years old.  June 29, 2002 was the day that the surgeon called me and told me it was my turn.  I was 34 years old.  June 29, 1923 is the day my father in law was born.  He is 89.  Lucky him, I never forget his birthday.

Deep down the cancer diagnosis really didn’t surprise me.  Somewhere inside, I knew one day

Marsha Hulsebus’ story

” “THE CALL” came from the doctor that I actually had two types of cancer; lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma.  One fast growing and one slow growing.”

My name is Marsha Hulsebus and I am a 68 year old widow with 3 children and 9 grandchildren.

My cancer story starts with a routine physical in December of 2003 with the doctor telling me there was something suspicious in the left breast.  I had done my own breast exams and never felt anything.  Even after the diagnosis, I still could not feel it.  That’s why it’s so important to get those mammograms done because early detection is the key to survival!  After a lumpectomy in January of 2004, “THE CALL” came from the doctor that I actually had two types of cancer; lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma.  One fast-growing and one slow-growing.

Coila Kennedy’s story

Coila with her husband, David

“I went in for my yearly mammogram in early January 2012.  I’m glad I did because the results ended up having an effect on my entire family.”

My name is Coila.  I am a 66 years old, married with 3 grown children.  I worked as an RN for 43 years.  I retired from nursing a couple of years ago.

I went in for my yearly mammogram in early January 2012.  I’m glad I did because the results ended up having an effect on my entire family.  The doctors at St. Mary’s Lacks Cancer Center found DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ).   The cancer was very small and I was unable to feel it on my own.  It certainly would have grown if I hadn’t gone in for my mammogram.  It took only 10 days from the first mammogram until I received this diagnosis from the biopsy.

The doctors scheduled a lumpectomy and radiation, but they continued to do further tests with an MRI and genetic testing.  My mother and grandmother had died from breast cancer and the doctors were concerned I was a carrier.  The genetic testing showed that I was, in fact, BRCA 2 positive.  Women with this gene defect have an increased risk for ovarian and breast cancer.  Because I was BRCA 2 positive, my doctor recommended that the surgery be changed to a mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. This was a shock,

Elly Blacquiere’s story

Elly’s friend, Lindsay Bransen on left; Elly Blacquiere on right

 Elly: “’In the depth of winter, there lives inside me an invincible summer.’  I love that quote and tried to keep cancer from stealing the summer inside me.”

In the summer of 2008, I moved to South Carolina to live with 4 of my girlfriends from college. It was the best and worst year of my life.  The 5 of us were in a new place trying to make it on our own and starting our careers.  We took weekend trips, throwing ourselves into southern culture, trying to experience all we could.  We spent all of our time together and became a family.  We knew everything about each other.  During one of our nights where we lounged in the living room, I told the girls that I had felt a lump in my breast.  I have always been a worrier, so even I didn’t take myself too seriously.  They told me to go to the doctor if it was bothering me.  My initial response was sarcastic saying, “Yeah… I’ll just schedule an appointment in all my free time”.  I was in my first year of teaching and a head varsity softball coach.  I was putting in long hours and the time commitments had taken over my life.  I also did not have a doctor in South Carolina at the time, so that was another dilemma.  I let a couple of months go by and during that time my friend, Amy, was in my ear about seeing a doctor.  She would not let it go and was constantly reminding me until I finally made an appointment.  I will be forever grateful to her for her nagging, because she could have saved my life.

Amy, Megan & Elly (left to right)

When I visited the gynecologist I remember feeling embarrassed to tell her because I thought I was just being paranoid. She told me it was nothing abnormal for someone my age.  I should just monitor it, but she gave me a number to call if I wanted to get a mammogram. The following week it was still bothering me and I could feel the lump while sleeping on my stomach. I decided to schedule an appointment for my own peace of mind.  My appointment was before school and when I got there they told me because of my age, they were going to do an ultra sound.  The doctors knew right away that the big mass was