Courageous Stories
Julie Carter 1/22/2007
Hi Diana, My husband and I have attended your benefit at Bossa Nova the past 2 years and we would like to thank you for all of your hard work you have done to make it a huge success every year. I was diagnosed with stage 0 (incarcinoma in-situ) in 1998 and had a bi-lateral mastectomy and have been cancer free since. However; my mother was diagnosed 2 years after me with stage 1 breast cancer. She battled it for 5 years, going through many different types of chemo treatments, radiation, etc. She came to live with my husband and I the last 3 years and I devoted my time taking care of her. She was my rock and she was so strong in how she dealt with what life had put before her. She passed away in November 2005 and I miss her dearly. I would love to help you in any way I can in honor of my mother. Thank you again for all that you do for the fight against breast cancer!
Trisha Grant 1/22/2007
I am a Steelers fan from the early to middle 70's. I was diagnosed with breat cancer at the age of 31 in 1995. This was one year after my first and only daughter was born. I had a 9 cm tumor and a lynph node that was 2 cm under my left arm. The tumor was really hard to feel and find because of my youth and the fact that I had breast fed my daughter for eight months of her life. With some good luck I was priviledge to have a new regimen of a chemo treatment come across my Doctor's desk a month before my diagnosis. This regimen was designed to reduce the tumor and for the tumor to be taken out with a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. I endured 6 months of chemo and 1 month of radiation. I had a lumpectomy and nodule dissection in the middle of my treatment. I have been cancer free for 10 years. I was at a stage III. So I am very lucky to be here and able to raise my daughter. Thanks for the work you are doing and GO STEELERS!!!!
Bonnie Grasha 1/5/2005
Dear Diana; I read of your project in North Hills Monthly. My Mom was diagnosed in July of 2003 with Stage IV and bone mets. She underwent a mastectomy, radiation and bone strengthening treatments. She passed away on March 11, 2004 at the age of 61. I quit my job to help care for her and take her to treatments. She was my rock all those years I felt the need to be there for her. I was there holding her hand as she was called on to another world. Cancer knows no boundaries for two weeks later uterine cancer claimed my aunt. I would love to help you out in any way. I am currently a stay at home mom/freelance photographer and would be willing to donate my time and talents, in memory of my Mom, and in hopes that no one should suffer the way that she did. Sincerely, Bonnie Grasha photosbybon@juno.com
Judy R. Enslen 2/4/2004
Found your web site while surfing for information on chemotheraphy. I underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy 4 weeks ago and am awaiting my first chemo treatment the day after Thanksgiving. Kudos to you Diana for your site and your Glimmer of Hope.
Brad Esposito 2/4/2004
Hi Diana, I read your article in the Post-Gazette and thought you might be interested in our story. My mother Joann, was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in April of this year. Through the help of my uncle, Dr. Paul Wawrzynski and his colleage Dr. Dennis Slayman (sp?) in California she began agressive chemotherapy treatment at AGH. Today she is almost cancer free but still has 2 more chemo treatments, radiation, and surgery to go through. If you were to meet her though, you would never guess anything is wrong, she is that strong and determined to get through this. Then in July my father Andy, was diagnosed with Prostate cancer. Although not as life-threatening as breast cancer, it has still taken a toll on our family. What I am writing to you about is that in October 2004, my brother Brian is organizing a golf tournament in Las Vegas to benefit both breast and prostate cancer. He is the head professional at the TPC Canyons in LV. After reading your article I thought that you might be interested in joining us in LV for what is expected to be quite a large fundraiser. Please contact me either way, as it would surely be a pleasure to talk with you. And hopefully we could meet with you at your fundraiser. Sincerely, Brad Esposito (412)362-5804
