Hello, My name is Betty Lennox. I attended the relay for life last year for the first time. I was blown away with all the caring people at this event. I knew nothing about the relay for life even thought I have walked in several other events over the years. My youngest daughter is a cheerleader for Peachtree Ridge High School and was selling beads for relay, so my husband and I arrived later during the day to pick her up.  I was given a survivor t-shirt and other stuff. Was instructed as to what was happening and my husband and I walked the survivor lap together. It was one of the most memorable moments of my life.  Thank You!!

I have been fighting breast cancer since January 2002. Below is some of what I have been through and what I am facing in March, 2008.

1/2002 DX stage IIa IDC er/pr+ her2 3+ positive: insitu ductal carcinoma right breast, 3cm 8 node removal all neg;lumpectomy;4 rounds A/C; 33 rads, tamoxifen

4/2004 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; nodes 9 of 12 positive largest 1.5 cm; 28 rads;stopped tamoxifen;went on Femara/lupron

8/2004 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; dbl mas reconstructive surgery w/tran flap; no chemo or drugs

11/2005 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr+ her2 3+ positive; Taxol/Herceptin 1x weekly for 12 weeks; Herceptin for 9 months 1x 21 days

12/2006 DX Local Reacurrance; er/pr- her2 3+ positive; Her 2 rechecked with FISH her2+++ er/pr-

3/9/07 Started Tykerb (Lapatinib) 1250 mg/once daily Xeloda (Capecitabine 2000 mg/m2/daily 1-14 every 21 days

06/12/2007 Currently pre-remission.

09/2007 Cancer returned. Several tumors present Stopped Tykerb/Xeloda.

11/12/2007 Starting Abraxane/Tykerb

Here is the latest news: I went to Birmingham, AL last week 2/20/2008. Meet with about 12 Chief Dr's. (I was the only Indian) My last PET/CAT SCAN on 2/1/08 shows that the chemotherapy medication seems to be keeping the cancer under control which returned last September. I go back to Birmingham on 3/3/08 for an MRI. I have been fighting breast cancer for 7 years and it has been fighting back 7 times. So, I will be undergoing a Radical Mastectomy at the end of this month or first week in April. They will be removing the right breast down to the rib cage, under my arm to the shoulder blade and will also remove part of the pectoral muscle. I will remain in the hospital in Birmingham for no less than 5 days and will have another MRI before I return home to recover. I will need to have more chemo again, after my recovery, for a while. Until now, the cancer has been inoperable due to the largest tumor lying next to the main artery and on top of the nerve bed under my right arm. Dr.'s are very confident that this surgery will STOP the cancer from returning. Dr.'s also feel that after dissections of everything, they hope to find out "WHY", the cancer never spread to any other organs and perhaps be able to help other Breast Cancer Patient's. I may be listed in a medical journal someday...I have come to far and endured to much to let the candle burn out now.

Betty Lennox & Family

"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."

ISAIAH 43:1