Metastatic Breast Cancer: And The Beat Goes On…

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

My wife, Dr. Rebecca Timlin-Scalera, is the definition of an American hero. After being initially diagnosed at Stage 4 – Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) and learning that the average prognosis remains at just 3 years, because so little of breast cancer research money has been dedicated to studying this stage of the illness, the one that kills you – that …

My Sister Lost Her Battle With Breast Cancer And AIDS

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BELOVED SISTER LILIAN JEREMIAH NYAMPOSA WHO LOST HER BATTLE WITH BREAST CANCER ON 26TH SEPTEMBER 1997 The pain of loosing my young sister Lilian 17 years ago from breast cancer and HIV/AIDS related complications still lingers in my mind as if it were yesterday.  My young sister Lilian lost her battle with breast cancer and …

Breast Cancer: A Legacy of Love and Hope

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

I am inspired by my two sisters, Beth Wilson and Jan Miller. They both had breast cancer. Beth was diagnosed at age 27 and fought like hell for over 20 years. Sadly she passed in 2010 after having a very aggressive recurrence. My sister Jan was diagnosed the same year that Beth passed away. She had a bilateral mastectomy and …

Inspiration Comes In All Sizes

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

I would not blame my dear friend Sally if she indulged in a bit of self-pity now and then, but in the decade since we met, I have yet to catch her feeling sorry for herself. Certainly she has had more than her share of bad breaks beginning with the polio that confined her to an iron lung at age …

Breast Cancer: A Survivor’s Story

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

“Before my heart attack I attended a benefit luncheon for cancer.  It was hosted by a good friend and neighbor Pamela,  (Pamela Dern) a very special and courageous breast cancer survivor.  One of the speakers was Fran Drescher, a cancer survivor herself.  She said that cancer was a “present wrapped up in an ugly package.”  For some reason, her words …

Lessons Learned When Breast Cancer Invaded our Life

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

We were just 30 when we learned that Sara had a lump in her right breast. We had hoped it to be a cyst or some kind of benign mass. When we discovered it was cancer, we had choices to make. Sara led the way. My wife of six years insisted the disease would not rule our life. It was …

My Heroine: Breast Cancer and Friendship

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

My heroine – Pamela Olivia No not the drug, although she takes you on a high She amazingly gifted and has a contagious smile So beautiful and not just from the outside Her inner glow is so bright It’s like having sun in your eyes So inspirational, and very naturally wise She’s the topic of discussion In so many conversations …

Breast Cancer: My Life’s Inspiration and Compass

In Inspirational Stories by Barbara Jacoby

My Mom was diagnosed in 1996 with breast cancer.  Her whole life my Mom was always the life of the party, the happy person everyone loved to be around, someone who just lit up a room.  Her journey though breast cancer serves as my life’s inspiration and compass.  I asked her once “Why are not upset and mad, how can …