We asked you to submit your stories about attending the conference and we've begun receiving entries. This is Tracey's story.

I was diagnosed in 2002 after doing a self-breast exam on myself while viewing a late night rerun of the Oprah Winfrey show. I was under the age of 40 at the time, had a thriving career, a 7 year old daughter and happily married. Needless to say with no history of breast cancer in my family, I never thought the lump I felt could have been cancer. I didn't wait any longer to find out. The next morning I called my PCP office and told the nurse I felt a lump in my breast. She asked if I had recently had my menstrual cycle? In fact I had and was instructed to call back within a week. The next week the lump was still there and I BARGED INTO THE DR'S OFFICE instead of calling. They immediately scheduled me for my very first mammogram and yes, it was detected as cancer. I was scheduled for a surgical biopsy and it was malignant news. I still didn't waiver because I had planned to get rid of this "thing" that had invaded into my world and space!!! Kicking cancer's butt was my priority. After a partial mastectomy, lumpectomy, removal of 11 lymph nodes, with one being positive, 8 rounds of chemotherapy (4 ACT and the other 4 Taxol) and being on a clinical trial Herceptin, which since has been regulated by the federal government (yeah goes right there), and 33 days of radiation (whew) I still THRIVE! I wouldn't wish cancer on my worst enemy however I wouldn't take anything for my journey. I currently work in the cancer radiation field and can help more women get through this diagnoses, especially women under 40. I felt terribly along during my diagnoses and didn't have ANYONE to talk to. My mission is that no one has to face this time alone. I'm empowered to continue the journey with others. www.wingsofasurvivor.com