Mary Bryan’s Story

Site created on April 25, 2011

On April 4th at 8.15pm, I was on my way to yoga when I received a phone call from my doctor at Duke. I was guessing when I heard her voice that she wasn't calling to wish me sweet dreams for the night. On the contrary....she informed me that I had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.....ps...I didn't make yoga that night.

In 1997 my doctor discovered a lump in each breast during my pregnancy. These benign fiber adenomas grew to the size of a grapefruit in one breast and a baseball in the other by end of my pregnancy at which time they were removed. (Dolly had nothing on me!) Due to my history it was recommended that I have my baseline mammogram at age 35. This mammogram showed that atypical hyperplasia was present in my breast tissue. After this finding, I was blessed with the opportunity to participate in a study at Duke Breast Wellness Clinic. Since 2003 I have been under the care of Duke physicians where I receive annual MRIs, mammograms and fine needle breast aspirations (yes, many needles, ouch!.....and much hand holding). After years of biopsies, I had learned not to get too excited about any lumps or findings. My motto...don't worry until they tell you to worry. It's been the only way to stay sane (that and medication of course, lol). It was at a routine visit in March when a MRI showed a spot on my right breast. Due to the dense tissue in my breasts, it did not show on my mammogram nor did it show on the ultrasound, done the same day. (Mammograms on me are like looking through a sliced potato...useless). I was then scheduled for a MRI guided biopsy several weeks later. This is where my journey begins....

Newest Update

Journal entry by mary bryan smith

April 4. Diagnosed with breast cancer May 23. Double Mastectomy  October 11. Reconstruction  December 10. Half marathon at 9.35 pace December 10. Officially kicked cancers ass! Every mile I prayed for a specific person currently fighting cancer or ALS. At the beginning of each mile marker, I would call out their name and condition to those I was running with, who also prayed. The last .1 stretch of the race was prayer for the families who lost a loved one too soon in life. Mile  1. Hilary Larsen 2. Julie McNaughton 3. Aimee Norman 4. Jennifer Pagani 5. LeeAnne Whitley 6. Wes Bobbit and Larry Grist 7. Kerry Patterson 8. Gordon Mattocks 9. Nicka Thornton 10. John Taylor 11. Karen Smoots 12. Mary Jac Chambers 13.1 The families of David Brock, Kristen Burke, Sloan Chambers, Tom Canaday, Rob Eubank and Will Prince An amazing thing happened when praying for the strength and health of these beautiful people... As I began to struggle, a vision of these fighters came to me and they were cheering me on. It was truly incredible. I looked forward to each mile knowing I had someone else to pray for, and I couldn't let them down. In my mind, each person was running the race with me and passing the baton to the next person on the prayer list. They were with me fighting every mile just like they are fighting for their health and lives now. What a privilege it was to have their couragous spirits with me. All my love and boobs, Xoxo Mb
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Mary Bryan Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation powers a page like Mary Bryan's for two weeks.

If you donate by May 12, your gift will be doubled, up to $10,000, thanks to a gift from Living Water Foundation.

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top