Sharon Rose Miller was diagnosed with a very serious type of breast cancer, called inflammatory breast cancer on October 1, 1997. She was in her early thirties and devastated to find out she had 11 out of 19 positive lymph nodes, a 4.5 cm tumor and staged IIIB. She had a MRM with TRAM reconstruction in addition to very aggressive chemotherapy. After one year, Sharon completed treatment and hoped her cancer was in remission. Sadly, during this crisis, her husband of ten years was very angry and unsupportive and the marriage ended in divorce.

In 1999, after a short remission, Sharon had  recurrences to the other breast, the skin (common with inflammatory breast cancer), and the right lung. She has been a stage IV/metastatic breast cancer patient for 6 years. She has had numerous hormonal and chemotherapy treatments, a lumpectomy and another mastectomy. She comments that she has now experienced every type of burn, poison and cut method of treating breast cancer that exists. Sharon also participates in TCM (Traditional Chinese Therapy), immune therapy, vitamin therapy, and many other complementary medicines. She has done visualization, meditation, yoga, journaling, pet therapy, massage, and most importantly: relied on the power of daily prayer.

In 2003, despite all of this therapy, she has had advancement of the disease, as well as a huge tumor which invaded her chest tissue, chest wall and pectoral muscles. For quality of life, she had the tumor removed and latissimus flap reconstruction. She had extensive radiation to the chest wall, and experimental hyperthermia treatments.

Over Christmas of 2003, Sharon became engaged to her boyfriend of three years.  However, times became very difficult for the newlyweds by April of 2004., because Sharon began to experience intense pain and felt constrictive bands of  pressure wrapping around her chest.  Despite this suspicious sign, a wedding date was set for June 27th. 

On the 4th of June, Sharon had complete numbness and tingling in her feet.  After an emergency hospital admission, a large tumor was found in her thoracic spinal column. and  additional tumors in her skull.  The tumor in her spine had fractured a vertebrae and was compressing her spinal chord.  On Tuesday evening of the 8th, after 4 days of radiation treatment failed to stop the increasing pressure on her spinal chord and she had lost the ability to walk, Sharon underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on her spinal chord.  The surgery lasted 6 hours and it took another 3 days for Sharon to fight off the effects of the anesthesia and become aware of her surroundings. 

The procedure (which involved decompressing 5 vertebrae, removing 1 completely, removing as much tumor as possible, and reconstructing the spine with two titanium rods) was successful.  On the 16th of June, keeping with her history of remarkably short hospital recuperations, Sharon was discharged and went home to continue her recuperation.

On June 27th of 2004, thanks to Sharon's spirit, her medical teams excellence, and the tireless help of friends and family, Sharon was determined to walk down the aisle on the arm of her father.  And she did, but just barely!  Sharon and John were married before a "small group" (80) of people.  Since the wedding, she has been able to resume her painting, start working on her book again, and rediscover a love of movies.

Prior to her diagnosis, Sharon was an avid runner, tri-athlete, aerobics instructor, skier, rollerblader, swimmer, horseback rider and competitive tennis player. She lived on a vegetarian/fish only diet, was a nonsmoker, and nondrinker, not even coffee!! She was the Neuroscience Specialty north central regional manager for Merck and Co pharmaceuticals. Sharon put her self through school and obtained her RN, BS in business and an MBA.

Because of her love for education and the rewards it has brought to her life, Sharon has created the Sharon Rose Miller Indiana of University at South Bend Scholarship in 2004.  This scholarship will be awarded to a woman with financial need and a high GPA.

She has been a devoted volunteer of Y-ME breast cancer organization since her diagnosis. Sharon feels this non for profit organization helped her put her life back together after such a devastating time in her life. She is the moderator of the Young Women’s Support Group, and counselor for the 24 hour hotline (1 800 221 2141). She is a member of the executive committee, board member, as well as a moderator for the free monthly educational teleconferences. She is the chairman of the Fundraising/Development Committee and donates her profits from painting to the organization.  Sharon has created a set of five blank greeting cards featuring five different flowers which are available via a small donation to Y-Me of Illinois.

In October of 2003,  in recognition of the tremendous inspiration and help Sharon has provided to other woman fighting Breast Cancer, Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization created the "Sharon Rose Miller Spirit Award" and Sharon was the inaugural recipient.   In December, the Illinois affiliate of Y-Me further recognized Sharon by announcing that the wig and prosthesis bank would be named "The Sharon Rose Salon" when it was rededicated after its renovation in 2004.

Sharon is a huge lover of all animals, especially dogs, cats, and horses. She continues to fight this disease only through the love and support of her husband John, her friends and family, her dog and three cats. She loves to paint oil and water colors, do charcoal sketches, and write. Although working out used to be her first passion, she is no longer able to participate in any physical activities.

Sharon hopes visiting her website will have a positive impact on survivors and their supporters with their personal journeys.

© 2004    Sharon Rose Miller