My Cancer Story

In 2010 I moved 1300 miles for a job, saw the end of my 25 year marriage, started a business and was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It was a year of new beginnings to say the least.

When I felt the lump in my left breast it was a little concerning however I had had a lump in my right breast several years prior that turned out to be benign. I assumed I would go in, have a biopsy and find out the same again.  Unfortunately this was a 2cm tumor that was malignant.  Just to give you a point of reference, it was about the size of a nickel. I can’t begin to explain the thoughts and feelings that went running though my mind.

Not only were my emotions reeling but now I was faced with making life altering decisions while in a state of shock.  I did have the support of family and friends but this was one time I really wished my husband would have been there to support me.

I had to decide whether to have  a mastectomy (remove breast) or lumpectomy (remove the tumor and some surrounding tissue), both having pros and cons. I was blessed enough to have been referred to a good surgeon that I was comfortable with. Additionally my Mother and my aunt, who is an RN, were there to help listen and understand the day I went to see the surgeon.

I opted for a lumpectomy and my surgery was in August. They removed the tumor, surrounding tissue as well as 14 lymph nodes under my arm.  In September I began 6 months of chemotherapy.  I lost my hair, my eyebrows and even my eyelashes.   The up side was that I didn’t have to shave my legs or underarms, that part I could get used to.

During my treatment I continued to work as a business consultant, traveling about a 3 hour radius around Punta Gorda, Florida as well as taking a 10 day business trip to California, which landed me in the hospital for half of that time.  However, for me, continuing to work was my lifeline. 

After finishing chemo I continued with radiation. The treatment definitely took it’s toll but I realized early on that my attitude and my mindset had everything to do with how I would make it through this.  If I allowed myself to think about and focus on all the bad things happening I would drown in a sea of self-pity, it would have been so easy. But, I’ve never been known to do things the easy way, just ask my parents.  I decided I was going to focus on the healing happening with God’s help and many prayers.

I finished my treatment in May of 2011, my hair grew back and yes, I own a razor again.  I am coming up on 2 years of healthy results and I plan on continuing with many, many, many more years.  My journey with cancer taught me that I am a strong woman when I lean on my faith and focus on moving forward.

This year I created Alive in You, my coaching venture to empower women through major life transitions as a result of my experiences the past 5 years.  There are so many women dealing with cancer diagnosis every day and most of them feel very alone in their journey, I'm here to change that, I want to make sure they have something I didn't have, support from someone who has been there to listen to the good, bad and ugly.

I would like to share a quote from Winston Churchill :

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

The courage to continue every day is essential when battling any type of cancer.  There are many resources out there, don't be afraid to reach out.