I was diagnosed with breast cancer 26 years ago. I immediately began a year of treatment, including a mastectomy, then chemo and radiation. I was married with two boys who were two and six years old, and I was a full time elementary school teacher. I truly believed that I would beat cancer, not let it take over my life. In my mind, I thought of cancer as shaded glasses, and I refused to wear them. I would not look at my life through those cancer glasses. I focused instead on me, my recovery, on my family, my career and my future. I had cancer, cancer did not have me.
Now my boys are independent young men, I have retired after 36 years in a successful career, and am still married to the same wonderful man. But last August, after 25 years of good health, I received the same diagnosis, same treatment, even the same doctors. I still refused to wear those cancer glasses. This time I lost all my hair, and had to adjust to a new me, but I still focused on my recovery, my family and friends, and volunteering in first grade classrooms when I could.
I know that I will recover once again. My hair is growing back, and I have been getting so many compliments on my short, curly style, I think I will keep it this way.
I truly believe that keeping a positive outlook is equally, if not more important than all of the treatments I have received. Focusing on the big picture--life--and not seeing everything through cancer, that is what makes the difference here.
Moline, IL