A SURVIVOR'S STORY

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 1995. I had had several bouts with lumps and even a biopsy in previous years, but it was a shock to me and my family when I had a lump that was malignant. I can remember the hopeless feelings I had and the scary questions I wanted answered; but I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know the answers. My husband and I felt the need to move quickly and to get every bit of information we could and to get it right now. It was not something we wanted to be patient about. We did get answers and we found everyone to be helpful but found that we had to work through things in our own way. I underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments for the rest of that year. It was an experience that has ultimately changed my life. There are many events that have brought me to the peace that I have now, living with the threat of breast cancer. I have, through many different channels, met other women that are brave and strong just as I feel I am. Together we have tried to do something to educate women in our world about breast cancer. I became one of the original members of Iowa Breast Edu-Action and we took on the huge project of writing an Iowa Breast Cancer Resource Guide. It was a tremendous amount of work but what a worthwhile project. Finally, I felt that my having experienced breast cancer would actually make a difference to others! It was very important to me to get information out to women right at the beginning of their diagnosis. I felt strongly that that is the time they need the most support and this Resource Guide will do that! The other avenue that introduced me to breast cancer women, was my volunteering for the Reach to Recovery Program of the American Cancer Society. I know there is a close community of breast cancer survivors. We are a strong and vital group of women. We are braver than we ever thought we could possibly be. This sisterhood and closeness begins when we first hear the diagnosis of breast cancer. From then on we need to be with others who have had similar experiences. We need to ask and answer questions and communicate hope and strength to each other. I have found this sisterhood to be a healing touch for me and I want to share it with others. Therefore I am a strong advocate of the Reach to Recovery Program and take part in the visits very often. Breast Cancer survivors are awesome women. They are strong and have a huge voice when they work to help each other. Get involved in some aspect of this great sisterhood and you will be the one to be rewarded!