Being diagnosed with breast cancer leads you on a very interesting journey in regard to every aspect of your life. For me it was a validation of my inner strength and appreciation of the strong love and bond between myself, and my husband. He kept me laughing through my tears.

I know that I couldn’t have done this without him. From the moment I was diagnosed, my husband was there to help me breathe, and never let go of my hand. We went through this absolutely together.

 This is not the time for doom and gloom. Surround yourself with only positive, happy people and creatures. Any friend, family member, or outsider that makes you cringe, avoid! Remove toxicity from your life.

I can tell you, I was shameless in letting everyone help me through this awful time. The outpouring of support was tremendous. Take the help, keep your sanity! You cannot go through this alone. You need someone by your side, to help you “hear” everything. You simply cannot process all the information at once. Keep a list of questions and make sure you have a name of a nurse that you can call to discuss any and all questions and concerns.  Do NOT feel “funny” making that call. This is ALL about you and survival, not the time to be shy. If you do not have that rapport with your Doctor or his office staff, FIND ANOTHER DOCTORS OFFICE!

 I recall totally letting go at the Hospital, when the Breast Health Center nurses presented me with a bag filled with goodies. Inside were numerous books, pamphlets and oodles of information that I was so grateful to receive. From the moment I was diagnosed, I stepped into another dimension. I am pretty sure many people thought I had finally lost my mind. I walked, slept and breathed Breast Cancer. I spent days and nights talking and researching my options. I went on numerous consults, picked the brains of every healthcare professional I could find. I changed my mind a thousand times regarding the type of treatment I would choose. I can tell you that once you come to a decision regarding the route you wish to travel, never look backwards. It’s the right decision no matter what.

Now, for those of you hungry for information, I will tell you that you can go dizzy learning about the numerous different types of Breast Cancer. I can speak to you about mine. I know that I scoured the Web for any info relating to my type of cancer. I was diagnosed with Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. My tumor was estrogen positive receptive, progesterone receptor positive and lacked HER-2/neu overexpression. Chinese? YES! I was further diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene and carry the 6174delT mutation. OH JOY!

I was very blessed in regard to the fact that the cancer did not spread to my nodes. I did not need Chemotherapy, however am taking the drug Arimidex. Yes, I hate it!

For me, once I found my team of Doctors, the rest kind of fell into place. I knew with complete certainty, that I could without a doubt trust my plastic surgeon, Dr. Stephen Harris. I found him honest, compassionate, smart, and completely on the same page as me. I was able to communicate in my simple language, without mincing words, explicitly how I felt, what I wanted, etc. He never made me feel stupid asking anything. He never talked to me in doctor language. I think he made the whole process for me bearable. You need to have a doctor that listens and cares, it’s so important.

I could go on and on. The most difficult time is the before treatment time. What should I do? How should I do it? What does THAT mean? What if? Panic attacks? Eat chocolate! Indulge yourself. If a happy pill helps you get through it…get some. If buying 3 handbags a week gets you through it…do it…buy some shoes to match too!!!

I joined a support group, which to this day, I love attending. I was terrified to go that very first time, so my best girlfriend dragged me there. She sat in the waiting room 2 hours while I cried my eyes out with my new sisters. Then we went for ice cream afterwards. After all, what are best friends for?

Now, it’s a year later for me. WOW! I feel great! I’m not going to discuss all the in between stuff. No, it’s not fun. Yes, it is terrifying. Yes, it’s very painful, both physically and emotionally. But, I’m a SURVIVOR! My fracking cancer is gone. I have this AMAZING new body. I look better than I did one year ago. I had a bilateral mastectomy and the tram flap procedure for reconstruction, and ladies; it does have its plusses. I have burned my bras and my new bewbies are perky and beauteous!!

But, that’s all the “outside” stuff. We all know, it’s the “inside” stuff that really counts. My inside stuff did a major 360! On a very personal note, I let it ALL go. Doing that opened up many new relationship doors. My life is very different than it was just one year ago. All the better, for really going through the worst time of my life.

You can’t change what is, but you can get through it. You can get through it living life, or you can go through it not living life. The choice is yours. I pray for all my sisters, and I wish us all good health and many years of happy times and peace.