What's good about Breast Cancer?

Well at first glance there's nothing good about breast cancer, nothing. It turns your life upside down. You end up scarred and sacred. You temporarily lose your hair, your eyebrows, your eyelashes and in some cases your nails and your breasts. Not to mention in many cases you lose your estrogen and consequently your fertility.....BUT you do gain some things that are ultimately life altering in a positive way if you can stay present in your life and not let the breast cancer define you.

• You learn patience as you wait for: results, chemo to be done, your new breasts if you reconstruct, radiation to start and finish, surgery day to arrive.


• You learn to slow down and appreciate relaxation as chemo, surgery and radiation force you to allow your body to heal.


• You learn the importance of determination to get through the day, the hour, the minute.


• You learn people are good if you let them in on your struggle. They will support you, encourage you and point out your strengths and how much you mean to them. You learn you really do matter in this world through them.


• You learn your kids can be strong and get through tough things.


• You learn your husband has what it takes (or not) to get through life with you.


• You learn your body is an amazing thing. Treat it well. Exercise it just for the health of it not to look like Heidi Klum. Have pride in it just as it is it can survive tough stuff and is stronger than you think.


• You learn that some of the things you thought were so pressing and important are small.


• You get a clear perspective about what is important to you.


• You get a chance to know, as only those that have been through a trauma know, that you choose the course of your living days and they are precious and there is no time like the present to make them count. Do "it" whatever "it" is for you. If you can't do "it" now make a plan to do "it".

Ultimately you learn that happiness is right there for you if you choose it... so choose it!



I know. I'm 40 and my 39th year was spent battling BC. I am at a one year mark since diagnosis, double masectomy, rebuild, chemo and hysterectomy. I still struggle with what Breast Cancer has done to my life view and my body, but I'm still making it through the emotions and I don't let them define me. My mom has had BC multiple times in her life as well and has chosen happiness over anger and fear in the end.



Let's talk about Breast Cancer here. Comment to me what you are feeling or have felt. I am going to post a series of emails I sent out during my journey on a seperate blog. They were sent to family and friends and reconnected me to many people I had not seen in up to 12 years. They seem to have inspired those who read them and those people (who I refer to as My People) encouraged me to get them out to the world. So this is my attempt to share those emails and to connect with others touched by Breast Cancer. check out my breast cancer blog at www.breastissue.blogspot.com.