Tell us about your survivor journey.
In 1996 I was diagnosed with “infiltrating carcinoma”. I was 35 years old at the time. Cancer was such a bad word because everyone I knew that had had cancer in any form had died and so in my mind my prospect of survival was bleak.
Die wasn’t going to be my death sentence. I knew I was going to fight it as hard as I could. First, I went for a walk alone and cried, or should I say I sobbed. No matter what you call the word cancer (or call it candy) it still means the same. I was going to think of this as a temporary inconvenience.
There were 19 of my friends in the surgical waiting room to support my mom and husband. That meant so much to me as I didn’t feel alone and felt so cared for. You never know how much you are loved until something like this happens. Good thing to remember when others are going through a difficulty.
Surgery in Bradenton Florida went well, and lymph glands were clear. I had my radiation at Florida Cancer Specialist location. I didn’t know what to expect but was treated so well by the staff and worked after my morning treatment. Let’s move forward to 2017, wouldn’t you know the cancer came back on the same side and same type of cancer. I knew now what to expect and I didn’t take but four days to recuperate. I had a great surgeon, Dr. John Cox, Florida Hospital. Then radiation therapy again with Dr. Harvey Greenberg. Can you imagine when I finished radiation “I cried”. The staff were awesome and when you are mentally going through this you feel sometimes a little sad. But there I felt so welcome. I was able to get acquainted with other patients and we communicate now and then.
So far after having this twice, I know it is not a death sentence! It’s all in your support system, and the fight you have within.
What has been the biggest source of support through your journey?
Prayer to my God, and my friends who share the same beliefs and encouragement. I never once felt sorry for myself.
What are some lessons you have learned throughout your survivor journey?
Let the person who is sick talk, and listen to what they are saying from their heart. A hug and a kind word goes a long way. Keeping one busy but not exhausted helps. Do not push your opinion or literature and videos onto a person, even if your intentions are good. I also tell everyone to take a good multivitamin.
Do you have any advice for a newly diagnosed survivor? What would that advice be and why?
Take a good multivitamin, write your feelings down in a journal and when you want to share you can let them read it or read it to them. Make sure to rest and recharge. There are times when you can’t say how you feel without crying and friends may understand if they read how you felt at a specific time.
In the space below, feel free to add any additional information like extra stories, lessons to live by, meaningful life quotes, advice or unique factors that contribute to your survivor journey.
I feel I can handle be a comforter better than a comfortee. I do not want people to feel I am an invalid, I am strong and by comforting others about my cancer it made me feel strong. Chocolate is always a really good comfort food.
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