Modern-Day (Female) Cancer Warrior #1

This year I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I didn't think I could get cancer. Didn't think twice about it. I was wrong!

I have no genetic disposition for cancer, and there is no family history of breast or ovarian cancer going back several generations. Yet, one (1) out of eight (8) women will get breast cancer. Think about this the next time you are in a restaurant or attending a conference. I did just that at a restaurant shortly after my formal diagnosis. There were 16 women in the restaurant that evening. Including myself, one other woman already has or will have breast cancer was sitting near me.

I didn't think self-examinations were important. I was wrong!

Yeah, I was very wrong. Regular mammograms can find the size of a pea, and when combined with regular self-examinations, the size of a grape is more likely to be found. When neither occurs regularly, the size can become as large as a small apple and spread into nearby lymph nodes. Therefore the smaller in size at the time of a formal diagnosis, the better.

I didn't think I knew anyone who had cancer. I was wrong!

I have spoken with neighbors and friends, new and long-term friends, who have had or currently have cancer. It was such an eye-opening experience to talk with so many. The cancer journey still remains very private, with only a handful of family, friends, and those 'who need to know' becoming involved.

I didn't think I would be treated differently because I had cancer. I was wrong!

With continuous advancements in medical technologies, my assumptions of how I would be perceived would not vary too much from before my diagnosis. That was not my experience early on. Some initial reactions were to treat me as if I was dying, while others were not sure how to react.

I have worked full-time throughout, including five months of chemotherapy. I did need to adjust my work schedule by working 100% remote, recovering on the weekends, and with no work-related travel. So far this year, I have accomplished some amazing things at work and, during my downtime, started writing a book.

In other words, my value and contributions were not diminished because of my diagnosis.

Note: The image used in this post was sent to me by Tracy Ring and the WLDA.Tech .Thank you. I ?? love it!