A Purposeful Life

I have had breast cancer twice.  Once when I was 47 and again when I was 58.  Most people react with, “Oh, I’m sorry”, when you share that news with them.  I was sorry the first time I heard the news and twice as sorry when I heard it the second time.  I cried, cursed, laid awake at night worrying, and ruminated on the what ifs.  Those were all necessary but far more important to me was finding a purposeful life and moving on.  After my first diagnosis I always told people that I was happy I could get up each day and plant my two feet on the ground.  After my second diagnosis I took that to a new level and put it into action.

 I have been an educator for my entire professional career.  I decided to go back to school to obtain my M.Ed. and I was knocking out a 4.0 GPA and doubling up on my classes to finish on my time clock.  Then, time stood still and I got the news of my second diagnosis.  The news came near the end of the semester and finals were approaching.  I requested an extension from my university to finish my class requirements.  It was granted.  I had a double mastectomy during finals week.  Throughout my recovery I finished my coursework and requirements and was one-third of the way to completing graduation requirements.

I took a semester off to focus on my health and research my options for breast reconstruction.  My graduate course in research definitely came in handy during this time.  The often used meme, “Everything happens for a reason” certainly seemed to apply in this case.  Seven months after my double mastectomy I found an amazing micro-surgeon to perform what many described as a procedure that was nothing short of miraculous to rebuild my breasts that had been amputated because of a cancer diagnosis.  I had DIEP flap breast reconstruction and used my own tissue to rebuild what cancer took away from me.  The skin, fat and blood vessels from my tummy were disconnected and transplanted to my breast area in an intricate and complex nine hour surgery.

It was time for this educator to find a new purpose to her life.  I did not return to finish my masters but instead used my experience to educate other women about their options for breast reconstruction.  I opened a blog in March of 2014 with high hopes of reaching as many women as I could but had no idea it would reach worldwide proportions.  I set three goals that year.

Opening my blog and writing content about my experience was first on the agenda.  It was important to me that women know first-hand from a patient what it was like to go through breast reconstruction.  I promoted my writing through social media and engaged with like-minded people to help me spread the word. Mission accomplished with eyes wide open… I went global.  Unbelievable and breathless I was!!

Secondly, I wanted to hold a public event for a nationwide day promoting breast reconstruction.  I surrounded myself with like-minded individuals and learned a lot about event planning and engaging community to spread the word about the event.

And last but certainly not least, I wanted to promote and track a Congressional bill that was written for the purpose of educating other women about their breast reconstruction options.  With the help of a friend we stormed social media with a blog I wrote during the month the bill was re-introduced in May of 2014.  When Congress went back into session in September, I wrote another blog and Tweeted it out to the members of Congress supporting the bill.  On December 18, 2015, my phone lit up with celebratory tweets.  The bill was passed into law with combined efforts and passionate work from many who wished to educate women about breast reconstruction options.  I look forward to watching the results of this ardent work from so many.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating and life-altering.  But as I tell many people, find purpose and meaning to your life so you are the captain of your ship and cancer does not plot a course in your everyday life.  The purpose can be big or small but find it and embrace it.  Here is a list of my best advice to accomplish that.

• Set a goal that is obtainable and if it grows into something beyond what you expected, celebrate your victory.
• Don’t let the naysayers deter you from your goal. Not everyone is going to agree with your ideas or passion.  It’s human nature.  Learn to smile politely and stand your ground.  You don’t need to explain a good cause to anyone just because they disagree with you.
• Make the phrase, “Find your balance” your mantra as you stay purposeful. Everyone should be attentive to daily health but this becomes more important during and after a cancer diagnosis.  Eat healthy, exercise and laugh and dance as much as possible.

We are all given but one life to leave a positive footprint in this world.  Find your purpose and your passion, be it big or small and I wish everyone the best in accomplishing that!