Resilient People are Pragmatic…Hear from our survivors
Changed my life completely being diagnosed with Stage 0 non invasive. Quit smoking after 27 years and change eating habits, lost 50+ pounds. Still do 3-5 miles walk/run a day because of my cancer diagnosis.
Carolyn Conklin
Change happens when a person goes through cancer and the treatments. You have to be able to adapt to the changes your body and mind are going through. Being optimistic about the outcome that the treatments are helping and working and having a great support team is a must. I am eternally optimistic on all aspects of life, even more so after cancer.
Lori Michael
You have to adapt to survive. None of us asked for a breast cancer diagnosis. It’s not what anyone had planned so you have to adapt. Take each step as it comes. For me that meant surgery, chemo, and radiation. Now I deal with lingering side effects…not what I had planned. I assumed when I was done treatment that I was done, but the lingering side effects means I have to adapt.
Lisa Olivieri
Shortly after I was diagnosed, a friend told me about the Women’s 5K and asked if I’d like to participate. She organized a group of friends from our school to walk with me. From that point on, I knew that I could survive this setback and whatever else I may encounter along the way. I have participated every year since 1998.
Sandra Wagaman
Oh boy…what a loaded question this year! Like many people – 2020 was very unkind to my household. It started right before lockdown when my dad died unexpectedly. Which then led to me becoming a part time caretaker of my mom. All of this while navigating the virtual world of online teaching. Well during lockdown-I went for my yearly mammo, since I was already a bc survivor (2017). I found that I had both precancerous and cancerous cells that needed to be removed- so in June of 2020-during covid, I had my second lumpectomy, however-no radiation needed this time! Anastrozole is part of my daily routine now-but I can live with that. When I become overwhelmed with life-my husband reminds me to give myself a break and not take the world on my shoulders. It is ok to shut down for an afternoon and to just think about myself for a moment and remember that I truly am a survivor and a lot stronger than I give myself credit for (which isn’t always easy to think about during the struggle)!
I wish my Dad could see me now!!
Marilyn Hower