I had just separated from my husband when I discovered a lump in my breast. The biopsy came back benign but the surgeon didn't like the looks of it and wanted to remove it and that's when they found cancer. It all seemed so unreal. From there it was all the testing, chemo and radiation. I just finished everything after a year and a half.
A man I work with was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. He said I was his inspiration! Wow! Everyone thought I was so strong while I went through this. Living on my own and so far away from my closest friends and family, what choice did I have? I HAD to work for the money and the insurance. And I had to be there for my son. So, I just had to push through. I told everyone that cancer was really easy compared to so many other issues in life. I was still very sad about my separation and what had led up to it. And we were all still dealing with the terrible tragedy of my son being molested just two years earlier. Those matters of the heart are far more difficult to bear than what I was facing now. And maybe it was because this was happening to me and not a loved one, so I could somehow handle it better. When something happens to your kids and you can't protect them you feel helpless.
This may sound crazy, but going through chemo was a good time in my life. It was a time when I didn't think about the stupid, petty issues we do so many times. Now that I'm "back to normal" I find myself fretting over really dumb things again. I just need to remind myself of where I've been.
Logan, OH