Stories of Survival

Anonymous

Breast Cancer
Kingsport, TN

It is true, when first diagnosed with cancer, you cry.

But you can't cry forever.

After I'd learned that I have Stage II breast cancer, I soon realized I needed help for my depression. So I went to a therapist.

"Teach me how to be sick," I asked her.

In her wisdom, however, she knew I was really asking for help in restructuring my Type-A life, in setting new, realistic goals and in learning to see the joy of life that exists even with cancer.

"Take the but's out of your language," the therapist first advised. "Instead of saying, 'I went to Blowing Rock, but I didn't get to go to Italy,' say 'I went to Blowing Rock,' and then be glad."

Restarting and reestablishing goals helped me to make the transition.

Now, although I am not able to teach my classes at Dobyns-Bennett High School, I am still writing for the Times-News, serving on the Kingsport Arts Council Board and working with Tennesseans for the Arts.

But, more important, as my therapist points out, is slowing down and being selective in the things I now choose to do.

Thus, I'm now going to lunch with long-neglected friends. I'm catching up on my reading and the rest I've long eschewed.

And I'm finding new activities. At the end of September two friends introduced me to their hobby, and I went to the top of Clinch Mountain to watch migrating Hawks. I'm working with the Tennessee Festival of Books held each October in Nashville.

I've also joined the National Breast Cancer Coalition, a new group made up of more than 40 women's health and grassroots organizations. Our goal is to launch a national breast cancer advocacy effort. Our first all-out event is a national letter-writing campaign aimed at increasing funding for breast cancer research. Already from the Tri-Cities area, I've rounded up over 700 letters.

Further, in cancer support groups and from warm, compassionate people whose lives have also been touched by breast cancer and who telephone, write me letters and come by to visit, I've discovered new friends.

And a few weeks ago when my blood counts had taken a turn upward, I even took off for a week in Wyoming.

It is absolute that life after cancer diagnosis can be both productive and meaningful. But it requires a willingness to change.

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