What Does Breast Cancer Awareness Month Mean to You?
As I was preparing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I started reflecting on my intimate journey with cancer. I don’t often settle in for a deep think, except when I’m plotting a book or getting to know my characters and how I expect they will react to the situations I put them in my stories. Sure, I evaluate the world and social issues, and my opinions on such things, but I’m talking about reflecting on my personal, down-to-the-marrow kind of feelings that is scary and emotionally stirring – You know, the stuff that gives you those PTSD moments you don’t always want to face. But, I did it...albeit in a detached way... like the place I went when the doctor told me – “Tina, you have cancer.”
So, there I was, thinking (my brother would say that is a dangerous thing for me to do-lol- He’s probably right)...there was a lot to think about, including how I thought of the “C- word”...cancer. I realized that my thoughts about the awful disease evolved in a way that was effortless to understand and not a big surprise. How I thought of cancer was indeed disparate (if at all) from before I was diagnosed with it to when I had it and was in the battle for my life because of it. And, how I thought of it was vastly different afterward when I first finished treatment and began moving forward with NEDS (no evidence of cancer) to today, fourteen years later. I realized that my journey with cancer or the knowledge of cancer was exactly that...a journey, that I gratefully am still making.
I can share with you all of the granular thoughts from each stage of my journey, but, it is the over-arching lesson from that journey that is truly important and most shareable. You see, I had lived as I thought of cancer before I actually had it – without much thought about it. I had been moving through life without much conscious thought about the deeper meaning of my life.. finding (seeking) joy, sharing love, and not worrying about extraneous clutter. Having cancer changed that without-purpose meandering and gave me a clear focus. That’s pretty deep and simple at the same time. How I thought of cancer before I had it, mimicked how I was living my life. I’ve learned that any life-threatening event in a person’s journey often gives us focus. Some very blessed and wise people (I have been lucky to have met some) somehow know this without having any difficult hardships. Is that you?
In October, we can all take the time to refocus...to love, live and be healthy. How do we do this? Have fun, share and take care of yourselves and others. It’s a great time to get your mammogram and continue/begin the routine of self-check, eating well, and laughing (spontaneous laughter is allowed!). When October was first declared Breast Cancer Awareness month in 1985, the goal was to educate women on how early detection of Breast Cancer saves lives and they can take charge of their breast health. That is still true today. 64% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage (there is no sign that cancer has spread outside the breast), for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Isn’t that wonderful?! But, we must never let our guard down - Breast Cancer, is the most common form of cancer affecting women and North America has the highest rate of breast cancer. Since 2008, the year I was diagnosed, 1.38 million new cases were reported worldwide. This year it is estimated that every 2 minutes someone will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
Hope
Show up for people. Offer what you can. Be unselfish.
Love people when they need it, even when you feel they don’t deserve it. Be a healer. Be kind. Show up for people. Because when you’re hurting you’ll want someone to show up for you.
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ALEX ELLE
I invite you to take a deep think about your strategy for Breast Health and Early Detection. I also invite you to deep-think about how to spread the word to your sisters, mother, cousins, friends...heck strike up a convo with a stranger. Tell them about the wonderful Stories of Hope on my website...be inspired. Those stories sure inspire me. I’d love to hear about your strategy and...oh yeah, about that convo with the stranger.
With Love and gratitude to you,
Tina
