Study me

I have a friend who ironically is writing a thesis on why women do/do not return to work after dealing with breast cancer. I am proud to say I was her first interview and happy to help her out. I was unsure of what questions she would ask and where her focus would be. After 30 minutes and a couple of tears later we were done.

It still surprises me how after all I have been through, that talking about my diagnosis and remembering when I told people that I had breast cancer is what brings out emotion in me. Having the surgery, chemo and now radiation doesn't really phase me as I have seen many others do the same, but how you receive your diagnosis and tell people is very personal. Everyone in this case is different. Some people are open from the beginning, others take a while and I am sure others never tell. How you decide to do it is one of the few things YOU actually get to decide in this crazy process.

I was fortunate that my work was understanding and compassionate about my situation. I know of others who were not so fortunate and I can understand why woman change jobs or just do not go back to work at all.

Having breast cancer is humbling.

Yes there are many things out there which can help you through, prosthesis, wigs, makeup..etc but in general people know your situation. The average person passing you on the street wouldn't know the difference about me but everyone at my work knows differently. I am lucky that I am able to laugh about my boob that tends to move around, that Molly <my wig> always looks the same <except when I get too close to the stove> and that I have faced my cancer head on and there is no going back. I am also lucky to not only have a large support group, but within that group contains my coworkers and employer.

I wish for a future when more people are able to share their stories so that we can make a change in the stigma that goes along with the word cancer. I wish that we would hear more stories about survivors as opposed to people who have passed and most of all I wish for a future where cancer is no longer a common diagnosis.