Upon hearing the words over the phone: “breast cancer,” my heart skipped. The dark thing on the ultrasound was cancer. Time began to slow; my hands trembled. I could not move my pen across the paper fast enough to keep up with what I heard. My voice caught in my throat as if strangled, “Can you explain it again?”
After I spoke with the doctor, I repeated the words breast cancer to my husband and son, and something broke inside of me. I fell apart. The idea that I had breast cancer was unsettling.
I had a 1 in 8, or 13 percent, chance of developing breast cancer in my life as a woman. Now what? Later that day, I wrote “surreal” and a few other choice words in my little notebook.
I took a deep breath and sat at my desk, staring. Like ill-fitting shoes, my cancer diagnosis felt inconceivable to walk around with. So I made a list of words to help sort through this sudden and strange incongruity. I made a list of people I knew and loved. I just kept writing in my notebook.
As the stark reality of my situation hit me, I realized there was still a lot I didn’t know about breast cancer. It was New Year’s Eve 2021, and I couldn’t settle down. I called a friend and spoke to her daughter, who had breast cancer. She kindly took a break from her home renovation project to share her story and give me hope.
A few days later, I reached out to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. They helped my mom through her breast cancer diagnosis in 2013. And she’s still kickin’ ass. I wrote my mom’s story for Rochester Woman Magazine, and one thing still rings clear: Facing breast cancer is a personal journey with one goal: to live.
Writing about my breast cancer is therapeutic. Posting publicly about my breast cancer is terrifying. I want to share my story with other women going through a breast cancer diagnosis. I hope they find it helpful, maybe even comforting, to know they are not alone. Every woman is unique, but we all struggle with fears, doubts, and insecurities. When confronted with a major life crisis that demands our attention, we must understand our options and make choices about our treatment. I found that some decisions are more challenging than others.
Life is perfectly imperfect. It’s my breast cancer. I will do the best I can with my knowledge right now. I will stay present. I will surround myself with my family, sisterhood, and positive energy. I will keep going.
Here’s a little haiku for you.
the edge of the roadlittle black clouds departingrevealing the sun
I’ll publish the rest of my story on my blog, along with pictures, lists, poems, and musings to offer small comfort for your journey, whatever it may be.
Facing breast cancer with courage and strength
Thank you for sharing your words, Kristine. I am also in the process of writing my journey that I went through last year. There are many BC survivors and I am one. May you come through to the other side as well. Peace.
You are welcome, and I am touched that you reached out. I wish you all the best.
Thank you for so eloquently sharing a bit of your journey.
You are most welcome. Thank you for encouraging me to do it!
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. We look forward to hearing about your continued journey and beating this – F**k cancer – you got this. ❤️
Hell yes! Where would I be without my amazing sisterhood? ❤️
You are one amazing woman. This diagnosis does not define who you are it is what you are experiencing in your journey now. Please contunue to share the amazing light that you are with others and when you need some light allow someone else to share their light with you. This will not break you. It will make you stronger than you ever realized. Sending love and light to you my friend.
Thank you for your kind words!