Blindsided By Cancer

Sometimes, things are going well in your life, and out of nowhere, something catastrophic happens… out of the blue. Other times, you feel like your life is as full as it can possibly be with some difficult things, and yet another thing gets added to your already crazy life. For me the latter was true, and the thing that was added was cancer.

The Concern

I have the privilege of working from home most days. One morning in June 2021, I was sitting on my couch in my living room, working on my computer, when I saw that my mammogram results were in my health portal. My mammogram had been over a week prior, and I hadn't really been thinking about it. It was just a routine exam, and we have no family history of breast cancer.

To me, it was just another annoying appointment I had to go to. As I reviewed the report, I saw that something had shown up. Not just one something, but two somethings. One on each breast. The doctor's office later called and said I needed to come in for additional testing. I was very worried. I scheduled another mammogram and ultrasound, followed by biopsies of both spots.   

The News

At my request, my friends and I went to pick cherries at a local orchard. It was something fun that I remember doing as a kid. We had just finished at the orchard when we decided to go to a local store to try to find a cherry pitter.

As we were walking into the store, my phone rang. It was the nurse from the hospital and her tone was serious. I knew immediately that this was not good. She informed me that both spots were positive for invasive ductal carcinoma. Bilateral breast cancer. I had to physically sit down on the ground. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. My friends surrounded me as I told them the news. I came home and shared with my husband and children. It was an emotional time for all of us, with so many fears and unknowns.  

The Waiting

The next steps involved tests, waiting, test results, waiting, surgery consultations, and more waiting. I am not good at waiting. It is not a gift of mine. It was so difficult to not know my prognosis or treatment plan. I endured the waiting by relying on my faith in God. I needed to surrender each day to Him and His will for my life.

Moving forward with Opposing Emotions

Eventually, we got the answers that were needed and we were able to move forward with surgery, chemotherapy, and still upcoming radiation.

(I’m so thankful for my wonderful family members and friends that have supported me during my cancer journey. Here are just a few of them who accompanied me on my four chemotherapy treatments.)

Though I was blindsided by this diagnosis, I refuse to let it keep me down. I have had to learn to hold both fear and hope. I have had to accept both sadness and gratitude. I am learning that pausing to feel and grieve is sometimes part of moving forward and growing!  Although I am not all the way through radiation treatment, I am considered cancer-free! Hallelujah!

(I am grateful I felt well enough to join my husband on one of his work trips. We rented a convertible and I had so much fun cruising with the top down!)

As long as I am here on this earth, I want to keep pressing onward! Cancer was and is a giant reminder that we are NOT in control of everything. It was also a reminder that I want to continue to live my life to the fullest.

Are you ready to move forward and embrace life? Have you experienced a life-altering diagnosis or circumstance? Choosing to partner with a growth coach can provide the empathy, and encouragement that you need to move forward in life.  Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to learn if coaching is right for you.