Last Monday, June 22 marked twenty years since I heard those terrifying words, "You have breast cancer." That day I'd gone for a routine mammogram during my lunch hour and was shocked when the radiologist pointed to an area of the film. "You need to see a surgeon right away," she said, her dark brown … Continue reading Happy 20th Cancerversary!
triple negative breast cancer
Grace for the Journey
In my post last week, "41st Anniversary: Not What I Expected" I shared the news that my life has greatly changed, that my husband and I have separated. Since then, I've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from my family, friends, and readers. This time in my life has reminded me of … Continue reading Grace for the Journey
Steps Toward the Goal: New Routines
We’re now 19 days into 2019 and I’m trying to implement steps that will help me reach my goal: publishing my memoir. In last week’s post, I said that I needed to work ‘smarter’ because I can't work any harder. I found two television shows that I’ve hung onto over the years that have partially … Continue reading Steps Toward the Goal: New Routines
Share Your Cancer Story
“Come on in and join the party!” my friend Mary, the birthday ‘girl’ and host, welcomed me. She was in the midst of checking the beverage coolers, taking care of her guests. It was Saturday night and I was ready for a break from my growing lists of tasks: next steps in publishing my memoir, … Continue reading Share Your Cancer Story
Forced Endings: Struggling in The Gap
When I was a child, I loved finding hiding places. Among them would be a ditch-like den between two hills where I could sink down into that spot, not able to see ahead or behind. The earthen floor and walls were protection from cold and wind, providing a cozy place to play. In last week’s post, … Continue reading Forced Endings: Struggling in The Gap
Daily Bread at Tibbett’s Point
It was June and I was celebrating being a 10-year Breast Cancer Survivor, a decade since I’d heard the words, “You have cancer.” I wanted to take my summer journey to a special place, the seventh solo trip that had turned into yearly pilgrimages. Thumbing through a resource book for hostels in the U.S., I … Continue reading Daily Bread at Tibbett’s Point
3 Things I Learned from Cancer
Now that I've been a breast cancer survivor for almost eighteen years, I think back on the three things I learned from going through treatment. It occurs to me that what I learned from cancer can be applied to other areas of life—even to becoming a parent, like my son and daughter-in-law did just one … Continue reading 3 Things I Learned from Cancer
Tea at Two
Tea at Two. That's what we'd agreed on, my new online friend and me, fellow breast cancer survivors from either side of the pond. We'd have tea near my hotel at Hyde Park in London. I was excited to meet her in person and to have a real British teatime. I envisioned a table covered … Continue reading Tea at Two
Into a Life
When I was diagnosed with cancer, I was already in a fight for my life—my professional life. I’d left my secure job as a school nurse to give clinical research a try. The company where I landed was a toxic working environment. I planned to escape to something better-- once I passed the one year … Continue reading Into a Life
Connie Rosser Riddle 