I have always been organized and never a procrastinating person. I had a plan for my career, my vacations, and my life. You can imagine my surprise when I received an invasive aggressive breast cancer diagnosis. Breast cancer was not in my plans. It wasn’t even on my radar. I was forced to open up my plan book and add a new chapter.
As breast cancer awareness month winds down I wonder how many other women felt like me? How many other families had to cancel vacations, alter their roles, or give up careers? How many other women added not a new chapter to their life but a whole new book as I did?
I never would have thought that my breast cancer diagnosis would lead me to a new career path. A life threatening diagnosis can bring out different responses in different people. For me the response was to look at this life plan I had and not just edit it but start fresh. Starting my own Sleepwear Company gave me a new path, purpose and career. To be able to be my own boss, to be able to do something that helps others and to be able to give back to charity is the new plan for my life.
Change is difficult but achievable. Change in health, family, career, and income can all cause stress to a well planned order life. The joy is taking the changes and making a fuller life. I wish all breast cancer survivors the joy of survivorship in their new lives.
other blog entries from »
Yes I get that you meant in the work place, not dating. But the original poster did use the example of Julia Roberts getting what she wants from a man by using her femininity. I don't see that as strong. As you know she was a hooker? This comparison 
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years ago. At that time, I was living with my parents because my &()^&*() of an ex-boyfriend had left me homeless. When I first moved in with my parents we couldn’t understand exactly why I was there. I had told my parents I would only be there for 3 months – just long enough to get back on my feet. GOD had other plans, however. With the diagnosis, tests, operations, chemo, reconstruction, disability leaves, etc. I ended up staying an additional 12 months. During that time, I also was fired from my job because I couldn’t function in the capacity the job called for. My anger at the fact that my body had betrayed me, my so-called boyfriend leaving me, along with the anger I felt behind the way my former job had treated me caused me to act out on the job I got almost immediately afterwards. I have since been in therapy to cope with the anger and now that I am no longer working, I am focusing on going back to school and starting my own home-based business. I have developed a new zest for life. I find that I am more sympathetic towards those less fortunate than I am and I appreciate my life more. After going through cancer, I realize that nothing is as bad as it seems and everything (good and bad) comes to an end. Although I lost my breast, the cancer was caught at the end of stage I, but not yet at stage II. I thank GOD every day that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes. And although Chemo was a b*(*()tch, I found things to be grateful about it – such as my hair growing back more beautiful than it was before the cancer and the fact that I no longer need to wear a bra – as a matter of fact, I haven’t worn a bra since my reconstructive surgery 2 years ago – or the fact that because my cancer was estrogen-based, the doctors threw me into menopause. I LOVE the fact that I no longer get periods – they were always a pain in the butt!!! Cancer is not something I would wish on my worst enemy, but it also depends on how you look at it and the loving support you get from friends and family alike – which is something I will ALWAYS be grateful for.
Breast cancer is a tough wake-up call. You came out positively on the other side!
Thank you for opening your heart and sharing. We all have our crosses to bare, if you believe you can get thru this you will. Yes, you will be grateful for all that you are blessed with. Struggles, pain, hardships give up compassion, kindness and love for others who are in pain. Find out what your gift is from this experience, and now expand on it. You can do it!
Yours is a story of resiliency. You must be an amazing person.
Good for you! Good Job! =]
We can plan, we should plan, but we should do it with a pencil just in case we have to go back and edit. We hope not to have to, but at times it’s necessary and we need to be prepared. It’s wonderful that there was a happy ending for you and for Persimmian. My best to both of you for a long, happy, and healthy life.