From the second we hear “you have breast cancer,” we begin talking in terms of what stage cancer we have. Stages are assigned according to size of primary tumor, lymph node involvement and whether or not your cancer has spread but, what if we consider another stage? Stage Now? “Having a life” as opposed to “having cancer.” <PREVIEWEND>
Too many of us let our survival mindset be determined by the stage of our cancer, even though many of us know of cases that prove ‘stage’ is not always an accurate predictor of survival. Take Lance Armstrong who in 1996, was diagnosed with Stage IV testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. His doctors gave him less than a 3 percent chance of survival, and we all know chapter and verse of that story! If Lance Armstrong had embraced the odds his doctor’s had given him, it is quite possible he would not have survived.
Instead Lance Armstrong went through the ravaging treatment protocols prescribed by his doctors, and three years later not only won perhaps the most grueling sporting event in the world—the Tour de France—but beat his nearest competitor by 7 minutes, 37 seconds. Now that’s somebody with Stage Now! He has a life to lead, bikes to ride, new and different goals to accomplish. Not only did he refuse to become a statistic, his victory has led the way for all who come after him to strive and survive. His life is one of courage and determination and as his mother says, “make every obstacle an opportunity.”
And so my sisters, YOU are in Stage Now. What are you going to do with it? Are you going to sit in fear of death (we all do that from time to time) or are you going to live the best lives you can?
I challenge you to make a list of the things you’ve always wanted to do but were afraid to try, or were going to do “someday.” Parasailing, learning to play the guitar, apologizing to someone you’ve wronged, learning to dance, visiting another country. Make a list and do them, one by one. You’ve already done the hard part. If you can go through breast cancer, you can do anything!
blog comments powered by Disqus
Previous Comments
JBBC commented on 05-Jan-2010 04:39 PM A wonderfully inspiring post. I am adopting a line from a Mary Oliver poem “What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life”? as my mantra for this year.
Brenda Coffee commented on 05-Jan-2010 08:17 PM I LOVE that line. Thanks. Have already typed it up and it's going on my refrigerator.
Anonymous commented on 24-Jan-2010 04:34 PM Cancer took both my mother and my sister. Accompanying my sister to her treatments made me recognize the lack of progress that has been made in some areas of medicine. I find comfort in the chronicle of this journey just as I am documenting mine:
http://thoborneonangelswings.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-2008-ar-anno-relocation-to-west.html
http://thoborneonangelswings.blogspot.com/2010/01/before-2008-ar-anno-relocation-to-west.html
Texas breast reduction commented on 03-Mar-2010 11:56 PM Well Really inspiring post with inspiring video. That is nice information to the mars i will suggest this one too many people. Glad to see it. Thanks!!
Cancer Support Community commented on 12-May-2010 11:10 AM Brenda, thanks for sharing your experience with us. Through our work at the Cancer Support Community, we know patients hope for a treatment that will bring them back to normalcy. But, we also know the transition is easier said than done and most women experience some form of distress due to their disease. Now women touched by breast cancer can ban together to help patients and survivors of tomorrow get though the emotional struggle of breast cancer from diagnosis to survivorship. Learn more and join at http://www.breastcancerregistry.org.
Courtney Bowers commented on 18-Sep-2010 05:14 PM Dear Brenda,
Thank you for sending this important and thoughtful message. I will be sure to forward it. What a worthwhile endeavor. I'm sure this organization has and will continue to bring comfort and understanding to many, many people.
All best,
Courtney
Thank you for sending this important and thoughtful message. I will be sure to forward it. What a worthwhile endeavor. I'm sure this organization has and will continue to bring comfort and understanding to many, many people.
All best,
Courtney
Go to Brenda's Blog homepage | Go to top of page
