In June of 2020 (great timing, wasn’t it?), my routine mammogram showed an area of concern. “It’s fine,” I said to the concerned surgeon who suggested an excisional biopsy. “I’ve had these before and they’ve always disappeared by the time I have the follow up scan. Before we do any type of surgery, let’s do another scan and see if it’s still there.”  As I expected, the scan showed that the area of concern was no longer a potential problem, but .”I’m really glad we did the follow up scan,” said the surgeon. “There’s a tumor in another part of your breast that we wouldn’t have caught otherwise.” That tumor was triple negative breast cancer. I quickly began my treatment plan, frightened and determined all at once.
In September 2020, during one of many chemo infusions, my oncology social worker suggested that Cancer Lifeline would help me connect with meaningful support that could help me process what was happening to me. She was so right! Cancer Lifeline has given me a community of dear friends who really “get it.” I receive support, and I can offer support to others.  During lockdown, Cancer Lifeline pivoted from in-person to online classes, presentations, support groups, counseling … amazing and a Godsend. To say that I am eternally grateful for Cancer Lifeline feels like an understatement. 

When I was diagnosed, I stayed focused on getting through treatment, sometimes one minute at a time. Recovery from treatment seemed like a faraway prize that I wanted to win. What I didn’t know, and probably couldn’t have absorbed at the time, was that recovery from treatment would be a formidable challenge as well. Someone described it to me this way: “When you received the diagnosis, it was like falling into a crevasse. Treatment was rolling down inside it, and you hit the bottom when treatment ended. But there’s more to do – recover from treatment. And that is where you are now, climbing up and out the other side of the crevasse.”  There’s no climbing back up the side I fell down. Going back to the way things were before the diagnosis and treatment won’t work, because I am not that person anymore. I like who I am now, as I get to know the post-treatment me.  Cancer Lifeline, and the people I’ve met there, are helping me find my way. Thank you, everyone, at Cancer Lifeline.