Patricia Sands

Author

breast cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month ~ a personal journey

by

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in countries all around the world.

In 2017 I asked author Liza Perrat if she would consider sharing her breast cancer story on my blog. She had been diagnosed one year earlier. I was honoured when she agreed.

Today I am reposting her original story AND her five-year update, just recently confirmed and celebrated across the miles.

I also want to share briefly another story here.

Breast cancer is particularly poignant to me today and to some people I love dearly. Since May, from the very early morning phone call from my BFF when we both cried, I have been following daily as her beautiful-in-every-way daughter, 35 years old and the mother of a 7-month-old and a 2-1/2 year old dealt with a heart-stopping diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer.

Throughout all the treatment (and it was the most aggressive) this young woman has met her challenges with grace and positivity and devoted support from her exceptional family and friends. She shared her journey and inspired us all. Yesterday she received this message from her healthcare team ~ CANCER FREE!

Can there be any better words?

If you are like me, your life has been touched in one way or another by this pervasive disease. My mother had breast cancer in her eighties that resulted in a mastectomy. One of our daughters is a THRIVER … a term I learned many woman choose to use as they move on with their lives. After a vicious attack, double mastectomy and reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation, ten years later she is strong and healthy.

Treatments have improved so much, the future is bright for so many who receive the initial frightening diagnosis.

And now I turn this back over to Liza in France and the original post from October 2017 with her follow-up. I hope you go along with us.

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October 2017

Today, to honour the fight against breast cancer, I would like to highlight the journey of a friend and fellow author, Liza Perrat. I was so pleased when she agreed to write this post for us. Liza is a talented author, originally from Australia, who married a French man and has raised her family in France. More about that later. Here is the story she would like to share with us:

A Reluctant Journey

Reluctant because you’d not planned it, did not want it, had no time for it in your busy life. But most of all because you feared this breast cancer journey that had been foisted upon you one chill autumn morning of 2016.

No, no, no, not you! Surely not? There’s a mistake? No mistake, Liza, this time it’s you. And, whether you want it or not, you are going on this journey.

Reluctantly, you pack your suitcase: passport (with visa stamped, “To Hell and, maybe, Back”), bottle of lavender oil to massage away chemo headaches, tube of special cream to avoid radiotherapy burns, all-cotton-sports-support-wireless-bras in assorted colours.  Oh and don’t forget the “fighting, positive” spirit; you’re going to need barrels of that, where you’re off to.

You lock up the house, take a big breath and lug that suitcase out into the cold. The next three seasons –– the time you’ll be away (if all goes well) –– stretch before you, dauntingly, fearfully, as if you are standing at the foot of Mount Everest.

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From your hospital bed, post-surgery, you watch the leaves turn their brilliant autumn shades of scarlet, mustard, cinnamon. Beautiful, you think, when the surgeon says, “I think we got it all… it only metastasized to one lymph node.” Those autumn hues are more exquisite than you’d ever noticed before.

Autumn quickly recedes to dismal winter, its grey moments of despair, self-pity and depression hovering like storm clouds over that mountain. Some days you feel like your journey is a never-ending uphill climb, the peak receding like a desert mirage.

But as the surgical scars begin to heal, the melting snow washes away the darkness. You look towards the next mountainous challenge: chemotherapy.

You turn up every third Thursday very early in the morning. No sleep in for the wicked! You slump down in the waiting room with other travellers, many of whom you guess, by the looks of them, are going nowhere. You breathe sharply. You’re ok, you’re going to be ok. You’ll make this journey; you’re climbing to that mountain peak. Between those dark clouds, you catch glimpses of a sunny summit.

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You shed most of your hair along the sinewy trail, but, hey, who cares? It’s still cold; you can wear a pretty hat. Besides, a comb or brush is one less thing to carry in your bag. No razor either. Your legs have never been smoother, wow! No eyebrows is ugly though, and your red, stinging eyes make you realise that eyelashes really do have a purpose.

You tell your family and friends it’s not really that bad, this journey, as you keep dragging the heavy suitcase behind you.

Incredibly, you discover some surprises along the way. Pleasant surprises about your own strength, and the loveliness of your supportive network of friends and family who relentlessly cheer you on towards your destination with flowers, ginger sweets, fluffy socks, cashmere shawl, home-baked lasagna and cookies.

Spring arrives and you leave behind the chemo. Yay, champagne! Only 6 weeks of radiotherapy left! You lumber down the other side of that mountain, the birdsong cheering you on, the tiny leaf buds nodding at you in the gentle breeze, as if saying, “Yes, keep going, you’re almost there.”  You’re breathless with the scent of new flowers; the heady fragrance of hope. The fabulous smell of happiness to simply be alive.

It’s summer now, and you stagger across the Welcome mat of The Refuge: place where you can unpack, recover, get “back to normal”.

“Normal” though, has become an incredible privilege, because the journey has taught you that you’re lucky. Luckier than many of the travellers you met along the way; lucky that your ticket was not a one-way. This time.

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Yes, you can relax a bit, for now. Go on, smell the jasmine, gaze in wonder at the starry night sky, laugh at muddy dog paws on the sofa, bake a chocolate cake and eat it all.

Drink in your luck, savour it, guard it preciously. Because now you know that one day you might have to pack that suitcase again and travel back out into the cold. Return, or one-way. Because, who knows if that mountain will beckon once again?

OCTOBER 2021 ~ Firstly, Thank you for inviting me once again, on your blog, Patricia, it’s always a pleasure to talk to your lovely readers! Four years ago now, a year after my initial breast cancer diagnosis, Patricia posted my following “Reluctant Journey”. Five years down the track, and having – just last week! – had the “all clear” follow-up, yearly mammogram, I feel delighted, and privileged, to still be here, talking to you once again. And I would like to say that some positive things did come out of my “Reluctant Journey”. I really do appreciate the little things now, I live more “in the moment” and I certainly no longer sweat the small stuff. I have learned how to say “no”, how to avoid negative people and situations as far as possible. Basically, and perhaps ironically, breast cancer taught me how to live a happy life. However, reading back over my initial post reminds what a harrowing time that was in my life but, thanks to modern medicine, I was diagnosed before it was too late. As every woman who has been in this situation will tell you: “Get that mammogram!” Don’t push the issue under the carpet and hope it goes away, it won’t.

Sign up to Liza’s newsletter for new book releases and to receive a FREE copy of Friends & Other Strangers, her award-winning collection of Australian short stories.

To celebrate everyone who has faced or is facing the cancer journey, Liza is offering 3 e-book giveaways. Three winners will choose from one of the novels in her French historical trilogy, The Bone Angel series: Three standalone French village stories spanning six hundred years. Three midwife-healer women all linked by a bone angel talisman. Explore their tragedies and triumphs during the French Revolution (Spirit of Lost Angels), WW2 Nazi-occupied France (Wolfsangel) and the 1348 Black Plague (Blood Rose Angel).

To enter, leave a comment below and Liza will draw three names. Good luck!

Spirit of Lost Angels: https://books2read.com/u/49D5JY

Wolfsangel: https://books2read.com/u/bxZPlk

Blood Rose Angel: https://books2read.com/u/3nYylx

Liza’s Australian-based family drama novels:

The Silent Kookaburra: https://books2read.com/u/4EyaqO

The Swooping Magpie: https://books2read.com/u/me7Gnr

The Lost Blackbird: https://books2read.com/u/3GAxQp

(Note from Patricia ~ Good luck/Bonne chance with this draw from Liza’s historical fiction trilogy. I absolutely devoured all three stories! The details are fascinating and the reader is truly drawn into the history of the time.

Liza Perrat grew up in Australia, working as a general nurse and midwife. She has now been living in France for over twenty years, where she works as a part-time medical translator and a novelist. She is currently working on the first novel in her new French village series: Sainte-Marie-du-Lac. 

If you enjoy Liza’s books, follow her on BOOKBUB

Connect with Liza:

Blog: http://lizaperrat.blogspot.com/

Website: http://www.lizaperrat.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Liza-Perrat-232382930192297

Liza, thank you very much for rewriting this post for us and sharing your journey. What happy news that you have just celebrated the fifth anniversary of your recovery. Onward! To all those still in the midst of a battle, we are all in this together and hold each other close in our hearts.

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A breast cancer journey …

by

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in countries all around the world.

If you are like me, your life has been touched in one way or another by this pervasive disease. My mother had breast cancer in her eighties that resulted in a mastectomy. One of our daughters is a THRIVER … a term I learned many woman choose to use as they move on with their lives. After a vicious attack, double mastectomy and reconstruction, chemotherapy and radiation, seven years later she is strong and healthy.

Treatments have improved so much, the future is bright for so many who receive the initial frightening diagnosis.

Today, to honour the fight against breast cancer, I would like to highlight the journey of a friend and fellow author, Liza Perrat. I was so pleased when she agreed to write this post for us. Liza is a talented author, originally from Australia, who married a French man and has raised her family in France. More about that later. Here is the story she would like to share with us:

A Reluctant Journey

Reluctant because you’d not planned it, did not want it, had no time for it in your busy life. But most of all because you feared this breast cancer journey that had been foisted upon you one chill autumn morning of 2016.

No, no, no, not you! Surely not? There’s a mistake? No mistake, Liza, this time it’s you. And, whether you want it or not, you are going on this journey.

Reluctantly, you pack your suitcase: passport (with visa stamped, “To Hell and, maybe, Back”), bottle of lavender oil to massage away chemo headaches, tube of special cream to avoid radiotherapy burns, all-cotton-sports-support-wireless-bras in assorted colours.  Oh and don’t forget the “fighting, positive” spirit; you’re going to need barrels of that, where you’re off to.

You lock up the house, take a big breath and lug that suitcase out into the cold. The next three seasons –– the time you’ll be away (if all goes well) –– stretch before you, dauntingly, fearfully, as if you are standing at the foot of Mount Everest.

From your hospital bed, post-surgery, you watch the leaves turn their brilliant autumn shades of scarlet, mustard, cinnamon. Beautiful, you think, when the surgeon says, “I think we got it all… it only metastasized to one lymph node.” Those autumn hues are more exquisite than you’d ever noticed before.

Autumn quickly recedes to dismal winter, its grey moments of despair, self-pity and depression hovering like storm clouds over that mountain. Some days you feel like your journey is a never-ending uphill climb, the peak receding like a desert mirage.

But as the surgical scars begin to heal, the melting snow washes away the darkness. You look towards the next mountainous challenge: chemotherapy.

You turn up every third Thursday very early in the morning. No sleep in for the wicked! You slump down in the waiting room with other travellers, many of whom you guess, by the looks of them, are going nowhere. You breathe sharply. You’re ok, you’re going to be ok. You’ll make this journey; you’re climbing to that mountain peak. Between those dark clouds, you catch glimpses of a sunny summit.

You shed most of your hair along the sinewy trail, but, hey, who cares? It’s still cold; you can wear a pretty hat. Besides, a comb or brush is one less thing to carry in your bag. No razor either. Your legs have never been smoother, wow! No eyebrows is ugly though, and your red, stinging eyes make you realise that eyelashes really do have a purpose.

You tell your family and friends it’s not really that bad, this journey, as you keep dragging the heavy suitcase behind you.

Incredibly, you discover some surprises along the way. Pleasant surprises about your own strength, and the loveliness of your supportive network of friends and family who relentlessly cheer you on towards your destination with flowers, ginger sweets, fluffy socks, cashmere shawl, homebaked lasagna and cookies

Spring arrives and you leave behind the chemo. Yay, champagne! Only 6 weeks of radiotherapy left! You lumber down the other side of that mountain, the birdsong cheering you on, the tiny leaf buds nodding at you in the gentle breeze, as if saying, “Yes, keep going, you’re almost there.”  You’re breathless with the scent of new flowers; the heady fragrance of hope. The fabulous smell of happiness to simply be alive.

It’s summer now, and you stagger across the Welcome mat of The Refuge: place where you can unpack, recover, get “back to normal”.

“Normal” though, has become an incredible privilege, because the journey has taught you that you’re lucky. Luckier than many of the travellers you met along the way; lucky that your ticket was not a one-way. This time.

Yes, you can relax a bit, for now. Go on, smell the jasmine, gaze in wonder at the starry night sky, laugh at muddy dog paws on the sofa, bake a chocolate cake and eat it all.

Drink in your luck, savour it, guard it preciously. Because now you know that one day you might have to pack that suitcase again and travel back out into the cold. Return, or one-way. Because, who knows if that mountain will beckon once again?

To celebrate everyone who has faced or is facing the cancer journey, Liza is offering a giveaway: 2 sets of her French historical trilogy: The Bone Angel series (3 e-books each set). To enter, leave a comment below and Liza will draw two names. Good luck!

The Bone Angel trilogy consists of three standalone stories exploring the tragedies and triumphs of a French village family of midwife-healers during the French Revolution (Spirit of Lost Angels), WW2 Nazi-occupied France (Wolfsangel) and the 1348 Black Plague (Blood Rose Angel). (Note from Patricia ~ I absolutely devoured all three stories! The details are fascinating and the reader is truly drawn into the history of the time. Good luck, everyone!) Click here to order.

 

 

 

 

 

Liza Perrat grew up in Australia, working as a general nurse and midwife. She has now been living in France for over twenty years, where she works as a part-time medical translator and a novelist.

Her latest novel, The Silent Kookaburra, is a psychological suspense set in the 1970s of her homeland, Australia.

Liza is a co-founder and member of the writers’ collective Triskele Books and also reviews books for Bookmuse.

Sign up  for information on Liza’s book releases and receive a FREE copy of Ill-Fated Rose, short story that inspired The Bone Angel French historical series.

Connect with Liza online:

WEBSITE

BLOG

TWITTER

FACEBOOK

Liza, thank you very much for writing this post for us and sharing some of your journey. What happy news that you have already celebrated the first anniversary of your recovery. Onward! To all those still in the midst of a battle, we are all in this together and hold each other close in our hearts.

 

 

I LOVE Instagram! ~ Do you?

by

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

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Five years ago I was not using Instagram … in fact, I’m not sure I knew anyone who was. Hmm … let me google the history … okay, here’s the scoop: Instagram was founded in October 2010 by Kevin System and Mike Kreiger. After just a couple of months it had over 1 million users! In 2012, it was purchased by Facebook. Instagram now has over 300 million active monthly users! Wow! Now that’s successful! And it’s a FREE APP! YES, IT IS! 

I love that it’s free! If you’re a fan of photography, then I’m sure you would love IG too. Even if you don’t take a lot of photos, you can follow as many accounts as you like and see some spectacular galleries on every topic you can imagine. I won’t even begin to list them here.

I began my IG gallery https://www.instagram.com/patricialsands/ about two years ago and post almost every day.Of course I love to share my photos of France … no surprise there, right?  In fact, that’s probably the reason I don’t blog as much … I’m having too much fun on Instagram.

If you are on there too, I hope you will find and follow me. Be sure to say hello in the comments! I look forward to seeing what you’re posting there!

My photo on IG today (the large photo at the bottom of this post) actually took me back to a blog post of mine from 2011. I know a lot of you weren’t following me then. If  you didn’t see this post before, I hope you will enjoy it now. I’ve walked the Chemin de Nietzsche a few times now and look forward to doing it again next summer.

Come on along!

Take a hike!

By  ~ July, 2011

Friday already? Then it must be France on my blog!

Like to hike? From serious hiking to a pleasant ramble through an astonishing variety of landscapes, France is a country amazingly well-equipped. There are over 100,000 kilometres of walking trails criss-crossing the country in all directions. It’s like a national sport! Click here to go to an excellent website with maps and more detailed information.

The following is just one small example. (You can click on the photos to see them full-sized.)

A picturesque 40-minute drive east from Antibes, Eze Bord de Mer (also known as Eze Sur Mer) is one of the most accessible places on the Cote D’Azur as the rail, road and bus links all run along its length. They create a dividing line between the mountains and the sea.  The thin strip of pebble beach provides just enough room for a few seaside restaurants on the turquoise edge of the Mediterranean. Typically the small town consists of everything from simple cottages to exclusive villas.

Approximately 500 metres (1400 feet) up the rugged corniche is the fortified perched village of Eze. With a history going back to 2000 BC, the current village dates to the 9th C. The stone structures and winding cobbled streets are well restored, with high walls and narrow paths. Today the town is full of small art galleries and boutiques and a couple of luxurious hotels as its setting, charm and ancient history make it a popular tourist destination. (But go early in the morning and you can have it to yourself.)The ancient alleyways wend their way upward to the well sign-posted Jardin Exotique Panorama. The plantings of cacti are spectacular and the view is one of the best on the Cote D’Azur, overlooking Cap Ferrat and on to Nice and Cap D’Antibes on a clear day.

These two communities encapsulate the best of both coastal and mountain worlds. Whether visiting the seaside part or the heart of the old town on the cliff, Eze offers a rich culture mixed with local traditions and a luxurious lifestyle.

The magical and unique ambiance of the town has an unforgettable appeal. But perhaps no one was more charmed by Eze than the tormented and controversial philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche.

Though he spent only a short holiday in the area in the 1880’s, the environment had a profound tonic effect on the famously troubled philosopher. “I slept well, I laughed a lot, and I found a marvellous vigour and patience”, he later recalled. He also found the inspiration for the third part of Thus Spoke Zarathustra, much of which was composed in his head (so the story goes) while hiking the steep trail from the seaside to the medieval village. The route, once a goat path, is now known officially as Le Chemin de Nietzsche or Nietzsche’s Path.

With my sister-in-law visiting us from her home in the south of Spain and our 28-year-old niece from Israel, I was eager to show them this beautiful area. Especially these two wonderful women who are always up for any adventure and turn everything into a laughter-filled event!

We took the train from Antibes to Villefranche Sur Mer and had a quick look around yet another beautiful town before catching the bus up to Eze Village. After walking around the town and taking photos at the castle ruin and the Jardin Exotique, we lunched on crepes and salad and then, water bottles filled, we headed down the Nietzsche Trail.

We talked. We laughed. We sweated. The sun was scorching but we were well armed with heavy-duty sun block, hats,  and mist-spray water bottles (LOVE these!) as well as our drinking bottles.

Winding down the corniche and through a forested ravine, the quiet trail lends itself naturally to contemplation. Birds chirped. Leaves rustled when gentle breezes made brief, welcome appearances. The gravel path crunched below our feet as the brightest yellow butterflies fluttered along with us. The sea washed the shore below, beyond the scent of pines and the many varieties of fragrant shrubs and plants that naturally fill these spaces. The clean, fresh air offered its own special brand of aromatherapy.

The path isn’t difficult but it’s not easy either. There are places where stairs have been built by France’s impressive sentier (walking trail) maintenance crews or possibly by local groups who take a keen interest in maintaining their trails. However there are also a few steep pitches and some spots where the stones or gravel are a bit loose and slippery if one isn’t careful. Faites attention!

It’s a quicker climb down than up, needless to say, and in 90 minutes, after a few brief stops to admire the changing views, we were back down in Eze Bord de Mer.  We cooled our feet in the Med and savoured a refreshingly cold brew on the beach before taking the train home.

If you ever go, take the train to Eze Bord De Mer and the 83 bus (which only comes by once an hour) to Eze Village. Wear good walking footwear and take the path down. You’ll be very glad you did.

The suggested advice when the going gets strenuous on the Nietzsche Trail?  Try repeating Zarathustra’s mantra from his own sojourn through the mountains: “You are treading your path of greatness: no one shall steal after you here.” Or take along good friends and laugh your way down.

If you have favourite places you like to hike, I would love to hear about them. The Bruce Trail? The Appalachian Trail? Whistler? Yosemite? Cotswold Way? Your own neighbourhood?

Here’s an excellent article from the New York Times about this area.

Tread your own path of greatness no matter where you are or what you are doing. Onward!

Can you believe October is almost over? I want to end this month as I began it, with a reminder about Breast Cancer Awareness.51dqik97nll-_uy250_ My friend, Erin Arbabha, is a breast cancer survivor and thriver, and has written a poignant and informative memoir about her experience. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Click right here for the link to I Have Survived.

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Flat and Fabulous~Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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d52cb5d3-a748-3657-ad26-b20644cc1338Following along with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please take a few minutes to read this story shared by Pat Skene.

She calls it:  “FLAT AND FABULOUS” and I’ve reposted the article from the Sixty and Me online magazine, where I sometimes write articles as well. It’s a vibrant, informative community, particularly for women. Take a look.

And now here’s Pat’s story:

In October 2014, I was diagnosed untitledwith breast cancer at the age of sixty-nine. In a matter of hours, I was thrust headlong into a whirlwind of doctor appointments, consultations, biopsies, scans and x-rays. Through waves of gut-wrenching vulnerability, I felt my world closing in and choking the life right out of me.

Where Do I Start?

Before surgery, there were so many things to consider and decisions to make. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted, just when I needed to stay focused. My daughter or my husband took notes during all medical appointments, which was very helpful.

A Few Things to Consider Before Surgery

Due to an existing medical condition (lupus), I have no tolerance for the sun or any UV rays. So because of this, I decided a mastectomy was my only option due to the post-surgery radiation requirements after a lumpectomy.

 I also can’t tolerate chemical medications of any kind, so I knew the surgery would take its toll on my body. And after weighing all options, I decided not to have reconstructive surgery, which would significantly increase my time in the operating room and my recovery. Going flat was the best option for me.

Stating My Case for a Double Mastectomy

Despite the fact that I had cancer in one breast, I decided early on that I would have both breasts removed. It was not an easy task to convince both my family doctor and my surgeon to agree. They were worried about the added risk, which was understandable. But I needed to do this and I repeatedly stated my case until they agreed.

My reasons for wanting both breasts removed were twofold. First, I didn’t want to go through it all over again down the road, if cancer was detected in the other breast. Then there was my self-esteem and sense of balance.

The idea of being left with one large D-cup breast, while the other side was flat, upset my emotional sense of order and well-being. Plus, I would be faced with the never-ending challenge of matching the flat side with a comfortable prosthesis.

Hard Work and Good News

So the operation took place and a bilateral mastectomy was done. The next couple of weeks were certainly no picnic, and I found daily home nursing care for the first few days a huge relief. It was difficult to come to terms with my fear of the cancer label, and my new image in the mirror. But, I knew that ultimately, getting well was up to me.

A few weeks later, the oncologist told me the surgery had successfully removed all the cancer and that was good news. More good news – chemotherapy would not be required due the size and type of cancer I had.

We Need to Ask the Questions

When the oncologist told me I would be put on Tamoxifen as an after-care drug therapy, I was very nervous about the side effects I had read about, because of how I react to drugs. And when I asked what percentage this drug would help my chances of not getting cancer again, the oncologist was somewhat taken aback by my question.

She left the examining room, studied my file and did some analysis. When she returned, she admitted that I probably didn’t need to take it after all, because Tamoxifen would only minimally improve my chances.

Now I know this isn’t everyone’s story. I have friends going through their own personal challenges with breast cancer and I realize how fortunate I am not to be taking any follow-up drug treatment. But the issue here is – what if I hadn’t asked?

We need to challenge and ask questions about every step of our care; be relentless in getting all the relevant information we need to make the decisions that are right for us.

The Comfort of Going Flat

I’m happy with my decision not to have reconstruction. I love the comfort of going flat with the option of wearing prostheses only when I feel like it. After carrying around large breasts all my life, the freedom from all that weight on my shoulders, back and rib cage is truly a gift in a strange sort of way. And as a bonus, I can now choose any cup size I want to be. (‘B” being the operative word here.)

breast-cancer-awareness-clip-artHere Are The Top 10 Things I Learned From My Experience

  • A post-surgery camisole is invaluable. The Velcro pockets hold the drain bulbs in place and help to avoid leakage. The camisole comes with removable soft puffs, which can be inserted into the built-in pockets and worn while you’re recovering.
  • Home care nursing may be arranged by the hospital if you have drains after a mastectomy. Confirm the details of your care with hospital staff and know who to call if something breaks down in the process.
  • Prepare yourself before surgery by looking at photos of other post-mastectomy bodies. Contact a breast cancer support agency in your area and ask them to provide you with the most appropriate photos for your situation.
  • Ask about “dog ears.” Large breasted or overweight women have fatty areas under the arms as part of the breast – which may still be there after the breasts are removed. Before surgery, ask your surgeon if it’s possible to minimize this excess skin area.
  • Confirm your details and don’t assume the hospital records are correct. On three of my pre-op appointments for tests, the hospital records indicated I was having a single mastectomy. I was even called back for an unnecessary biopsy.
  • Pain management choices can include non-chemical drugs. Deep stomach (yoga) breathing and guided meditations proved to be very effective for me.
  • Making the decision to go flat is a very personal one. There is some good information about this issue at breastfree.org
  • Sewing bra pockets for prostheses into existing bras, camisoles and bathing suits can save having to buy expensive mastectomy clothing.
  • Breast prostheses can be heavy, hot and expensive. There are cheaper and lighter options available, so it pays to take your time and do some research.
  • Gentle yoga was the best thing I did, to help me get my body back in shape after surgery and restore my overall sense of well-being. The Sixty and Me gentle yoga video series is a good example of gentle yoga poses.

So here I am a year later – flat and fabulous! I realize this is not the experience for everyone who has been through the pain and agony of this insidious disease.

This is simply my personal journey. I’m not sure what the future holds, but right now I have my life back. It was all about choice, asking the right questions and being diligent in gathering the facts to weigh my options. The decisions I made were simply the right ones for me. Cancer was something I had and now it’s gone, and I’m moving on.

Do you know anyone who has survived breast cancer? What advice would you give to someone who is going through something similar? Please join the conversation.

Pat SkenePat Skene retired from the corporate world of banking to find her voice. She is the author of several books for children and founder of Press Here to Start Publishing. When she’s not writing books for kids, Pat is busy posting humorous reflections for boomers on her blog at Boomerrantz.com. Pat keeps her imagination fed and watered in Oakville, Ontario.

Thank you, Pat, for sharing your story. It’s so important for all of us to keep the conversation open about how breast cancer impacts our lives. Dear blog visitors, I hope you will pass this along.