Beyond awareness: living fully after breast cancer

By Janet Simpson, Vice President of Network Operations

October can be a challenging month for folks like me who have navigated breast cancer and are considered survivors, yet still think about their cancer most days.  Many don't understand this unless they have been through it.  Those aches and pains — do they mean the cancer has returned? Maybe you're not getting scans anymore as you aren't really high-risk, and insurance won't cover preventative scans ... so you wait for a pain in your bones or your back or where doctors have told you the cancer is most likely to return. Just because you are deemed "cancer-free" doesn't mean you're free from thoughts that wander in and out of your mind.

I consider myself an optimistic, joyful person who tries to live life to its fullest and feels longevity and health are not just about "adding years to life but adding life to years," a well-used but true phrase.  I believe the decisions we make each day have the potential to reduce our time — not just the big choices, but also the small ones. I always had considered myself healthful, exercising, eating right, and having a positive outlook.  So it was devastating to know that I could feel completely normal while aggressive cancer cells wreaked havoc inside my body. As is the case with most people who are diagnosed with cancer, I had been doing the right things. Most of the time, the diagnosis comes out of nowhere, as it did for me. 

I reflect often on my diagnosis and how it changed me. Although I'm far from perfect, I'm proud to be healthier now than I was before cancer. I volunteer more, I've lost weight, I eat more healthfully, I take more time for myself, and I prioritize all my preventative screenings.  

 I encourage everyone to stay current with those recommended tests — mammograms, of course, but other screenings as well. Please consider donating to help fund cancer research, as every bit makes a difference, as well as donating to WesleyLife Foundation to help fund palliative or hospice care for those living with cancer and other diseases. Plus, it's never too late to begin practicing healthy habits: eat right, move more, work on your stress and resilience, and try not to let others' negativity affect you. Build relationships that will surround you with the right tribe; those are the people who will sustain you through thick and thin!

Learn from Janet's cancer journey; previous blogs about her experience can be found here.  Make sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for the complete list! Plus, read here about the national industry award Janet won for sharing her experiences!