Dear Sister, My Bathroom Mirror Saved My Life

ChrisT

What an inspirational group of women! I LOVE reading about your success stories and how you are turning your lemons into lemonade. 

I was diagnosed with stage one, invasive, estrogen +, intraductal carcinoma at the age of 47. I celebrated my 50th Birthday in March.

My mother was the first woman in her family to be diagnosed. She was 72 and only survived a year and a half. My dad had two sisters that were diagnosed. One was 44. She survived for 24 years and the other was in her early 50's. She survived for about five years.

When my mother passed away on May 2, 2010, I knew the odds of my receiving a breast cancer diagnosed increased considerably. I tried not to think about it. 

On October 19, 2011, as I was getting out of the shower, I looked in the mirror and noticed an indentation under the nipple on my left breast and a fingertips width to the right of it was a very small lump. I wasted no time consulting my personal library and discovered that this was a symptom of breast cancer. I waited two days before I made an appointment with a gynecologist at my local hospital.

I have always been a natural health fanatic and have done my best to live a healthy life-style. When my husband and I discussed the possible reasons why I received this diagnoses, we came to the same conclusion. 

That conclusion was so that I could use my experiences and share my story with as many women as I possibly could who were facing a similar diagnoses.

So I began writing a book. I attended writing workshops at my local library last year and became acquainted with some incredible mentors who helped me along the way. 

When I was ready to go shopping for an agent, I found a young woman who convinced me of the benefits of self-publishing. This worked out extremely well. This way, I could tell my story, my way and maintain control of the manuscript that took me sixteen months to write. (I was a control-freak before my diagnoses and I became an even bigger one after I received it.)

I consider myself a 'thriver.' I am a survivor that is thriving two and a half years after being initiated into a sisterhood that no woman would ever willingly join. The women in my life that have shared their stories and support are the best sisters that I could ever hope to have. (I don't have any biological sisters and I have one brother.) I am also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and as such am part of the world's largest support group for women: The Relief Society.

Dear Sister, My Bathroom Mirror Saved My Life is about my personal journey with breast cancer; the importance of faith, family and friendship; the lessons that I learned and what I wish I had known beforehand. 

A portion of the sale from my book and Kindle version will be donated to The Gathering Place. The Gathering Place opened in January 2000 as a nonprofit, community-based cancer support center to fill an unmet need in the greater Cleveland community. The programs and services offered address the social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer and their support network. The mission of The Gathering Place is to support, educate and empower individuals and families touched by cancer through programs and services provided free of charge.

Dear Sister is a NEW release on Amazon and Kindle.

It is my hope and prayer that by sharing my story it will help you or someone you love who has been initiated into this sisterhood that no woman would ever willingly choose to join.