My BC Adventure

Wonderful!
How well you put into words what I think we all feel on that fateful day we find out we have ‘a breast cancer’.

Congratulations on the article!

~Pam

Beautifully written article, Deborah! Congrats to you!!!!

I really liked your piece too - it touched me very much.

This line especially expressed something I've been struggling to articulate: "The difficult part was the hard-as-pavement awareness that my life was an arc as well, and that I had possibly rounded the crest and was on the downward slope."

I felt that too, although I was only 40 at the time of diagnosis (I don't know how old you were - perhaps your doctor would say that was "not so young?") In any case, it was difficult turning 40 and then the diagnosis made that downward arc so clear. Or perhaps I should say I felt myself suddenly HURTLING downhill at a speed I had not anticipated ...

Congratulations on the article. We need much more of this personal, reflective journalism about bc.

Wow, MOTC, you write beautifully. thanks for sharing. The arc, yes, and the trust thing. Being carried and carrying yourself.

Your doctor will not be offended.

Take care,
--Hattie

Bravo... that was so well written. I loved it, and I'm sending it to my mom...You should be really proud!!!!

Awesome article. I echo what everybody else has said. Thanks for sharing it.

Take care,
Bugs

I loved it too. Especially the expectation of a benign finding, the world stands still, completely rearranges and then pounds you in the head. I thought I could get points for stoicism also!

Well done and congrats!

Wonderful story! Your concern about offending your doctor reminds me of how I was always strong when I saw my surgeon and kept telling him "I'm not going anywhere!" Sometimes it took all my strength to do it, but I was always worried he would give up on me, and I wanted him to want me to survive. I hated when he gave me that "you're going to die" look.

I think it would be a good thing for more doctors to understand EXACTLY what goes through our minds, and how much we have to hide to protect everyone else. Good job!

That was very well written and stirred up and reminded me of so many of my own feelings when I heard I had bc. The one thing that hit home is the part about the ophthalmologist appt. and would you even be alive then. I don't know how many things came up after I was DX with an aggressive cancer where I went over in my mind wondering IF I would be here. For things as simple as a magazine subscription...renewal time. I thought would I even be here in a yr or two? My renewal subscription for "Ladies Home Journal" was discounted if I paid for TWO years. I thought to myself...I don't know if I'll be here and I don't think my husband is really going to want to read those. lol I even went to my dentist about a tooth I needed fixed and told him to put a temporary crown on WITH PERMANENT cement. He asked WHY on earth wouldn't I just want to get a real crown? Why cement on a temporary one? I said I don't think I will be here so it doesn't matter. (How silly..now I sit here with tears thinking of all those things.)

You really did a GREAT JOB with that article. I am sure every women that has been DX with bc can certainly relate all to well with it. Thanks so much for sharing that.

Chelee

MOTC, I think you have most women crying who just read this. You are a FANTASTIC writer. And I so agree about the "I don't know if I'll be here." I recently had lots of dental work done that cost lots of $$$$. I thought, why/

If you haven't posted this on the "just diagnosed" thread I think you should (IMHO). This may help some other women who are going through the same feelings that so many of us have.

Thanks for sharing.
Shirley

Deborah -

What a wonderful a wonderful piece! You have spoken for so many survivors today.

Thank yor for sharing this.

WOW!!MOtC, this article is the all-time best!!It exactly describes the ...adventure, and the feelings.
And The Washington Post!How great a paper is that?This is a definate credit to your writing ability, that the WP printed your so-evocative article.
I'm proud to be in your sisterhood!

Thank you for educating the world a little more about our adventure.And I'm sure this writing is an encouragement to newbies, here , and all over.
Thanks!
hugs, Joan

Deborah:
What a wonderful article - you are a gifted writer indeed!!
Like No Surrender, I too liked your hubby's comment about how did you know the opthomologist would even be alive in two years . . . what great humor and so true too. Thanks for sharing this with all of us. I am honored to know such a talent.
Hugs,
Pat