Recover from Breast Cancer
How does a woman recover from breast cancer, what I call breast recovery? One way is by tackling physical issues head on, whether it's by dietary changes or mountain climbing. Another way is through spiritual means, by sharing with others the miracle of one's healing so they can benefit.
Ever since cancer took first place in my life, winning me a pink ribbon, a quote on the Internet partly attributed to James Matthew Barrie (the author of Peter Pan) has been my theme song: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone is fighting some kind of battle."
One of my support group friends was undergoing radiation at the same time as I was in 1996. One afternoon we were in a hospital waiting room in anticipation of our respective treatments. We were donning those ubiquitous cotton paisley hospital gowns.
"Jan," she exclaimed suddenly as she hurried over to where I was sitting, "a woman is crying over there. It's her first time having radiation. Let's go tell her it isn't so bad after all."
We did manage to offer the dear soul words of comfort. Whether she was really focused on what we were saying is another matter. But how freeing to realize that not all patients were putting on brave fronts. Trying to calm this tearful lady gave me my first glimpse into how I could help others as a result of my experience.
During my intense one-year struggle to control lymphedema, a swelling that can occur as a result of cancer surgery or radiation, a co-worker called me because her sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. She asked me for suggestions. I referred her to literature for risk-reduction practices. Then I advised that her sister get a compression sleeve well fitted for her arm by a trained therapist that she could wear on a plane. Her sister heeded that advice, and over ten years later has had no problem with Lymphedema.
Long after my chemo treatments were concluded, my hairdresser asked if I had any scarves and hats to give to her sister, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I gladly gave her not only the hats, scarves, wig shampoo, and other items I had collected over the course of my treatments, but also advice to share with her sister on weathering the storm of chemo.
I have been privileged to give motivational talks to ladies in support groups and other venues who need encouragement as they tackle various medical challenges. Not only do I share my testimony in these presentations, but I also offer hope to those struggling with cancer and to those dealing with loved ones who have it. Opportunities to spread the word about breast recovery are boundless.
As part of my breast recovery I volunteer for the Reach to Recovery program for the American Cancer Society. In that role I counsel other breast cancer survivors on how they can reach the road to breast recovery. In addition, I serve as a patient-advocate for the National Lymphedema Network, helping medical professionals understand better the issues facing patients with Lymphedema.
Another way to give back to the community of cancer survivors is to enroll in clinical trials if appropriate. While I have not met the criteria for such trials, I applaud all those who participate to help institutions develop better drugs for generations to come.
Through teaching women's Sunday School at my church, I have learned an incredible amount from the members in my class. While people look to me as an inspiration, I look to them as mature believers who have coped with various challenges that I believe, in some aspects, are worse than cancer. Many of these trials involve relationships such as family troubles, but others simply reflect sorrow over loss of mobility and quality of life due to arthritis and other maladies. I pray that I can become a further vessel of God's mercy and wisdom to share with others my experiences and testimony.
Intercessory prayer has become increasingly important to me as a beneficiary of such prayer myself. I am on two e-prayer chains through which I receive via cyberspace the latest prayer needs and praises from my local church and from a group around the country. Being a part of this "helping-hands" ministry is a great privilege. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, prayers have altered and extended my life.
There's no doubt that breast recovery is strengthened when we share our own miracles with others in need. I know that helping others vastly accelerated my own spiritual, physical and emotional healing from the scars of cancer.
A former attorney, Jan Hasak authored Mourning Has Broken: Reflections on Surviving Cancer (Xulon Press 2008). In this memoir she shares her long journey through two bouts with breast cancer.
Listed on the National Cancer Survivor Day Speaker's Bureau roster, Ms. Hasak addresses myriad audiences, tackling topics from cancer and Lymphedema to the benefits of exercise and writing. She especially seeks to share her experiences with fellow cancer survivors.
Ms. Hasak is currently penning a work called The Pebble Path, an inspirational allegory of her cancer ordeal, interlaced with poetry
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