Definition of Cancer

We all know someone with cancer. In fact, you can probably remember how you felt when you or someone you knew was diagnosed with cancer. I know I sure remember the exact moment when I found out my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was in Daytona Beach, rolling out a new initiative for my company when I got the call from my Aunt. I thought at that moment, it was an automatic death sentence and full-blown panic set in. You see, I have never had anyone that close to me go through a situation like this. I was uneducated on her diagnosis and instantly let the word CANCER define my sister. When I received both my BRCA2 and cancer diagnosis, I was bound and determined not to let either define who I was, but rather be a small part of my journey on this earth. In fact, my husband and I considered not even telling anyone about the diagnosis, so we could live a normal life and not have people feel sorry for us. When it came time to shave my head, I knew that my “normal” was about to change. I got more looks walking into the grocery store. Some people would even walk up to me and tell me how sorry they were that I was sick.

Photo Credit: Baby Steps Photography

A year into this cancer journey, I am still fighting the disease, but my husband and I have not let it stop us from living. We recently paid off our house in 2.5 years, Michael is opening his own veterinary clinic in two months, and we are raising our two beautiful children on our terms. I now define cancer the same way the National Cancer Institute defines it, not as a death sentence that would lead me to feel sorry for the patient, but rather as a disease in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. While getting a cancer diagnosis is never easy, it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. To me, my cancer diagnosis taught me so many things over the past year. It has taught me that I am stronger than I ever knew. It's also taught me to slow down and take time to enjoy all of the blessings that God has given me. It has empowered me to do things I would never have done before, like walk around with a bald head with confidence. I hope to be able to empower others to live their lives after facing challenging times. Don’t let your life’s circumstances define you, but rather make you stronger. Don’t let your current situation be your whole story, but rather just a small chapter in the story of you. My favorite saying is adversity builds character, and boy do I know that to be true! As my daughter says it, “Mommy, I like scars. They make us stronger.”