Miriam's Story: Staying Active Helped Me Through Diagnosis and Beyond
I was a very active woman of 67 when I was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer. I worked out hardcore almost every day. When I announced to my gym friends of my diagnosis, I told them not to feel bad for me as I will survive this as so many women before me.
I cried when I was told my breasts will come off. It’s the only time I cried.
I am an interior decorator. I had clients who waited for my tenth day after each of my chemo sessions when I would feel well enough to work and complete their projects. I never felt sorry for myself. My hair fell out, I got a wig but often forgot to wear it. I always projected a positive image to my family so that they didn’t fret or worry about me. I worked throughout except when having had chemo. I had 25 sessions of radiation and while waiting for my turn, I made friends with other women with whom I still keep in touch.
I waited 3 years to undergo flap reconstruction surgery for my 70th birthday. It was a huge operation and several days in ICU and hospital stay. I am glad I did it. I now can walk around naked in front of my husband and have a nice flat stomach as a result of this type of surgery. They took the skin from my stomach and filled it in with my own fat. It isn’t really pretty, but I hated always putting in the prosthetic breasts when I got dressed.
I have been cancer free now for 1 year. No more medication and I have almost forgotten that I went through breast cancer. Once in a while I think about a chance of it or another cancer reoccurring, but I just go on enjoying life and staying active.
Breastcancer.org did help me put things in perspective at every stage. I would go on it to learn more about decisions I needed to make as well as read about other people living with breast cancer.
My living motto is: "Stay active mentally and physically. Don’t feel sorry for yourself or let anyone feel sorry for you. You’ll get through this and will take something positive away from it."
