The Breast Cancer Journey
Stories of Hope with Action Items for Survival
by
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My Story. Word spread quickly and women across the nation were eager to contribute. Each story begins with the contributing author sharing a moment in her journey. Some authors contributed more than one moment, from different points in the journey. This book is a collection from survivors as well as those still battling breast cancer. Some have written satirically, while others shoot straight from the hip. We intentionally kept the different approaches so you could hear the voice and sense the heart of each author as you read. We wanted our readers to witness their personalities firsthand with a profound and absorbing interest.
The women represented in this book come from all walks of life; cancer does not discriminate. Some were very young when they were diagnosed; others were older. Many have embraced a spiritual faith as evidenced in their words and Scriptural references. Some writers like Cherie and Tanya have found humor in their situations, and we invite you to laugh with them. Other stories are more touching and require tissues. You will meet Noreta who embraced the pink, and Rachel who despised it. Some were diagnosed very early in stage zero or one; while others were diagnosed stage four, experience chronic cancer, or have recurring cancer. Some have been cancer-free for years; others have been recently deemed cancer-free. We hope you connect with the various authors of these stories as they have shared a part of their journey so openly.
A common thread is woven throughout the stories contained in this book: the message of hope.
How I Got Through It. In this section each author will share how she got through the moment in her journey about which you have just read. Each story provides a message of inspiration, survival and an eternal life where one day we may all pass to a cancer-free place. As you read each story, ponder how you can relate, wherever you are in your cancer journey. This section provides words of encouragement to help you persevere. One thing we all have in common, and this is what brings us together as “breast friends.”
Action Items. An action item challenges readers to do something, to mobilize the body, mind, and spirit. Each story contains at least one action item, and sometimes more than one option is presented. The reader is encouraged to take a moment each morning, and then take action. It is intensely difficult to hear the word “cancer.” Yet we must not let it seize our day. Take action today, and vow to make each day a good one.
Yearbook. A “Yearbook” page follows each story and action item (the caregiver section contains one page at the end of the section). Yearbooks are memory books. They remind of experiences we have had, and provide a commentary on our relationships with others. You now belong to a club in this university called life, and this is a memoir of our journey together. This is a section where you, the reader, can reflect on the action item or write a note about your experience on that particular day. Whether you are feeling sick, healthy, sad, or encouraged, journal it! Or perhaps you would like to reply to the story you just read, asking a rhetorical question or adding to it. Express what you feel, even if you can only muster the energy to write one word.
This book yearns to be written in. Mark it. Highlight it. Underline key phrases. Dog-ear your favorite stories. Draw a picture. Put your name in it. Write in it! Whatever your comfort level, just do it! Journaling is good for the soul. You may want to include a song lyric, Scripture or quote that supports you in that moment of time, or just draw a symbol or number on a scale of 1-10 representing your feeling. As you read each day and consider your own experiences, discover something to look forward to.
Pass It On. When you have finished, you are encouraged to pass on this book to a friend, neighbor, or family member who is starting her breast cancer journey. You may purchase a new one if you want to keep your own Yearbook to revisit your notes from time to time, or you may decide to pass this one on as you have now become a co-author in this Yearbook of life. We hope you will find strength and encouragement as we travel this journey together.
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About the Book
This book yearns to be written in. Mark it. Highlight it. Underline key phrases. Write in it. Dog-ear your favorite stories. Draw a picture. Put your name in it. Whatever your comfort level, just do it!
Journaling is good for the soul, with proven mental health and emotional benefits. A “yearbook” page is provided at the end of each story where you can write about your day, or list questions for your doctors. Yearbooks are memory books. They remind us of meaningful experiences and provide a commentary on our relationships with others.
The contributors in The Breast Cancer Journey have openly shared their personal stories as a means to help others who are going through a similar trial. They have passed on messages of hope and encouragement for support. Simple action items are suggested to provide you with daily motivation, with prompts for your journal. Our desire is for your life to be enriched as you go through this difficult time. As you read and write, you are becoming a coauthor in The Breast Cancer Journey.
About the Author
Lucinda C. West, Ph.D. was diagnosed at the age of 49 with Stage III, triple positive, invasive right breast cancer. She was subsequently treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center located in The Woodlands, Texas. Her treatment included six months of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, a modified radical right mastectomy, 33 daily radiation treatments, followed by eventual reconstruction. She is cancer-free.
Dr. West earned her Ph.D. from Regent University. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Texas (LMFT-S) and Florida (LMFT), and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida. She serves as Faculty Chair and Program Director for the dually accredited (COAMFTE and CACREP) Marriage and Family Counseling/Therapy program at Capella University. She has more than 20 years of experience providing marriage, family, and couples therapy, teaching master’s level MFT and CES doctoral students, in addition to supervising master’s level clinicians for licensure. Dr. West is a Clinical Fellow in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and a professional member of the American Counseling Association (ACA).
She has been married to her husband for 30 years. They have two grown children, one grandchild, and a dog. Hobbies include road trips on the Harley Davidson, spending time with the family, and playing with her new grandbaby. In addition she loves to sing, play the keyboard, and watch bluebirds nest in their Texan backyard.
Pamela J. Schlembach M.D., is a board certified radiation oncologist and holds an academic appointment as Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Texas, MD Anderson. Her regional office is conveniently located in The Woodlands, Texas, where she has been serving Montgomery county residents full-time since 2004.
Dr. Schlembach received her medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo and completed her residency in radiation oncology at the world-renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2002 where she joined the faculty. She is a pioneer in the outreach program and is responsible for formulating the first multidisciplinary team for MD Anderson in breast cancer in a community setting. She serves as a community liaison for MD Anderson and speaks at a multitude of educational events and donates countless hours to education and support. She is the medical director of the Gamma Knife program at CHI St. Luke’s Woodlands hospital. She also facilitates “Breast Friends,” the largest breast cancer support and survivorship group in Montgomery County. She has received numerous publications and awards.
She has been married for 38 years and has two adult children. She enjoys cooking, biking and entertaining friends and family.