Inspirational quotes from local breast cancer survivors
Words of warriors
Story by Becca Edwards. Becca Edwards is a wellness professional, freelance writer, owner of Female IQ and a breast-cancer survivor.
A breast cancer diagnosis, regardless of type, stage or prognosis, feels like a punch in the gut — not just for the patient, but for their friends and family as well. When the news comes, it can feel suffocating, making it hard to breathe, even harder to speak and nearly impossible to comprehend.
Though breast cancer is not a club anyone hopes to join, the women — and some men — who are encountered along the journey offer invaluable lessons about the strength of the breast cancer community and the person one aspires to become. It is our hope that if you or someone you know is facing breast cancer, these words from local survivors will offer comfort, positivity and the strength to embrace the warrior within.
“Keep a positive attitude. Do your own research so you can weigh in on treatment recommendations. Ask questions to be sure you fully understand what’s recommended. Seek out friends that have gone through treatment and let them help and encourage you.”
— Carol Keenan
“My faith, family, and friends all played a crucial role in my cancer journey. I leaned hard on my faith when things were difficult. My family motivated me to continue to fight, even on the most difficult days. I learned to say ‘yes’ to my friends when they offered to help. Cancer taught me many life lessons: it’s all about faith, perspective and being grateful for the little things.”
— Julie Richardson
“Be gentle with yourself and embrace the grief after the diagnosis. We have a choice on how we respond to our suffering. Keep the faith and hope that everything will work out for the best. Life can still be wonderful after breast cancer.”
— Meg Meccariello
“When you are given a cancer diagnosis, you have two choices: you either throw in the towel and say ‘Why me?’ or you do your research, stay proactive and continue to dance in the rain — because the sun will most definitely shine again soon. A year and a half later, I see nothing but the sun!”
— Debi West
“One of the most important things I learned in my breast cancer journey is to reach out to other survivors. Having a team of ‘boob buddies’ in place has been invaluable to me. I have met so many women willing to share their experiences, information and advice. The options after diagnosis are sometimes overwhelming. Having women talk about their surgery, treatment and post care has been a huge help in my personal recovery.”
— Lindy Russell
“Select doctors that you genuinely like and trust. Get your answers from them. Leaning on social media sites for information can introduce a lot of fear and unnecessarily plant seeds of worry.”
— Joy Vinson
Knowledge is power
October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to highlight the significant progress in early detection and support that is improving survival rates. Thanks to advancements in screening, the five-year relative survival rate for breast cancer detected in its earliest, localized stages has reached 99 percent. Early detection — catching cancer before it spreads — is key to saving lives. Download a free guide to learn how to recognize the signs of breast cancer and take proactive steps for your health at nationalbreastcancer.org.
