2 "Excellent Points" or Lessons Learned

I wrote a summary of my story recently for an article in TOPS in LEX, the October Breast Cancer awareness issue. I wanted to share the 2 most important paragraphs from what I wrote. I spend a lot of time reflecting on the latter one, thinking to myself, "Is this really a good summary of my experience?" and just about everytime, I answer myself, "yes, that’s it."  (But, there is one caveat; let me give it more thought on how to word it and get back to you.)

"...It was Tuesday morning, November 1, when I found out at 35 years old that I had breast cancer.  Initial diagnosis showed that it was a 4cm mildly aggressive mass in my breast and that it would be considered advanced due to the size and that it was in my lymph nodes.  I had avoided signs of my breast changing, not understanding that it could be something so serious.  My breasts have always been dense and somewhat knotty, so my “lump” located in the middle of my breast, was hard for me to catch.  This is not an excuse or ignorance; it is the reality of not getting properly timed exams, not understanding that breast cancer is sometimes more than just a lump, and that many times it involves changes in the breast- all that should be addressed immediately and routinely, regardless of how busy we are...."

"...Now that I am cancer free, the question that people ask me and that I ask myself now is “how has my perspective changed?”   To sum it up, I have learned so much about the power of “choosing”.  When I made the choice that I was not a victim and turned to the power of prayer, I got to choose a very spiritual, powerful and rewarding journey that would mark me in many ways, but where cancer never defined me.  Each day, I believe we have a choice in how to live out that diagnosis or whatever the situation may be in our lives.   I guess its true that I have a new normal, but I have also resumed a hectic schedule.  The difference now is that I understand more about the magnitude of the journey in each day than the destination itself. 

Join me in a race on October 6, 2012!

Dear Friends and Family,

I recently accepted the challenge to raise funds to support the Lexington Affiliate of

Susan G. Komen for the Curein its efforts to END BREAST CANCER FOREVER.

I am slowly building up to be able to run in the Race for the

Cure©on October 6 in Lexington, KY! I would love for you to join me!

You can run. You can walk. You can donate.

You can do one or all three! J

Please help support me in this important project by becoming a member of my team!

I am looking for my friends and family to join me in supporting this very worthwhile cause.

Becoming a team member is easy! All you need to do is click on the link to my personal

page below and register for the Race for the Cure© and “Join a Team”.

October 3^rd is deadline.

Remember, one person can make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded by one sister making a promise to another

sister. You can be a part of this worthwhile effort! Our promise of a world without

breast cancer does not just rest in the hands of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. It is

up to you, our community of survivors and co-survivors, to stand united with us until

the promise is fulfilled and the cures are found.

Click on my personal page below for more details! I look forward to seeing you on race day!

Thanks for all of your love and support

over the last 10 months! Love you!

Sincerely,
Amanda

To donate online, click the link below.

To send a donation:
Make all checks payable to:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Lexington Affiliate
1795 Alysheba Way
Suite 3104
Lexington, KY 40509

Click here to view the team page for Amanda’s 5 More Minutes