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Those touched by breast cancer share advice

HANDOUT Amy McKenna.

HANDOUT Joan Scott.

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HANDOUT Marsha Froelich.

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HANDOUT Lauren McClure.

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By Meredith Moss, Staff Writer Updated 8:32 PM Friday, October 14, 2011

A breast cancer diagnosis is a life-changing moment.

It is very easy to get caught in the whirlwind of doctor appointments, scans, visits to the pharmacy, etc. Overnight you are using words in your everyday speech you had never uttered before. Everyone you talk with wants to know about your new diagnosis, out of sheer concern.

If I can offer one shred of advice to women whose lives have recently been invaded by breast cancer, it is to be in control of the many decisions that will need to be made. Don’t let breast cancer take more than it already has. You will be forced to make difficult choices that you will live with forever. I had to choose whether to keep my breasts or remove them at the young age of 22. It was the most difficult decision of my life, but I knew it was best for my longevity and quality of life.

One of the biggest decisions you will be faced with happens every single morning. You have the chance to choose what kind of day you want to have. It’s a powerful moment when you realize you have many reasons to be sad about life but when you wake up in the morning you keep your head up and are excited to find reasons to smile that day. It has been two years since my diagnosis and I still struggle with this choice. I have days where the moment my feet hit the floor, I’ve already decided nothing good will come of that day. The day I started to lose my hair, I did not get out of bed. I cried and pulled my hair out all day long. It was one of the most devastating and scariest experiences of my life. I decided that day that I would take advantage of my own happiness rather than let cancer override it.

While breast cancer is prevalent in all corners of the world, all social tiers, and all ethnicities, there is not one single person who has your experience. People will want to talk about their diagnosis, treatment, surgeries, etc. No one else has your same story.

When I was first diagnosed, I did not want to relate to anyone else, I was not ready to admit that I had breast cancer. Last year, Meredith Moss at the Dayton Daily News asked if I would once again participate in the Pink Paper. I declined because I was so exhausted with my role as a breast cancer survivor. Knowing your boundaries and what you are comfortable with will increase your everyday happiness immensely. If you are just tired of every conversation you have being centered around your diagnosis, don’t hesitate to ask your friends or loved ones if you can just talk about something else at that moment. This is not rude, or a red flag for concern. You are just tired. That’s OK.

I now work for an oncologist at Dayton Cancer Center and while I love my job immensely, some days I come home exhausted mentally and emotionally from cancer. I live and breast cancer it seems at times, but everyday I grow stronger and more knowledgeable.

It’s important to remind yourself that cancer does not have you, you have cancer. Meaning, you are the one in control and you can mentally and physically beat this disease. Breast cancer will take away physical parts of your body, but it can only take away your pride, joy and beauty if you allow it. Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows will fall behind you.

Lauren McClure,

Kettering

• There is always hope. Listen to your doctor. Ask questions. Keep your friends and family close. You will not only survive, but you will thrive.

In the beginning, I was really angry when I learned that I had cancer. I was too young — age 38 — and I did not smoke. I thought that I would not live to see our daughters graduate from high school. Twenty-eight years later, we now have two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren. I have been blessed with more than I ever anticipated. Life is good!

I began quilting while we were stationed in Germany. After volunteering with the American Cancer Society, we talked about creating a Making Strides Against Breast Cancer quilt. I feel that by creating these quilts, I can spread the message of breast cancer awareness and encourage others in our community to get mammograms. Cancer is not a death sentence. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we can not only survive, but thrive from this disease. I am so grateful to the Sulphur Grove Quilting shop for donating their machine quilting to complete our awareness quilt.

Joan Scott,

Riverside,

28-year-survivor

Look for Joan Scott’s quilts on display today in the Survivor Tent at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Fifth Third Field. You can sign a square to honor a survivor, someone who is currently fighting cancer, or in memory of someone who has lost her battle with breast cancer.

• My advice for anyone that is either going through or been through a journey with breast cancer is to have a positive attitude foremost. Staying positive is one of the most important things you can do. Listen to your doctors and work with them as a team ... not with them being superior to you. Above all, have faith. Without my faith none of this would have seemed as easy as it did.

Do I ever want to go through this journey again? NO! But I don’t regret what I went through. It has made me a stronger and better person and does more every day.

I am now a member of the Butler County Volunteer Leadership Council with the American Cancer Society. I am also the Breast Project team chairperson for Butler County as well as a Reach to Recovery volunteer, and a co-chair of the Relay for Life of Hamilton relay in 2012.

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