Let’s Talk About: How to Rethink Pink with Susan G. Komen

Let me start by saying that I do not like much about breast cancer. In fact, I pretty much hate everything about breast cancer. And after recently undergoing my third surgery because of some cancerous calcifications that returned for a second time in seven years, I have learned a few things along the way on how to deal with this black cloud that will forever loom over my head. I have partnered with Susan G. Komen to Rethink Pink and reflect on being grateful for the superheroes that may be overlooked during the treatment process to find the positives in such a dreadful and heartbreaking disease. For more than 35 years, Susan G. Komen has been fighting to create a world without breast cancer. I share my story to not only bring awareness but also share what possibly can be seen as a positive to those that may also be diagnosed with breast cancer to know they are not alone and are supported. Focusing on the positive aspects of treatment and the people that help research, advocate, treat, and hopefully one day find a cure need to be recognized for their efforts. 

Throughout my breast cancer journey I have had an extremely positive experience with my treatment team including my radiologists, surgical oncologists, anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons, nurses, and a handful of other people that have been part of this process from start to finish over the last seven years. These are the people that face breast cancer on the front lines head on and or behind the scenes that have helped me throughout my journey, making it just that little bit easier to swallow the bad taste in my mouth, the exams, pokes, hospital stays, recovery, and more. 

 

 

During this past surgery in particular, there are two people that stood out to me that I have gratitude. One is my surgeon’s nurse and the other is my anesthesiologist. From the moment you are diagnosed to the moment you return for your post op appointment after surgery, there are dozens of people involved in your treatment and dozens of appointments, tests, and phone calls you have to endure along the way. Out of all of those people I felt heard and understood for the first time with the surgeon’s nurse I spoke to for the first time about a week before my surgery. She was so empathetic and was the first person to really acknowledge how financially, emotionally, mentally, and physically difficult it is to go through this process. She knew the struggle. She knew the sacrifice. And she listened to me, supported me, and consoled me when I needed it most. I have put a strong face on to most people on the outside but deep down I was scared, sad, worried, and stressed about the whole situation. Not only was I dealing with my own internal battle, I had to arrange travel to and from the hospital as well as childcare, and juggle many other balls to make this surgery work. But this nurse was honest and kind and made me feel like everything was going to be ok. 

 

 

And then the day of my surgery, I was laying there in my hospital bed waiting for the surgeons to come in and take me to the operating room when the anesthesiologist walked into my room. I had never met him before and hadn’t had the best luck with anesthesiologists in the past so I wanted to have a voice when it came to my treatment during surgery. And this doctor made me feel heard. He listened to my previous experiences, acknowledged what may have gone wrong in the past, and altered his treatment plan in that moment to give me what I wanted and the best treatment for me and my body. Instead of putting a tube down my throat during surgery, he was able to alter the treatment to give me a local anesthetic so I would fare better after surgery – which made a world of difference when I woke up. He knew his job well and even though he was the expert, he let me have a say, and used his knowledge and experience to do what was needed in the situation instead of giving me a one size fits all treatment plan. 

 

 

When you have breast cancer, the last thing you want to feel like is a statistic. You want to feel like a human being who is cared for and respected and the individuals that worked with me need to be recognized for their dedication and commitment to customizing treatment for individuals with breast cancer and making their patients feel like they matter. I am so grateful to everyone who has helped me during this horrible diagnosis and time in my life. 

 

Please visit the Susan G. Komen website to meet the superheroes joining Susan G. Komen on the front lines and fighting to end breast cancer. You can also upload your own story to share the superheroes in your journey. 

 

Thank you to Susan G. Komen for kindly sponsoring this post. All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.