By Lourdes D. Heras

After a breast cancer diagnosis…
My life, your life, our life changes and the lives of those around us are impacted.
I’m not going to lie. During this diagnosis, on several occasions I have felt defeated, but I know that I have to get up, and boy is it hard sometimes. One medicine results in certain side effects that require other medicines, and it’s a never-ending cycle.
Beyond this, the fear of cancer recurrence is on our minds, some days more than others. This creates a significant impact, both mentally and physically. AND, when it happens, not only is the person experiencing the recurrence crushed, but so are loved ones.
Remember you are not alone – focus on that light of hope and in the present of each day.
Not long ago, while on my way to see my oncologist, a person in the elevator rushed in a little agitated, turned to me and said, “Today has been such a bad day.” I turned to her, smiled, and said, “The day is not over, it can’t go on this bad.”
As the elevator door opened, she turned and thanked me: “That is what I needed.”