By Jerilyn Young My body is a vessel Navigating ocean waves Pushing Pulling Flowing sensations of unknown Preparing for rough seas ahead No land in sight No anchor to drop I must become the waves ~ Living in their movement Their swells Their surges I pray to rest in the breeze of their ripples Washing away the internal sludge Only to be morphed back into the surf Rising Falling Embracing the current I become a wavelet ~ Gently tossed to shore I feel my hands grasp tightly What wasn’t there Solid ground My existence About Jerilyn: I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in April 2022. I wrote this poem in the throes of my chemo treatment in the summer of 2022. I took this photo the year before I was diagnosed. Little did I know how symbolic that picture became. Share your poetry: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetups Free Events

By Joanna Kreisel I thought I couldn’t bear any more Then I expand Time slips away, slowly Awake with grief I dig deeper, heart heavy Mine, scars His, wounds Lean on me, I will take you through I tighten my grip, but it continues to take A strength stronger than before I wish I didn’t need to be Moments of deep despair We share tears You are home, where I need to be I am yours I long for before or after But there is only now About Joanna: I am a breast cancer survivor and caregiver to my partner who is undergoing treatment for a rare kidney cancer. Connect with Joanna on Instagram Share your poetry: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetups Free Events

By Dania Francis Read Dania’s breast cancer story: Thoughts on October: Breast Cancer “All Too Aware” Month Every morning for 5 weeks. I park my car, walk down the long path, check in while patients much older than me can’t help but stare, and I smile as I stick out my right wrist to get my ID band placed by the nice front desk staff. I walk down the hall. The first day I was a bit lost with each turn, but now I know exactly where to go. I find my locker, lucky number 23, and I grab my XXL gown and get changed. I take the same seat every morning and look around the waiting room. Some women are reading, some are there for the first time, and some are almost done. I smile at whoever is looking, and make a connection. A 41-year-old woman just like me with the same diagnosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), she’s from Italy originally and has a beautiful accent. We talk about our Italian culture and how hard this has all been. We exchange numbers and offer each other comfort and good wishes for the day. We are on the same schedule and will end our radiation within two days of one another. She is struggling with knee pain from immunotherapy and I offer her some advice to talk to her doctor about. A 35-year-old woman is holding a big tub of chocolate biscotti to give to the radiation team, because she heard that’s what you should do. I tell her I’m a nurse and that we always appreciate that. We smile at each other and I learn that she is halfway through her treatment for triple positive breast cancer. I wish her luck as the tech calls my name. An 85-year-old woman is here for her first day of treatment for HR+ breast cancer. She is nervous and unsteady on her feet. Her daughter comes back with her to help her get into her gown. She sits down next to me. I smile at her and tell her everything will be okay. She smiles at me and I can tell she feels sorry I am so young. She reaches her hand to my arm and squeezes gently. The tech calls her name and I wish her luck. I look forward to seeing her tomorrow. I only have five more mornings in this waiting room after today... and I will remember the connections I made forever. Maybe it’s the nurse in me, or the desire to connect with others on this path. The waiting room is a special place for me. About the author: Dania is 41 and lives in NY with her husband and two small children. She is a Family Nurse Practitioner, Yoga teacher, and certified Reiki healer. She is a stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer Thriver. Read More: Thoughts on October: Breast Cancer “All Too Aware” Month Different Types of Breast Cancer Breast Cancer in Young Women: Common Questions Answered On the Podcast: Breast Cancer Conversations Radiation Therapy: What Every Breast Cancer Thriver Needs To Know Share your story, poetry, or art: https://www.survivingbreastcancer.org/submit-breast-cancer-story SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support: Podcast Weekly Meetups Free Events

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Resources For Parents A breast cancer diagnosis not only affects the person with the disease, but also has a significant impact on the people around them; their families, spouses, children, friends and co-workers. Receiving the news that someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer may propel you into a flurry of emotions. It is natural to feel worried about the unknown and uncertainty. It is also natural to want to do everything you can to protect and support the person as well. After all, we want to be strong and be there for the person as they are going through grueling treatments and tireless complex decision-making. ​ At Survivingbreastcancer.org (SBC), we also understand that the role the family (parent, spouse, & children), caregivers, and friends play is a critical one, and you too need support and resources. ​ Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis takes both an emotional and physical toll on each and every one of us. While a lot of the attention may be directed towards the person with breast cancer, we pride ourselves on carving out space to provide education, community, and resources to meet your specific needs as the spouse, parent, child, or friend. Whether you recently found out that someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, has experienced a recurrence or progression, or has passed away from metastatic disease, we hold space for you and want you to know that you are not alone. We are here for you! ​ Remember that each of us manages and navigates a breast cancer diagnosis differently. What we aim to provide is a community where you can share experiences and recommendations, and learn from each other. No one is navigating this alone. Your story is someone else's lifeline. We are all experts in our own experiences; we share the names and memories of those we have lost; continue to love; and we are here to build lasting friendships and forge bonds as we navigate a breast cancer diagnosis from day one and beyond. ​ With Gratitude, Laura Carfang Executive Director Kids & Adult Children Caregivers More Resources For Spouses Hello Moms, Dads, Children, and Loved Ones.​ Surviving a Child's Diagnosis Surviving a Spouse's Diagnosis Surviving a Parent's Diagnosis Hear Their Stories Subscribe to Our Mailing List Join Thanks for subscribing!

Cancer bereavement Support Understanding and Coping Strategies for patients and caregivers Explore different ways on navigating grief following a cancer diagnosis. ​ Discover expert insights, coping mechanisms, and support resources to help you through this challenging experience. ​ Prioritize self-care and find solace in community understanding. After a breast cancer diagnosis, we often feel as though the world is crumbling around us. The shock of hearing such news about a loved one can be overwhelming, leaving us grappling with a whirlwind of emotions ranging from fear and sadness to anger and confusion. Learning to cope with the realities of the diagnosis is a journey filled with uncertainty and challenges. It requires resilience, strength, and a willingness to navigate through the unknown. Yet, amidst the darkness, there is also hope – hope for moments of joy amidst the struggle, and for the unwavering support of family, friends, and medical professionals. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to our determination to confront and overcome the obstacles that lie ahead. Articles Surviving Breast Cancer Jan 9 5 min Breaking the Silence on End-of-Life: What is a Death Doula? 252 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Surviving Breast Cancer Dec 17, 2023 3 min Navigating Grief: Understanding the Stages of Loss and Healing 190 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Surviving Breast Cancer Jun 11, 2023 4 min Coping with Expectations After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis: The Realities and Challenges 367 6 likes. Post not marked as liked 6 Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 3 min Expecting the Unexpected: Anticipatory Grief and Breast Cancer 57 Post not marked as liked Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 3 min We All Have Our Ways Of Coping 37 Post not marked as liked Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 3 min On Matters of Life, Love, and Death 7 Post not marked as liked Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 3 min How End of Life Planning and Support Can Help Reduce Your Fear of Death 12 Post not marked as liked Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 5 min Disenfranchised Grief 102 Post not marked as liked Surviving Breast Cancer Aug 7, 2022 4 min Grief, Joy, and Sisterhood 11 Post not marked as liked Our blog serves as a beacon of knowledge, offering valuable insights, personal stories, and practical advice Podcast Tune in to insightful discussions featuring experts, survivors, and caregivers sharing invaluable insights, practical tips, and heartfelt stories.