Should Breast Cancer Be The Focus? A Survivor’s Journal Entry
Journaling a few years later, I can see how many “healthstyle” changes I’ve made since my doctor first talked with me about getting a mammogram. Without her guidance, my life may have looked very different. Although, the focus is breast cancer and should be, I became aware of how my overall health and well-being impacts the people I care about: my family, friends and co-workers.
My initial reaction to those words, “You have breast cancer,” was similar to the song, “Live Like You Were Dying.” Imagine my doctor’s surprise when she got the call the next day that I had broken my ankle roller-skating with my ten-year-old son. Thankfully, my doctor talked me through it and helped me regain focus on a better approach to coping. The next steps would be:
- Understanding my diagnosis (Not believing what I read on the Internet or comparing my breast cancer to anyone else’s case)
- Talking to the team of physicians about treatment options and my care
- Taking each day one day at a time, which is really all any of us can do on any given day. Note to self: Bull-riding for 8 seconds or roller-skating is not the best response, unless you already do those activities on a routine basis.
Finding My Healthstyle
Through the experience though, I learned of health and lifestyle behaviors, which I like to call my “healthstyle,” that contribute to my overall health and can be risk factors or can be managed for prevention of things like diabetes, heart disease, strokes and cancer. I took a hard and very personal look at my responsibility with diet and exercise and joined activities and groups to start making small changes, and to support me when I have setbacks or need to refocus.
An Ally for Healing
My motivation has been faith, family, friends and co-workers. They would do small things to help me along on days when they knew I needed it and for that, I will be forever grateful. The nursing and office staff held my hand and talked with me about my concerns and one physician got a wheelchair for me and insisted on rolling me in himself when he noticed me hobbling in the office with a broken ankle. But, I guess my biggest motivator was when I told my kids about it and we discussed the importance of making changes in our “healthstyle.” I explained that I had made similar changes to be my healthiest when I was pregnant with them and one of my children boldly asked, “Will you do that for us now?” Wow! I was speechless. What a profound request. I can assure you it echoes in my thoughts each time I get frustrated with exercise and diet, and continues to motivate me over and over again.
And before I go without mentioning, I could not have done any of this without a great doctor’s office. I am thankful for the resources they have in staff and the physicians at LeBauer. I always recommend LeBauer to friends and family when we talk about how to start defining a “healthstyle.” They are so very caring and knowledgeable and are with you every step of the way.
If you’d like to talk to a LeBauer doctor near you or would like more info about the many services at LeBauer, please visit us at www.lebauer. com
