Three Ways I Have Changed My Life After Diagnosis

"It's a cancer."

As shocked as I was to hear those words in June of 2010, part of me was not completely surprised. I had been expecting that news since I left the doctor's office following a needle biopsy a few days earlier. In a matter of seven days my world turned upside down. I went from being a high school Spanish teacher and varsity basketball coach, worrying about grading papers and my team's next opponent, to a breast cancer patient who worried about surviving.

From that day forward I began an education in healthcare, science and other facets of life. First, I learned there are more than a dozen different types of breast cancer. My diagnosis was triple negative, which I learned was aggressive and deadly. I stopped reading anything about it online because it was too scary to see the statistics.

I realized I was about to face a tough physical journey and felt that I could handle that. What I didn't realize was the even tougher mental and emotional journey I was about to endure. My treatment path started with a bilateral mastectomy, four months of chemotherapy and then a final surgery for reconstruction… so I thought.

Nine days after that "final" surgery is when my mental and emotional strength was put to the test. I woke up with a swollen chest and excruciating pain. In less than three hours I had emergency surgery to repair a leaking blood vessel. That swelling in my chest was 16 ounces of blood. In the next year and a half, I had two more reconstructive surgeries. I kept asking myself when these challenges and obstacles would end. Yet, every day that I woke up cancer free, I convinced myself that complaining was not allowed. I was here. I was alive. Any non-cancer battle could be handled.

In addition to my science education, my cancer journey has taught me valuable life lessons. However, I sometimes have to remind myself that my emotional health is just as important to nurture as my physical health.

I Put Myself First, and That's Okay.

As I get further from the initial diagnosis, I find that the learning and caring for myself just takes on a new identity. Physical scars heal. Although there are no more outwardly visible signs of being a cancer patient, new challenges have come along on my journey. I began to see a therapist to cope with the emotional toll the process of multiple surgeries was taking on me.

I Embrace My New Perspective On Life.

I take time to smell the roses and encourage myself to do activities that bring me joy. Most importantly, I try to spend time with people who bring me joy. Accepting help from friends and loved ones in the darkest moments of my journey was not always easy for me, but I could not have arrived where I am today without their love and support. Seeing the people I care about happy truly makes my heart smile, so I try to give back any way I can.

I Don't Ignore Emotional Struggles As They Arise

And even though I am now seven years cancer free, I have to keep an open mind and admit emotional struggles are still possible. Recently I returned to the hospital for an unrelated issue -- in the very same hallway of offices where I went weekly during my four months of chemo. My oncologist had since moved offices, but as soon as the elevator door opened, my body tensed. Walking down the hallway I felt a cold chill down my back and a shortness of breath. This reaction forced me to acknowledge what I had tried to ignore.

I have symptoms of PTSD, and that's ok; I've been through a heck of a battle. In these moments I take a deep breath, allow myself to feel the emotions, and continue to move forward. Because despite any new struggles, my story continues. That is the best part of life right now. I have learned not to take any of the next chapters of my story for granted. And I'm happy to keep learning.

How did you change your life after cancer? Share in the comments below!

Photo courtesy of Ian Schneider.