My "C" story being published....

Kitty3571

So here it is in a nutshell, my story of breast cancer is going to be published in a local magazine - the feature story no less in their Sept/Oct breast cancer awareness issue - Now this seams like awesome news, right? Well I've had some struggles with it already, like - How do you tell of such a personal struggle and keep it under 800 words? How do you get the message out to other people about just how this effects your life and the lives of your family & friends and make them truly understand (you can't) and how do you begin to discuss treatments, diagnosis and statistics, then thank everyone (or at least acknowledge them) in the article as well? At first, when I was approached (picked) to be the one to be interviewed, my thoughts were "great, maybe my story will touch the life of someone who really needs it" or "maybe there are so many other cancer patients out there that have so much worse than me, they might think "why is this person being interveiwed"? At first, my co-worker said just that "why did they pick you, when you seem to be okay and there are so many other people out there that are more sick and have had a much worse experience than you" - that began to make me wonder, why did they pick me? Is it because I'm kind of young (39 at diag/41 now) Is it because I'm Her2 or because I was involved with an "angel program" with the local support group or is it simply because I'm still here, still living? The most difficult thing for me, like I said was to try and tell my story and keep it so short, my experiences in dealing with breast cancer - I could have written a novel on this subject as most of us would be able to with no trouble at all. The story came out very positive but to be totally honest, my whole experience scared the hell out of me and I have days where I'm totally paranoid of it's return, how could one put that in an upbeat, uplifting, hopefull message? Simple! - I didn't. I am anxious for the story's release but nervous at the same time. Some days I just don't know what to feel. Another person said "how could you talk about something so personal to the world"? My response was "how can you not"? Thoughts? Thanks for listening, Kitty3571

cabbott

Thanks for telling your story. Apparently a generation or so ago women did not talk about having cancer. It made the problem go away, at least for those folks that didn't have the problem. The more we talk about it, the more we explore the challenges this disease brings and make the way of future survivors a little easier. I went to a seminar about two years ago where a woman in my community spoke up about the embarassment of going out in public after having a bilateral mastectomy. She had invented a pillow to pin in her bra so that she wouldn't look so flat. She had never heard of a prosthesis. Her doctors and nurses never had said anything to her. She didn't know how else to deal with the situation. I was totally stunned. No one said anything so she was stuck reinventing the wheel--or in this case a prosthesis. We need to share our stories more, not less. Thanks again for sharing yours in your community. You will never know whom it will touch.

mmontero38

Hi Kitty:
You are so right, we would need more than 800 words to even begin to cover our feelings never mind explaining diagnosis and treatments to anyone. I am glad you had the opportunity to tell your story. It so important for women to be aware that cancer can touch your life and that no one is immune to this dreaded disease. I got breast cancer and have no family history of it and here I am a survivor also. Hopefully your story touched a lot of women in need. Hugs, Lili

kbc4869

Hi Kitty,

Congratulations! I think this is wonderful.

Please don't be so hard on yourself. Rather than asking, "Why me?" ask "Why NOT me?" Your story is just as relevant as anyone else's. Maybe you don't win the Sickest Woman in the World award, but what does it matter? And personally, I think it's important to let everyone know that not all of us are out here dying. We have many faces, and I'm sure you did us proud!

No, you can't wrap this experience into a tidy 800-word package and deliver it with a bow on top. And I don't think any real profound experience can be summed up that way. Consider it a snapshot. Thank you for stepping up for yourself and the rest of us.

Love,
Kim

KathiM

First of all, CONGRATS on your '15 minutes of fame'!!!!

I, too, have been blessed by being asked to tell my story different places...and I found the advice of one newspaper reporter (who, BTW, did a FANTASTIC write-up from the interview) was the best I could get...

Write a story that you would like to read, being a breast cancer warrior. Not all sweetness and light, but not all dark, either"

I took her advice, and just briefly spoke to my 'dark and scary corner'. She included that, as well. I had 3 columns...so mine was a bit easier than your task of 800 words...

We cancer survivors are inspirations. To both those who are fighting the fight, and to those never touched. I'm very certain that your article is great...please share the link, if it goes electronic...

Hugs, Kathi

Unknown

I think its great that you have an opportunity to share your story with other women;survivors and those who might be future survivors. Hearing and reading about survivors' stories is one of the things that helped me emotionally when I was diagnosed and going through treatment. BUT, I think that co-worker that told you that you were not bad off enough to be chosen for the article is an enormous idiot. No matter what the size of the tumor or how extensive your surgery, having cancer is devastating to say the very least. She needs to PRAY that she never has the misfortune to hear the words "you have cancer". You ignore her ignorant remark and hold your head high. Take care, Eileen

chenheart

I too, along with another CSN member (OhioGirl) had the honor of being interviewed by a sister publication of Prevention Magazine. Of course no publication can do us all the justice we deserve, no matter how loving, kind and thorough it is! Which this magazine was, by the way!

I didn't have to come up with what to say, thankfully: I was asked 'How did you feel when...", "Where did you find support", etc etc. I rambled on as usual, and left it to the editor to put the words in a semblance of order and importance.

As far as the secrecy of cancer~ it wasn't really too too long ago that expectant fathers were left in the waiting room while their wives were givng birth!

We are so proud of you, for whatever reason you were chosen to represent the survivors!!!! Whooo-hoooo!!!

Hugs,
Claudia

lfly

Thank you for representing me and us. I need to read articles from people such as myself. I never question whether their story is better or worse than mine. The point is they are living and sharing their experience to help me.

Sounds like maybe your co-workers God is jealousy. Jealous because of your magazine article and not hers. That's just my opinion though.

Love and hugs, lorie

VermontPines

Kitty - I agree wholeheartedly with others - why NOT you?!?! One of the most wonderful things I found after my surgery was finding other women who were long term survivors. the statistics meant nothing to me, but knowing those women were out there meant so much. And how wonderful that we can now talk about cancer, without the horrible stigma attached to it not that long ago. Not that long ago people could be fired from jobs, would be shunned by friends and family. How lonely patients must have felt at that time - to have a devastating disease AND have to go it alone. You'll touch people with your story - you'll never know them, but you will touch them.
Stacey

Kitty3571

Bunches of thanks to everyone for their encouraging words - You are right - Why not me? Why not my story? Everyone's message about their experience with cancer no matter what will touch people I'm sure -I am a survivor and I have no problem telling people that, especially if it gives other people even a shred of hope because in the end that is what gets us through - along with the support like the people here. Thanks again, Kitty

NorcalJ

Kitty3571 said:

Bunches of thanks to everyone for their encouraging words - You are right - Why not me? Why not my story? Everyone's message about their experience with cancer no matter what will touch people I'm sure -I am a survivor and I have no problem telling people that, especially if it gives other people even a shred of hope because in the end that is what gets us through - along with the support like the people here. Thanks again, Kitty

Hi Kitty,

You go girl! I've sometimes felt there is a reason I've gotten this. I think you've found your reason---teach, teach, teach. And what better way than someone who has been there and done that. I agree with the others, you probably will never know how many people you've helped, but I would bet my prosthesis that at least one newly diagnosed woman will see it and realize it's just a bump in the road, not the end of it!
We'd all love to read the article if it's on line,keep us posted.
Hugs,
Jan

Kitty3571

Thanks again to everyone - I do feel better about it - I will post online info on the "short" story when they give me the info. I'm sure it will be able to be read online. I keep going over things in my mind that should have been added or said differently. There was so much left out. I could write a book as most of us here would be able to I'm sure. Thanks again! Kitty