When I was asked to contribute a piece for Huffington Post’s series in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought about the myriad ways I could address the topic. I have tried to find the levity in the situation and have a running list of “Top Ten” this and thats regarding what it’s like to have had the disease and to have been treated for it.
I feel like it is important to highlight parts of the breast cancer life that others might not get to see or appreciate without someone else revealing it. I struggle with my own fear about the impact of cancer nearly every day in one sense or another.
Attached is the piece I wrote for Huffington Post. I hope that it may serve as an explanation for some, about the ongoing nature of what it feels like to wear these genes.
Bets and Pieces 
Very Well written.
I feel so bad when I have to tell someone that is in remission that my cancer is back. I know how it must scare them because I know for the three years that I was in remission how terrified I was every day.
I am the first person in my family on my side, and my husbands to have ever been diagnosed with cancer and I feel guilty about it as well. I think of the bad hand my children have been dealt and I see it already in how they react to my sickness.
Wishing you and your children a long and cancer free life!
LikeLike
Thank you, Tracy. Yes, I am sure the guilt for you must be challenging, as it is for George being a stage IV melanoma patient who has done very well; there aren’t too many of those out there. But both serve as examples in their own way. Both keep your mind balanced and in check. I’m actually visualizing a level as I type this, like one used in construction, where the bubble in the middle of the yellow liquid floats back and forth between two lines until it comes back to center. Sometimes the examples in front of you tilt you one way, sometimes they tilt you another. But both are important in order to keep a balanced perspective.
I hope you are doing and feeling well.
–b
LikeLike