Talk about right speech! I was at a breast cancer conference last night with my friend who went through the treatment beginning two years ago, and hearing the courageous women speak about their struggles, fears and questions was humbling. With so many challenges, they face their fears head on. I felt honored to be there. Of course I am thinking of my own daughter, facing survivorship, as they call the after the treatment part of your new life. I want to be in solidarity with my daughter.
One woman last night talked about the hormone therapy and wept as she shared her confusion and fear about having to do it for 10 years. It's never over. I remember my mother and her fear of a reoccurence of her cancer. It haunted her, though she ultimately died of a heart attack.
Thank goodness doctors are now factoring in "survivorship" and what tools women need to continue with their lives after radiation and chemo. They still can face side effects of hormone therapy, chemo brain, burns, depression. The fight is not over, and the whole ball game has changed. Hearing the truth in the room was touching and inspiring. I'm glad they have support groups and literature and doctors and nurses fighting for them. I heard truth, and I'll never forget it.
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