Paying It Forward

I remember when I first was diagnosed with breast cancer, my mind was going to some pretty morbid places.  I just could not figure out how I would continue my life the same way after getting this diagnosis.  It seemed so completely overwhelming and impossible.  I guess really the whole process of treatment and the road ahead of me seemed unimaginable.  I was shaken to the core and devastated.

In one of the early days after my diagnosis, I met a woman named Kathy.  She reached out to me and was my "angel".  She saw me at the cancer center and knew by the look on my face what was going on as she had lived it exactly one year before me.  She has become a dear friend over the past year and has inspired me, given me hope and encouragement.  She has a wonderful spirit and zest for life.  She taught me that life can go on after a breast cancer diagnosis and has renewed my faith. 

Let's face it, family and friends are loving and supportive as you go through breast cancer, but no matter how hard they try, they just don't "get it".  Having the opportunity to share my feelings about going through breast cancer with someone that "gets it" made all the difference for me.

I knew after I spoke with Kathy a few times, I wanted to "pay it forward".  I wanted to find a way to help someone else dealing with this disgusting disease.  I didn't know how I would help someone, but I knew I had a strong desire to do it somehow.

I am overjoyed as I have found an opportunity to volunteer as a peer to peer counselor for breast cancer patients and to answer calls on a breast cancer hotline.  I had an interview yesterday and was asked to join the team of breast cancer counselors and supporters. I am truly excited about this amazing volunteer opportunity to be someone that "gets it" to someone going through the worst time of their life.  I can't wait to start "paying it forward" and making a difference!