This is in response to: “Cancer strikes again with a friend of mine.”

I read your letter and it sounded very familiar.

I have breast cancer. I was diagnosed December 2009. I had surgery two days before Christmas. Before I knew it, seven months went by with my chemo treatments and doctor appointments, then my radiation started, which I finished last Tuesday.

As soon as you’re told you have cancer, your life that you knew is gone. I felt like I was in a tornado sometimes. I couldn’t gather my thoughts and digest what was happening to me. After your surgery, your life becomes a series of doctor visits, tests and treatments. This goes on for seven months (in my case), nearly five days a week.

During the chemo treatments I hardly recognized the person I saw in the mirror looking back at me. Who was this person? When I lost my hair, I began wearing a bandana. Each and every time I went out, I felt uncomfortable because of the stares I received. I had strangers walk up to me and ask, “What kind of cancer do you have?” or “Have you found out yet?” I also heard the snickers and laughs as I walked in the mall or grocery store. It seemed like I couldn’t go anywhere where people saw me; they couldn’t see the person I was without the cancer. I thank God every day I had my family support to help me in these times and through this whole journey. When you are told you have cancer, people forget that the families have to go through this disease also. The focus is always on the patient, and I think this is wrong. They worried about me, as I worried about them worrying about me. I saw the stress in their faces, and how tired and worried they were. People who at one time I thought of as friends disappeared with my diagnosis. The good thing was I met people during this journey who will be my friends the rest of my live. Bob and Michelle were there especially for me. These were people who had gone through “the cancer journey” themselves with family members. I am very grateful to them. They may not even realize how much they really did for me.

Doctors, registered nurses in the Owatonna IV therapy department and the radiation staff here in Albert Lea. The word support doesn’t adequately describe them. These professionals gently took care of me, while keeping me informed of what was next. Their expertise was evident. When I walked into the Owatonna chemo treatment area if I was a little down, the oncology nurses didn’t let me stay that way for long. This was a big boost to me as the treatment seemed to never end. They are a big part of my life now.

I also found that laughter was good medicine. Family and friends would keep me laughing with “Kojak” and other jokes or by reminding me how much money I would save on shampoo. They kidded they were envious because I didn’t have to shave my legs for several months. These seem like small things, but during this journey, they were priceless to me.

I will also pray for your friend and hope she may dance on her desk again. I know the power of prayer and gratefully accepted the prayer I received.

Thank you for listening to me.

Kathy Phillips

Albert Lea