This month, our spotlight is on Salote (Sally) Bernard. Hope you enjoy the interview!
Sally and her daughter.
Sister Survivors: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"
Salote: "I was diagnosed with pulmonary ductal cancer. I didn't have any treatment, they told me I was cancer free. My doctors... Dr. Schofield, and Dr. Brown and my reconstruction doctor Bishop."
Sister Survivors: " How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"
Salote: "Everyone was scared and afraid, and didn't really know how to express themselves. I told my family we all have to have faith, and learn to love each other more, and do what is right. Cancer is just a word - they won't discuss it much in our family. Everyday they asked me how I am feeling."
Sister Survivors: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"
Salote: "My hardest recovery was the reconstruction of my breast. I had so many ups and downs, and I feel like I am having cancer treatment. It was hard and at times I cried quietly. I prayed alot and asked my Heavenly Father for strength, since it seems I am the strength that keeps everyone in my family together. Just knowing they love, and also my Heavenly Father loves me, it keeps me going and my strength is alive again. I know this is my trial in my life, a challenge that I have to face. It comforts me."
Sister Survivors: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"
Salote: "My children and my husband, they were there for me all the time, asking about my needs. The love they have for me, their strength, and not only that... you, the Sister Survivor sisters. It helps alot just coming to the meetings and hearing about your stories, and your strength helps me too."
Sister Survivors: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"
Salote: "I knew all my life that I will die of cancer. In a way my Heavenly Father has prepared me for this time of my life with this journey that I will be taking. I didn't know what kind of cancer. The only change in my life since I have cancer is my strength. I am very tired all the time, and I can't do things like I used to do before... working long hours, lifting things, cleaning. Those are the things I have noticed, or the changes."
Sister Survivors: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"
Salote: "To give more of myself, and to live less negativeness about others. Also have a smiling face, and also cherish the good and the bad times, enjoy life and live life to the fullest."
Sister Survivors: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"
Salote: "I love the Book of Mormon and attending the temple every week.
My favorite Songs: LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE and I KNOW MY FATHER LIVES
Quote: ISAIAH 41:10... Fear thou not. I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy god. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of righteous."
Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"
Salote: "My advice is if you have been diagnosed with cancer, learn all you can, and live life to the fullest. Our lives are full of trials and this is a trial - a journey for us to make things better for ourselves and families, to strength our families. Smile, don't feel that this is it, know God love us so much that he gave us trials to uplift us and our love ones."
Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"
Salote: "Not to take cancer as a bad thing that is happening to you or your family, but a journey of life togther, a journey of reuniting ourselves, a journey to love each other unconditionally, a journey to help others, a journey of strength. Don't let life get you down or this cancer. We can laugh alot, smile alot. Our Heavenly Father said, I didn't say it will be easy, but it will be worth it."
Sister Survivors: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”
Salote: "I AM A SURVIVOR!"
Thank you, Sister Survivors, for giving me this opportunity, and I am looking forward to getting to know all you more.
Thank you again.
Love,
Sally Bernard
Sally and her daughter.Sister Survivors: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"
Salote: "I was diagnosed with pulmonary ductal cancer. I didn't have any treatment, they told me I was cancer free. My doctors... Dr. Schofield, and Dr. Brown and my reconstruction doctor Bishop."
Sister Survivors: " How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"
Salote: "Everyone was scared and afraid, and didn't really know how to express themselves. I told my family we all have to have faith, and learn to love each other more, and do what is right. Cancer is just a word - they won't discuss it much in our family. Everyday they asked me how I am feeling."
Sister Survivors: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey? What helped get you through it?"
Salote: "My hardest recovery was the reconstruction of my breast. I had so many ups and downs, and I feel like I am having cancer treatment. It was hard and at times I cried quietly. I prayed alot and asked my Heavenly Father for strength, since it seems I am the strength that keeps everyone in my family together. Just knowing they love, and also my Heavenly Father loves me, it keeps me going and my strength is alive again. I know this is my trial in my life, a challenge that I have to face. It comforts me."
Sister Survivors: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"
Salote: "My children and my husband, they were there for me all the time, asking about my needs. The love they have for me, their strength, and not only that... you, the Sister Survivor sisters. It helps alot just coming to the meetings and hearing about your stories, and your strength helps me too."
Sister Survivors: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"
Salote: "I knew all my life that I will die of cancer. In a way my Heavenly Father has prepared me for this time of my life with this journey that I will be taking. I didn't know what kind of cancer. The only change in my life since I have cancer is my strength. I am very tired all the time, and I can't do things like I used to do before... working long hours, lifting things, cleaning. Those are the things I have noticed, or the changes."
Sister Survivors: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"
Salote: "To give more of myself, and to live less negativeness about others. Also have a smiling face, and also cherish the good and the bad times, enjoy life and live life to the fullest."
Sister Survivors: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"
Salote: "I love the Book of Mormon and attending the temple every week.
My favorite Songs: LOVE IS SPOKEN HERE and I KNOW MY FATHER LIVES
Quote: ISAIAH 41:10... Fear thou not. I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy god. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of righteous."
Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"
Salote: "My advice is if you have been diagnosed with cancer, learn all you can, and live life to the fullest. Our lives are full of trials and this is a trial - a journey for us to make things better for ourselves and families, to strength our families. Smile, don't feel that this is it, know God love us so much that he gave us trials to uplift us and our love ones."
Sister Survivors: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"
Salote: "Not to take cancer as a bad thing that is happening to you or your family, but a journey of life togther, a journey of reuniting ourselves, a journey to love each other unconditionally, a journey to help others, a journey of strength. Don't let life get you down or this cancer. We can laugh alot, smile alot. Our Heavenly Father said, I didn't say it will be easy, but it will be worth it."
Sister Survivors: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”
Salote: "I AM A SURVIVOR!"
Thank you, Sister Survivors, for giving me this opportunity, and I am looking forward to getting to know all you more.
Thank you again.
Love,
Sally Bernard
