Wednesday, December 5, 2012

December's Spotlight - Francine Brokaw


I'm excited about this interview!  I was contacted by a cancer survivor, and entertainment journalist, Francine Brokaw, about doing an interview for our blog recently.  Francine's new book has been released, which makes it a good time to tell you a bit about her.  She says that her book, Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists, has helped her to reach out to cancer survivors - it is a tool for her to share how her life's path changed after her diagnosis.  From all of the reviews I've read, it looks to be a fun, entertaining read - maybe something you can sit down with to get away from all the drama in your own life! :)  I'm excited to get my copy!  Click on the title above to link to Amazon, where you can purchased it. :)


Here is our interview...
 
Lifting Hearts: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have?  Who were your doctors?"

Francine: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 38. It happened during a routine mammogram. I never gave it a second thought when the clinic called and asked me to return to retake the x-rays. They said there was a problem with the machine. After the second mammogram, I was told to have a biopsy, which was ultimately a lumpectomy. The margins were wide so my surgeon (Dr. Douglas Morrow) suggested a bi-lateral mastectomy. I had known him for several years, and he felt that, given my situation and knowing me the way he did, it was the course of treatment he would suggest. I then followed up with my oncologist (Dr. Robert Decker), who I continue to see every six months. I did not require any chemo or radiation. Dr. Decker is keeping a close watch on me, and I feel confident that should anything happen, he will be right there to catch it. Yay, Dr. Bob!"


Lifting Hearts: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"

Francine: "I think the main thing is that they are all more conscientious about getting mammograms since I was the first person in our immediate family to have cancer. In the beginning, my main thoughts were of my two young nieces since my having breast cancer increases their odds of developing it in their lives. So far, everyone is fine."


Lifting Hearts: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey?  What helped get you through it?"

Francine: "The hardest thing was (and is still) knowing that I cannot do everything I did before my diagnosis due to the lymphedema that occurred from the removal of lymph nodes under my right arm. Since I am right-handed, I was told I could never play tennis again. That really upset me since tennis was a big part of my life for a long time. But, how I got over that hurdle was by finding something that was positive to do with myself and kept me occupied. That “something” was entertainment writing. I didn’t know anything about it, but I dug right in, and I am proud to say that I have made a successful career for myself. Had I not been thrust in a different direction due to my experience with breast cancer, I can honestly say that I would never have considered pursuing this path. Another way I got through the difficult times was with a support website for women who had gone through a similar experience with breast cancer. I joined rather cautiously in the beginning but soon discovered that these women were there to lend a shoulder and encouragement whenever I needed it. And after all these years, I am happy to count them as my friends, even though I have only met a few members face to face. We have been through a lot together, and that has strengthened our relationship. We are friends."


Lifting Hearts:  "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"

Francine: "If I had not experienced cancer, I would never in my wildest dreams have considered entertainment journalism as a profession. I was into politics and writing but not entertainment-related stories. The experience of cancer led me in a new direction, and it turned out beautifully. In September, I published my first book called Beyond the Red Carpet: The World of Entertainment Journalists, in which I (and 30 of my colleagues) share stories and experiences regarding what it’s like to work in this field. I am enjoying getting the word out about entertainment journalism, but the book has become much more than that for me. It is also a vessel for me to help cancer survivors. It demonstrates how the experience of being diagnosed with cancer can be the motivation to reach for new things and travel new roads."

Lifting Hearts: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"

Francine:  "I think the main thing I learned is that life can change in an instant. That is something we all need to keep in mind. Tell the people you love that you love them. Take some chances. Experience new things. Enjoy something (a sunset, a song, a book, your dog, etc.) and laugh at something at least once during the day - every day."

Lifting Hearts: "What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?"

Francine: "I have changed the way I dress. LOL. With my reconstruction, I don’t need or even own a bra, so I don’t worry about bra straps. I do have to think about my scars when I try on certain clothes. My surgery scars are long, and I am self-conscious about them showing. But, on the flipside, I love not having straps on my shoulder. What a relief!"

Lifting Hearts: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"

Francine: "Life is just a bowl of cherries. Don’t take it serious. It’s too mysterious."

Lifting Hearts: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?"

Francine:  "Breast cancer doesn’t mean a death sentence. Stay positive. Find people you trust and who you can be with without being mired in the whole cancer aspect of life. Maybe you can try something different like I did. Breast cancer propelled me into rebooting my life, and I have done rather well with my career, if I do say so myself."

Lifting Hearts: "What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"

Francine: "Listen to your loved ones. If they want to talk about cancer, then let them talk about it, but don’t bring it up. Stay positive and upbeat. They will take their cue from you, even though they might be completely depressed. Play happy music and watch fun movies. Stay away from stories with cancer or death. Keep it upbeat."

Lifting Hearts: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…

Francine: "Survivor. I know that’s a cliché, but it’s true."

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

April's Spotlight - Kathy Christensen

It's been awhile since I've interviewed a survivor, and I thought it would be fun to get to know Kathy Christensen, who writes our guest posts on Thursday Thoughts. Enjoy the interview...



Lifting Hearts: "What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have? Who were your doctors?"


Kathy: "My cancer journey began on December 10, 2008, when a mammogram revealed a very small tumor (under 1 cm) in my left breast. Because it had not reached the nodes, I was spared the experience of Chemotherapy. It had, however, broken free and was growing, so after my lumpectomy, I completed a series of radiation treatments. Thankfully, I was able to keep working full time at the bank throughout this experience. My surgeon was Dr. Tittensor, and I also worked with Dr. Nathan Rich and Dr. Jay Clark. I enjoyed my association with all of them very much."


Lifting Hearts: "How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?"


Kathy: "My diagnosis came out of nowhere as a total shock for all of us. My family was wonderfully supportive. They were all there for the surgery. My oldest son, Ryan, even flew out from NYC where he works to be with me. It was difficult for all of them, but they stood strongly behind me. My middle son, Matthew, entered the surgery waiting room with an emphatic exclamation: "We are going to kick Cancer's ass!" Needless to say, he livened up the mood in that most solemn place."


Lifting Hearts: "What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey?

What helped get you through it?"


Kathy: "I think that the hardest thing for me was to tell everyone in my family. I knew that everybody was busy living their lives and dealing with their own "bag of rocks" and they really did not need this additional worry. My husband was the one who convinced me that I needed to tell all of them. He sat right beside me as I did it.


Their reactions varied greatly. My sister and oldest son immediately broke in to tears. Anne (my sister) said as only she can, "You really shit in my cornflakes this morning!" I think Nick (my youngest son) hit the nail on the head when he said, "Mom... I am keying my emotions off of you... and you seem fine." I was, in fact, blessed with a remarkable peace through this entire scenario. I know that it was my faith and relationship with God that carried me through. Calling them all was one of the hardest things I have ever done and after hours on the phone, I collapsed in complete emotional exhaustion."


Lifting Hearts: "How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?"


Kathy: "In some ways, my cancer has been a blessing in my life. I now appreciate the simple joys in life much more... things like sunsets, flowers, or lying in the sun on a summer afternoon when we go fishing. My perspective was strengthened regarding the things that really matter. My sister and I are closer now than we have ever been. We have always loved each other, but now we tell each other often."


Lifting Hearts: "What did you learn during your cancer journey?"


Kathy: "During my cancer journey I learned (or relearned) the value of my faith. I now appreciate it at an entirely new level. I learned that comfort is not necessary for survival and that with divine help, love and support we can all do hard things. Since my surgery I am kinder to myself. I don't push so hard (quite a change for a type A personality like me!). I realize that my health is a precious gift and that no one else is going to be able to help me if I don't take care of myself. I have realized once again, the importance of developing and keeping a positive mental attitude and keeping my relationship with God strong and in tune."


Lifting Hearts: "Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?"


Kathy: "Two books really resonated with me during my cancer journey. They are "Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom, and "Letters to Sam" by Daniel Gottlieb. I would recommend both of them to anyone. They both are true stories that deal with handling difficult circumstances in a most positive way. If you want to know more... read BOTH of them. I guarantee you won't be disappointed."


Lifting Hearts: "What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer? What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?"


Kathy: "To women and families who are facing breast cancer now or in the future, I would say embrace the experience and don't fight it (except medically, of course). You can wrestle with it, fight with it, and be miserable, or you can step up to the plate, dance with it, and learn the many lessons it can teach you."


Lifting Hearts: "Finish this sentence… “I am a…”


Kathy: "I am a lot of things now. I am a mother, a wife, a grandmother, and aspiring writer, a banker, a cancer survivors, the poster child for mammograms, and I am a much better and wiser person, because I had cancer."



Wednesday, February 1, 2012

February's Spotlight - Colette Harris

KARA, from Lifting Hearts:

It's been a little while since we've spotlighted someone here, and as I went through the list of women I've introduced to you, I realized that I've never interviewed one of the founders of Lifting Hearts! Colette Harris is our Program Director, and she is a wonderful person. She has taught me so much, and I want you to officially meet her...




LH: What were you diagnosed with, and what treatments did you have?
Who were your doctors?

Colette: "I had stage 3A lobular cancer in my right breast and DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) in my left breast. I had 11 lymph nodes removed, two were cancerous. I had a bilateral mastectomy, 8 chemo treatments over a 4 month period, and 33 radiation treatments. My surgeon was Dr. Jennifer Tittensor, my oncologist was Dr. John Ward, my radiologist was Dr. Jay Clark, and my plastic surgeon was Dr. Jon Bishop."

LH: How did your cancer diagnosis affect your family and friends?

Colette: "At first they were shocked and stunned and cried with me. Then, they did everything in their power to love and support me any way they could. I am so blessed to have such a loving husband, family, and friends!"



LH: What was the hardest thing you had to go through during your cancer journey?

Colette: "I had to stop comparing myself to how I once was in my pre-cancer days. I had to learn to love and respect my "new normal"."

LH: What helped get you through it?

Colette: "I had to stop looking backwards and start looking forwards to the future with faith and hope. Someone once told me, "Fill your mind with good thoughts and you won't have any room for the opposite." I found that to be really true. Even though parts of some days on my cancer journey have been really hard, I realized that if I looked at the world through grateful eyes, I began to see God's tender mercies all around me. Once I learned to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, I could see my blessings more clearly. I laughed more and I enjoyed life more. I learned to accept the fact that even though things will never be the same again, life is still pretty darn good!"

LH: How did your cancer diagnosis change your life?

Colette: "I now look at life through new eyes. Waking up each morning is a celebration of life. The song of a bird, the the wind on my face, children playing-- the simple things in life, touch my heart on a much deeper level than before. I feel so grateful that I feel well enough to just be able to cook dinner, go on a walk, and clean my house. But most of all, I am looking forward to many years ahead spending time with my wonderful family and friends. I really hope that I can help lift others as a way of saying "thank you" to my loving Father in Heaven for the wonderful gift of life."

LH: Can you share your Twenty Things I've Learned from Having Cancer with us?

Colette:

Twenty Things I’ve Learned From Having Cancer

1. Life is a gift from God not to be taken for granted.

2. The only stuff that really matters is the quality of your relationship with God, family, and others.

3. A good cry is like a cleansing rain with the hope that dark clouds will soon lift and sunny days will be ahead.

4. A bad night doesn't have to turn into a bad day.

5. Heavenly Father has been, and will always be, only a prayer away.

6. If you choose to view the world through grateful eyes, you will begin to see God's tender mercies all around you.

7. Anger and pride must be nipped in the bud or their long-term effects will consume the heart in malignant proportions creating the worse cancer of all: cancer of the soul.

8. The side effects from cancer are only temporary; the resurrection will take care of those; it's the side effects from unrepented sin that should be worried about.

9. If you get up one more time than you fall down, you will always end up back on your feet!

10. Laughter is like a good laxative - a daily dose of it will loosen you up and keep you regular.

11. Hair is highly over-rated.

12. Don't ever open an oven door with a wig on or you will melt your bangs! (I nailed the same wig twice by opening the oven door. I finally put a sign on my oven that said "Wig Alert!").

13. The gift of humor has helped me smile through pain.

14. A mind filled with happy thoughts has no room for the opposite.

15. During my darkest hours I always found two very good friends: Heavenly Father, and the Book of Mormon.

16. Every day it is important to turn-off the darkness and turn-on the light.

17. I have learned that battling cancer isn't "all about me". Family and friends that visit, call, write, text, or email all have trials, too; yet, they love me enough to forget about their problems for awhile and inquire about mine. I must never take them for granted. Their love and their friendship are priceless. I am blessed beyond measure to have them in my life.

18. Cancer, you are a formidable foe. Fighting you I have lost my breasts, my hair, and my energy. Because of you pain is my daily adversary and neuropathy has numbed my fingers and my toes, making it difficult to write and to walk. You have beat me up and worn me down; but, I will not let you win, for I control my heart and soul which I will never surrender to you as long as I live!

19. I will always be eternally grateful for the gift cancer has given me: the privilege and blessing of understanding the Savior's atonement and feeling His love on a much deeper level. He has extended His arms of mercy to me, lifted my burdens, and encircled me with His love. He is my best friend. I love Him with all my heart!

20. Life is good - even with cancer! :)

LH: What have you changed as a result of your cancer diagnosis?

Colette: "I have learned not take my health for granted. I am trying to eat a more healthy diet and exercise on a regular basis. I try not to "sweat the little things" as much as I used to."

LH: Do you have a favorite book or quote or song that became meaningful to you during your cancer journey?

Colette: "I have two quotes to share. When I was going through chemo, one of my daughters framed a quote and gave it to me for Mother's Day. It says, "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about dancing in the rain." I placed it on my dresser near my bed and to remind myself how important it is to be a "rain dancer." The second quote I really like came from the little blue fish named Dory, from the movie Finding Nemo. In the movie, one of Dory's famous lines is "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." On my cancer journey I have had to deal with a lot of joint pain and neuropathy. I have tried to adapted Dory's saying to my own situation. On those days when it hurt to move, I would tell myself "Just keep moving; just keep moving." That simple phrase has got me out of bed more than once and motivated me to just keep going throughout the day."

LH: What advice would you give to a woman who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

Colette: "Breast cancer is not the end of the world; it is just a bump in the road. Breast cancer is very beatable! There are a lot of wonderful doctors, resources, and support groups (especially Lifting Hearts!) out there that want to help you on your healing journey. Ask a lot of questions, learn all you can, and get the best help available. John Wayne said, "Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway." Saddle up! You can do this! Life is still good, I promise :).

LH: What advice would you give to friends and family of a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient?

Colette: "They are still the same person you knew and loved before their diagnosis. They need to know that you will laugh with them, cry with them, listen to them, and love them -- just like you did before. Be real with them. Treat them like normal."

LH: Finish this sentence… “I am a…”

Colette: "I am a... very blessed woman. Thank you everyone for all of your love and support on my road to recovery. I love you!"




Colette, with her mother... two SURVIVORS, sharing the journey together