New Life Directions from Breast Cancer
Susan Thomas with her husband Dave
Today’s Guest Blog Post is written by Susan Thomas, an oncology nurse clinician and breast cancer survivor. Thank you Susan for sharing your inspiring story with us.
I am an oncology nurse clinician and breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed in 1992 and elected to have a mastectomy and full course of chemotherapy. It was a strange experience finding myself on the other side of the fence. I had been working with cancer patients my entire career. I quickly discovered the trials experienced with the initial diagnosis and ensuing treatment. My entire family was engaged and we all worked together to get through this period.
As typically experienced I lost my hair and went into menopause during chemotherapy. I wasn’t going to let cancer control me. I used a hypno-therapist to help me through chemotherapy. As a practicing oncology nurse I was trying to figure out what my new normal was going to be. I was bald, had purchased a wig that didn’t fit. I almost lost it at Disney World. Thanks to my daughter’s quick reaction when she put her hand on my wig and it was not lost. I read a quote by Henry Ford “Whether You Think You Can or You Can’t, You’re Right.” So my husband encouraged me to design a hat that will be comfortable and stylish on a bald head. After that my mission and destiny were defined. I have now combined my oncology nursing experience with my breast cancer experience at Susan’s Special Needs to help make this journey a little easier for other women. I certainly never would have known that this experience would have been so fulfilling, provided a new life balance and the opportunity to
meet so many beautiful people.
Please visit Susan’s website www.SusansSpecialNeeds.com to learn more.
Great story Susan of turning lemons into lemonaide. Please don’t think I mean that comment to sound trivial at all! As a breast cancer survivor sometimes that is the hardest thing for us to do. Your story is inspirational. Thanks Marie for sharing it!
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Susan, I can tell you that Luann is also an inspirational BC survivor, one of many I have been privileged to meet along the way. This is why I think it is so important that we tell our stories – to give each other inspiration and a reason to move forward with our lives with hope in our hearts x
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I love the positivity in this lady – thanks for sharing
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Henry Ford’s “Whether You Think You Can or You Can’t, You’re Right.” is one of the quotes I constantly tell my kids!
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I love how Susan took her own experience and it turned it into something to help other women.
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What a great way to make sense of the experience of cancer – using it to help others!
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