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Colleen Bronstein is a melanoma and breast cancer survivor, mother, artist, entrepreneur and a contributor to the Focus On Cancer blog. After her melanoma diagnosis in 1999, Colleen started her own business, Sun Threadz, which promotes skin cancer awareness and protection with clothing designed to protect skin from the sun’s harmful rays. 

Breast cancer – these are two words that can strike fear in the heart of every woman out there. Fear so great that your mind, body and soul are at the brink of total shut down.

I know this because this is exactly what I experienced the day I was called to come back for an ultrasound after the results of my mammogram. During the ultrasound your senses become so heightened and you are super vigilant to every movement the technician makes. You watch the technician’s face for that telltale sign that yes, there is a tumor in your breast. Then the doctor is invited in to review the ultrasound in motion and makes some suggestions and you know again this is not going to end well.

With the word cancer now attached to you, be prepared for the inevitable insensitive comments from family, friends and co-workers. Probably the most painful comment for me was “you know everyone is thinking this but not saying it – better you than me.” We cancer patients and survivors do not want pity but we do want and need respect for our own personal feelings. Simple gestures of kindness go a long way during difficult times, and I am thankful to family and friends who provided an extra measure of support.

My daughter is my rock, my inspiration, my heart and soul. She was with me every step of the way throughout my diagnosis and treatment. I would move heaven and earth for my daughter and that was my approach to surviving this terrible diagnosis. If you have someone whom you trust implicitly, let them into your life during this time, as they will provide love and comfort that you will need to help you through. They are silent heroes who when called upon are exceptional in giving their love and support.

Life goes on after your cancer diagnosis and you get back what you put into it. For me it is as full as ever, I was recently juried into a highly regarded art show; American Craft Council (ACC) Baltimore and Atlanta. The last time I did an ACC show was July 1999, the month of my melanoma diagnosis. I have a sun protection clothing company, a full time job, a newly married beautiful daughter, new son-in-law, husband and recently rescued Old English Sheepdog; Lewie who came to us by way of Houston,TX, he is a delight and a handful.

I am due for a checkup very soon and I am experiencing the anxiety that accompanies such visits. I do know this will lessen over time but for the time being it is something I must face every six months. I know this will lessen over time because this is my second cancer diagnosis, the first one in 1999; Melanoma. I feel more courageous now than I did for the first number of years after that diagnosis. For now I will be put through the paces and continue to grow stronger and braver.

Carlette Knox is a BRCA-positive, breast cancer survivor. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy in 2010 as part of her breast cancer treatment. In 2011, she had a prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of her ovaries), to decrease her ovarian cancer risk. She founded the website Life Worth Living, where she shares her experience with breast cancer.  In this blog post, she talks about her journey.

In December of 2009, at the age of 34, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer, unfortunately, had been a topic of discussion in our family for many years. My mother was diagnosed at the age of 35 and she experienced the devastating loss of her mother to this disease while growing up. We also witnessed 2 of my aunts lose their battles with cancer. I knew firsthand the impact this disease had on the women in my family; the need to attack this diagnosis head on was evident. I was introduced to the risk assessment program and with the help of a genetic counsellor underwent testing to determine my cancer risks. Receiving a positive BRCA result armed with me the knowledge needed to make informed treatment decisions, this is when my journey began.

It was March of 2010 when I had my bilateral mastectomy, learning about BRCA put into perspective my risk of breast cancer recurrence and ovarian cancer. My decision to remove the non-impacted breast tissue was supported by clinical trial data as well as my personal experience. Seeing the effects of this disease throughout generations of women in my family was not a tradition I was willing to keep.

It took me about 6 weeks recover from the surgery. It was not a comfortable experience, but what kept me going was the resilience to save my life! I started chemotherapy, undergoing 16 cycles, with the support of a great clinical team. When I felt like giving up they would encourage me to keep on going. The doctors and nurses along with the support of my immediate family and church members helped me to remain hopeful and full of faith which ultimately kept me going through this journey. After chemotherapy it was recommended that I also have radiation therapy since so many of my lymph nodes were positive, this was a walk in the park compared to the chemo. I finished up my treatment at the end of 2010 right before the New Year which was a blessing since my birthday is January 1st!

Research has shown that BRCA positive patients also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. My gynecologic oncologist recommended an oophorectomy (prophylactic removal of the ovaries to decrease the risk of ovarian cancer). This was a very simplistic procedure done laparoscopically February 2011. While the procedure itself was minimally invasive the decision was not without much emotional turmoil on the inside. In my mind, this would change my landscape as a woman and at such a young age. Ultimately, after researching the effects of ovarian cancer, I embraced this option as a blessing not a curse.

Today, I am physically and emotionally better than I could have ever imagined. I don’t look or feel like any of what I went through. It may sound a bit crazy, but I’m grateful for the journey. My faith is stronger and as a result of this life changing experience I’ve been able to embark upon yet another journey.

“Life Worth Living” is the realization of my passion to raise awareness, empower and support those impacted by cancer and to broadcast the message of hope aspiring them to live.

Cassandra Hogue (left) with her sister, Caroline at LIVESTRONG event.

“This was never supposed to happen to her, I remember thinking, outraged, as if she and I had been given some kind of special exemption from sickness and suffering.”

Joan Didion wrote those words in her recent memoir, Blue Nights, about her 38-year-old daughter who was seriously ill. Those, too, were my thoughts when my 58-year-old healthy sister was diagnosed with an advanced form of cancer that was particularly difficult to treat.  

“How can this be happening to her? How can this be happening to me? I cannot bear to lose my sister.” 

I am certain every family member of a cancer survivor has had similar thoughts. For me, shock and fear predominated my emotions for three months after her diagnosis.

“How could her doctors have missed this? Why didn’t they find this sooner?”

For six months she had not been feeling well and was losing weight. I was outraged, disappointed, frightened. I didn’t voice this to my sister, but she knew how I felt, and I knew how she felt. 

I tried to stay positive and stay focused on the tasks at hand. I began organizing her medical care. I made her appointments at Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center, where doctors thankfully saw her within two weeks. We waited for PET scan results to determine if the cancer had metastasized.

The next month was the seemingly endless round of medical tests, procedures, surgeries to insert a chemotherapy port and feeding tube and radiation therapy appointments. I did inordinate amounts of research to educate myself about the disease, the statistics, treatments, mortality rates, alternative therapies. I went to support groups and read up on caregiver roles, but I was still in shock, still expecting our special exemption from sickness and suffering. 

My sister told me one night when we were having a long honest talk. “Let’s make a pact that we can always cry together,” she said.

I cried a lot in those three months.

But then, I unexpectedly turned a corner. Maybe I just exhausted that leg of the grief cycle. Who knows?  I participated in the Philadelphia LIVESTRONG ™ Challenge Cycling event sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  More than 7,000 people participated – many of them cancer survivors, family members of cancer survivors or had lost loved ones too soon.

I talked to so many people that day.  I heard many stories, so much suffering and so much strength. My sister came to every rest stop, with a great sign: “My sister is riding for me.” She had just started chemotherapy and radiation, and was wearing sun protection, but she looked great.  

I had to just get back on the bike and finish the ride….no time for crying now. 

And no special exemptions.

More next month…

Learn more about the LIVESTRONG ™ Cancer Survivorship Center at the Abramson Cancer Center.

Join the 2012 Penn Medicine/ CHOP LIVESTRONG ™ Challenge Team.