Dawn Jones wrote down affirmations to heal herself after experiencing a particularly hurtful encounter on Fifth Avenue in New York. Dawn was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and, after her mastectomy, doctors advised her to wait at least 12 months before having reconstruction. Bald, with a size 44D breast on one side and flat on the other side, she held her head high. But on this particular day she came face-to-face with cruelty.

She was strolling down the street reflecting on the lovely luncheon she had just had with other breast cancer survivors when her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of derisive comments. She was shocked to realize they were being directed at her, about her appearance. She felt like melting into the street. Her ears were red, her heart was pounding, but she refused to cry. Her affirmations and her beautiful spirit are reflected in the following poem “I Am” which has drawn over 11,000 “likes” on her Facebook public figure page “DawnInRealTime.”

“I AM” by Dawn P. Jones

I AM Loving

I AM Caring

I AM Compassion

I AM Truthful

I AM Strong

I AM Successful

I AM Wealthy

I AM Joyous

I AM Young

I AM Immortal

I AM Great Health

I AM Courageous

I AM Fearless

I AM Relentless

I AM Grounded

I AM Kind

I AM Forgiving

I AM not the scars you may see,

I AM not the Lymphedema swelling you may see,

I AM not the discolored skin you may see,

I AM not the pain and the nausea,

I AM not my hair,

I AM not cancer,

I AM a daughter, a mother, a sister, an auntie, a lover and a friend,

I AM LOVE,

And what I want you to see is,

I AM A WOMAN, and I AM BEAUTIFUL…….

DawnInRealTime includes a series of short videos chronicling her journey through treatment, and almost daily positive, uplifting messages like “I handle difficult situations with calm endurance” and “I am responsible for my own attitude.”

She was first diagnosed in 2000 and had a year of chemotherapy, a mastectomy, and reconstructive surgery 18 months later. Then 7 years later it returned, this time in her neck, lymphatic system, and chest and back. Doctors at the hospital in Queens where she was being treated said there was nothing else they could do for her. They did not expect her to survive this time. Then a neighbor suggested she research Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia where she continues her treatment today.

Dawn takes care of her 86 year-old mother who lives with her now. She says her full-time job is to take care of herself and take care of her mom. She wants everyone to know “We are not the cancer; we are not the disease. We are women. We are women!”

In December 2002 Ann Dorrance was a 46 year-old mother of 4 ranging from twins in the 4th grade to a daughter in college. Even though a mammogram the previous year showed nothing, she could feel a lump. Not while lying down though. She could only feel it when she was sitting or standing. Ann has always been a person to forge through and do whatever needs to be done.

She had a biopsy, then chemo to shrink the tumor before surgery, a double mastectomy, more chemo and radiation. She put her trust in her physician, Dr. Bob Gordon in Camp Hill, and she believes finding a doctor who really hears you is an extremely important part of the healing process.

A breast cancer diagnosis affects the whole family, not just the patient. Ann’s oldest daughter was scheduled to go to school in Italy for six months but cancelled the trip without telling her mother. It was important to Ann to continue attending her children’s soccer games and other events. But she emphasizes that there is no right or wrong way to handle your treatment. Whatever works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for the next.

The one thing she advises other women is to tell your friends and family how they can help you, because they want to. Some days that might mean telling them to let you be sick alone. Other times you might ask them to cook dinner, especially on chemo days. And it’s a good idea to share your experiences with other women who have walked the path you’re traveling. They understand things you’re going through that no one else can.

This is my story of how being diagnosed in my thirties with breast cancer forever changed my life. I just turned 36 years old when I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. I was a healthy mother of two young boys (ages 2 and 5) and had no risk factors for developing breast cancer. Everyone deals with cancer in different ways. For me, having a positive attitude was so important in dealing with cancer.

I remember one day at work, a co-worker asked me about my diagnosis. I explained it to her as I explained it to anyone who asked. I remember when I told her that I felt lucky that my cancer did not spread any further that it did (3 cancerous lymph nodes of the 29 removed), she was surprised and said, “Wow, I can’t believe you just said that you feel lucky.” I really did feel lucky and I knew that I was going to get through any adversity that I may face throughout treatment. At that point, I was determined to not let anyone bring me down or feel sorry for me, so I surrounded myself with people who had positive attitudes.

My children kept me focused on getting through all the treatments and adversities. Although this may sound very simple, my goal throughout treatment was to be able to read books to my children every night before bed and except for a few days that I was hospitalized, I accomplished my goal.

I hope that I can use what I have learned to provide support and comfort to others going through similar situations. I received a Friends Like Me care package from the PBCC shortly after my diagnosis and my husband and I spent an evening looking at everything in the package. I have since referred several newly diagnosed women to the PBCC for information.

I know that my breast cancer experience has made me a very strong person. My life is not all that much different than before breast cancer except that I do not worry as much about small stuff, and I find joy in many more things than I used to.

I feel honored that I am now one of the women who represents Cumberland County in the PBCC’s 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania traveling photo exhibit. For the past three years I attended the Penn State Lady Lions Pink Zone basketball games. Those games have been an awesome experience and what an amazing increase in support I have seen in just 3 years!

It has been three years since my breast cancer diagnosis and I know that whatever the future holds, my family and I will be able to handle it. My experience with breast cancer has taught me to never take ANYONE or ANYTHING for granted and that life is about family and friends: love them and spend time with them while you can! I know that early detection saved my life!

Kathy Clarke is one of two Survivor Story winners from our September Pink Link contest. Look for the other contest winner’s story to be featured in the December Pink Link.