Finding Gratitude in an Inconvenient Diagnosis: My Breast Cancer Story

I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42.

In the moment, it felt like the most inconvenient timing…as part of my exit process from the military.

Turns out, there’s never a convenient time to receive a cancer diagnosis.  But in hindsight, I have so much gratitude.

I am grateful because I am quite sure I would not have prioritized getting my mammogram at that time of my life if not for the military requirement. As a full-time physician with two toddlers at home, I was constantly putting the needs of everyone else before my own….my family, my patients, my residents, my colleagues, the Army.  There was no time for basic self-care, let alone preventive care, and there likely would have been a significant delay in diagnosis.

I am grateful because my treatment occurred during one of the few natural pauses in my career.  As a result, I chose the more complex surgical option and took a full 6 weeks to allow myself to recuperate.  I am not sure I would have given myself that grace (and downtime) during that period otherwise.

I am grateful because I got a crash course in navigating the civilian medical system and the experience of being a patient.  I am certainly a better doctor for it.

I am grateful because I am here… thanks to early detection.

Preventive care is self-care.

Have you scheduled your mammogram?