Joining The Fight

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I went to Miami to speak at BRA Day USA for National Breast Reconstruction Awareness.

I was surrounded by so many intelligent, medically brilliant and conscious people who are committed to making a difference in women’s lives.

I shared my own cancer story and I’m supporting the cause to educate women about their possibilities after battling breast cancer.  I’m honored to have the opportunity to raise awareness and celebrate women who are survivors and powerful role models.

I spoke about game-changing moments in my life and pivotal points that make a difference.

One thing I know is that…

It Isn’t About What Happens To Us In Our Lives, It’s About How We Deal With What Comes Our Way. 

I’ve learned several things that have both changed me and saved me.  One is GET YOUR TEAM IN ORDER.  Having a support system is so important.  Having people – someone and anyone that you can count on – is essential for sanity.

As mothers, we are the givers, the fixers, the lifelines for many.  But do you have that go-to person that you can count on 24/7? When I was diagnosed with cancer, my team became my family and my doctors. The knowledge that I had a team that I could count on comforted me every day.

I also learned that sometimes, You Must Change You Point Of View.

I think mothers may have the best poker faces of anyone.  We rarely get to wear our hearts on our sleeves, we suck up more that we let out, we take care of everyone else before ourselves.

No matter what comes my way, I can put my game face on and find my way through it.  It may not always be the right route, but I get to the other side.  I have learned to change my point of view and find a positive way of looking at things and seeing the bright side of many difficult situations.

It’s been an “F” of a year for my family, in ways that I will not depress you with.  I usually blog for therapy and I know that our ModernMom community is always good for a pity party.  But today I am counting my many blessings and I know that they far outweigh all my challenges.

I want to share this quote that I found on Giuliana Rancic’s social media page.  She is an amazing woman, a powerful mother and an inspiration to many.  In honor of her journey, I want to remind you to get your mammogram!  I scheduled my first one after she went public with her breast cancer story.  Thx Giuliana!

José N. Harris once said: “There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.”

Several years ago I published a blog with my bucket list on ModernMom to encourage women to dream, realize their goals and put their pens to paper and write them down. Coincidentally, that has become part of the Life List campaign for the American Cancer Society.  I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of other cancer survivors like Michael Douglas in the effort to cure cancer for good. Look for my ACS campaign this month.

I’ll also be going to the annual Pink Party in LA this weekend to continue to raise awareness for breast cancer. This entire month is dedicated to women and should be a reminder to take the best possible care of ourselves and our love ones.