“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.”   Elizabeth Edwards

Eight years ago today I finished treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.   I’m having a pretty good run. I’ve seen my son graduate from middle school, high school and, if all goes according to plan (this plan not just related to me and any kind of cancer but to the plans of a 22 year old male) graduate from college next year. I’ve had adventures both at home and in my travels. I’ll celebrate 25 years of marriage in four months and 65 years on the planet in eight months. As a psychotherapist I am now known as someone who specializes in working with cancer patients and their communities. I call this “the specialty that chose me” and, believe me, I did not plan on this one! I have met and worked with courageous cancer patients and their families and collaborated with amazing providers – all of  whom have taught me profound lessons and given me far more than I have offered them. I have been privileged to attend to the needs of  under -served communities whose struggles must be understood and honored.

I’ve learned that not everything makes sense and that EVEN I cannot change that.

I no longer worry about what people think of me. Another point that EVEN I cannot control.

I now believe that “what the hell” usually is the way to go …

Alan Watts said, “The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.”  I don’t know why I became one of the statistics that no one wants to be. I don’t know if cancer will come back and grab me, or if one day I’ll simply nod off with a dribble of cream of wheat running down my wrinkled, ancient chin. What I do know is that I am grateful to be given the chance to change, to stick around plunging into the next unknown moment.  I’m glad I still get to join in the dance. even though it’s not always pretty or sexy. I’ve had to dance for my life, and so have many of you. I know that I’ll keep on dancing and speaking my story for the rest of my days, and I wish the same for all of  you.