Discovering
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STRENGTH
“Life is very interesting…in the end, some of your greatest
pains become your greatest strengths.” ~ Drew Barrymore
W
hen I got my breast cancer
diagnosis last year, I was
not only in shock, I also went into denial. I chose not to deal with it. I was
afraid to even talk about it. I took my
daughters on an impromptu trip to
Disney to try and escape even thinking about it. The thoughts crossing
my mind were, “Wait, I’m too young,
and my kids are too young.” I quickly
realized none of this mattered. The
cancer did not care.
It began with my first mammogram visit at the age of 37. It was a
choice my sister and I made together
after our mom recovered from her
second battle with ‘the monster’ (the
name I choose to call breast cancer).
We still talk about the fact that it
took us going through cancer twice
with my Mom for us to decide to get
mammograms. My mother’s struggle
and our family’s pain had motivated
my sister and I to take prudent action
and make the doctor’s appointment.
My fear after receiving my
diagnosis was overwhelming. When
faced with what to do, I knew what I
personally had to do—as a mother,
my survival instincts kicked in.
Through love, I found courage. I
couldn’t bring myself to say, “Bilateral
mastectomy” or to Google it, but I
could tell my doctor it was the option
I chose. I have small kids, and I don’t
want to ever be in this position again.
Even though I was scared, I felt confident in my decision. My mother’s
breast cancer had come back once,
so I knew it was a possibility for
mine to as well. I chose to be strong,
walk in faith and win! Because of
my mom’s history and the statistical
information that was thrown at me I
chose to have a bilateral mastectomy
with reconstruction.
Throughout this process I
learned I have some of the most
amazing friends. They were there
for me every step of my journey and
in so many ways. My friends were
a constant, dependable source of
encouragement and kindness. All I
had to do was heal. They allowed me
to face my recovery with courage and
grace—and they helped me to show
my daughters that their mom possesses grace and courage when faced
with tough times. My friends truly
cared. They showed me honest love.
They made defeating ‘the monster’
so much easier. This experience
strengthened my friendships, and my
friendships gave me strength.
Throughout this process, I am
learning I h ave more strength and
blessings than I knew or thought
possible. This is the gift my journey
has given me. I have learned to be
more patient and trust God. I have
embraced the appreciation of little
things I before often overlooked.
I have also softened and become
more sensitive. I have connected
to so many wonderful people
who have their own remarkable
stories of their journeys. I realize
everyone’s journey is different, but
that helpless feeling upon the initial
diagnosis is the same. I chose to find
purpose in my
journey.
In April,
on my 38th
birthday, I celebrated
by launching a blog
about my journey. Its
purpose is to serve as
a vehicle of healing,
inspiration, encouragement and sisterhood. The outpour of
responses have been
unbelievable. You
never know how
words may affect
someone’s life.
BY
As an author,
TRACY
it’s helped
NICOLE
me to find
another level
of depth and
meaning in my craft.
Today I understand that I have the
right, the power and the ability to choose
to continue moving forward by using my
journey as a source of motivation for not
only myself, but for others as well. My
journey has provided me strength.
Tracy Nicole is an author, mother,
entrepreneur, activist and a breast cancer
survivor. Her blog is: www.
beneaththepetals.blogspot.com
As an entrepreneur, Tracy
has been highlighted in
various local and national
publications including
Essence, Lucky Magazine,
Paper City, Jezebel and
Atlanta Style.
Fall 2013
THE PINK PAPER
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