Bakersfield Life

Stories of courage

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How has cancer impacted you?Jennifer: Thanks to my cancer diagnosis, I discovered I was stronger than I had ever thought I was. I was able to complete nursing school without delay and ended up working as an oncology nurse at the same outpatient treatment center I received my treatments. Treatments were grueling, but this was a defining moment in my life and thanks to cancer I discovered my passion as an oncology nurse! Juli: Having health insurance has been a priority since my diagnosis. I am a lot more discerning about my health coverage now. It also means that I have to have a job that offers good health insurance that allows me to see my doctors at UCLA. I was single when I went through treatment and my fertility was the last thing on my mind during that time. Before cancer, I always thought I would be married and have children. Cancer definitely changed that. I am happily married now, but the desire for children never returned.Leea: It brought me face-to-face with my own mortality and shattered the illusion that I had control over what happens in my own life. Brigette: The impact of finding out that I have breast cancer and at such a young age has changed my life. I no longer sweat the small stuff. Are the laundry police going to give me a ticket for not having it all done or, are my friends going to think any less of me because my husband and I want to spend time enjoying the sunrise and sunset instead of vacuuming the house? I do not think so! My husband and I have learned to take every day and make the very best of it because, as I know, it could be my last. What is your philosophy in life?Jennifer: I’ve always lived by the old saying, “When life hands you lemons…make lemonade!” I’ve made a lot of lemonade in my life … hee hee hee.Juli: Faith, family and friends. Life is about relationships, and my relationships with God, my family and my friends became my priority during treatment. I try to continue that priority today, 10 years later. The stresses of everyday life creep back in, but I am very grateful to have experienced that clarity at a young age. Leea: My philosophy of life post-diagnosis has been: Enjoy every moment. It is a gift. Bad things do happen, but so do good things. Don’t get caught up in the negative things…move past them. Brigette: Cancer sucks. No really, I try to walk for all my sisters who are suffering and cannot walk for themselves. So I tell them, “Walk with me now so that you do not have to walk in my shoes.” My cancer shoes that is. If I can touch one life with my story and make a difference then I will be the better for it.How has Links For Life helped you or the community?Jennifer: As soon as I discovered my lump I was mortified because I was uninsured. My only option was the health center at CSUB, and thanks to an angel named Robin who worked at the health center I was introduced to Links For Life, and they helped me through all my diagnostic tests! I don’t think I would have followed through with my care if I would have been faced with paying for all the expensive tests. I thank Links For Life for saving my life!Juli: Links for Life fills a need in Kern County, providing breast cancer screening services for women under the age of 40 who are uninsured or underinsured. The incredible staff and volunteers of Links for Life provide the wig boutique, resource center, breast health education, yoga (which I teach), a support group and now a young survivors support group. I am very proud of all that Links for Life has accomplished. Leea: I love Links For Life! They educate people and that is always a good thing. They come into contact with women at the beginning of their cancer journeys and get them the resources they need to cope. The beginning is the hardest part by far. Links introduced me to the ladies that are still my key support system – other survivors at similar points in their own personal life (raising young children, similar treatment, etc) … who are trucking right along. Made me realize that life didn’t stop upon diagnosis.   Brigette: Links for Life introduced me to some wonderful women. They also gave me back a sense of self while I was fighting my cancer battle. The Links family gave me a shoulder to cry on and a welcoming hug when the need arose. If you could change one thing in this world, what would it be?Jennifer: Health care costs. As a nurse, it’s devastating to see a cancer patient have an emesis basin in one hand, an IV in the other and at the same time reviewing their medical bills. There’s not an easy answer but what I see on a daily basis is wrong — plain and simple.Juli: Of course I would like a cure for all cancers. But not just any cure. I want a cure that does not require the current slash, burn and poison of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. A cure where the treatment is not as scary as the cancer itself. A cure thatdoes not leave the body and spirit permanently scarred. A cure that permanently removes cancer from its position as the second leading killer in the country. Leea: I would find the cure. Not just to breast cancer … but to all cancers. This disease kills so many. And the treatment is to cut it off (if you are lucky enough to not need those particular parts to function), ingest poison and burn it out. Seriously. Brigette: I would change that I did not say yes to my husband the first time he asked me to marry him.What advice do you have for someone battling cancer?Jennifer: Take it one day at a time. Not every day will be a good day, but it’s important to treasure those good days and spend them doing the things you love with the people you love. I had this mantra I would always say to myself when the thought of cancer began to consume me, “I’m going to do all I can here on earth to make myself get better and everything else I’m leaving to God.” This worked wonders! Juli: Find a support group. I joined a cancer support group for young adults during treatment and it was a very important part of my recovery. It is nice to be with other people who completely understand what you are going through. Cancer treatment can be debilitating, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, even for minor things. A lot of times people want to help, but don’t know how, so it helps to be specific in your request. Leea: The best advice I can give is to reach out to other survivors who are in your age range. I met lots of people whose grandmothers, aunts and mothers had been diagnosed with breast cancer … in their 50s. They weren’t raising a newborn and two young children; they weren’t wondering if they would get to see those children graduate high school so I couldn’t relate to them. The other younger survivors got it. Brigette: Never give up hope! Once your hope is gone then your will will shortly fade.