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Letter to the editor

Guest Column

Positive attitude boosts survival

By MARY PARTINGTON
Published October 24, 2007

You may not know that October is Spinach Lovers Month and Vegetarian Month, also Self Promotion Month, Workplace Politics Awareness Month and Women's Small Business Month.

It is National Popcorn Poppin' Month, Go Hog Wild-Eat Country Ham Month, National Dental Hygiene Month, and Eat Better, Eat Together Month.

But what interests me most is that October is when we observe both National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Positive Attitude Month. This is the month for rallies, walks, runs and golf and tennis tournaments, all to raise money and awareness for and about breast cancer.

Recently, I received a call from a young woman to tell me she could not come to a meeting because she had just been scheduled for a biopsy for a breast lump.

She called not to tell me about her reason for her absence, but she called because she wanted to tell someone that her life had just been turned upside down and inside out. The whole world changed for her when she was told there was a possibility she had cancer.

Now she must wait for the test and then wait again for the results. It is not knowing that tests a woman's faith.

I wish this were the first time I had been told that someone I know is faced with the possibility of having breast cancer. I have lost count of the times I have added a name to my prayer list because of a biopsy. I have lost count of the times when the news was good and of the times when the news was bad.

Every woman I have known who has faced the diagnosis of breast cancer has taken the news with a heavy heart, but also with the spirit and attitude of beating the monster and surviving. Some have had lumpectomies without the need of any further treatment and some have had the full spectrum of cancer treatments, including bone marrow transplants.

I have seen the faces of young women who know their days are few and I have seen them smile and find joy in every precious day they have. I have been asked if I could tell they were wearing a wig. I have hugged them and felt their fine bones in my embrace.

I have celebrated and rejoiced when a friend has reached that fifth year of being cancer free. I have heard the stories from survivors of how they help the newly diagnosed understand their options and help other patients with their families and medical needs.

In the four major cancers - breast, colorectal, lung and prostate - progress is being made in detection and treatment. There is hope that cancer will not be a death sentence but a long-term treatable disease.

One factor in all the treatments is the attitude of the patient. There are many patients who live far beyond expectations and attitude is always a factor.

It is just good karma that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Positive Attitude Month are celebrated at the same time.

Mary Partington lives in New Port Richey.

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 21:58:05]