Gearing Up For A Night Of Education

Yesterday I had a meeting with two phenomenal women; one, an ovarian and breast cancer survivor for nearly ten years; the other, days ago decreed “cancer free.”

We met to discuss our second annual “Heal with Teal” seminar which is coming up September 24th. What ultimately took place was a bonding session between two survivors of a war; an involuntary bodily invasion by a hostile enemy.

They shared battle stories from diagnosis to surgery, treatment, support and many other details of their harrowing experiences. I marvelled at their courageousness and ability to maintain focus on what needed to be done. The biggest message from both- be your own advocate. Don’t accept what a doctor says if it doesn’t feel right. Don’t be afraid to challenge, confront, or get more opinions. Additionally, don’t go it alone- always have someone with you for doctor’s appointments as there is often so much information given, it takes more than one person to absorb it.

There are so many questions yet to be answered, and we are planning for a wonderful seminar with input from these two heroic women, as well as an outstanding panel so that we may all walk away a little bit smarter.