“In 2010, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 52. I opted for a bilateral mastectomy, which ended up being the right decision for me, because after the surgery, we found that I actually had cancer on both sides at the same time. Up until that point, it had gone undetected. I didn’t have to do chemo, but as part of my treatment, I had 3 more surgeries and 10 years of follow up medication. It left me feeling very wiped out. I had side effects from the surgeries and medication. I had muscle aches, joint pain, and stiffness. I ended up struggling with fatigue and weight gain for several years. My lifestyle became sedentary and I ate a lot of convenience foods because I was always tired. I knew I needed a change of direction. I started with some exercise classes. I joined a local gym that incorporated exercise, healthy eating and accountability. That helped me change direction and start down a healthier path. It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. After losing my health for a while, I have a new appreciation for eating well and exercising. I was also experiencing some anxiety, so I knew I had to change my thinking habits. I started to focus my thoughts on all the positive blessings in my life. For me, that started with the Bible. At night, my thoughts turned to worrying, which made it harder to sleep, so I started listening to an audio Bible. That gave my mind a more peaceful feeling. God is my source of peace. He sets the direction in my life. I’m not completely back to full health yet, but I feel the best I have since the surgeries. That progress is a great feeling. I’m on a better road now. My weight is down and I’ve been sticking with my healthy commitments for a year and a half and I’m feeling stronger physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I’m grateful for the challenge I experienced, because it has taught me how to live in the moment, engage in life more fully, and to look for blessings in every day.”