The View from Six Years Out

PJ Hamel is happy to be alive. As always. Been Through It Author, breast cancer survivor Writer, mother, wife, volunteer, and survivor: PJ Hamel joins the... Send Message Subscribe: PJ Hamel

Tuesday, February 19, 2008
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Six years ago this week, I lay half-naked on a cold table, one arm crooked uncomfortably over my head, counting the ceiling tiles and listening to bad country music as I received one final dose of radiation. Late February marked the end of a journey that had begun in May of the previous year–Ma...

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Untitled Comment
Laura Zigman
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 08:28 AM

PJ,
What a truly inspiring post. While you never sugar-coat the truth about what it's been like for you -- and for other women -- to go through the unpleasantness of breast cancer -- you always manage to show all the good that can come of it: feeling grateful for every day, including the aggravating ones, and for helping other people get through their difficult situations. Those are some lucky women who live close enough to make it to your Friday afternoon support group.

Anniversaries
Phyllis Johnson
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 07:17 PM

Congratulations on the sixth anniversary of finishing treatment. Each new year is a victory. Thank you for using your experience to help so many people.

Phyllis Johnson

Thanks for inspiring
jean
Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 03:39 AM
Thanks, PJ, for putting all our knotted feelings into words and turning our experience into something that gives more than it takes.

Untitled Comment
Kim Matthews
Friday, February 22, 2008 at 09:33 AM
I am a 27 year old mother of 3 who is waiting for biopsy results, and though I have not gotten a diagnosis yet, your article helped me realize if we get bad news, it will not be the end of the world. So thank you.

re: Untitled Comment
PJ Hamel
Friday, February 22, 2008 at 10:27 AM

That's right, Kim. News you don't want to hear... but you (and your family) would be able to deal with it, trust me. Cancer isn't the death sentence it was even 10 years ago - research and treatment have come SO far. But I feel for you, and I'm sending you good karma - I well remember those hours spent in between — you don't have cancer, but you don't NOT have it either. Yet. Whichever way the shoe drops, Kim, you'll move forward and deal. Take care- PJH

re: re: Untitled Comment
Kim Matthews
Friday, February 22, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Thank you so much.

Wonder Woman
Maria Gifford
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 11:11 PM

Dear PJ,

You are Wonder Woman -- period. Congrats on anniversary #6!

Most sincerely,
Maria

I am in the 6th year too !
Haralee
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 01:34 PM

Maybe it is the magic of 6 years? I know when I was first told I had invasive breast cancer and all the treatments ahead of me, I couldn't look past the next appointment nevermind the next year. But time moves on and thankfully with -out more cancer so do I. I have taken my experience to start my own business and I have a blog I call Entrepreneurial Menopause Freedom. 6 years ago I never would have thought it!

re: I am in the 6th year too !
PJ Hamel
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 03:55 PM

You go, girl! Now that's really changing your life - starting your own business... Congrats, and let's keep on LIVING. - PJH