Today I feel great. I am regaining my energy and focus but I never lost my drive, nor my faith. Everything before the diagnosis seems so distant but the diagnosis was the "best-worst thing to happen to me" The diagnosis caused me to get busy with the business of living.

I have made strides to take control of my life and the direction i see it going. I re-enrolled in school and am almost done matriculating for my Bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. During the treatment however, my father succumbed to complications from alzheimer's so in his memory, I fundraise for various organizations and bring awareness to the disease. I work full-time still but have aspirations of becoming a FT entrepreneur in recruiting and staffing. I am also a real estate investor and am working on my 2nd self-published book, along with a few other business endeavors.

What is working for me is my fervor and "can't stop-won't stop" attitude. I find that I am not the same in the area of timidity. I challenge the status quo, leave nothing to be question and make sure my voice is heard. I have also decided that a change of pace is needed and am in the process of relocating from the North East to the South East.

My finances post diagnosis took a hit and with my desire to continue my education, find it challenging to get above the "just getting by stage". The job search is challenging as well, because I desire to relocate and often applicants from another state have a difficult time getting the attention of employers.

My emotions often get the best of me because I clearly recollect the hard times I had to endure and largely, by myself. My tears these days are bittersweet because cancer treatment while maintaining a full-time position was extremely challenging. My focus was my faith and that is the reason I made it through.

I turn inward still. My focus is my faith and because of the healing power of Christ, I am able to express to Him the hard times I face and He never disappoints. There is always someone to come to my assistance or something that I learn about myself when we have those peaceful and private moments.

I sometimes feel manic because I am trying to accomplish EVERY conceivable dream and desire post diagnosis. I don't feel like I will die any time soon but realize that prior to the diagnosis there was a level of my just existing. My long-term and life goals now have a focus and a date and I work on them each and every day.

I am currently employed full-time (35 hours/week) with Friday's off over the summer. I work Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.

My relationships with my co-workers and my desire to make an impact on my organization by being sensitive to those who are in the fight for their life after being diagnosed with cancer. I had to speak up for myself and become my own advocate when lines were crossed and my protected class challenge in the midst of treatment. I seek opportunities to share Cancer and Careers and the toolkit for managers as often as possible in the hopes that my advocacy would be readily accepted.

The fact that I will soon graduate with my degree and the people who make it enjoyable to come to work each and every day.

Do what is best for you. Don't take no for an answer. Know you are not alone and you have a witness of women who both worked through treatment and those who did not...but what is best is that you preserve your peace at all cost and if working through treatment is what you need then that is what you should do.

A lot of my dealing with side effects of treatment these days (Adjuvant) is by trial and error. I find that the medical professionals treating em during active treatment could not support my desire to change lifestyle (healthy eating and nutrition) and aide me in managing some of the side effects of Tamoxifen without prescribing another pill. I have found MUCH relief through the institution of herbs and herbal supplements.

"Girl, dry your eyes! God made you a promise and He won't go back on His word! The road to your destiny won't always be paved with ease, but just know that the end was promised before the beginning and after its all said and done - YOU WON'T LOOK LIKE WHAT YOU'VE BEEN THROUGH!"