After being diagnosed with Stage III invasive breast cancer without any nodal involvement, I was completely taken by surprise at how harsh chemotherapy and radiation turned out to be, probably because I'd been a vegetarian, teaching yoga for so many years and had no family history of cancer. For me, I ended up bridging both Western medicine and Eastern medicine for my personal success. I'd hydrate on Yogi Tea and meditate before sharing a box of Girl Scout Cookies, all while getting chemo with the other ladies at the infusion center. I vowed to not allow anything to get me off of my schedule, because I already knew when my post-chemo party was scheduled! I didn't get sick throughout my treatment. I continued to run around Memorial Park and date during my nine months of therapy while blogging away all of my secrets to empower others like me. I'd receive random emails from people thanking me for telling them how to not puke!
During treatment I was recruited to work downtown. When I finished my treatment I was given opportunities to speak to other women throughout different venues. Because of my commitment to helping other women with breast cancer, my boss and I had to part ways. He did not like it when I left the building. But I couldn't say "no" to sharing my stories and speaking to so many women who were scared, just as I was. I could see fear in their eyes, until I would tell them that it was going to be a tough time, but if I could do it, anyone could do it. When they were relieved, I was satisfied with my job of empowering other women and asking them to pass it on. The decision to focus on breast cancer nonprofits with my skills and talents had already been made for me. I finally had to listen to my heart and not my head.
Soon, I was volunteering at every breast cancer nonprofit that interested me. I raised money, rode my bike, shared stories, visited patients, painted plates, and appeared on TV to share my story of how breast cancer actually empowered me to focus on life ahead and shed the pains of the past. I was blessed and wanted to remind everyone in my path that they were also empowered. It's our choice and it has always been that way; sometimes cancer has to wake us up.
Now that I've just celebrated my four-year "Pinkaversary" on the day I was diagnosed, I am still a survivor, but now I'm also an educated patient advocate blessed with scholarships to attend conferences around the globe. Just last month, I graduated from Rice University's Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives with Distinguished Honors after spending one year cultivating my resources towards a career working within breast cancer research. Along the way I've garnered a position as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Molecular Biology and Genetic Panel where I rate high-impact grants for funding. (I just got another appointment) I've seen how funds are utilized from grass roots to the grass tops and it's amazing what women have done for the industry. We still don't realize just how strong we are united together. I do see a future without breast cancer. However, I also find that so many survivors finish their treatment and try to go back to their lives only to find that they are not normal after all - in fact, they are empowered and special. I continue to be a resource for so many valuable nonprofits that most of us are not aware of. We need to know that we can all get what we need when we need it. All you have to do is ask. Be the best person you can be no matter what the odds. Follow my path as I continue to advocate this fall during the Women's Empowerment Cancer Action Network (WE CAN) Inaugural Conference in Uganda onhttp://is-ext.fhcrc.org/sites/we-can/index.html#network and follow my stories athttp://sandymcastillo.com/. Together we can share our stories with the rest of the world and make a difference.