Jaynie’s Story: How Breast Cancer Inspired Me
Today’s guest post is written by Jaynie Crayton, a motivational speaker with KONACan, an organization whose mission is to inspire those who are facing overwhelming challenges in life and/or in business.
Breast cancer. Women dread hearing these words from their doctors. 1 out of 8 women these days are diagnosed with this dreadful disease. However, thanks to advanced medical technology, the rate of women dying of breast cancer has been lowered.
Many women battle breast cancer. All of us who receive this bad news get the ultimate shock of our lives. This is the disease that we want to avoid like the plague. Yet, it is there and it is very real. So, what do we do if we are unfortunate enough to have it? We battle against it!
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2000. I was, at that time, living and working abroad. I never thought that it would happen to me, but it did. I was, however, very lucky in the fact that the cancer was detected at its early stages. There were no words that could describe how I felt at that time. But I couldn’t spend a lot time feeling sorry for myself.
I immediately went through the procedure that every woman with breast cancer has to endure in order to get well. I underwent surgery and I must say that is the easy part. What followed next was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life; trying to get better. The months of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy almost took everything away from me. Almost. One thing that the breast cancer could not take away from me was my fighting spirit.
I fought it hard and I fought it well. I had my team of doctors and my ever loving family and friends to thank for. They were there for me through it all. I was never fighting that treacherous disease alone. I thank everybody for being there for me and for giving me their support. So, what’s next after the battle for breast cancer?
After my near death experience, I guess that I could move on and get on with my life. I could just get a 9-5 job, earn a living like any normal person would, buy the things that I need, travel the world and live my life the way I should have before I was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, I find myself headed to a different direction.
I have become a motivational speaker to those who need it. It is not easy to fight a battle within oneself. I am lucky enough that I have other people to motivate me and I am also the kind of person who motivates herself as I do not want to give up on life and everything beautiful it has to offer. I may have seen the ugliness that came with it but it only made me realize and appreciate the beauty of life.
For me, being a cancer survivor is not enough. There are a lot of women out there who need hope and to not be in despair. I would like them to know that this disease does not have to stop them from dreaming and hoping. If other women have survived, so can they. With my other friends, we try to raise money for breast cancer and make people more aware of it. I am fortunate enough to have survived this great ordeal and I believe it is my turn to help others. There are many out there who have questions and I would like to tell my own story and become an inspiration.
Jaynie Crayton
http://www.konacan.org/motivational-speakers/jaynie-crayton/
http://www.KONACan.org
Jaynie your message is important for any woman to hear, I’m glad you are using your voice to share it.
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Like you, Jaynie, I strive to use my breast cancer experience to instill hope in others. Thank you for all the important work you do to inspire people who feel they have no options. And thank you, Marie, for featuring Jaynie in your influential blog. xx
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Jan, you also are the embodiment of using your experience to inspire others – you cerainly inspire me!
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Whether it’s a need to provide information, advocate for research, or just support others – isn’t it interesting how so many people want to give back? Congratulations on lightening the loads of others through your fundraising and speaking. It sounds as though you’ve found your niche.
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Thanks for your lovely comment and yes, it is interesting and good to note how many of us are motivated to give back something to the world after our cancer diagnosis
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The fact that other women have survived and not let cancer overtake this lives is such an important message, and I’m so glad you’re spreading it.
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