Interview with actress Maura Tierney on her breast cancer experience
In the latest edition of Coping with Cancer, the actress Maura Tierney opens up about her breast cancer experience.
In 2009, the former ER actress, Maura Tierney found a lump in her breast and following a mammogram was diagnosed with cancer. Tierney underwent a mastectomy and then chemotherapy. Interviewed by Jessica Webb, she recounts how shocked and surprised she was to be diagnosed with breast cancer as a young woman.
I was very shocked and surprised because of my age. I’ve since learned that it’s not that shocking; there are plenty of young women diagnosed with breast cancer. The first thing I was thinking was, “I’m so young; this can’t be happening to me.” And I was scared because it was all so unknown.
So many of us can share this same sense of shock and disbelief, whatever our age. I also identify with what the actress has to say about what the experience has meant to her:
It’s been only two and half years since I finished treatment, so my perspective is still evolving. I have a lot of gratitude, for sure. I’m deeply grateful for my family and for science, technology, and medicine. But I’m still gaining perspective on it all.
Behind these words, we can sense what so many of us have learned…that the end of treatment is not the end of our cancer stories. It takes time to integrate the experience into our lives. It takes time to heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. . I have come to believe that surviving cancer is more complicated than simply being disease free. It is a continual process, which involves taking the best possible care of your health, acknowledging all that has happened and knowing how and when to ask for support. Only then can you start to move forward with your life and uncover a greater purpose and meaning. Would you agree?
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I do agree, Marie, but sometimes even that isn’t enough. One of our fellow breast cancer bloggers, Lisa, recently discovered her cancer has recurred. I’m devastated for her and her family. That news, along with thinking about James’ unexpected death, makes me realize that we’re not as in control as we’d like to think we are. James always told me that, but now I REALLY get it. I’m still evaluating as to whether that’s a good or bad realization.
XOXOXO,
Brenda
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Oh Brenda, I caught the news about Lisa on Twitter a few days ago – so desperately sorry to hear of it. As you know my own mother died unexpectedly of a brain tumor, and I am still reeling from the suddeness of her death and as you say the awful controllable, unpredictable nature of cancer.
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The end of treatment certainly isn’t the end of our cancer story. In fact, I, a 16-year veteran of breast cancer, believe treatment is just the beginning of the tale. Since my treatment, many of my life experiences (physically, emotionally and spiritually) seem at first glance to be peripheral to cancer, but actually are quite related. Thanks for sharing Ms. Tierney’s words on the subject. xox
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I am 7 years post treatment and am still integrating and learning so I couldn’t agree with you more Jan!
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Hiya Marie,
Thanks for another great post with an interesting twist. We don’t have to be celebs to relate to what you have shared with us, straight from Maura, but certainly hearing it from a famous, young person who we assume has it all going on for her — then finds herself where we are – is another reinforcement of what Maura tells us … “The end of treatment is not the end of our cancer stories. It takes time to integrate the experience into our lives. It takes time to heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. . I have come to believe that surviving cancer is more complicated than simply being disease free. It is a continual process, which involves taking the best possible care of your health, acknowledging all that has happened and knowing how and when to ask for support.”
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Hi Rachel, thanks so much for your comment. Actually, those last words are mine 😉
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Wonderful read – thanks for sharing
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Our experiences become part of the fabric of our lives. Cancer, even if we survive with NED, is a major thread–its colors and gnarlyness grandually blending into the whole. In my mind, there is no way to remain who we were before it happened.
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I love the beautiful eloquence of your words as always Lois.. thank you
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I like her realistic attitude – none of the breast cancer was an amazing gift talk..but realistically telling us it takes time to process and integrate it with your life.
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