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By Norma Jean Lipert
Before I was diagnosed with cancer those “three little words” meant,
“I love you.” They were words that made me feel good. Then one day I
heard “three little words” that didn’t make me feel so good. They were
“you have cancer.” Those three little words changed my life forever.
I recently moved to Texas from New Jersey. Less than a year
later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I never missed my annual
mammogram and always had good reports, so those three little words
left me speechless and in shock. A biopsy confirmed what I didn’t want
to hear.
My first reaction was a common one. I thought I was handed a death
sentence. I thought about all the things I hadn’t done and wondered
how much time I had left. I was scared…and I cried.
I knew I couldn’t change what happened to me so I took things
one step at a time. I went through the next few months in a daze. My
cancer was small, less than a centimeter, and was buried deep. Even the
doctor could not feel it. I was faced with having to make the difficult
decision of having a lumpectomy or a mastectomy while my head was
still spinning. I chose the lumpectomy.
After my surgery, I was sent home with drains that I could not reach.
Thank God for my husband. He took good care of me and was the
best nurse anyone could ask for. He held me through my tears and
comforted me. He was always there; never complaining. I was so lucky
to have such a wonderful man.
Later, I had radiation treatments. They zapped all of my energy,
making me tired all the time. I worked as much as I could during my
treatments, but most of the time, I was exhausted and could barely
stay awake. Long after my radiation treatments ended I still had very
little energy.
That was almost six years ago. Today, I am considered a survivor.
Those three little words made me realize that I want to live my life, not
just exist. I want to experience all that I can in whatever time I have
left on this earth. Who knows what tomorrow may bring?
 I realize that I cannot put my dreams on hold for tomorrow, because
tomorrow may not come. I can plan my future but I must live for
today.
Here are some of the things I have done since my recovery:
1) We bought our first new home and had a pool installed.
2) I joined the Red Hat Society.
3) My husband and I started traveling more.
4) I started writing and had some of my work published. During
National Poetry Month I was asked to be a guest speaker and
organize a program for a branch of the local public library.
5) I began painting glassware and wine bottles for sale and gifts, and
learned to make jewelry.
6) I took several online classes and other classes at a local community
college.
7) Hollywood look out. Here I come! I was an extra in a commercial
and a couple of movies shot locally. I even got to speak a few lines in
an independent horror flick.
8) I went to clown school and graduated. I am now a professional
clown. That gave me the opportunity to learn more. I learned how
to create balloon sculptures and face paint and put smiles on the
faces of children and adults.
I still hear those “three little words” every day from my husband, but
they are the ones that make me feel good, and I hope to hear them for
many years to come.
So get out of my way…step aside. I’ve got a lot of living to do!
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