top of page
SBC Logo Transparent background
Writer's pictureSurviving Breast Cancer

The Three Little Words That Changed Everything

By Jill


An Inspiring Story And Her Thanks To Cancer

Jill's Story

2 years ago.

On 1/13/2016, I heard those three little words that changed everything.


“You have cancer.”


(It was something like that...I was so nervous that I don’t remember the exact words).


Looking back at the past 2 years, I realize how much life has changed and how much I have changed. Mostly good changes but some not so good changes too.


Thanks to cancer, I’ve become a little more adventurous and have learned to spend more time with, and be more appreciative of, my family and friends.


Thanks to cancer, I got my butt off the couch and started leading a healthier lifestyle.


Thanks to cancer, I’ve met some pretty great people, both in person and on social media. My oncologist, my infusion nurses, my running girls and an amazing group of other survivors. I truly believe that people come into you life at the right time and for the right reason and I am so thankful for all of these new relationships.


Thanks to cancer, I have learned to be thankful for every moment that adds to my story.


Some days are difficult and I have a hard time thinking about anything but cancer, worried that I’m going to be so busy enjoying life that I miss some subtle sign of recurrence.


Other days, I don’t think about cancer much at all.


There are other days when I’m not even sure I had cancer, like it was all a dream or something.


I am thankful for family and friends that are sticking with me. I know I’m more complicated than I used to be, and I know that I can be a moody pain, but you are trying to understand me as I struggle to understand myself.


So here’s to another year of:


Health, happiness, and embracing the hot mess that I am.


Learn about supporting the Sunshine Bag Project


The Sunshine Bag started out as a way to celebrate my 40th birthday by donating hats to my cancer center.


Since tomorrow is never guaranteed, this has become an annual celebration. Thanks to the generosity of friends, family, and strangers, I started receiving yellow items and have been able to donate 90 Sunshine Bags to 2 cancer centers, and send a few to personal requests of people who know someone battling cancer!



Thank you for sharing your story, Jill. SBC loves you.



SurvivingBreastCancer.org Resources & Support:

Recent Posts

See All
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the third Thursday of every month, we will have a special meeting for the MBC community. This space will be hosted by the incredible Psychologist Nancy Gaulin.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join us for the REIKI Circle of Care, a transformative virtual session where energy knows no boundaries. Experience the power of distance Reiki as it flows through your Chakras, bringing balance and universal energy to your body, mind, and spirit.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Online Event
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join Kim OBrien for guided Qi Gong class. A time-honored practice that utilizes breath, movement, and intention setting to promote health and equilibrium in the body.
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    ¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español!
  • Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    ¡Únete a nuestro encuentro exclusivo "Después de un Diagnóstico" el 4to martes del mes por la noche!
  • Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 28
    Online Event
    Nov 28, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 28, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    IBC 2.0 is a private support group for individuals who have graduated from our standing Thursday Night Thrivers-IBC. Our IBC 2.0 group dives into topics, questions, and concerns on a deeper level as members already know one another and have graduated from TNT-IBC.
  • Multiple Dates
    Sun, Dec 01
    Online
    Dec 01, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Dec 01, 2024, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
    Online
    Each month, the Breast Cancer Book Club chooses a book that has nothing to do with breast cancer.
  • Multiple Dates
    Mon, Dec 02
    Online Event
    Dec 02, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Dec 02, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.

Upcoming
events

  • Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Thursday Nights Thrivers Meetup
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM EST
    Virtual
    This is your weekly breast cancer support group! It's a welcoming and inviting virtual space where you can come to meet others, ask questions, or just listen in. Our sessions are always confidential and a friendly space offering support as well a a bit of humor.
  • MBC Support Group with Nancy Gaulin
    MBC Support Group with Nancy Gaulin
    Multiple Dates
    Thu, Nov 21
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 21, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM EST
    Virtual
    Join us for our signature Thursday Night Thrivers Meetup! On the third Thursday of every month, we will have a special meeting for the MBC community. This space will be hosted by the incredible Psychologist Nancy Gaulin.
  • Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Meditation Affirmations: Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Nov 25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM EST
    Online Event
    The process of focused meditation with attention and intention can provide answers to various questions we may have especially around limiting beliefs. This is an opportunity to anchor the chakra teachings and transform our consciousness around.
  • Reiki Circle of Care
    Reiki Circle of Care
    Multiple Dates
    Mon, Nov 25
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 25, 2024, 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join us for the REIKI Circle of Care, a transformative virtual session where energy knows no boundaries. Experience the power of distance Reiki as it flows through your Chakras, bringing balance and universal energy to your body, mind, and spirit.
  • Qi Gong with Kim
    Qi Gong with Kim
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Nov 26, 2024, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
    Online Event
    Join Kim OBrien for guided Qi Gong class. A time-honored practice that utilizes breath, movement, and intention setting to promote health and equilibrium in the body.
  • Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico
    Grupo de Apoyo: Después de un Diagnóstico
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    ¡Únete con nosotros para nuestro exclusivo Evento Martes - después del diagnóstico en español!
  • Grupo de Apoyo para Cáncer de Mama Metastásico
    Grupo de Apoyo para Cáncer de Mama Metastásico
    Multiple Dates
    Tue, Nov 26
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    Nov 26, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST
    Virtual
    ¡Únete a nuestro encuentro exclusivo "Después de un Diagnóstico" el 4to martes del mes por la noche!

1

Surviving Breast Cancer provides breast cancer support, events, and webinars at no cost to you! Whether you are looking to gain more knowledge on a particular topic or meet up with other breast cancer survivors, we have something for everyone. 

2

Our standing appointment on Thursdays is for all stages. We also host specific breakout groups once a month for specific stages and subtypes such as Metastatic breast cancer, and Inflammatory Breast Cancer, etc. 

3

The Book Club meets the first Sunday of every month at 11 am ET. You are welcome to join each month or pick and choose your month based on your availability and the book we are reading. 

4

Through art, writing, and other creative modalities, we hold the power to manage our stress, make sense of our now, and relax into moments of stillness. 

5

Free, monthly, online classes in restorative yoga, yoga for breast cancer, and Zumba. 

6

Después de un Diagnóstico

bottom of page