If there is one thing that Cancer has taught me it’s that you always have a choice.

I’m Stacy I am a Breast Cancer Survivor. What exactly is a Cancer Survivor? A Cancer survivor is anyone who is diagnosed with Cancer, your family, friends, and co-workers are also survivors.

Anyone who is within your circle that shares your triumphs and fears, your vision for health and finding a cure for this “Beast” we call Breast Cancer. Cancer has also taught me, that we are much stronger than we think.

In reflection, over this past year, the number of choices my family and I had to endure because of my Breast Cancer diagnosis was more than I care to even think about.

The difference was, my life was on the line. Choices had to be made, and made quickly. Let’s bring everything back into perspective. If I had not been the type of woman that seeks knowledge. If I had not been the type of woman who asks questions of my numerous physicians. If I chose not be educated about my disease, I felt that I would be living in the dark, not in the light.

My Choice: Education. Knowledge is Power. Attitude is everything.

During my initial diagnosis, I was fearful. I was failed by my primary care physician who never called me back for further studies after my initial mammogram was positive. I chose to switch physicians.

I was referred to a Breast Surgeon, who had practiced for more than 20 years. After she diagnosed my Breast Cancer by biopsy, we waited almost a month to hear when my surgery would occur. She was a very good physician according to many, but one month of knowing I had Breast Cancer, and not scheduling any type of surgery, loosing my Mammogram films (original films), loosing my MRI films, and little contact because she was on vacation, was too long in the least. I made the choice to switch Physicians. My choice, my life, my perogitive.

I chose to visit more than one Breast Surgeon, visit more than one Plastic Surgeon, and more than one Oncologist to ask the questions that I needed answered.

In one week, after “firing” my breast surgeon, I had eight doctor’s appointments. I met a breast surgeon who was to say the least, amazing. Dr. Anabella Barber’s bedside manner, and ability to connect with me, and my family was essential to my well being. I looked at her Medical Training, how long she was in practice, and even asked her office staff if she was pleasant to work with. I left no stone unturned. My choice, my life, my perogitive.

I met one plastic surgeon who insisted that I need a double mastectomy, and he would not keep the nipple complex. I was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0. I promptly walked out of his office, never to look back. It is physicians like him that I experienced, which empowers me to speak out, and understand that you have choices. The plastic surgeon I settled upon, AMAZING to say the least, Dr. Cameron Earl. He and my Breast surgeon, discussed my case, informed me on every decision that they thought was in my best interest, and basically promised nothing, but gave me the comfort, knowledge, and ability to face my ordeal with courage, faith and most of all trust. My oncologist Dr. Phillip J. Manno, another wonderful doctor who takes the time to inform me on decisions for treatment, and even prints out articles to ease my mind on questions I leave on his voicemail.

In my mind, we were a team. We built a bridge together of information, courage, faith, and most of all trust, and continue to walk across it hand in hand.

Understand that you have many choices to make. Your doctors, your medication, your career, your friends, your treatment plan, and most importantly your life.

Understand your choices, educate yourself on your disease and your treatment options. We all know that during the stage of initial diagnosis, we are fearful, and look to the outside for help. What you must know is courage and turning fear into faith. Know that it is your life, find your strength, find your attitude, and Fight Pink!