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Ann Murray Paige Co-Producer and subject of The Breast Cancer Diaries

Take a deep breath, get comfortable, and push the play button.  Come on a journey with Ann Murray Paige, the Co-producer and subject of The Breast Cancer Diaries, and I as we talk about her amazing made for TV Documentary, airing on The Discovery Health Channel.

Ann discovered her lump while doing a breast self exam. “So here I am, the freelance television anchor who does breast exams in the shower, doing the usual check this Sunday morning. I am the woman who finally has it all; a great husband, great kids, a great balance of work and motherhood–and still 2 years away from 40. And sure as s–t I feel a lump…”

Ann Murray Paige was a successful local anchorwoman in Maine before she put her career aside to raise her children. At age 38, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, Ann returns to her familiar place in front of the camera-this time, however, exploring herself as the subject.

Filmmaker Linda Pattillo’s touch allows us intimate access into Ann’s most private thoughts about her battle with breast cancer, thoughts that are alternately reflective, sobering, grim, funny, wry and sometimes outlandish.

Ann and I sat down and spoke candidly about her journey through Breast Cancer.  One common denominator of our conversation was awareness.  Some way to spread the word, some way to make a difference.  

Initially, Ann didn’t really know what it meant to have a documentary done on her. She had seen many documentaries, but to actually have one done on her was something completely different, as was being diagnosed with cancer. Ann said, “I didn’t really know what was going to happen to me, but I knew that I would be changed in profound and permanent ways, and that in itself was worth taping.  How deeply I was going to be changed, I had no idea what was to come.” 

We have read many survivorship stories, but in the documentary Ann takes us into her bedroom, her living room, her life.  She takes us with her on her day to day activities of being a Breast cancer patient, mother and wife.  

Ann and I spoke candidly about how painful surgery was, how important it is to have some sort of release, whether it is talking with others, or journaling or creating a wonderful documentary. Ann said that she needed a project.  Her instict as a news reporter kicked in right from the beginning.  She wanted all the facts, wanted to know everything.  Her sister-in-law Linda Pattillo gave her the idea to create the project The Breast Cancer Diaries, and became the director. Ann said, “I need something to focus on or I was going to be swallowed up whole by this cancer diagnosis.” 

Ann’s vision for The Breast Cancer Diaries is to “have it in every hospital, every gift store in every location around the world where women are in this position, and where other people are trying to help.  It’s awfuly hard to understand and to help a breast cancer patient who is dealing with so much fear, so much confusion, so much medical change, so much emotional change. It’s a huge tall order, and I felt for the people around me, but I couldn’t help them because I needed every ounce of strength to help myself.”

Ann is 5 years out since her diagnosis and she says, “I am positive about the future, I think unfortunately when you’ve had cancer, there is always a spector of recurrance or a secondary cancer. That is something that each individual patient has to put in their own place in their life.” 

I really enjoyed sharing Ann’s story, and being able to share a bit of my story as well, to bring awareness, hope and faith to others who’s lives are forever changed by Breast Cancer.

“This is Ann Murray Paige, co-producer and subject of ‘The Breast Cancer Diaries.’ I am grateful to you for checking out my film and for taking the time to find out what it’s like to “go through hell and keep going” (Winston Churchill.) For any one whose ever faced a life-challenging situation, whether it’s losing a loved one, losing hope, getting a disease, losing your way, ‘The Breast Cancer Diaries‘ will remind you that no matter what you face, if you stay the course and fight like hell, you can win…”

Please take the time to listen to our Fight Pink Soundboard Pod Cast with Ann Murray Paige, and visit her website to order a copy of The Breast Cancer Diaries today!

Thank you!

Stacy Martello