For the Breast of Us

BADDIE BLOGS

Our mission is to empower women of color affected by breast cancer to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives through education, advocacy and community.

Dear cancer: It’s been complicated

Originally Published in the June 2021 issue of Elephants and Tea

Dear Cancer,

It’s been complicated.

I’m sure a lot of people would like to know how we met.

Were we introduced by family (genetics), online dating (Google searching my symptoms), restaurant, or bar (bad eating/too much drinking)?

No, you were like a bad blind date gone all the way wrong that decided to pitch a tent and stay for a while, uninvited at that. A thief who came in the middle of the night.

I have many analogies but I’ll stop there.

I swear I never wanted to meet you.

I mean, who does?

But here you were, teaching me all kinds of lessons along the way about myself and life in general.

The lessons you ask, well they go a little something like this.

Life can change in an instant! One day you’re planning your Halloween costume and the next you’re planning dates at the infusion center with your favorite RN. You taught me that life is fleeting and at any moment it will shift.

Be present! I used to move so swiftly through life, trying to be everywhere and everything to everyone that I forgot to enjoy the moment at hand. If you’re always running to the next moment, what happens to the one you’re in? You showed me that if you don’t slow down, you’ll miss it.

It’s ok to let go. Walking away from anything and everything that no longer serves me purpose. You reminded me I can love from a distance and be ok.

While I hate that you and I started an entanglement (changes relationship status to “It’s Complicated”), I’m thankful for the beautiful, dark and twisted journey we’ve been on together. You’ve brought people and opportunities into my life that I never thought was possible. Unfortunately, you touched their lives too (you dirty bastard) and the one common thread is you. So even though you showed up to turn our lives upside down, you don’t get to choose how we live.

Cancer, you whispered to me “Either learn me or I’m a lesson”.

But I’m pretty sure I was the lesson for you.

advocacy, breast cancer, cancer, chemo, genetics, Marissa Thomas, new normal, purpose

Marissa Thomas

Marissa Thomas, co-founder of “For the Breast of Us”, is a breast cancer survivor from Tacoma, WA, diagnosed at 35, stage II ER+. She is a Healthcare Program Coordinator at the University of Washington Medical Center, in Seattle, WA. Marissa’s passion to educate women on how to navigate the healthcare system to make it work for them comes from her being diagnosed at an early age. She also wants women to know they can continue living their best life, regardless of the circumstances. She holds a BS in Healthcare Administration and is a certified Living Beyond Breast Cancer Young Advocate. Marissa enjoys spending time with her son Siaire and throwing dinner parties with her family and friends.

About Us

Your voice, your story, and your support can make a difference. Join For the Breast of Us in our mission to empower, support, and advocate for women of color across the globe. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the resources and support she needs to overcome breast cancer.