Potential for the Positive

Ah, the new year.  I was so focused on getting through 2013 and seeing it die in a fiery blaze fueled by Hibiclens, bandages and whiskey that I was slightly disappointed when the good ole new year rolled in.  I didn't make any resolutions, but did give myself a few ideas for things that I had to put on the back burner in 2013.  I'm excited about trying some new things and go on a real vacation...a vacation that doesn't involve surgery and anesthesia.  I'm excited about the potential of the year.  

Potential.

I really identify with potential.  I love seeing people make something from just an idea, whether it's a product or a business.  I love looking at a piece of flat fabric and thinking about what fabulous clothing item could be made from it.  I love when someone confides in me a desire to try something new and I'm able to help them achieve that goal.  Exciting, exciting.  

And sometimes, potential can cause a lot of anxiety and stress.

I've talked with two women in the last month that are starring into the face of their own potential and their extremely high risk of breast cancer.  Ugh.  These women are smart and savvy and a couple of badasses, in my opinion, but they are are now spending much of their time addressing their potential for breast cancer.  It's heavy stuff.  There isn't a magic pill that will just erase away the risk...well, there kind of is, but it requires removal of your breasts and ovaries.  This isn't a option for women that are in the family-making mode.  The doctors usually default to the most aggressive course of action because they don't want to see the potential develop into cancers that are hard to treat and life-threatening.  Only the patient is the one weighing all the aspects and consequences of the potential cancer.  They are being asked to make static decisions about dynamics variables...talk about anxiety.

I remember those years.  The struggle with my headspace about my risk and what I should do.  Doctors that advised that maybe I should reconsider having kids because maybe I could pass the risk along to them.  Doctors that advised that I should have prophylactic surgeries that would have prevented me from having children.  Suggestions, advice, opinions....strong opinions.  The juggling of all of this can be exhausting.

But, it's getting better.  We have more choices and advances are being made every year that should provide even more choices in the future and hopefully a clear path to prevention.  When I think about my fiver-year-old daughter and the potential she has in life, the potential to develop breast cancer is low on the list.  I see her potential as a leader, a student, a revolutionary, a strong, confident woman.

I'm not glad that I was diagnosed with cancer and went through a year of surgeries and recoveries, but I'm glad it's over and I can spend my time thinking about other types of potential.  

Be kind and empathetic to women you know that are going through these situations right now.  Just listen and invite them out for coffee and happy hour.  Support them in their decision and help them feel comfortable and get back to thinking about other things....their potential...their potential for the positive.