Some years ago, I was in a luxurious hotel room in Beverly Hills, glancing at sun speckles dancing on the wall, remembering how good it felt to read a book and slide comfortably into an afternoon nap. My husband and I were enjoying a long-awaited and much-deserved long weekend to celebrate his birthday-an event that had gradually evolved into an annual opportunity to get away from our lives to relax and reset.
As I settled myself in to nap, I moved the book, brushing against an odd spot on my chest. It was definitely a lump. I wanted to doubt the accuracy of my clinical skills, but I could not. The odds were high it was cancer.
The next steps:
Back in Boston, I was diagnosed within seven days. That week was a whirlwind of tests and appointments that flew by at lightning speed. I felt blessed for having access to some of the best medical care in the world. Despite immense support from colleagues and friends, for the first time in my life I was facing something I had not anticipated. Read more…
