Ellen was a teacher, drug/alcohol counselor and school counselor for 32 years. Always being fairly “unique,” she was diagnosed with a unique form of breast cancer — one tumor followed by two more malignant tumors – in 2007. Ellen and her husband, although native New Yorkers, have lived in Seattle for 41 years. They have two grown children, two grandchildren and two standard poodles.

Ellen Reichman

Breaking News:

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales at age 42 has cancer.

Sure, they have the resources for the best care possible

Sure, they have outside help not many of us regular people have.

Any one ofus stricken by cancer remembers our own breaking news.

Our diagnosis revealed, sharing with our families and loved ones.

Don’t look at me differently; I am still the same person

With cancer — not defining me, but a part of me —

Uninvited cells invaded not only our bodies but our spirit, our souls.

A carnage like no other; cancer can be brutal

Facing the biggest challenge of our lives

The term “lost the battle to cancer” bothers me

I stand in solidarity with the royal family

Although there is not anything royal about a girl from Brooklyn

This post was written and submitted by Ellen Reichman. The article reflects the views of Reichman and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to 

subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.

Articles

Any one of us stricken by cancer remembers our own breaking news. 

A Poem on Cancer's Breaking News

pebble became part of an unfriendly family of three

A poem reflecting on one survivor's feelings on bras.

Ode to Bras: A Poem

It’s been 10 years since my diagnosis. 

In some ways, it feels like yesterday. But it also feels like it was a lifetime ago. 

First, there was call number one after my ultrasound. I was told about my “infiltrating ductal carcinoma.” I was driving when I received the call. No office visit. No face-to-face. Driving. And then, I just drove home as if my world was the same. Nothing about my world was the same. 

Two weeks later, after an MRI, I received call number two. Thankfully, I was home. This time the news was that two additional “highly suspicious regions” were detected. Highly suspicious. Couldn’t be good. Yet, they were just suspicious, right? Not definite.

Next was the barrage of doctors’ appointments and treatment options. The cancer “journey” had begun. I’ve never been sure why we call it a journey. I suppose since a journey is defined as traveling from one place to another, it is a journey of sorts. Patients travel from the land of wellness to the land of sickness. I’d rather go on a trip.

It’s been said that if you pass the five- and then 10-year mark, you are less likely to have a recurrence. It may be less likely, but it can still happen, of course. 

Every day I am reminded of cancer. A double mastectomy is a constant reminder, but people tell me to not think about it. It’s over. Those people never had cancer.

People tell me cancer can happen to anyone and I’m no more likely to have it happen again as they are. Really?

It’s as if there are two camps — those of us who have had cancer, and those who haven’t. No matter how loving and empathetic people may be, if they have not gone through cancer treatment, it’s impossible to put yourself in our shoes and to wake up one day and know a foreign toxic body is out to get you. It happened once, it can happen again. That is simply the way it is.

Cancer no longer defines me. But, cancer will always be a part of me. 

I celebrate 10 years. I celebrate friends and loved ones who have had cancer as they reach personal milestones, and remain cancer free.

It's been said that reaching the ten-year mark means you are home free. But are you?

Ten Years Since Cancer

When a cancer diagnosis is given, it not only impacts the person receiving the news, but other family members as well.  My illness touched everyone I knew. This included friends, neighbors, co-workers, casual acquaintances.  People I had never imagined to be supportive come out of the woodwork to be there for me.  Sadly, I also discovered there were others, who could not or would not show up.  It was as if I had a plague of some sort and they feared they could catch it.  Or, they didn’t know what to say or do, so …they simply said or did nothing.  

The relationship that surprised me the most was the one I had with my mom.  Although 3,000 miles apart, she came into my world in a way I never thought she could.  To this day, 10 years later, we are closely connected.  My poem “The Visit” speaks to our journey. 

Hopefully, others who walk this walk will have their loved ones right by their side. 

decided to fly cross country to visit my mother

a seemingly “normal” occurrence, but not so much for her

i gently confronted her — asked if she had any idea how

the years of harsh treatment left me feeling less than;

how always being in her way left me feeling invisible

for the next few days, we shared this new place…

saying good-bye, we lingered longer as we hugged

When receiving a cancer diagnosis, more often than not, all relationships are impacted. 

Ellen Reichman

A Poem on Cancer's Breaking News

Ode to Bras: A Poem

Ten Years Since Cancer

Cancer and Relationships

Latest News