Learning
to live with breast cancer
By Akiko Sugimori
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
 “Sometimes
in life we don’t get choices. We get dealt
a hand we have to play it.” said Kathy Shaon,
assistant to the provost in Academic Affairs,
was diagnosed with breast cancer in January
2002. “I was given the [gift] of breast
cancer.”
Shaon has gone through 13 months of treatment
including aggressive chemotherapy and surgery
since the initial finding. However, a more
aggressive form of breast cancer was found
and more radiation as well as additional
chemotherapy was required.
“I consider the breast cancer a gift, because
from it, I have learned how to reach out,”
said Shaon. During her treatment, she continued
to work full time except two weeks for surgery.
She was also taking classes at Cal State
Long Beach and doing volunteer work. Shaon
lost her hair, fingernails and toenails.
Continuing chemotherapy she developed blisters
on her feet, and lost her toenails a second
time. Doctors told Shaon there is a high
chance, 80-85 percent, of her cancer recurring
in the next one to three years.
“I have learned that even though I can’t
choose the disease I have, I can choose
how to deal with it. I can keep it to myself
and feel sorry for myself, or I can learn
from it and take what I learn and share
it with others - much like gift.”
Shaon has been volunteering at various groups
since high school to the junior league of
Long Beach and the special events committee
on staff council at CSULB.
Shaon said, “To me, volunteering was not
only an opportunity to help others, but
to share what I have.” She also belongs
to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for
Life, Breast Cancer Angeles and the breast
cancer support group on campus.
In January, Shaon started the breast cancer
support group on campus. Although the group
is mainly for breast cancer patients and
survivors, anyone who wants to learn how
to support someone with cancer may attend.
“I felt that it was important to have a
readily available support system for those
who are on campus,” said Shaon. “We share
the box of chocolates, we share the vacation
pictures, we share the joy of a job promotion
with others, we share our grief over the
loss of friends. By sharing, we help others,
we help ourselves and we make a difference
however small it may seen.”
“She is a wonderful and courageous woman
who battled against breast cancer and won,”
said CSULB President Robert C. Maxson. “She
handled herself with a great deal of grace
and determination during a difficult time.
She was a great inspiration to all of us.”
“Without breast cancer, I would not have
had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful
people… I would not be mentoring other women
who are struggling with their diagnosis
of breast cancer. Without the gift of breast
cancer, I would not be the person that I
am today, or the person I will become tomorrow,”
said Shaon. “I am alive. I can laugh, cry,
read and sleep in if I want. I am not on
death’s door immediate, I have been given
a second chance.”
|
