15 Sep, 2009
Blog of the Week: Miracle Survivors
Posted by: Shannan Boyer In: Blog of the Week|Shannan
On an evening when the world turns its attention to Patrick Swayze, who lost his long battle with cancer, I thought it would be appropriate to choose a new blog dedicated to celebrating the struggle and survival of many cancer sufferers. This week’s blog of the week is Miracle Survivors, a blog by Tami Boehmer, a miracle survivor in her own right. Here’s her story, in her own words:
Hi, I’m Tami Boehmer, and I’m pictured here with the most important people in my life: My husband Mike and daughter Chrissy.
After years of working in public relations at hospitals and other healthcare institutions, I was suddenly thrust into life as a patient.
On February 4, 2008, I learned I had a recurrence of the breast cancer – just months after my five-year, cancer-free anniversary. This time I was told it was incurable and terminal. One doctor told me, “You could live two years or 20 years, but you’ll die from breast cancer.”
At first I was devastated, but soon got angry. How does she know how long I have to live? She doesn’t know me and how determined I am!
I needed to talk with other cancer survivors who didn’t accept doctors’ predictions … people who beat the odds. And I was determined to find out how they did it so I could do it myself. So I started talking with people whom I call “miracle survivors.” Their stories helped drown out my fears and negative thinking. I knew if they could do it, I could too … and I wanted to share their inspirational stories with others.
So began my journey of interviewing outstanding survivors around the country for my book-in-progress, From Incurable to Incredible: Cancer Survivors Who Beat the Odds. This blog is my way of sharing these stories and the things I learned along the way that has contributed to my health and current state of remission.
As I learned from my interviews with these remarkable people, cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. In fact, cancer can be the start of a life sentence, and I mean this in the most positive way. Like me, for the individuals in this book, cancer was the beginning of a new way of life; one of appreciation, hope, and discovering one’s potential.
Go take a look at Miracle Survivors and support those who have thrived in the face of cancer, and who are spending their lives trying to inspire others.
