About : Profiles

Meet Katherine James, 42-year-old breast cancer survivor
Married with two sons, ages 17 and 13

Date of Diagnosis:
November 4, 2005

Treatment:
Lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Herceptin

Cancer was difficult because:
I felt I had stepped off the planet. The world was going around and I was just watching it go by. The fatigue and isolation were bad, but losing my hair was even worse.

Good things to come out of my illness:
There is much more goodness in people than we know. My friends are teachers of love and kindness. They took joy in giving, whether it was cookies, food, a card, poem, flowers or caring for my family. My cancer brought out the best in people. Family time is very important.
Most important pieces of advice for someone diagnosed with cancer:
1) Find humor in anything. God blessed me with a sense of humor.
2) Use the Internet to communicate with family and friends on updates, etc.

Why I joined MoveThroughCancer:
I knew I’d be surrounded by people with something in common. I wouldn’t feel awkward and I knew they wouldn’t stare at me. We’ve all been through it.

How MoveThroughCancer changed my life:
I’ve learned more information about real life side effects and cancer-related issues from other women in MTC than anywhere else. It has been everything I’d hoped it to be and I am so grateful.