I studied Eastern and Western religions after my cancer, as well as various philosophies. I am very spiritual and utilized aspects of many religions to maintain my spirit. I believe in treating people the way you wish to be treated.

Not much change, although I more clearly understood the adage, “There are no atheists in foxholes.”
(Bev Parker, Naperville, IL, diagnosed in 1985 at age 40, recurrence in 2001)

I am not a religious person, but consider myself spiritual. There is no harm or shame in receiving and sending prayers regardless of the denomination... they are all from the heart and same source and carry only positive messages of healing and love. My cousin belonged to a prayer group and had asked them to pray for me. I was very touched when I received a little white satin cloth that people I didn’t even know had put their prayers into and sent to me so that I would recover my health. I pinned it into my bra so it could lie next to my breast cancer and my heart. The vision of my youngest son hiking to a mountain in Korea saying he had said prayers for me at a Buddhist temple filled me with unbelievable healing energy, courage and strength. My cousin would call me regularly and told me that every morning he went to the gym and while he exercised he said prayers for me. The night before my surgery, my close friend and spiritual leader held a First Nations “pipe ceremony” in my living room. The ceremony left me relaxed and at peace. I slept well and soundly and was ready for whatever was to unfold the next day.

I was always spiritual in the sense of appreciating nature and trying to find the good in people and being the best that I can be in my chosen path.
(Heather Resnick, Thornhill, ON, diagnosed in 1997 at age 43, recurrence in 1999)

After the diagnosis, I fell back on my religion and found comfort again in attending Sunday mass.
(Donna Tremblay, diagnosed in 1992 at age 33, recurrence in 1996)

My faith is stronger. Now I do lots of reading. A great book is Conversations with God. I find God in everything and joy in every aspect of life.
(Yvette, Victoria, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 47)

I am very grateful for what I have. Mostly I am grateful for the warm sun, the majestic mountains, the wondrous ocean, puttering around in my garden, enjoying all the flowers as they appear. This is my spirituality. I do give thanks for what I have and appreciate the comfort that my cats gave me.
(Sharron, diagnosed in 2002 at age 62)

I rediscovered my faith. I began going back to church for comfort and solace. The pastor asked if people had any joys or concerns that they would like prayer for. I stood up and told the congregation, barely getting the words out, that I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer and needed prayer. Following the service there was an outpouring of love from many women who wanted to help, a couple of whom were survivors. I felt a blanket of warmth surrounding me.
(Carolyn S. Olson, diagnosed at age 37)

I’m grateful that I’ve been given time to think about what has just happened in my life, both the cancer and now my husband passing on.
(Amy Murphy, diagnosed in 2002 at age 32)

I established my life as a spiritual being as best I could against the old model of me as a human being. Difficult to do since I love material things, traveling, etc. I first thought being more conscious of spiritual gifts and spiritual experiences meant giving up all earthly things and even being guilty if I enjoyed such things. I like to think that I don’t have to be guilty or to feel worthy or deserving to enjoy life anew, and that material things are part of the abundance of life. The experience of breast cancer taught me that I was equating material things with love and self-worth.
(Beverly Vote, Lebanon, MO, diagnosed in 2002 at age 37)

I was thankful that my cancer had been contained in one breast, thankful that the surgery went well, thankful that follow-up tests showed no evidence of other tumors in my body, thankful that I made it through chemo and radiation with minor discomfort, and thankful that I did not wait a year to do a follow-up mammogram as recommended by the gynecologist. I am thankful that I am here today and feeling triumphant over this stage of cancer.

I became more spiritual and thank my God for giving me this additional opportunity to really experience life.
(Joan Fox, Victoria, BC)

Spiritual faith was a big part of my treatments but not something I gained from attending church. Mainly, it has been something I have revived in myself.
(Peggy Scott, Waldorf, MD, diagnosed in 2002 at age 46)

For a while there, I did question my faith, but a girlfriend that attends church regularly kept me in her prayers, and often when I need one, I’ll call on her. I used to say, “Why did God give me breast cancer?” but now I believe, “He gave me the strength to get through it.”

I am blessed by the knowledge of how many friends I have; I never knew or didn’t open my eyes wide enough. I feel gratitude to all my doctors, nurses, technicians, family, friends, colleagues, members of my Healing Circle, and neighbors. Every little smile, bowl of soup, bag of fresh fruit, cap, card, flower was gratefully received and meant so much to me.
(Jacqui, Courtenay, BC, diagnosed in 2002 at age 38)

My Eastern Orthodox faith and my priest were one of the anchors that kept me afloat and steady as I sailed the dark and stormy cancer seas. I talked to God and the Blessed Virgin Mary a lot. I prayed and prayed and prayed only for God’s will to be done and the strength to deal with whatever came my way. I also thanked God for blessing me with a close loving family, two children who would make any parents proud, and a good life.

I am always searching for that spiritually right place for myself. My mission has been more about accepting that this is my place. This is my spirituality. I used to search and search to get it right or to get better at it. Now, I think what works for me is that I am so grateful for my life. I also am happier to accept what is instead of always working to improve. I like life, I love to learn, but I am perhaps more at peace.
(Deborah, diagnosed in 2002 at age 46)

My church had special services for people who have had cancer.
(Marilyn R. Prasow, Long Beach CA, diagnosed in 2001 at age 60)

I have deepened and broadened my spirituality. A work in progress.

Often when I wake up in the night and the cancer thoughts start, I remind myself that my life is in God’s hands. It is my responsibility to take care of myself by eating a healthy diet and exercising and getting lots of rest. Other than that it is up to God. I have really started to pray much more than I used to, and I am more open to saying prayers for others whatever their situation.
(Debbie Giroux, Langley, BC)

I have always prayed a great deal. I began to see how my prayers for others were answered during these years and beyond. The more you pray for others, the more you help yourself.
(Marie, Co. Mayo, Ireland, diagnosed in 1987, recurrence 13 years later)

I am thankful every day for my family, friends, where I live, and the beauty of nature that surrounds me.

I just turned to my faith in God, as I always do, to help me get through the challenges. If things did not turn out well, I would still have had my faith to get me through and to help my family and friends cope with the worst.

There were some dark days following my diagnosis.  I hoped that the medical treatments would work but there were no guarantees. Having things to look forward to can ward off depression and self-absorption, both of which are easy to succumb to when you do not feel well. I want to sum up my personal experience with cancer with this Bible verse:  “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”—
Romans 15:13.