I had breast cancer in 2005 - had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. After my hair grew back in, I actually did NOT think about it or obsess over "it" coming back. I went on with life, just making sure I took the time to start achieving things on my bucket list. In 2024, I discovered the cancer had come back, same breast. I opted for a double masectomy, with no additional surgeries for implants although my insurance would pay for it, I didn't want to go through additional pain and surgeries and all that entails. I am 75. How do you get through it? You don't think about it. When you do think about it, you realize you had a good run with two perfectly looking fine breasts for 74 years. You think how much worse it would have been if your cancer had come back in someplace other than what could be taken care of, or some type of cancer that was incureable. You think about how you didn't plan on being in Playboy (do they still have that?!) and don't need a "perfect body" - just a body that works, gets you out of bed, gets you to activities and life and enjoyment as much as you can. You think how lucky you are that you have gotten the good care you have, that you are alive - and that none (hopefully) of your dear friends are dead because of a disease there was no hope of getting through. My mindset when I was told I had breast cancer in 2005? - I went out to my car, sat there and thought about it, and the first thing that came to my mind was - "at least it's not one of my best friends" that will have to go through this. I never once thought "why me?" Never. Thinking of others first, that is what gets me through it, every single day that I wake up to a new day.