The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer

The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer is a memoir about waking up in mid-life and learning to lead with your heart instead of your head. Diane M. Simard--a journalist, angel investor, and aerospace executive who was raised in a small Nebraska town--weaves an engaging account of her experience with Stage III breast cancer that is raw, unapologetic, and humorous. Her sobering--yet uplifting--account describes in explicit detail the emotions, fatigue, nausea, sights, and smells of her treatment protocol. couched by the oscillating swirl of emotions that forced her to slow down and take stock of the first 50 years of her life. Featuring poignant thoughts about Diane's emotional reactions as she ponders the possibility of dying, followed by her inspirational search for strength and meaning, readers will be enthralled by her candor and vulnerability, particularly as she reflects on the events in her life that influenced her and ponders who she wants to be after treatment finally ends. She captures the range of reactions from others witnessing her treatment protocol, ranging from destructive social responses from complete strangers to loving, positive reinforcement from her closest supporters. She demonstrates a unique willingness to talk about the ugliness of cancer treatment and the life-changing realizations about her true self. Her story about post-traumatic growth and benefit-finding is an important tool for healing from the traumatic events of our lives.This authentic, informative story is aimed to inspire women in business, successful leaders, and driven individuals who think they know who they are before a diagnosis of cancer leads them to discover their true selves.