Carie Capossela
Username
juniormintVideo
City
Wellesley
State
MA
Family
husband, Rob; son, Brennan; daughter, Sari
Hobbies
baking… gardening…going to the beach…getting together with old friends
Favorite Books
I don’t think I have one – have had many. I always like reading Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. It grounds me and helps keep me balanced.
Proudest Moment
I am most proud of my children as they grow each day, learning, developing and becoming kind, loving and independent individuals. I am also very proud of setting my mind to a physical challenge and completing the 2-day PanMass challenge, biking over 160 miles across Massachusetts last year in order to celebrate my 5 years of survivorship – especially since I hadn’t been on a bike in over 20 years!
Where I look for inspiration
from stories of people who have overcome major obstacles in their lives and have persevered and not only chosen to live on, but to do it in a more complete way.
LIFE "ON THE OTHER SIDE OF CANCER"
I am a
Survivor in Remission
Age at Diagnosis
33
Diagnosed
June, 2001
What was the most important lesson you learned?
So many lessons learned! First and foremost, the inner strength I didn’t realize I had. My spirit and zest for life pulled me through the journey. I learned as Helen Ready said, “If I had to, I can do anything. I am strong, I am invincible…” Next, I recognized my need for control and the importance of giving it up to a higher being. Lastly, how so very important it is to focus on the present and do the things you want to do TODAY. When you are dealing with cancer it is much easier to not sweat the small stuff.
What would you like to tell other women who are either newly diagnosed or too afraid to seek treatment?
The one thing that you would like to tell other women who are newly diagnosed and/or too afraid to seek treatment: We are so lucky to be dealing with this in this day and age. So much progress has been made in the field of Breast Cancer – better diagnostic tools, improved treatment options, and ultimately a greater number of women who are living long healthy lives after getting breast cancer. If you take one day in your life and ask every woman you see if she has been affected by breast cancer, I would guess that either she or someone she knows has been. I would also guess that the majority of them are living happy and healthy lives today.
Best advice given to me by a Survivor
When I was about to start chemo, my “cancer angel” told me, “you can do ANYTHING four times! The first time it’s new and you will have one behind you. The second time you are half way there. After the third time you only have one left. The fourth time you are DONE.”
