Joan Lunden on Embracing Change

By Joan Lunden, TV Personality & Health Advocate

If there is ever a time to embrace change, it’s when someone tells you that you have breast cancer, and you will have to go through chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Woah, OK… How bad is it? Will I survive? What will this do to my body? My family? My career? Right away, you are made aware that, with a cancer diagnosis, there are many changes on the horizon.

Immediately, I got thrown into the world of breast cancer with decisions to be made and doctors speaking what sounded like a different language. I found myself dealing with an emotional tidal wave that I never saw coming, and my whole life got turned upside down. However, I learned right away that there is no point in resisting this change; you must jump into action and get on board because this train leaves abruptly and moves fast.

My breast cancer diagnosis was not a death sentence, and, in fact, this unexpected change in my life plans resulted in a new lease on life. My life post cancer is like someone brightened the lights and turned up the volume. I have a new passion to give back and help other women just like me. My career even took on a new mission – my new book, “Had I Known,” is the story of my cancer journey and a reflection on my life and my decisions that brought me to where I am today. My new channel, ALIVE is my passion project. It’s an online community where women all over the country can come together, share information and inspiration, and get answers to their most important questions.

I could have resisted the impact that this cancer diagnosis had on my life. I could have tried to put it aside, fight the wave, and march on as I was… but instead I embraced the past year of my life and allowed it to point me in a new direction on my life’s journey. Today, I am filled with more passion and enthusiasm for life and for my purpose in this world, and for that, I am very grateful.

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