Sue Chattaway. I have a crazy happy life! I am married to the man of my dreams, and I have the most amazing step-children on the planet. I am super close to my family and I truly couldn’t ask for more. I own my own business and love to cook, travel and entertain.

However…my life has been re-defined these past eleven months. Cancer chose me – out of the blue, with no warning and with no regard to the fact that I had trips planned, work to do, and everyday commitments. How dare it do this to me? Or – better yet, why not me? I’m not so special. So thank you, Cancer, for giving me the opportunity to see the beauty in life and in my sweet town of Jacksonville from a totally new perspective.

Yes, it is a terrible thing to be diagnosed with Breast Cancer. You have lots of decisions to make when this happens. Where do I even begin?

First you pray to God like you have never prayed before. You know you will be ok one way or another. You have to at least believe that!

Second, you gather your Army – family, friends, medical specialists, strangers that have been through it, and perfect strangers that smile at you randomly as if they know what is going on. They are ALL critical to this crazy journey.

Third, you take some time for yourself and get your attitude right for healing. This is pretty hard, but so critically important

Finally, you buckle down for the ride. The ups and downs are surprising and completely unnatural. But I’m not the first to go through this and I am so unbelievably grateful for all the brave women that preceded me in this battle. So I put my faith in God, in my friends and in the healthcare system.

I have made it though, cancer free. Our little town of Jacksonville has been the perfect place for me to heal. I have met the kindest people – medical providers and staff, fellow patients and strangers who smiled and gave much needed complements when my bald, eyebrowless, eyelashless self needed them most. MD Anderson has been phenomenal! (shameless plug!) When I look at the variety of state license plates in the parking lot I realize how fortunate we are to have the best medical care right here.

My life changed forever on September 18, 2023. I know that I am so much luckier than so many others. I will always be grateful to my Army. And I will always volunteer to be a member of someone else’s Army when called upon. Life is precious and beautiful.

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Mike Kaufmann

Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.

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