Survivor Stories - Bill
I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974 at age 27, then again 44 years later in 2016. As a young man, it was very hard to have a "woman's disease." It has impacted my life in many ways. First, it has helped me understand the struggles that other people are going through—things you may not know about what is going on with them. At the time, I just wanted to get my life back. The cancer experience gave me a feeling of accepting what life brings, and to look for the best. I used to live 'day to day,' and now I make conscious choices in where I live, work, and play. I am more conscious and appreciative of things around me. My daily mantra is "I want to wear a cloak of kindness and be on a path of patience and peace. I want to live a life where I am able to give and receive love." I say this to myself every day while I take a shower. I live in Bozeman with my wife and I have five children, 10 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. I love to bike 5-6 times a week, love being outdoors and skiing. This is your life, how do you want it to be?