Sandie is "just a normal kid of 55" who lives in Fogelsville, PA. Sandie enjoys reading, learning, laughing, and has a life-long addiction to bingo. She's a mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor.

Another thing that has gotten me through is stories shared with me by total strangers. I spoke to a woman who told me she has had three bouts with cancer over a 12 year period, and she was diagnosed at Stage 4. And so many others who have told me they are 15 year survivors, 11 year survivors, 30 year survivors. That is my hope. If they can do it, so can I.

Today, it’s two years later, and if I were to sit with a newly diagnosed patient, I would hope they could gain confidence and inspiration from my journey. What I want them to know, and what I want them to see is, I have been through two rounds of chemo and one round of radiation. I am not frail; I am not weak; I am not withering away. Cancer can be tolerable. Cancer is not the end, it’s a beginning.

What advice would you give a newly diagnosed patient?

When I first heard my diagnosis of cancer, I automatically went into a depression. I didn’t consciously tell myself that I was depressed, it just happened naturally, without any thought or pretense.

Sandie is "just a normal kid of 55" who lives in Fogelsville, PA. Sandie enjoys reading, learning, laughing, and has a life-long addiction to bingo. She's a mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor.

Crazy thoughts went through my head, including funeral arrangements. When I die, are they going to dress me the way I want to be dressed for eternity? Will they play the music that I would prefer at my services? If they are going to cry over me when I’m gone, why aren’t they calling me and expressing their concern while I’m still here? I really felt alone.

But there were phone calls from terrific people that really helped me through this.

A woman I work with suggested I have my hair cut short and close to my head so it’s not so traumatic when it starts falling out. Another friend of mine had her cousin call me. I didn’t even know this lady, but we shared a disease and we shared a doctor. She explained what she had been through, and how the medication made her feel, and how she needed to change her diet in order to cope with it. It was practical advice that I really needed. Another woman taught me about the power of prayer. Three simple phone calls, but oh so powerful.

Whose call made a difference for you?

Sandie is "just a normal kid of 55" who lives in Fogelsville, PA. Sandie enjoys reading, learning, laughing, and has a life-long addiction to bingo. She's a mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor.

I believe there is a positive in every negative. For me, the negative is cancer, but I have experienced a lot of positives.

My doctor and his entire staff of nurses – they genuinely care about their patients, and I, for one, truly appreciate that.

The nursing staff at the Infusion Center – angels, pure angels, their care and compassion go above and beyond their responsibility.

My Relay For Life family – it makes my heart smile to be with these survivors and supporters with such a PASSION for supporting cancer patients, celebrating survivors, and reaching for a cure for all cancers.

How about you – what’s positive in your life?

Sandie is "just a normal kid of 55" who lives in Fogelsville, PA. Sandie enjoys reading, learning, laughing, and has a life-long addiction to bingo. She's a mother, grandmother, and cancer survivor.

Cancer. This is one word no one wants to hear from their doctor — I know I didn’t. I felt I was “above” cancer. I learned very quickly this is something I don’t have control over, but I don’t want cancer to win. So, I get my back up and make a stand against it.

I also know that this is a fight I cannot fight alone, so I put my trust in my doctor and my faith in God. And I surround myself with as many people as I can — some positive, some negative — and I listen and I learn.

Who makes up your support system? Who do you wish you had had on the team from the beginning, but didn’t?