Hello, and welcome.

I’m Patricia San Pedro, Author, Public Speaker, and breast cancer survivor. I created this page to express my gratitude as a survivor, and as a way to share a small portion of my story with you.

Though unique in our personal stories, breast cancer survivors have walked similar paths, celebrated similar successes, and encountered similar challenges. What we do have in common stacks higher than what we don’t, and just from that knowing, we are strengthened and empowered.

There is much to be gained from each other when we come together, distinct individuals to be sure, but anchored and comforted in the idea that at our core, our deepest human desires are the same; to have loving relationships with our partner, friends, colleagues, families, and extended families; a strong connection to our spiritual faith; good physical health, and a sense of purpose for being, to name a few.

On April 10th, 2008, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As you would assume, the diagnosis shook my foundation and brought nearly all external life-processes to a screeching halt. In the moments after hearing the diagnosis, I was reminded that I had the power to choose my attitude for how I would handle the situation.

My instinct was to react as I usually do…seeing the glass as half full. I tend to look for a silver lining, even in difficult situations. But this, THIS was a test of a lifetime for an eternal optimist. I was also reminded of Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” I have faith that everything happens as it does for a reason, whether brought about by divine design, or by human manifestation. From that perspective, I chose to lean into this difficult situation and learn what I was supposed to learn.

We all know that we have only so much control over the events that take place in our lives. But what we DO have control over is how we respond to those events. It’s like a switch in our heads we can choose to flip, to wallow in woe-is-me despair, or take the lemons and make triple layer lemon meringue pie. It’s ok to feel grief, fear and sadness. Experience it fully and learn the lessons. Use them as a guide post, not a hitching post.

Cancer has gone from being a dreaded enemy to a catalyst for my own growth…a conduit through which to pass from one level of awareness to another. As its temporary host, I am learning the lessons and welcoming the wisdom it offers. It served its purpose and now I bid it a fond farewell, in gratitude and in light.

My friends and family have carried me on their wings since day one of this journey. They’ve picked me up when my switch wasn’t flipping, it usually being stuck on the issue of self-esteem. They’ve been with me all the way through; cooking for me during chemo, taking care of my pets, driving me to all my appointments, taking notes for me at the doctors office, and sleeping with me at night when I wasn’t feeling at my best.

True girlfriends are among the most precious of God’s blessings. How do you begin to express gratitude for such enormous love and support during a time like this when all you’ve done is receive? I begin by being very grateful and by doing what I can to pay it forward and help others in whatever way I can. I love helping the newly diagnosed as they embark on their own healing journey.

My hope is that we can all carry this care and compassion into the world…and maybe together we can help each other heal and thrive in ways that we expect to, and in some that we don’t, through our words, our intent, our love, our commonality, and our caring. Maybe together we can all learn to flip that switch to the positive side, every time. And just maybe if we continue to take this amazing sense of compassion and purpose into the world, the legacy we leave will be generations that need not be concerned about breast cancer as it will be a thing of the past.

In love and light,

Patricia San Pedro