Susan G. Komen Ambassador Rene Syler Speaks Out
Read our Blog about René Syler and Susan G Komen...How did you get involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure and what does it mean to be an Ambassador?
We all need something that fires us up, makes us mad enough to get our carcass off the couch and do something. Breast cancer is that for me. I've worked with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in an unofficial capacity for many, many years. My father was diagnosed with the disease when I was a kid, which surprises a lot of people as they aren't aware that men can get breast cancer. But it was in late 1997, when my mother was diagnosed, that the work I'd done for Komen became a passion.
I am honored to serve as an ambassador for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Nancy Brinker is a personal friend and I wholeheartedly believe in their mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life threatening disease.
We've made incredible strides in the 25 years since Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded. More and more women are being diagnosed early, which means more are surviving. But women and men, can and do, die of breast cancer, something that saddens and infuriates me. And it's particularly deadly for women of color who are diagnosed less yet die more. One of my goals as ambassador is to change that.
Tell us about your decision to undergo a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy
In most breast cancer cases there is no family history. But having a family history like mine does increase your odds. So I have been closely watched and monitored since I was in my late 20's.
In 2003, I was diagnosed with hyperplasia atypia, commonly seen as the stage right before breast cancer. I had four biopsies in four years. To say it took it's toll on my mind and body is an understatement. For each biopsy, I would have to wait three days to find out whether I had cancer, and when I was pronounced cancer free, I then had to deal with the recovery from the procedure.
It all became too much and after my breast surgeon estimated my risk of developing the disease was as high as 40 percent, I chose to have a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy. In other words, I had both breasts removed before cancer was present.
It is a radical surgery that is not for everyone and not one I went into lightly. People would say, "oh do it, you'll get a nice new set of breasts" but this is nothing like a breast augmentation. Sometimes I'm self-conscious because if I wear something low cut, you can clearly see the implants under my chest wall because there's no fat or tissue around them. It's not an ideal situation, but I'm alive and cancer free and expect to remain so.
Your book Good Enough Mother is poignant, funny and relatable to so many of us. In it, you discuss dealing with your own mother's bout with breast cancer...
Tell us about the importance of a strong support system and the role you took on for your mom
One of the things that breaks my heart is the thought of someone going through this alone. Look, when I went in for my last biopsy, I felt like I had been there so many times before, I knew the drill and could handle whatever was coming my way. But when I got there, I felt very small and alone. Sitting in my threadbare gown and terry socks, I cried from the moment I checked in until after the procedure was over. I realized how dumb, DUMB I had been to try to take this on myself. I NEEDED help, I needed someone with me, even if was just to hold my hand.
Battling breast cancer is a team effort and you need to have all hands on deck. Susan G. Komen for the Cure calls them co-survivors. Think of this battle like a long road trip. You have the map, but on occasion, you will feel lost. It was that way with my mother. So my job as her co-survivor was to not only to help her stay focused and positive but also on occasion, to give her a swift kick in the pants!
I would say to someone newly diagnosed, don't try to be a martyr, that's just plain silly. There will be plenty of opportunity to show the world how tough you are; now is not the time.
You also advocate perfectly imperfect parenting. Tell us more about that, as we are all for it!
It was actually the UPS man who delivered my epiphany about Good Enough Mother.
It was while I was standing there with a baby at the breast, a toddler on my leg, signing for a package and lighting the man's cigarette simultaneously that I began to trust that I knew what I was doing. It might not be pretty but it was going to be effective.
I started wondering why so many of my girlfriends who were wives and mothers, cut everyone else slack but fervently felt the state should take away their children if they spaced a play-date or forgot snacks on the first day of school (okay, that was me).
As a mom myself, I know firsthand that the realities of managing a career and being a wife and mother are overwhelming. The pressure to be perfect is elevated to an art form in some circles. My goal is to provide, through my book, lectures and goodenoughmother.com, a community and forum to share some of that frustration, to learn from each other and to celebrate our imperfection.
Is there anything that you'd like to share about upcoming Susan G. Komen for the Cure activities, special projects, calendar dates?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I would urge people to take part in a special program Susan G. Komen for the Cure has this month, called Passionately Pink for a cure. All you have to do is log on to passionatelypink.org, pick what day you want to wear pink, send in a donation of 5 dollars or more and know that you're making a difference. I think a lot of people assume they have to be notable or rich to make a difference in the course of this disease. Not so and here's an excellent way for everyday people to make an important contribution.
Other than that, I would also find out when your local Race For The Cure is being held, get your shoes on and help us end breast cancer in our lifetime.
We want to thank René Syler for joining us in our premier edition of People Who Care. We hope you'll join her in supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure by shopping for all your goods and serves online through our site, nonprofitshoppingmall.com. It's easy -- shop for the things you normally buy; from the brands you normally choose and at the prices you normally pay. Through October, Susan G. Komen for the Cure will be our official nonprofitshoppingmall.com default beneficiary. Help them fulfill a promise to end breast cancer forever and turn everyday shopping into everyday giving - everyday
