October marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is one example of creating knowledge and hope for the future about this deadly and common disease. Breast cancer is a disease where cells divide abnormally without control in the breast tissue. It affects annually 178, 480 females and 2,030 males, of which 40,060 women and 450 men will die. It is the most common type of cancer among females; however, recent studies, treatment options and organizations have ameliorated the situation among the diagnosed and increased information.

The dynamic, strong willed and energetic Jill Armisto of Saratoga Springs shared her poignant and inspirational story with me about her survival of breast cancer. Rather than listing a myriad of facts that anyone can obtain from the Internet, this story adds a realistic dimension to this disease.

Jill’s father’s mother, her mother and her cousin have had breast cancer, but when the nurse who worked for a breast cancer surgeon and mother of a 16-month-old baby was diagnosed with this disease, she was in a state of utter shock. She had a subcutaneous mastectomy on her good breast and a modified ratified mastectomy on her other breast. She underwent reconstructive surgery on both breasts as well as chemotherapy. She believes that the five positive nodes helped stop the cancer from spreading for more than 25 years.

This is not the only factor that contributed to her success. Along with her young child, the books Anatomy of an Illness by Norman Cousins and Getting Well Again by O. Carl Simonton, were highly motivating factors for her survival. The books taught her about how positive endorphins help maintain a strong immune system and how negative activities and thinking weaken it. The importance of positive thinking became a theme in her life due to the enlightening information she absorbed from these books.

Reading, listening to tapes, raising her son, support from friends and family and telling her story to other women were ways in which Jill sustained a positive outlook on life. Armisto said, “Everyone wants to tell you about their friends and family who have had breast cancer, but it’s rare to hear the good stories from the survivors. I make sure to let people I know who have breast cancer that I’m there for them. Every time I tell my story, it’s reaffirming to myself and encourages others that survival is possible.”

She does not deny the fact that having breast cancer is not easy. There are good days and bad days, you have to “Make up your mind to be positive and get through it. The bad days will go just as they came, and they make the good days that much better.” Jill also advises that, “People diagnosed with breast cancer should be kind to themselves, especially on the bad days. Cancer quickly lines up your priorities and one needs to get rid of the stuff that makes you crazy.” She has also developed the “Mac Tuck Theory of Cancer.” Whenever she had negative or anxious thoughts about the future that she could not control, she would remind herself that she could walk out into the street and get hit by a Mac truck, and regrettably the last thing that she did was have horrible thoughts, rather than plan for a bright future. This theory reiterates for her the value of prioritizing what really matters in life.

My conversation with Jill ended with two pieces of advice for long-term recovery. The mind and body are intimately connected, so try to eliminate as much stress from your life as possible. Go out of your way to live a healthier lifestyle by eating well and exercising more, even if that means walking your dog a few extra blocks. She believes that these recommendations make a world of difference.

Jill Armisto has lived in Saratoga with her husband for 18 years and has worked as a pediatric, geriatric and hospice nurse. She is currently a community liaison for Four Winds where she meets with people and holds educational events, but is soon going to retire in the Adirondack region and start a new chapter in her life. Let Jill Armisto’s story and advice be applicable to how we all should be living our lives, not just those who have cancer. Her advice certainly resonated in my mind as I remembered my horrible Monday morning and how upset I was when my car’s sun roof was left open during a thunder storm soaking my seats, I spilled coffee on my leg and burned it, received a parking ticket and was inundated with work. Thank you, Jill, for your shining example of survival, concentrate on what really matters in life rather than meddle over pettiness, live a healthier lifestyle and think optimistically about the present and future.

For more information about breast cancer facts and prevention, consult your OBGYN or visit www.nbcam.org or www.breastcancer.org.