There were a lot of things that helped keep me motivated as I was going through my breast cancer experience. Most of all, I was inspired by my own love for my friends and family. The moment I found out that I had breast cancer, I realized that nothing mattered to me as much as the people I loved — being able to have them in my life and being in their lives.

Life was instantly so much more precious once there was a possibility of losing it. And that’s not to say that I didn’t feel grateful to be alive before my diagnosis, or that I didn’t feel happy enough with my life, because I did, and I was. But once I experienced the feeling of worrying about whether or not I would live, the idea of complaining about virtually anything, and the idea of allowing small things to stress me out, suddenly felt ridiculous to me.

The support of the people in my life also helped a lot. Visits from loved ones, phone calls, emails, cards and flowers all helped to brighten my spirit. The plans that I’d made for my future prior to my diagnosis also inspired me. I wanted very much to still be able to do the things I’d planned on doing. The goals I had in mind for my future glimmered in the distance, and they, too, helped keep me looking forward.