From diagnosis and relapse to re-dialogue with life

At the age of 34, receiving a diagnosis after a routine check-up, Kathy’s life opened another door – stage 1 breast cancer. Her regular life was replaced by a treatment plan, and she began to arrange surgery, adjust her schedule, and relearn to take care of her body. During that time, she believed that as long as she treated her step by step, she would be able to get back on track.

After the treatment was completed, Casey did not rush to return to her original rhythm, but made a new choice: began to consciously exercise, adjust her diet, focus on her body and mood, and make her life more balanced. This is not about rushing to “go back to the past”, but about trying to build a new life that takes better care of yourself.

Three years later, during routine follow-up, the doctor discovered abnormal cellular changes in the liver. Although I was mentally prepared, when the cancer recurred and metastasized, my heart was still heavy. This time, she did not break down violently, but quietly digested and thought about the next step. When facing the doctor, the first question she asked was not survival time, but “Can my current life continue?” For her, “whether she can still live a good life” is more important than anything.

Exercise is not a challenge, it is a companionship: the power of cycling around the island

When many people heard Casey’s story, they were impressed by cycling around the island. But for her, cycling is not about challenging the limit, but about accompanying her through the post-treatment lifestyle.

After being diagnosed for the first time and receiving treatment, she started taking flywheel classes to make herself healthier, slowly switched to outdoor cycling, and finally joined the patient cycling team and completed the roundabout. On that road, the sound of the wind, the sound of tires, and the sound of companions supporting each other all became evidence of her belief that “life is still moving forward”.

The second roundabout was in the year of relapse. For the outside world, it was a brave challenge; For herself, it was just a return to her familiar daily rhythm – going out the same way, stepping on the same steps, and watching the scenery unfold slowly. She said that it makes her feel more at ease to continue doing what she likes than to prove anything. In her opinion, as long as the main treatment is completed and the physical values are stable, patients can also use exercise to accompany their physical recovery. But everyone’s body is different, and she also reminded that the rhythm and intensity should be listened to the doctor and her own body, and there is no need to force it.

Changes in mentality: from “curing the disease” to “getting along well with yourself”

In the early days of diagnosis, she set her goals for “recovery”, “recovery”, and “return to her original life”. She tries to eat healthy, exercise consistently, and try to adjust her body back to its strongest state.

But after experiencing a relapse, she has a new understanding – in addition to diet, exercise, and sleep are important, mood also needs to be taken care of. She does not pursue to fill every day, but to keep her emotions, body and life in harmony, without forcing or oppressing herself.

Accompany others with your voice and also with yourself: the starting point of radio programs

In the year of her relapse, Casey began hosting the internet radio show “Casey’s Route 11”. This decision was not a whim, but stemmed from something she had wanted to do for years.

From the initial episode recording to the fifth year of the program, she shares her life, exercise habits, learning and self-adjustment through her voice, and also expresses her gratitude to the people and life around her in the program.

For her, radio is not a performance, it is a kind of companionship. During the recording time, she quieted herself, sorted out her mood, and then conveyed this smoothness.

Patient community: At every stage, there is a place to speak

In her experience managing a patient association, Casey is convinced that every breast cancer patient is different. She believes that the journey of stage 4 patients and the patients of stage 1 are also different in treatment, so the way of companionship must also be tailored.

Based on this understanding, she managed the breast cancer patient group “Flower Girl GOGOGO”, accompanying many patients to encourage each other and share their experiences. Later, she even launched another club dedicated to stage 4 patients, “Flower Wave Phase 4 Encounter”.

The reason is simple: stage 4 patients sometimes just want to share their feelings and don’t want to be overly encouraged or interpreted. She hopes to have a space where patients at different stages can speak freely, without worrying about making others anxious or hiding their emotions.

Casey suggested that when interacting with patients, you should put aside your preset position, such as not asking whether cancer is friendly or not, but asking open-ended questions, what have you been doing lately? Let each other’s conversations focus on life.

She concluded: “When you need strength, go to the big community, and when you need to speak with peace of mind, come to the fourth group.” Everyone can find their own rhythm, group, and companionship that suits them.

PatientsForce: Companionship from a team of professionals

In addition to treatment and follow-up arrangements, Casey also talks about practical support. She mentioned that the PatientsForce team was part of her peace of mind during the treatment process: she could receive calls from the task force as soon as possible on typhoon days, and after each application, she would receive an unsolicited call from the task force, so that she would not be anxious due to uncertain information. When the digital tool “Medical Communication” is launched, the application process becomes more convenient and fast. She said that the interface of this system is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing patients to control the progress of the process and process applications independently when they are busy or inconvenient to call. “In addition to treatment, if someone takes good care of the process, the patient can leave his strength to his body and life.” This is how she feels about project service.

It is not to seek to return to the past, but to a more suitable life

Casey did not talk about her life in an enthusiastic tone, nor did she put herself in the framework of “strong”. She is more like a quiet and focused person, walking slowly and continuously, focusing on her body, mood, family, interests, and every cherished daily life around her.

She once hoped to “cure and return to the past”; Now, she chooses to “live well and move forward” and live a down-to-earth, stable and clear life in her own way.