When I was 5 months pregnant with my second child, I experienced a pain like no other.

If you are struggling with loving someone with PTSD and substance abuse, you are not alone.

As the mask came down over his face, he looked up at me and smiled. “I know I am safe Mummy” his eyes whispered. He fell asleep and I was asked to leave. I looked down at my little boy, so tiny on that table, and knew with every fiber of my being that he was ok.

Breast cancer taught me that I wasn’t powerless and there were ways I could empower myself to make a difference in my own healing experience.

Every time I hear the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” I’m instantly back in my mom’s vehicle driving to my boyfriend’s billet’s house. He played hockey in the small town and this was a burnt CD I had in her car.

When I was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at age 36, I was the CEO of a three-million dollar company, a part-time river guide, an active volunteer in my community, and I was single and living alone. That last piece became the sticking point for me.

I share my story because I know I can’t keep God’s goodness to myself.

Fearing something that is inside your own body was a surreal experience.

The love and support I received from those around me during my cancer journey was amazing. They helped me feel strong and beautiful. They reminded me that I was strong, I was beautiful and gave me hope that I could beat this disease! I wanted to pay it all forward.

I now have a beautiful life with a cancer-free hubby.  Today, I am all about giving back.

IF WE can do it, YOU can do it! Let’s make cancer a thing of the past! Let’s overcome this monster, and turn the hate for it, into action, and the action into love. We can overcome!

I went through these 28 days of radiation as well as going into the hospital twice for three days each with a big lead shield placed between me and the world, all the while trying to put on a brave front for family, friends, an especially my daughter. It was only the two of us against the world and this cancer!

May we be reminded that success is not in a title, a big win or lofty accomplishment..but it is in the quality of our relationships. And may we run towards our dreams and not the one that society has set for us.

Linda Ragsdale was on a meditation retreat. It was a time of learning, renewing and finding the treasured space of inner peace.

My heart beats on in hope that maybe this life will give me one more chance at true love as I continue on my path to building my dream life. But there is a fear that lingers…does it only happen once or how many more years will pass me by before our paths cross?

In my darkest hour, I wanted to give up, but my faith & family kept me going.  One night I was in so much pain, I could barely think straight. I had to make a decision to succumb to this pain and let cancer win  or continue to fight.  This became my turning point.

I never knew that survivor sisterhood could be so wonderful. I am truly blessed to now have made so many friends.

I wanted to show others that having cancer isn’t a death sentence. It can be a gift to enlighten you and show you parts of your own self you never knew existed.

Today I am proud to say that I am a 21 year survivor and that baby – the one who was 9 months old – well, he will soon be turning 22 & he has been an amazing advocate for children and youth whose parents have cancer. I wouldn’t change my journey for anything – it has made my life full.

My bargain with Heaven was, “Let me see my children get older, and I will do Your will.”