How I Found Peace, Happiness and Joy Through Breast Cancer
By Adrienne Skolnik
Celebration of Life, Ride and Run for Breast Cancer October 31, 2026 at the Florida Horse Park from 10am to 4pm
Of all the women in my family, I was probably the healthiest in terms of fitness and diet. No fat, no salt, no junk food, lots of vitamins and antioxidants, regular exercise, appropriate weight, no smoking or drinking.
Then in 1996, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. How could it be? There was no history of breast cancer on either side of my family.
First, I panicked and thought I was going to die. I was numb with fright.
My Aunt Esther and Uncle Sol lived nearby. There was also my dear friend Doris in Pennsylvania, and, remarkably, her friend Michael, a pastor in Abidjan, Africa. They saved me, loved me, during my most difficult and challenging time. I was literally fighting for my life.
My Aunt drove me from Naples, FL to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. A 10-hour round trip ride. What an incredible woman. She was 80 years old.
Luckily, the cancer was detected early. A lumpectomy was performed and I endured two months of radiation therapy.
Nothing can prepare you for the “C” word experience. It sweeps away your coping skills. Anything more than the radiation therapy becomes a major catastrophe. There is extreme fatigue, weakness, and a lot of crying.
Trying to grasp and accept the reality of having breast cancer was very difficult for me. I isolated myself and could not tell anyone around me. Not friends, or neighbors.
My friend Doris was a very intuitive and religious person who brought new dimensions to my life. Our conversations took me on an emotional journey to a better life, which helped me to understand God’s love and His relationship to us. I was learning for the first time in my life how to trust, to surrender and reach outside of myself.
Michael played an important role in my physical, emotional and spiritual healing as well. Although we spanned continents and different cultures, he helped me to recognize how prayers effect healing. Michael put me at ease.
Doris contacted other friends throughout the world, known and unknown by me, who graciously prayed for my recovery.
So strong was my connection to her, that two weeks before my surgery, I started having a recurring dream. Doris and I were in Abidjan, holding hands and walking towards Michael, who was standing in front of his temple. Michael was tall, gracefully thin, had chiseled features, large, compassionate eyes and a beautiful warm smile. He hugged us and we walked to the temple where prayers were performed for my healing.
Nine months later, Doris arranged for me to meet Michael at her home. I was speechless. Michael looked exactly as I had pictured him in my dream. Amazingly, Doris never described him to me in any way. We prayed and I felt closer to God through Michael’s presence, for he confirmed His love and concern for me. We also discussed how the power of prayer is being researched in the medical community.
Shortly after that, I heard about Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group. I realized I needed help in dealing with breast cancer issues. So, with sweaty palms and a nervous stomach, I attended my first meeting. Listening to the stories of the other women was frightening. Many of their cases were far worse than mine. I listened to how they were dealing with their pain. I left scared and didn’t know if I would return.
Time was needed to assimilate all that was discussed that night. During the next two weeks I evaluated the stories and realized I wasn’t alone. I had learned about the disease and how to better take care of myself. So, I went to the second meeting and jumped right in, anger, tears and all.
Five months later, I was empowered with knowledge and love. My “sisters” said I was a different person.
With cancer, you always have a little cloud over your head, but faith and hope are stronger than fear. When you get through that fear, the world is waiting for you with open arms because your heart is truly open.
I will be forever grateful to Ann Schuch, president and founder of Bosom Buddies for the loving care and guidance that helped me rediscover my identity, accept myself and my body once again.
Unfortunately, I had to have two more surgeries and go through the fear and anxiety all over again. With my “sisters” helping me, their love and strength enveloped me and I never felt alone anymore. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders, a truly Rachmaninoff moment of acceptance.
When my Aunt couldn’t drive me to Shands anymore, Ann Schuch told me about AirLifeLine, a national non-profit organization of private pilots who donate their time, skills, aircraft, fuel and landing fees to fly time critical, ambulatory patients who require life-sustaining medical treatment far from home. It still brings tears to my eyes to remember their only concern was for my welfare and comfort. And lots of hugs.
I recently heard joy defined as “removing fear and worry.” These angels, flying me in their chariots to and from the hospital, eliminating the 10-hour drive, reduced the stress in my life considerably. I even had a pilot from Ocala, William Doty. And another pilot, Stanley Blumm, who after flying me to the hospital many times, I called him my Special Adopted Father, for he was so kind to me.
In Dr. Bernie Siegel’s book, “Love, Medicine and Miracles,” he writes that cancer is a gift. I was in my angry stage and questioned, “Are you kidding me? That’s insane! He’s trying to rationalize a life-threatening situation into something acceptable!”
Well, it took me a year to realize he’s right. Cancer is a gift. My gifts were the extraordinary people, Bosom Buddies and AirLifeLine pilots, who came into my life offering love, help and support. They showed me kindness and compassion as I had never known before, these selfless humanitarians.
Now you know why I am grateful for having had breast cancer and how it brought, peace, happiness and joy into my life. And why I feel so lucky and blessed. For without this disease, I never would have known these extraordinary individuals, nor would I have experienced this aspect of humanity.
I now know this is part of God’s refining process in my life. His divine plan. And through this experience, my life has taken on new meaning.
