I have lived in the same city and area, my entire life.  After college, I stayed in my parent’s house and after they passed on, I married, had kids and stayed. We moved only after I realized the idyllic childhood I enjoyed was not possible for my own children.  I won’t go into details, just know they aren’t pretty.

Before marriage and kids, taking off on a weekend whim with friends or staying up partying until dawn was the height of my early to mid-twenties.  Now, unless you count nursing a newborn at all hours of the night hanging out, this is as adventurous as it gets.  This was my choice and I was content. That is, until I wasn’t.

Over time, I lost my sense of fun and adventure.  I was working in a job, that after almost 19 years, felt stifling and no longer brought me joy.  Then suddenly, life and work were interrupted by a diagnosis of breast cancer.  After eight rounds of chemo, six weeks of radiation and a mastectomy, I was grateful to be alive.  After surgery, I had six weeks to recover at home and plenty of time to think about my life’s current situation and if I had the courage, what would I change?  The phone rang, and the conversation I had was the game changer that encouraged me to move on.

That was 10 years ago.  I’m in a good place and feel stronger than ever, mentally and physically.  I’m now a communication consultant, working on contract.  I have the opportunity to work with different industries and write for a variety of audiences and platforms.  It’s exciting to see them, and their people, collaborate to execute bold ideas to drive business success.  I’m challenged to step up my game.

After each assignment ends, I have to hustle for the next one.  The longest assignment was two years, and it recently ended when the company I worked for was acquired by another.  Am I worried?  Ten years ago, I would have been scared out of my mind.  Then I remember I have I come through worse. I’m still a mother, a wife, have my home and I’m still here.  I’m content.

Have you been at a crossroads in your life? What are the choices you made and why?

I was working in a job, that after almost 19 years, felt stifling and no longer brought me joy.  Then suddenly, life and work were interrupted by a diagnosis of breast cancer.  After eight rounds of chemo, six weeks of radiation and a mastectomy, I was grateful to be alive.