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Kay Bachand
Horsham, PA
Montgomery County

Kay Bachand retired in 2002 after teaching Physical Education for 35 years at Neshaminy High School. She coached girls' basketball for 20 years. On March 22nd she and her husband John, a consultant for Ingersoll Rand, will celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary. Kay has two sons, Barry and Keith. John has two children, Jennifer and Jeb.

This is her story of surviving breast cancer.

Her Diagnosis
My breast cancer was discovered through a mammogram on June 23, 2005. I was 59. My first reaction was anger! I had always taken care of myself . exercised, ate well, avoided risky behaviors, and I came down with this dreaded disease anyway.

I realized that if I was going to fight a disease and be a good partner, a good mother, and just a good person to be around, I would have to stay positive. Anger is a waste of energy and I needed that energy for the fight.

I had two lumpectomies, one in June and one in July, then six weeks of radiation. That's how the Fireflies Group came about.

Fireflies and Family
Five other women and I, all in different stages of our radiation treatment, sat together in the waiting room. We talked and I asked if they had contacted the PBCC. Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC President and Founder, had been my next-door neighbor for seven years. Some of the women were still reluctant to talk much, but eventually I sent all of their names to the PBCC to receive Friends Like Me Care Packages.

We can talk about how we feel. We've consulted one another about what is good for the burn, where those who are having chemo can get wigs. the camaraderie is great. We plan to continue keeping in touch.

My husband, children and daughter-inlaw were all great. John was married before and his wife of 34 years died of ovarian cancer. Waiting for test results was hard for him, but he knew what I needed. John's son and daughter saw their mother go through that and they were very supportive.

So many wonderful people kept me in their prayers and I'm so appreciative of that.

Words to Live By
Never, never, never skip a yearly exam. Get it even if your insurance won't cover it and you have to pay out of pocket. You just never think it's going to be you. Six doctors examined me and none of them found the lump, not until I had the mammogram. Without that mammogram I might be looking at a significantly shorter life span.

Pages Left to be Written
I had a friend who suffered with cancer for 9 ½ years. She always said, "Live in the moment," and now I understand. You have to live each day to the fullest, smile a lot, laugh a lot, and make time for yourself. You just don't know how many pages are left in your book.

I play golf whenever possible. My dad was a golf pro so I learned at a young age. I serve as chairman of the Ladies' Golf Association at Old York Country Club.