Tammy Miller

Tammy Miller on the court at halftime at Bryce Jordan Center during the Lady Lions WBCA Pink Zone game.


Port Matilda, Centre County

Not Your Average Patient

Maybe you’ve seen me around town wearing big red shoes. Really big red shoes. Of course, that’s when I’m dressed as my alter ego “Hugz the Clown.” People who know me were not surprised to hear that I went through breast cancer surgery wearing a clown nose and shoes and carrying a kazoo. For the second surgery I wore a feather boa. My doctor had forewarned the hospital staff, “This is not your average patient.”

Putting Words into Action 

Before I was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2001 I had been involved for some time with public speaking and workshop presentations through Toastmasters International. In many of my presentations I helped people understand the value of a positive attitude and how we can use humor to deflect some of the most difficult situations. When I got the news that I had breast cancer, I knew that it was time to put my own words into action. Breast cancer is certainly no laughing matter, but I chose to look at the lighter side because it is so serious. At times, the only sense you can make out of life is a sense of humor!

Saving Grace 

We never know what we are being prepared for in life and I believe the Toastmasters experience set the stage for speaking out about my breast cancer. Public speaking really jazzes me! I feel blessed to be able to speak to women’s groups and share with them that I am not defined by my breast cancer. It’s just something that happened to me. I was thrilled to be invited to speak at the Penn State Lady Lions basketball game that benefited the PBCC. It was fun turning the crowd of 9,500 fans, breast cancer survivors and their family members into a huge kazoo band, with everyone wearing clown noses!

“Remember, you cannot change a diagnosis but what you can change is your attitude and how you respond.” - Tammy Miller

One of the 20 lessons in my book “The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery” is to recruit a humor team because sometimes it can be difficult to laugh at your own situation. My mother, two daughters and my friends were my personal humor team. Yes, I am a trained clown, but you don’t have to be a clown or even have a great sense of humor to take positive steps that make a difference. Remember, you cannot change a diagnosis but what you can change is your attitude and how you respond. Look for the smallest blessings in each day and know that you have choices. The greatest lesson I’ve learned is that there is healing power in love and laughter. Of course the number one lesson is not to put off your yearly exams. Make the call – schedule the appointment.

Tammy Miller is the author of “The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery”. More information on Tammy and her book can be found at www.tammyspeaks.com.