A Study

Teaching is one of the great joys in my life. I love nothing – absolutely nothing – more than a room full of students eager to learn and grow. Most teachers will tell you that one of the Silver Linings of teaching is the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. Students always energize and inspire me.

Jenny Ricker is a DePaul University graduate nursing student of my BFF (the same angel who spent three days in the hospital with me after my surgery). Jenny contacted me to tell me about an interesting study that she is doing on Posttramautic Growth in women diagnosed with breast cancer.  (Too bad that she can’t throw in the f-bomb, but I bet her professors wouldn’t dig that very much!)

Posttraumatic growth is considered to be the positive changes (Silver Linings?) that arise after an illness or crisis. I know so many people who have indeed experienced positive changes after FBC. You know that I believe that FBC is NOT a gift; however, there ARE many wonderful things that have happened in my life since my FBC diagnosis. Writing The Silver Pen everyday is one!

When Jenny told me about this study, I wanted to share it with you all. Participation in the study is easy peasy. All you have to do is answer two (short!) questionnaires. I just did it and it took less than 10 minutes. I have to say that the questions made me realize that I have indeed had some really wonderful things happen after FBC. An added Silver Lining of participating in a research study is that there is a feel-good-feeling about giving back and contributing information that will help other people in the future.

So, if you are between 6 months and 5 years post-diagnosis, female and over the age of 18, you are eligible to participate in the study. This is completely anonymous. No identifying information is collected and the information is not traceable to you. All you have to do: click on the two links below and answer the questions.