After a long year (and then some) of treatment
including 15 rounds of chemotherapy, three surgeries, 32 radiation treatments, I’m thankful to officially be declared cancer-free!
But now what?
Getting rid of my cancer had been my “job” for the
past year, and now, it was finally over. Everyone
expected me to “get back to normal.” What does
that even mean?
Although I have a degree in fashion design, B.C., I
constantly felt I needed a safe, “fallback” job. So,
I had my own fashion business on the side but was
always too scared to really go for it. Dreams don’t
pay the bills, right?
As the British novelist, Doris Lessing, said, “Whatever you’re meant to do, do it now. The conditions
are always impossible.”
Before Cancer, I was only surviving. Now…I’m
ready to LIVE.
About the Author
After treatment, you can’t wait for either one of
two things: 1) to get back to your life, or 2) to start
a new one. Now A.C., something shifted inside of
me. Sud denly, I realized, “If I could survive cancer,
what can’t I do?” What initially felt like a death
sentence was a surprisingly beautiful gift -- I now
had a second chance at a meaningful, authentic
life. Life was too short to do things you don’t want
to, and I couldn’t go back.
Now, as a cancerpreneur, trying to navigate my
“new normal,” I am constantly walking two parallel
tightropes as I balance between the constant concern of recurrence and financial instability as an
entrepreneur. Although I am constantly scared of
the unknown, you eventually get comfortable being
uncomfortable. Finally, I also know my own value.
Left: Wearing one of my signature scarves
during chemotherapy; Right: At my first fashion event after my final breast cancer surgery
Instead of worrying about failure, I’m more motivated to show other breast cancer survivors that
yes, there is life AFTER cancer. (Not all advocacy
has to be loud ra-ras and pink ribbons.) And if my
business is truly successful, what better example
that you cannot only survive cancer, but you can
THRIVE?
Rachel Park is a tie designer and founded
Rachel Park Designs. During breast cancer
treatment, she founded Survivor Moda and
created The ParkPuff™a portable, stylish,
chest-comforting seatbelt pillow for breast
cancer patients.
Recently, I learned of the passing of a dear chemo
buddy, who was such a bright light during a dark
time. I will always be thankful for the time we had
together. (It was also a harsh reminder of the severity of cancer; tomorrow is never promised.)
rachelpark.com
survivormoda.com