Patricia Zinke

As would be expected, Pat Zinke did not react positively when she learned she had breast cancer at the age of 43. She was able to overcome her shock and deal with the crisis at hand, and her initial thought of “why me and why now” was quickly replaced with “I need more information.” She wanted to learn all she could about the disease so that she could make all the right decisions for herself, so she set about asking questions and doing relevant research.

Pat also called the Adelphi Breast Cancer Hotline and joined their post-treatment support group, which allowed her to connect with other women who had survived breast cancer. It provided an environment for her to open up about her true feelings of fear and uncertainty. “They were a source of hope and helped me understand life will go on.”

Looking back Pat realized that she should have accepted more help from those trying to reach out to her, whether it was for emotional support or lending a hand with the kids. “Let people help you when they offer, and ask for help if they don’t. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness.”

This experience, though not one she would choose, shifted her perspective on life as well as her priorities. “I learned that the things I value most are happiness, peace of mind, love, and true friendships…It opened my eyes to living each day, not just getting through the day and its tasks.”