Episode Details

In this episode of the Too Young To Be Old podcast, Diane kicks off the Breast Cancer Awareness Month series where there will be extra episodes out every Thursday in October. In this episode Diane takes center stage to share her deeply personal breast cancer journey and the lessons she's learned along the way.

A Survivor's Story

Diane begins by acknowledging that some have perceived her previous discussions about breast cancer as glamorizing the experience. She notes that she has experienced a lot of negatives from cancer, from losing her husband to the disease to the long term health issues she has faced since having cancer herself. But she doesn’t see the value in dwelling on all that she’s lost when she learned so much about herself during her experience with breast cancer. 

Time: The Most Precious Commodity

Through her cancer experience, Diane learned that time is her most valuable asset. She found that her illness forced her to reevaluate her life and prioritize spreading hope, joy, and light.

A Profound Rebirth

Diane reflects on how cancer served as a catalyst for a profound rebirth in her life. It forced her to confront her own mortality, prompting her to take stock of her past and her future. She discovered an overwhelming appreciation for life, realizing that being alive is a privilege she might not have fully recognized without cancer.

Toxicity and Awareness

In a moment of introspection, Diane recognizes that her breast cancer was born out of a series of toxic elements in her life, including toxic relationships in the years leading up to her diagnosis. 

Cancer: The Great Teacher and Leveler

Diane reflects on how cancer served as an equalizer and a teacher. Before her diagnosis, she was accustomed to living in an ivory tower due to her social status and work in fashion and television. Cancer forced her to confront the disconnection between her psyche, brain, and soul and the body she found herself in.

A Journey of Compassion

One of the most significant changes in Diane's perspective during her cancer journey was her newfound desire to bring happiness to those around her. She describes how she aimed to make the days of the hospital staff and those around her a bit brighter during her treatments.

Respecting the Process

Diane shares her approach to treatment, emphasizing the importance of respecting chemotherapy and radiation for the intense treatments they are. She recalls her lack of pain during treatment and attributes it to not being fully present in her body during those moments. She says she felt like she was watching herself from afar the entire time.

A Spiritual Experience

Though Diane doesn't sugarcoat her experience with breast cancer, she describes it as a deeply spiritual journey. Facing her mortality, she believes, brought out profound spiritual insights and courage, allowing her to live in the present moment.

Building a Support Network

Diane highlights the importance of building a strong support network, for her she was surrounded by great friends and women from her sisterhood during cancer treatment. Surrounding yourself with those who are fully committed to your well-being can make a significant difference.

Final Thoughts

Diane Gilman emphasizes the importance of honoring your body, listening to test results, attending mammograms, and seeking early treatment. She offers hope to those facing a tough diagnosis, reminding them that very few women today die from breast cancer, and emerging from it can lead to a stronger, more appreciative, and possibly happier life. In her parting words, Diane encourages eve