How bad health news can lead to good work.

"Are your sitting down?" he said. The surgeon was so stunned by the A test results that he didn't realize I was standing behind him as he lowered himself into his desk chair. This was the start of a journey that took me to the most frightening of places, but, conversely, to some of the best and most positive places in my life.

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is scary. I'm lucky to have a brother who's a doctor. He helped decipher an overwhelming amount of information and make crucial decisions on surgery, treatment, reconstruction, chemo, hair loss, more surgery. And, oh yeah, I needed to work, and live my life. This is where family and friends make the difference--both of which I am blessed to have in abundance.

I actually loved being bald. Most of my career has been in the apparel industry and I love fashion. I bought the most incredible hats. I had a style for every occasion--from the dressy black number to the kicky red beret. I would walk to work, and men would stop me on the street to comment on my hats. Talk about an ego boost!

I was lucky to work for a company that was completely supportive. My performance review that year still makes me cry. In it, my manager said, "Despite absences all key business objectives for the year were met. This was at the expense of her personal developmental objectives. It is a pleasure to work with someone with performance standards as high as Andrea's." Actually what made the difference was working with a team who encouraged me every step of the way.

At the end of my treatment, a co-worker decorated my office with a sign that said, "Happiness is.... your last chemo treatment". Nothing is truer! The big question is--what's next? I asked my doctor, and his response was, "Get out there and live your life!" I soon learned he was right. There is nothing to do but move on and live.

Though being diagnosed can feel lonely, surviving breast cancer is the opposite. I had joined a support group (The Cancer Support Community in San Francisco). One member went from raising funds through an organization called Women Helping Women to establish The Breast Cancer Fund, focusing on the disease's environmental causes. Another member of our group worked for California Governor Pete Wilson who we enlisted to raise funds for breast cancer research.

Through these women's inspiration, I became involved in various breast cancer activities and met more incredible women. We have literally climbed mountains together! The Breast Cancer Fund started a fundraising campaign in 1995 that sent sixteen breast cancer survivors to climb Aconcagua in Argentina. From mountains I moved to footraces. After being part of the first Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, I now attend these events every year in various cities all around the country.

After working at the same company for eighteen years, I was offered a job in Santa Barbara. I made the move, but the job did not work out. Then I saw an ad for an associate product manager to work with breast cancer advocacy groups. I'd been a product manager, and was overqualified but researched the company--Mentor Corp.--and discovered they make breast implants, something I knew intimately. I was excited. Not only might I be able to use my professional and volunteer experience, but also my personal experience. I sent in my resume and was called immediately. Usually one does not talk about having had breast cancer in an interview, but it worked in my favor. The manager began trying to bring me into the company at a higher level when a product managers unexpectedly resigned. The job was mine!

Three years later, I am managing the breast reconstruction side of the business, working on educational and outreach programs that reach thousands of women, building a better product, and most importantly, doing something close to my heart. Being diagnosed with breast cancer went from a lonely, frightening experience to having the time of my life. Now it's all I talk about, and not just because it's my job. My reward is making a difference by sharing information and helping other women who find themselves in the same situation I was in.

At Mentor we have a magazine ad regarding breast reconstruction with the headline: "Believe that you have the power to take loss and make it something beautiful." That is exactly what I did.

Andrea Fox is a breast cancer survivor who spends much of her time working with and educating other women regarding their options. She is also a product manager for Mentor Corporation's Breast Reconstruction division.