Business of survival

JESSICA MCGOWAN / COX NEWS SERVICE Tricia Dempsey talks with her daughter, Catherine, 8, in her office in Cumming, Ga. Dempsey, a five-year breast cancer survivor, started her own company in the midst of treatment. "If I had not had my business to focus on, I would have sunk into a very deep depression," she said. Tricia Dempsey of Cumming, Ga., was five months into her chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, suffering from nausea, thrush and a rash similar to hives when she took a highly unusual step to help with her recovery.

She started a new business.

This was back in April 2003. And not only did Dempsey reach the five-yearsurvivor mark, but her business has survived, too.

Starting a new business while undergoing aggressive treatment for cancer is not for everyone.

But for Dempsey, the new business forced her to focus on something concrete and positive at a time when she could have easily slipped into a deep despair.

Dempsey, now 38, was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer (stage III) in October 2002, after two false negative mammograms told her she had nothing to worry about. But her gut instinct told her that little bump near her underarm was cancer, so she went to a diagnostic center specializing in breast diagnosis. A biopsy confirmed it.

"The mother side of me wanted to be sure my husband could put Catherine's hair in ponytails and know how to give her butterfly kisses and the wife part of me felt sad I wouldn't get to grow old with my true partner in life, my husband, Jeff. Once I pulled myself together, I learned several important lessons about life with and after breast cancer," said Dempsey.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs through October, Dempsey shares her thoughts about her decision to start a new business, the lessons she has learned, and hitting the five-year milestone.

On starting her new IT staffing business, Agile, a few months after her cancer diagnosis:

"The natural reaction is to be very sad and cry a lot. And I would have my moments. We used to have this enclosed shower and it was the only place I would take my shower and no one could see me cry. And then I would get out of the shower and focus on something positive. If I had not had my business to focus on, I would have sunk into a very deep depression. It was truly energizing. At 90 days, I got business cards and set up a Web site and hired employees. At six months, I got office space. We now have 27 employees."

On the five lessons she has learned:

Lesson One: Focus on surviving, not dying

"Death rates are on the decline, new and improved drugs are extending lives and with strong support and faith, I was going to make it!"

Lesson Two: Take the time to build a support team

"I lined up a chemo team — family member or friend who could accompany me to every chemo treatment as well as support and help with meals and taking care of my family. I had to realize that people wanted to do something, so I should let them."

Lesson Three: Be aggressive

"One thing I didn't want to regret was that I didn't 'go for it' to eradicate my breast cancer. I always opted for the most aggressive treatment."

Lesson Four: Her breasts were never perfect to begin with

"The night before my double mastectomy I looked at my breasts for a long period. The left was larger than the right, one sagged more than the other. ... After my reconstruction, my breasts actually look better."

Lesson Five: There is life after breast cancer

"I now have an 8-year-old daughter and a husband of 13 years who make me thankful every day that I have survived the disease. I started a business where I spend time with a team of people I truly enjoy and respect. I suck the life out of each and every day and focus on what I can control."

About hitting the five-year mark without a recurrence:

"It's significant for me because I have finished all my treatment. But I don't think five years is the end-all, be-all and that I will never have breast cancer again. I will make choices to contribute to my health for years to come, like lowering stress and eating healthy and trying to keep my mind focused on positive things, and I am always conscious about what I can do that's in my control."