Adriene Hughes was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after her 44th year of living. She found her lump after participating in a 5K walk, which for some reason, caused her breast to swell. The swelling led her to the lump -- and that's how she discovered her cancer. Adriene lives in Southern California, works as a media specialist, and spends her time taking photographs, knitting, and baking cookies and breads.

I have never met Adriene, have never spoken with Adriene. But we have communicated through our on-line journals and through e-mail ever since November 2004 -- when we each received a breast cancer diagnosis that changed the course of our lives forever.

Adriene is a gem, a treasure, a true inspiration. And here are her words.

When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?

November of 2004

How old were you at the time of diagnosis?

44 years old

Do you have a family history of breast cancer?

No family history, but that is usually the case for most women. I was told by the geneticist that only 2 percent of women who learn of breast cancer have familial ties.

How did you find out you had breast cancer?

I was participating in a University 5K walk to raise money for scholarships. It is a yearly thing we do at my work, to participate in the campus walk. On this day I walked a very fast 5K. Hours later my chest was hurting. I didn't think anything of it because I was an athletic person, and I thought I pulled a muscle in my chest. That night,upon retiring to bed, my chest hurt horribly and was swollen double the size. I started to feel about my breast, and like an orb of light, the tumor was literally sitting out of my breast, a swollen knot. It hurt horribly and I knew right then and there that it was cancer. My inner voice told me so. It was as if I was given preparatory knowledge. And I cried. I cried myself to sleep. The next day I went to my doctor -- and the rest is history.

How did you tell your family members about your diagnosis?

I felt I had to do it in person. For some reason I was feeling rather strong, like it was a necessity, to be brave and to know from the start that I was a survivor and not a victim. When I told my father the muscles in his face went smooth and I could see the shift of shock. My mother, being of Italian stock, took me in her arms and said, "Oh, you are going to be OK. Want some dinner?"

What types of breast cancer treatment did you receive?

I received a full mastectomy of my right breast with immediate reconstruction. I underwent physical therapy for my arm after surgery for four months which helped with the cording taking place under my arm and the muscles the surgeon removed from my back to fill the concave chest. I underwent four months of chemotherapy every two weeks. I was told I did very well on chemo and actually was able to go to work on a part-time basis when I felt well enough. It is important to continue to live because it lifts the spirits to know that even through the adversity of cancer, it is important not to let it get the best of you.

How did you manage through breast cancer treatment?

I had several people who were instrumental. My friend, Karen Byrne, attended every chemo session with me, would bring gossip magazines, pictures, food, anything to distract me from the needle in my arm. Also my father drove me to chemo every time and would bring a plate of home-baked cookies to the nurses. They LOVED him! Also my friend Heather Morra flew out from New York just to go wig shopping with me. I think we bought five wigs in all different colors and styles. It was a very fun day. Last but not least is Patty McCabe, a uterine cancer survivor, who went through nine months of chemo while going through law school! When I was feeling funky with strange symptoms, I would simply call her and ask, "did you experience BLAH BLAH BLAH...." and she would let me know that everything I was going through was NORMAL. And then we would laugh and I always felt better. She told me a story, that while in law school, she forgot how to use the oven. Her brain was that fried from chemo. She had to ask her roommate to show her how to use it. That was an amazing story to me -- like many others.

What has been your worst breast cancer moment?

That's an interesting question because I can't really pin-point the worst moment. Perhaps I have forgotten the long days of chemo that seemed to drag on forever. I try not to think of my days as "bad" or "the worst" because that is simply too negative. It simply just was, and what I had to do to get to the other end of survivorship.

What has been your best breast cancer moment?

I kept a blog/photo journal of my experiences throughout my diagnosis and recovery stages. I surprisingly received e-mails from strangers around the world, both men and women, who wrote me to tell me their stories, and to reach out in support. I think that was a "collective" moment of many moments when people reached out to tell me I was in their prayers. That is how I met Jacki Donaldson. She too kept a blog and we found each other. We were destined to meet, sisters forever.

How do handle anxiety and worry related to breast cancer?

There is no such thing in my life as anxiety because I don't make room for it. I just live life and concentrate on living a healthy day, asking my guardian angel that I may experience true happiness, and that I not only be love, but give love.

How has breast cancer changed your life?

This experience has completely altered my life. I am no longer unhappy about the small issues that seemed to have plagued me before diagnosis. I let the small things go, and the large ones too. It is simply unnecessary to worry about anything because everything works itself out. It always does.

What lessons have you learned through breast cancer?

To live my day for what it is and to take advantage of every waking moment. To tell my friends and family that I love them on a regular basis, and to give hugs. Also I have learned that though someone may love you, they are not strong enough to handle the diagnosis. They are faced with their own fears with mortality. What I found was that there are those who can be strong and stay by your side, and there are those who cannot. What I learned that though cancer affects YOU, it also affects the collective whole.

Are you involved in any breast cancer support groups? Fundraisers? Organizations?

I participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk every year. I have a whole group of women I walk with every year now. So far we have raised over $2,000 for this year's walk!

What advice would you give someone newly diagnosed?
To know and to live survivorship immediately. This disease is not going to get you. You are not a victim, you are simply the conduit of change.

What advice would you give family members and friends of someone diagnosed with breast cancer?

We, the survivors, need support, lots of it. I would say to be there in ways that you would not anticipate: to sit and not say anything, to simply be there, to help clean house, or to go on a walk. Bring them out in the sun, or a drive which would expose them to the fresh air. Getting outside, and being a part of life is truly important for revitalizing one's soul.

Name any breast cancer related books or other resources you would recommend.

I highly suggest massage or acupuncture while going through chemo. There are resources out there, people who are experienced in treating cancer patients who can help your recover from a chemo session. Also seek physical therapy after your surgeries. The hands-on, proactive approach gives you control in your own healing process.

What else would you like to share?

Remember, having a breast removed is not the end of the world! You can get a new rack out of it. I have an amazing pair of breasts now, better than what I had before! And whether you choose, or don't choose breast reconstruction, just know that whatever state you live that you must LOVE yourself for who you are, and accept yourself, your whole body for what it is. We will always be changed for this experience called cancer. We are the walking examples of what it means to be beautiful, and to be a survivor. Live well. Live love. Be love. Excel. You are the embodiment of all women who have come before you, and you are all women who will come after you. You are the living example of excellence. And it is a pleasure to be in the company of so many beautiful women who are now my sisters who have excelled in the beauty of life.