And now it is time for a well-deserved introduction to Dalene Entenmann, Life Sciences lead blogger. Dalene not only writes her heart out for the blogs she manages -- The Cancer Blog, The Diabetes Blog, and The Cardio Blog -- she also guides and enlightens and inspires those of us she leads to represent through words all sorts of topics pertaining to these health issues.

It is my pleasure to share with you today words that come straight from Dalene -- words that capture the spirit and passion of this talented woman.

So without further ado, I introduce you to breast cancer survivor and writer extraordinaire Dalene Entenmann.

When did you become a Life Sciences blogger?

February 2006. In May 2006, I became the Life Sciences lead blogger. As a writer and a blogger, it has been a dream job and a phenomenal opportunity to get paid to do what I love to do.

How has cancer touched your life?

In March 2002, I found a lump in my breast while showering. In May 2002, one week before Mother's Day, I was diagnosed with stage 2 infiltrating lobular breast cancer and positive node involvement. The 2.5 cm tumor had a moderately differentiated tumor grade and the surgical margin was compromised. In addition, I had other suspicious calcifications in both breasts. I was 47.

The day I was given my personal copy of the pathology report, I folded it up and slipped it into my Day Planner. It has been there ever since. At the time of diagnosis, my prognosis was not the best one you can get if you are diagnosed with breast cancer. It wasn't the worst one either. In the last four-and-a-half years, I have re-read the report from time to time. All the feelings I felt the first time I read it come back full force. It is a reminder of how blessed I am in how far I have been able to come. I am still here. My children have not had to attend the funeral of their mother.

My gratitude for being a cancer survivor is tempered with survivor's guilt. There is a part of my heart that is, and will remain, heavy with sadness and loss that all cancer patients do not survive. I cannot seem to accept the inequity.

Needless to say, the life I had always known stopped the day I was diagnosed with cancer and was transformed in challenging and interesting ways I could not have imagined ahead of time.

What advice would you give the newly-diagnosed cancer patient?

Although surviving cancer is a mysterious process to me -- because I do not understand why some of us survive when others do not -- in Cancer Go Away and 5 ways to create hope I wrote about some of the things I did when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer.

Believe in your healers -- then have faith they will do everything they can, as expertly as they can, to help you heal. Know your options -- you may not like your options but you must always realize that you have options. Know you are not alone. Never accept blame -- do not blame yourself or allow others to suggest that somehow you caused your cancer. Accept responsibility for the changes you can make to help with your healing, but never accept blame.

What advice would you give loved ones of someone diagnosed with cancer?

Just be there. Go with them wherever they need to go. Be a listener. Don't worry about doing the wrong thing or saying the wrong thing. Your love will shine through.

What advice would you give cancer survivors?

That cancer is something that happened to you but is not a part of who you are -- do not own the cancer -- try not to allow it to define you. You are bigger than the cancer.

Because I allowed my fear to run away with me on more than one occasion, I share this well-earned advice: try not to panic. If you spent the entire day gardening, and at the end of the day you feel all achy and sore, it doesn't mean you have bone cancer. Not every headache is a brain tumor. Surround yourself with things that are life-affirming. Each day, find something that inspires you. A quote, a sunrise, the giggling laughter of a child. Each day, take a humor break.

What are some of your favorite quotes:

"We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation, when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one's predicament into a human achievement." -- Viktor E. Frankl from Man's Search For Meaning

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." -- The Dalai Lama

"The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love." -- William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

"All that glitters is not gold.
Not all those who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither.
Deep roots are not reached by the frost." -- Tolkien

Name three books you would recommend for those touched by cancer:

Any book Bernie Siegel has written.
Pronoia by Rob Brezsney.
A blank journal to tell your own story.

Who inspires you?

My three children -- each one of them is a uniquely fascinating, intelligent, talented and authentic human being with an exquisite spirit and heart that extends into this world and lights it up brighter than it ever would have been otherwise. My husband for his hilarious sense of humor and for his calm response to my impassioned approach to life. The pioneering independence and courage of the women and men who are my ancestors. The women I call sisters in survivorship who possess a profound tender vulnerability and at the same time, a strength as tough as steel. All people who are working to make this world a better place.

What inspires you?

The goodness of people.

When you are not writing for TCB, what do you do?

I am trying to find more balance, and a shift into activities that reflect the future I envision for myself. Cancer overshadowed my perspective and hijacked the direction I was headed in before the diagnosis of breast cancer. I truthfully cannot remember where I was going before cancer. Right now, I am working on launching a blog about the creativity, comfort and charm of cottage life and in the middle of writing an almanac. I love to spend time in the kitchen adapting recipes, cooking, gardening and creating healing home environments.

Visit Meet the Bloggers to read about the other fabulous bloggers who make up the our health blogs team.