Though being diagnosed with FBC (f-bomb breast cancer) Rocked. My. World., one Silver Lining is that (as a nurse and social worker) the experience gave me a whole new consciousness and sensitivity to the patient experience. Gary Zukav’s quote about the ability to feel another’s pain only after having felt your own pain resonates with me in a big way! Finding myself on the other side of the bed helped me understand the physical and emotional aspects of the patient experience in ways I could never – ever! – have imagined. From the physical aspects – e.g., becoming a human pincushion as a result of near-daily needle sticks to the emotional ones – e.g., contending with sadness, fear and anxiety that often come with a cancer diagnosis. Have you had this experience?  If so, please share!