My medical oncologist asks me how I'm doing "psychologically." And the truth is that most days I'm fine. Although I wish -- of course -- that I didn't have cancer again. I am calm and methodical about my cancer and how I will go about treating it, because now it is just a part of my life.

The Silver Linings that I have experienced (and continue to experience!) during my cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery help me get through each and every day. I have a tremendous amount of gratitude for the Silver Linings, but you'll never, ever, not in a million years hear me refer to cancer as a gift.

What would you do if you heard the words "You've got cancer"? Get inspired by the infectious spirit of Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman as she shares her personal healing journey and how it revealed her life's purpose.

After her experience nothing will be the same, since she managed to make out of an intimate tragedy a public polemic and even a funny story.

I guess since we're members of a club we never wanted to join, we deserve to have our own secret language. Or maybe it's simply because there are literally no words in the dictionary to describe some of the unique experiences that come along with a cancer diagnosis in this modern age.