--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Shortly before I turned 37 and my older…" description: "\"Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: stage III of IV.\" — Kelly Corrigan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png" --- # Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3… ![“Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: stage III of IV.” quote by Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png) > “Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: stage III of IV.” [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Facing a serious illness while caring for a young child highlights resilience and the urgency of living fully despite adversity. **In simple terms:** Cancer diagnosis and motherhood demand strength. Key Takeaway Embrace support and cherish moments. Themes resilience family health mortality Mood determined hopeful Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - doctor appointments - family time - support groups - personal reflection Key Concepts cancer parenting psychological endurance Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal health with caregiving? - What sources of strength help you endure? A Different Perspective The quote may overlook systemic healthcare challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breast cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breast-cancer/) [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Daughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) ## Related quotes > [When I'm older and my daughter asks who my first love was, I don't want to have to pull out the old photo album.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-older-and-my-daughter-asks-who-my-first-love-was-i-don-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'd promised my older daughter Rhianna I was going to get a medal for her, and in my mind I was thinking, 'I can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/i-d-promised-my-older-daughter-rhianna-i-was-going-to-get-a-medal-for/) [Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/) > [When I was a player, I would always go out of my way to make my older daughter's lunches before I left in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-schlereth/when-i-was-a-player-i-would-always-go-out-of-my-way-to-make-my-older/) [Mark Schlereth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-schlereth/) > [When I'm older and my daughter asks who my first love was, I dont to have to pull out the old photo album. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-i-m-older-and-my-daughter-asks-who-my-first-love-was-i-dont-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have been through a lot of medical trauma. I was diagnosed with breast cancer .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lurlene-mcdaniel/i-have-been-through-a-lot-of-medical-trauma-i-was-diagnosed-with/) [Lurlene McDaniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lurlene-mcdaniel/) > [When I was a junior in high school, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. To see her struggle and go through chemo, radiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-olsen/when-i-was-a-junior-in-high-school-my-mom-was-diagnosed-with-breast/) [Greg Olsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-olsen/) > [About 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not have a single relative with breast cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-funk/about-80-of-women-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-do-not-have-a-single/) [Kristi Funk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-funk/) > [My mom was actually diagnosed with breast cancer when I was five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/normani-kordei/my-mom-was-actually-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-when-i-was-five/) [Normani Kordei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/normani-kordei/) > [My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 13 and it was something we weren't really aware of as a family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rima-fakih/my-mom-was-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-when-i-was-13-and-it-was/) [Rima Fakih](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rima-fakih/) > [I think a lot of people just aren't aware how young you can be and be diagnosed with breast cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-walsh/i-think-a-lot-of-people-just-aren-t-aware-how-young-you-can-be-and-be/) [Kate Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-walsh/) > [The most surprising fact that people do not know about breast cancer is that about 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-funk/the-most-surprising-fact-that-people-do-not-know-about-breast-cancer/) [Kristi Funk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-funk/) > [I am joining the more than 200,000 women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. We are a testament to the importance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheryl-crow/i-am-joining-the-more-than-200-000-women-who-will-be-diagnosed-with/) [Sheryl Crow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheryl-crow/) > [In mid-July 2007, after a routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. As cancer diagnoses go, mine wasn't particularly scary. The affected area…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/in-mid-july-2007-after-a-routine-mammogram-i-was-diagnosed-with/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [You know, when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 I realized I had spent too long arranging my attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-simon/you-know-when-i-was-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-in-1997-i-realized-i/) [Carly Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-simon/) > [I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ziskin/i-was-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-in-2004/) [Laura Ziskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ziskin/) ## More by Kelly Corrigan > [“I shift my position on the sofa, so my head is on a big, lumpy pillow in Greenie's lap and Georgia is leanign back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/i-shift-my-position-on-the-sofa-so-my-head-is-on-a-big-lumpy-pillow/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [You have to speak your dream out loud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/you-have-to-speak-your-dream-out-loud/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [And it occurs to me that maybe the reason my mother was so exhausted all the time wasn’t because she was doing so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/and-it-occurs-to-me-that-maybe-the-reason-my-mother-was-so-exhausted/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [The truth is, I'd like to be closer to my kids. I'd like to share more with them. But that's not what this time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/the-truth-is-i-d-like-to-be-closer-to-my-kids-i-d-like-to-share-more/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“How seriously can I take myself? I'm just one of six billion people, right?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/how-seriously-can-i-take-myself-i-m-just-one-of-six-billion-people/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“Minds don't rest; they reel and wander and fixate and roll back and reconsider because it's like this, having a mind. Hearts don't idle;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/minds-don-t-rest-they-reel-and-wander-and-fixate-and-roll-back-and/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [He defined me first, as parents do. Those early characterizations can become the shimmering self-image we embrace or the limited, stifling perception we rail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/he-defined-me-first-as-parents-do-those-early-characterizations-can/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [My readers often say to me, 'If we lived next door to each other, we'd be best friends.' That is precisely what I wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/my-readers-often-say-to-me-if-we-lived-next-door-to-each-other-we-d/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“I try to be one of the exceptional people who can live with the complexity of things, who are at peace with the unknown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/i-try-to-be-one-of-the-exceptional-people-who-can-live-with-the/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“Like the padre said, life is a mystery to be lived. Live your mystery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/like-the-padre-said-life-is-a-mystery-to-be-lived-live-your-mystery/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [It's clear to you immediately that you can have anything you want when you have cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/it-s-clear-to-you-immediately-that-you-can-have-anything-you-want/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“My default answer to everything is no. As soon as I hear the inflection of inquiry in your voice, the word no forms in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/my-default-answer-to-everything-is-no-as-soon-as-i-hear-the/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“When you are in pain, and you see someone else in pain, there is really nothing as satisfying as giving them comfort in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/when-you-are-in-pain-and-you-see-someone-else-in-pain-there-is-really/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [“At first parenthood was as I had expected, exhausting, sometimes heinous, and occasionally divine. I held my children close enough to feel them breathe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/at-first-parenthood-was-as-i-had-expected-exhausting-sometimes/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [I moved from Philadelphia to California when I was 25, after traveling abroad for a year. I thought I'd come home eventually and settle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/i-moved-from-philadelphia-to-california-when-i-was-25-after-traveling/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) [Explore all 47 Kelly Corrigan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) ## More Before quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [My writing routine is: get son off to school and sit down at 8 A.M. I read what I wrote the day before, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-chevalier/my-writing-routine-is-get-son-off-to-school-and-sit-down-at-8-a-m-i/) [Tracy Chevalier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-chevalier/) > [There aren't traditions of freedom in a place like Iraq. They're going to have to come to grips with a concept that they hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-wallop/there-aren-t-traditions-of-freedom-in-a-place-like-iraq-they-re-going/) [Malcolm Wallop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-wallop/) > [I don't like just traveling in for a short time. I've done that before, because sometimes you work for magazines and they have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-sacco/i-don-t-like-just-traveling-in-for-a-short-time-i-ve-done-that-before/) [Joe Sacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-sacco/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [My first company, Pure Software, was exciting and innovative in the first few years and bureaucratic and painful in the last few before it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reed-hastings/my-first-company-pure-software-was-exciting-and-innovative-in-the/) [Reed Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reed-hastings/) > [For the Russian masses, the proletarians, knew for certain, and already saw during the war, and in part before their very eyes, that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-gorter/for-the-russian-masses-the-proletarians-knew-for-certain-and-already/) [Herman Gorter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-gorter/) > [The Constitution is very clear on the - on the declaration of war or reacting to international crimes - crimes against nations. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-pitts/the-constitution-is-very-clear-on-the-on-the-declaration-of-war-or/) Joe Pitts > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Before I got addicted to comedy, I was seriously thinking about playing tennis full time. I joined the tennis team and played with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrot-top/before-i-got-addicted-to-comedy-i-was-seriously-thinking-about/) [Carrot Top](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrot-top/) > [But even before I was in the military, I was extremely jumpy when asleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/but-even-before-i-was-in-the-military-i-was-extremely-jumpy-when/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [When I'm making stuff, the thing that excites me most is not the result, but the process and trying to do something I've never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spike-jonze/when-i-m-making-stuff-the-thing-that-excites-me-most-is-not-the/) [Spike Jonze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spike-jonze/) > [I've pulled ticks off of me before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-miller/i-ve-pulled-ticks-off-of-me-before/) [Jim Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-miller/) > [You know, before I would think, my cab driver hates me. Now I think my limo driver hates me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/you-know-before-i-would-think-my-cab-driver-hates-me-now-i-think-my/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) Browse all 4,123 Before quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: stage III of IV.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kelly Corrigan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older-daughter-turned-3-i-was/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Before" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older-daughter-turned-3-i-was/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/226/kelly-corrigan-14334_before_shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older_477707.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Shortly before I turned 37 and my older daughter turned 3, I was diagnosed with breast cancer: stage III of…” — Kelly Corrigan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kelly Corrigan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Shortly before I turned 37 and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older-daughter-turned-3-i-was/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/shortly-before-i-turned-37-and-my-older-daughter-turned-3-i-was/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```