People think I’ve gone mad when I tell them that having stage I invasive ductal carcinoma — a type of breast cancer — was really a blessing in disguise. Either that or the chemobrain has completely taken over. But it was through my breast cancer diagnosis in March 2009 that I found my life’s purpose.

As a registered nurse, I’ve made a career out of helping people. I’ve been working beside my physician husband, Abdul, for more than...