Lisa Marie Bakstran, an avid runner, lives in Boston with her husband and daughter. She was president of her daughter's school's parents' association and worked in high tech. She was diagnosed twice with breast cancer.

Before the fall of 2005, when I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ, an early form of breast cancer that I didn't know existed. I assumed all breast cancer was a lump. DCIS is a very early form of breast cancer and is not immediately life-threatening. It does, however, need to be treated before it has the opportunity to become invasive and cause major problems.

I had a lumpectomy and radiation to treat the initial diagnosis. The DCIS returned in the summer of 2007, and my only option at this point was to have a mastectomy. Even though the cancer was found in my left breast, I had atypical cells in my right and I had a bilateral mastectomy.

My husband and 12-year-old daughter were extremely supportive. With my first diagnosis, my husband and daughter were worried, but my father's wife had battled through stage two breast cancer and made an amazing recovery. I think this helped my daughter be less fearful about my condition.

I am thankful to have been surrounded by a group of strong, amazing people who helped me through this very difficult time.

Immediately after finding out about my upcoming surgery, my friends went into action. They knew that I wasn't one to ask for help and that I was planning to do all of this with the support of myself and my husband alone.

My friend Michelle went immediately into action. She contacted my friends and neighbors and put together a schedule of all the things that I would need help with. She mapped out six to eight weeks of meals, friends to keep me company, rides to doctor appointments and help with my daughter. She assigned people their time slots so that I wouldn't have the opportunity to say, "No, thank you, I am all set."

My husband worked at home, but there were times when he needed to attend to important meetings, so having someone available to sit with me during this time was included in the schedule as well.

My friend Liz drove me to the hospital the day of my surgery so that my husband could drive my daughter to school. This allowed us to keep her world normal and not create additional stress for her.

Liz was my rock, we laughed and cried during the hour before my surgery. Having her there allowed me to go into the surgery with positive thoughts and feelings. My friend Leslie, who had just survived colon and thyroid cancer herself, took amazing care of me. She slept in my hospital room with me for two nights, washed my face, brushed my teeth and used her nursing skills to make sure I was well taken care of.

My friend Beth stayed with me on my final night and we laughed as we watched our favorite TV show, and she drove me home the next day.

During the weeks ahead, my friend Elizabeth came and cooked fabulous meals for me, kept me company and kept my spirits up. My cousin who lives next door and is a nurse came over every day to change my dressings, check on me and offer support.

We had wonderful, home-cooked meals prepared every night by friends, family and neighbors. All of my friends came by regularly during the weeks of my recovery to be sure I had everything I needed. My daughter and husband waited on me hand and foot and brought laughter and silliness to my days.

When I needed to cry, someone was there. When I needed to laugh, someone was there. No one ever told me to focus on the positive or cheer up; they were just there for whatever I needed, whenever I needed it.

I don't think I could have made it through as well as I did without the support of these amazing people. Most of these women and I worked together on the parents' association at our children's school. We were close before, but nothing could have brought us closer than the experience we shared during this journey. I am thankful every day for having these women involved in my life.

Being there for a friend in need is one of the greatest gifts anyone can ever give.