BOSTON -- Carolyn Kaelin found her cancer by chance five years ago at age 43. "It truly was meant to be," she recalled. "I was hunched over in a very unusual position."

For Julie Silver, persistence led to stunning news four years ago at age 38. After two previous rounds of testing turned up negative, "It was positive this time. I was all alone because no one thought it would be positive."

These women are both wives and mothers determined to survive for their children. They are also both doctors. Kaelin is a breast surgeon. Silver is a specialist in rehabilitation medicine. They bring unique perspectives to the question of how patients can thrive after breast cancer.

"I was really surprised at how bad I would feel after treatment," said Silver. "I just didn't understand how you go in feeling pretty good and come out feeling so bad."

Toxic treatments like chemotherapy took a toll on Silver. Her own struggle to bounce back prompted her to write two books on healing. She and Kaelin agree that patients need a post-treatment plan.

Kaelin recommends the following four steps: Get physical activity; incorporate a healthy, nutritious, thoughtful diet; get a good night's sleep every night; and reduce stress.

Silver added, "There are other components including keeping love and connections and meditation and tapping into spirituality that can affect healing. The research shows they do affect healing."

Silver encourages women, who tend to be caregivers, to carve out time for themselves. Kaelin agrees. She recently launched an exercise program for survivors at YMCAs throughout the region.

"We know with breast cancer survivors, that something as simple as walking 3 to 5 hours a week at a moderate pace will decrease the chance of relapse in half. Cut it in half," said Kaelin.

Nutritionists at Dana Farber Cancer Institute are also now recommending 1,000 international units a day of Vitamin D for breast cancer survivors. Food sources include salmon, milk and orange juice. Women will likely need a supplement as well, to reach that goal. Vitamin D is believed to play a role is keeping cell replication normal, and may also help prevent cancerous cells from establishing the blood supply needed for cell growth.

But even if patients take all the right steps, sadly there's no guarantee the cancer won't return.

"After all the treatment is done, we don't know which women are truly cured and have not a single cancer cell left in their body. And which small sub group of women may have a dormant, quiet, cancer cell somewhere beyond the breast in another organ that at some point in the future might choose to reawaken," said Kaelin.

Silver added, "Not a day goes by that I don't worry about cancer. Absolutely every day. But I have many fewer worries than I used to."

The mother of three said: "We laugh a lot and things are fun. We enjoy the kids and we enjoy our lives."