Friday, April 28, 2006

I AM A SURVIVOR


WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO
Cancer is so limited ...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot destroy peace.
It cannot kill friendships.
It cannot suppress memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot steal eternal life.
It cannot conquer the Spirit.
I know that all of the above statements are true. I am a cancer survivor. almost 10 years now. I know what happened to me when I heard the "C" word come out of Dr. Abney's mouth.
Condensed version of the story. I was 31 years old, with 2 girls aged 3 and 6. My name is mommy and I don't have time to be sick. But there it was. A lump. I found it in the shower on Sunday morning. By Monday afternoon a biopsy is planned. Needles into your breast tissue - and it's probably nothing - then well there is cellular change - this needs to come out - then in the recovery room - we got it - contained lump - no follow up treatment required.
I was lucky. I found mine early, but I knew how to check myself. See, I have lost family members to cancer. Breast Self Exam is one way to be proactive in my health care. I was taught to be my own advocate. I had wonderful medical care. I had an incredible support network.
Cancer has no barriers. Not race, gender, social, economic, age.
Tonite is Relay for Life in my community. We will meet at our local rec department to celebrate and honor survivors, thank family and friends for their support, and remember those who lost their battle. Among all of this will be fun and games while we raise money for research against this disease.
If you know someone who has been affected by cancer, take a moment at dusk tonite to remember, to honor, to thank. We will be lighting candles for a silent lap at this time - one of the most moving times in the event.
As for me, I am slowly getting over the fear. I am strong, I am courageous, I am important to me and my loved ones, and I can - with my story - be an inspriation to someone else. I am no longer angry at it all. I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR.
For more information on Cancer, Cancer Research, or Relay for Life, go to the American Cancer Society website

1 comment:

Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

And your words ring true! That C word can be the darkest hurdle! I am glad you won the race;