Wanted to pass along a little nugget that continues to inspire me throughout my cancer journey (I am 2.5 years cancer free of Stage 3 B, invasive lobular breast cancer!!). May you always find the silver linings and gifts in this life!
What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited…
My name is Sherrie Bothee, and breast cancer has influenced my life a great deal. In fact, it has changed my life.
In 2004, I walked a 3-day Avon walk from San Jose to San Francisco. I did this with my best friend, her sisters and mom. We did this to honor her mom who is a survivor and doing great! This was the most difficult thing I have ever done in my entire life. We walked 60 miles in three days. The experience at the finish line was extremely moving, and it was incredibly rewarding. It was worth every step.
My sister was 40 years old when she got breast cancer. She was a strong person, perhaps the strongest I know. She lived for about one year after we found out. Our world would never be the same; she suffered so much. During her last year of life she had many surgeries including brain surgery but it had spread all through her body by the end. She fought hard though. She told me once that everything she went through was worth it if she got just one more day with her family. She left behind not only one brother and three sisters, but a parent, five children, and a grandchild.
It’s been more of a blessed journey than a difficult one as so many others testify too. I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost a year ago. I don't know about the timing, it would have been bad news at anytime, as my life was in the middle of a serious cluster...stuff. I had been attending school part-time and was also unemployed and the bills were everywhere.
"Every face tells a story...." is a quote from a very special woman whose name is Traci Runge; she is my sister-in-law.
My name is Andrea Harris and I am 44 years old. In October of 2009, the great love of my life asked me to be his wife.
In May of 2010, I found a lump in my left breast. I knew something was seriously wrong when the sonogram technician kept rolling over the site of the lump asking me over and over, "So breast cancer does NOT run in your family?"
My name is Cheryl Rodriguez, I am 43 years old. I became a cancer survivor on December 24, 2008. On December 8, 2008 I had my yearly exam and my doctor reminded me to schedule my mammogram, so I dutifully did so for December 10th. On the 11th I received a phone call from the hospital stating there were areas of concern on my left side and I needed to return for a second scan. By the 15th I was instructed that I needed a biopsy and one could be scheduled after the first of the year.
In June of 2008 I went for my annual mammogram, and as usual I had to go back for further testing. I didn’t think anything of it. Then I got the call that I needed to see a surgeon for a biopsy. I still wasn’t worried; I'd gone through this once before. This time was different. The biopsy came back cancerous. Throughout this journey there was rarely an easy decision to be made. My test results were usually borderline between two options. I went for second opinions and prayed that the doctors who examined me would have their eyes open and provide a clear path.
Hello,
My name is Danielle Horner. I am a 37 year old mother of 4 from Brookfield, WI. Ten years ago, while pregnant with my second daughter, my mother was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. The oldest of 3 children, I reacted emotionally but quickly composed myself and began to show support and encouragement for both my mom and younger siblings. My mom went through a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation and seemed to be on the road to recovery.
I need to admit something. There’s someone else in my life besides Jeremy my husband. His name is NED. I met NED right around the time they removed my breasts. In fact, it was my surgeon who introduced me to NED. She was ecstatic, she thought we’d be a hit from the very start. And she was right, I liked him. He was handsome and clean. I like clean. At first I felt really relieved to meet NED. I had this image in my mind of what NED would be like, perfect actually…. absolutely perfect. I figured NED and I could go on living together and we’d be one big happy family.