Tri-Cities Affiliate Komen Survivors Corner


	Serving 22 Counties in North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia

SURVIVORS CORNER

We will be sharing different survivor stories from our Affiliate Area.
If you have a story you would like to share, please contact us at shareyourstory@tricitieskomen.org

It's Not About The Hair

Gathered around a table, eating and laughing like old friends, three women share intimate stories about their lives, their challenges and their relationships.

All at different stages in their lives with different backgrounds and varied interests, Robin Flores, Gina Weatherford and Gail Blankenship might never have met, much less have become friends, if they hadn't been forced to cope with a common enemy.

Read this inspiring story by Carmen Music with Photo's by David Clapp at David J Clapp - The Art of Photography Website.

Linda's Story

On October 8, 1998 I had my routine mammogram. I had been having them for years with no problem. The radiologist said I had a thickened area on the mammogram and ordered a diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound. Neither showed a problem. It would have been only natural to tell me to come back in one year for a recheck, but my radiologist refused to drop the case. He requested a biopsy. On November 3, I had a sterotactic biopsy, which lead to my diagnosis of tubular carcinoma.

I remember driving up the ridge toward home following the diagnosis and telling God, “YOU PROMISED that all things work together for the good to those that love the Lord”. I can’t think of one good thing that could come from cancer.

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Suzanne's Story

There is no convenient time to get breast cancer. I was my own worst enemy. Even knowing all that I know and seeing all that I see on a daily basis in my oncology nursing practice, I delayed investigating "the lump". I first noticed it in late August 2001. I had had numerous mammogram "callbacks" in my past along with a total of 8 cyst aspirations that had all been negative for cancer. I lulled myself into thinking that this was just another benign cyst. It just wasn't convenient to have a check-up because I was getting ready for my Mom's and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary celebration. I am an only child so the preparations were all my responsibility. I was determined to make their 50th a "blow-out" and it was! On October 21, 2001, we celebrated with friends and family from all over the country.

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Penny's Story

My name is Penny. I am 44 years old and I am a two-time breast cancer survivor. Yes, a TWO-TIME BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR!!! That statement still amazes me.
TWO-TIMES???
I had hoped to have just been a CANCER SURVIVOR but a TWO-TIME SURVIVOR--WOW!!!

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My Journey

We are on a journey together, you and I. We are hand-holding, heart-hugging, prayer-breathing sisters of the spirit. You might even say we are “bosom buddies’. We share the diagnosis of breast cancer. Each of us remembers exactly when our journey started. None of us knows exactly when or where it will end. I will tell you of my journey.

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30 Years Out

By Roz

A long time ago a cancerous breast,
Made me wonder how long I would last.
I worked hard at the curing and healing and all,
But still wondered “How long Lord?” I would call.

Well I’m thirty years out and no end in site,
At least from the cancer that was such a fright.
Now it’s the heart, the joints and you know,
Whatever else the aging body can show.

I’m thirty years out which makes me 67,
I’m not in Hell nor am I in heaven.
And to think back on it now I am not as driven.
As when it all was fresh and new
Cause now I know all about not having two.

I’ve met others like me
But not so far out
They thrill when they see
I am still around and about.

I’m thirty years out
What tales can I tell about boobs?
Breasts are not your life.
It’s about the paths you choose

Your boobs are not you,
Though your path they influence,
But your boobs are just your boobs,
In life’s mighty confluence.

I’m 30 years out and others are fewer,
Their experience of loss is closer and newer.
They will choose a path to walk,
Boobless or not women can talk,
Talk about what tales they can tell,
When they went or are going through their own private hell.

Thirty years out, or three
I say: “good for us, you and me,”
And, “ Hooray and halleluiah” alot
Glory be to God
What felt like his call was not.

By Roz

If God brings you to it He will bring you through it.
The best sermons are lived, not preached
Always leave room in your garden for angels to dance

I wish you much happiness in your day to day activities. I hope you can enjoy your holidays to their maximum. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your support this past year. I wish to leave you with a poem that was written by Linda Nielsen and was given to me from a friend. It summarizes perfectly how I feel.

A Gift

I was given a gift, wrapped shabbily, it was non-returnable, non-refundable!

Reluctantly I accepted it.

In it I found courage I never knew existed and a patience far beyond anything ever experienced.

I was given the ability to trust a stranger with that most dear to me, and an endurance for the unknown.

I was given unconditional love of family and friends, always there, never stopping, never faltering.

I was given many prayers from far and wide, and the warmth of knowing I am truly cared about.

I was given a fond farewell of my modesty and vanity, and the acceptance and love of an imperfect body.

I was given a strong shoulder to lean on when that shoulder had once grown distant, and laughter and good times, more special than ever before. I was given many new friends, wonderful, courageous women I am so very proud to know.

I was given warm sunshine and beautiful green grass, blue skies, and sparkling city lights.

I was given things to see, that once before were ignored.

I was given the chance to wake up, instead of sleepwalking through life.

I was given every glorious day to enjoy, every month to savor, every year to rejoice.

I was given the gift of life, I was given breast cancer.

In Love and Faith We Go-

Marci

Tri-Cities Affiliate, P.O. Box 5835, Kingsport, TN 37663 Ph. 423-354-0111
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