Monday, October 18, 2010

Words Before "Amen"

When the five of us gather around the table for dinner,
we take turns praying over the meal.
For months, my husband and kids have also prayed for the health and recovery of me, my sister and my father, in addition to giving thanks for the food.
Depending who's praying, I've pretty much memorized the words that will precede "AMEN."

So I was completely surprised last night when our eldest son concluded his prayer without mentioning "mom."
I initially thought that he was really hungry, or worse, that he'd forgotten me.
But thinking about it later, I realized that he no longer sees breast cancer as something I need to be rescued from.
In his mind, I have completely recovered.

I only wish that my mind would follow.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Bittersweet Ending

For at least seven years I have walked in numerous Komen Races, in different cities, always wearing the same pink message on my back -
IN CELEBRATION OF:
my sister Stephanie,
Aunt Dorothy, and
my grandmother Katie.


Today, as a new survivor, I walked among the tide of pepto-pink, in celebration of countless others:
Auntie Wanda
Theresa
Tawana
Claire
Becky
Karen
Nicky
Angie
Andi
Lisa
Miyun
Myra
Bonnie
Jean
Mrs. Goldman, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Bunting,
and Kathy, the fellow survivor that I met as we walked from our hotel, to the survivor's tent.

For the first time, I also penned a second, pink message to my back.
This one read,

IN MEMORY OF:
Thea Williams

...a college acquaintance and morning news producer in Texas.
Thea died last Wednesday, after having fought the good fight.
Our diagnoses were only one month apart,
but our outcomes could not have been more different.

And before the day's end,
I learned that my sister's friend Andi
had also passed away; she died yesterday.

I walked in celebration of a life that was already gone.

Friday, October 1, 2010

www.columbiamatters.org

I wanted to host a show about my journey through breast cancer.

To date,
battling cancer is the single, most difficult ordeal I have endured.

I thought that by telling my story, I could inspire and educate other women in their fight.

Watch the special breast cancer edition of www.columbiamatters.org.


Thank you.