CANCER’S S OS
Te ll i n g t h e sto r i e s o f p e o p l e a f f e c t e d b y C a n c e r, One Shirt At A Time.
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LETTER FROM FOUNDER Cancer’s SOS (Shirt Of Shirts) is a registered non-profit organization awaiting federal 501c3 approval. Money raised by the sale of this book will benefit participants in Cancer Walks, including entry fees, travel costs, lodging and meals. Our goal is to make sure that anyone who wants to participate in Cancer Walks or Runs, can! This book has been a labor of love and could not have been published without the support of friends family, and the complete strangers we met at Cancer Walks who took a chance and trusted me to tell the stories of their shirts…It makes me sad that they have to be told, but I’m glad you allowed me to do it. It also took financial support, so to the people who donated to our cause when it was simply an idea rolling around in the head of a dreamer who wanted to ‘Do Good’, a big debt of gratitude: Amy Mennenoh, Aaron Reid, John Kuhn, Aprile San Paolo, Jennifer Corcoran, Jen Teruya, Pamela Fick, Terri Quenzer, Bernadette Rowan, Mary Jamison, Maureen Clark, Yolie Crawford, Bob Uliks, PJ Ronayne, Greg Molidor, Ron Skowronski. Sydney Sanchez, this began because you decided to cheer on women with Postit notes. Kermit Wilson, a simple comment turned an idea into a book. Chris and Mel Denton, your early guidance helped me to focus on what really mattered. Jason Van Fleet, you don’t realize how good you are…Your talent made all the difference. (vanfleetphotography.com) Jesus Lopez, your ability to turn my ideas into beautiful stories is inspiring. Everything creative in this book came from your ability to interpret my vision and make it real! (mesroone.com)
Rick Sanchez
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I love you
I love you 1
I love you
I love you
u o y e v o Il u o y e v o Il
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Last year, when my sister was at the end of her fight with cancer, I was visiting her. I told her that I had to go to work and I’d see her tomorrow. She lifted herself forward to give me a hug and held me with a strength that only came from her amazing spirit because I knew she didn’t have the physical strength. She looked at me and said over and over again, “I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you..” She said it so many times, with such intensity; I thought my heart would give out. “I love you, I love you, I love you”... So many times that I knew these would be the last words we said to each other and I tried to match her every “I love you” but I’m sure she outdid me 3-1 because I was having trouble speaking. This was so important to her, I knew that she knew it was time for her to go. “I love you, I love you, I love you”. While I was at work, she had a seizure and fell into a coma. My sister Vicky and my son were by her side. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” February 24, 2012, she went to heaven in the early hours of the day. The day of her funeral, her words echoed in my head, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” As I write this, I hear her: “I love you, I love you.” She didn’t just tell me goodbye, she filled my heart with those words and my heart pumped it into my blood and filled me up. Woven into the fabric of my being. “I love you, I love you, I love you.” No greater gift has anyone to offer than I love you. Carla Wibright Facebook post, Feb 24, 2013 3
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I joined The Cure to continue in helping raise funds with my story. Those names are friends, family and customers who helped me progress. All those names…Each one has a special place in my heart. Karen has passed April 2012, she was a warm hearted woman, patient, and kind. Ofelia was taken a few years ago, she fought hard. Her husband is still a customer so I added her to my list, others were sisters or mothers, who went through the battle. Leslie is now in recovery, I tried to help her with my knowledge too many names all a story to tell. I had been going to with a bandana on my head, and now I enjoy my hair. I had lots of names and also mine. I received the worst news of my life on April 1st 2011 “breast cancer” 6 months treatment of chemo, 33 treatments radiation. I also went through surgery of my life right breast and 18 lymph nodes removed, I was so scared to die. The support I received from my family, friends, co-workers, and customers. This was a big help and greatly appreciated. I found out that many people around me had stories of a loved one or themselves to share with me. I wasn’t expecting for so many people to care. I decided to do something in return, so I joined Susan G Komen, 3- day walk in San Diego, November, 16th-18th. I carried those names through the finish line. Thank you for all the support. May more lives be saved, and more positive stories be told.
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I walk for myself and my niece
Early detection saved my life. It’s ok to go crazy; There are doctors for that too. NO one should go through this alone. 6
We train and walk together
Early detection saved my life. be proactive 7
Why do I walk? Because I had a sister who passed away from ovarian cancer and a best friend died from breast cancer. The memory of my sister Marilee and Karen my best friend. And a neighbor who was diagnosed, Wendy. Marilee was a beautiful young woman who died at the age of 48. She could paint the most beautiful pictures. She did many wall murals. She loved the beach, music and dancing. Karen loved her family, and she talked of them often. She was also a wonderful nurse and mentor. She treated her patients and family with respect and took great care of them. My favorite memory of them was spending a weekend together with my family for my brothers wedding when everyone was happy. My shirt has angel wings that held me up for the walk and in life. One in pink (Karen) for breast cancer and one in teal (Marilee) for ovarian cancer. 8
Karen was diagnosed with breast cancer two months after her husband died of skin cancer. She fought the disease by herself and after being cured she moved back to Connecticut where her family lived. That is when I met her. She taught me a lot in life, both as a person and a nurse. Her cancer came back about 5 years later. This time she was not able to win the fight. Karen’s death left a large whole in my heart. I cried all the time. And then about 7 months later I was putting one of my kids on a bus for school and a butterfly kept following me around (that was one of Karen’s favorite animals) I finally said “Okay Karen, I know you are here with me! What are you trying to tell me?” That night I got a phone call telling me my sister is in ICU with stage 4 ovarian cancer. We had 10 months with her until she past away. During that time, I always felt Karen’s presence with me and mostly my sister Marilee. 9
I Walked For survivors who gave me strength all 60 miles. I walked for Sue Allen my aunt and all the women. This walk gave me the fulfillment I need to feel like I’ve done what I could to help. I will participate in the future either as a walker, crew member or cheering station. 10
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g n i z a m a e h t d I ha o t y t i n u t r o p op walk with . a h t n a m a S e c e my ni
She was amazing as we walked through the treacherous rains‌ soaked to the bones for 3 days. She never complained. We laughed and laughed and laughed.
I walk for my Auntie Lisa. I walk for my Aunt Jean. I walk for my Aunt Susan. I walk for Aunt Margie. I walk for Aunt Jennie. I walk for my Grandma Rose. I walk for my personal hero Maria Zeca Rodriguez, who has walked every year I have walked (and many more!!!!!) 12
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Kelly’s Angels is a team of co-workers and friends that walk to show support for a dear friend and co-worker Kelly Logan as she battles Cancer. We live all over the country, (Maine, Montana, California, and Louisiana) but work for a company based in Seattle, Washington. Our first walk in 2011 was in Seattle and we had lots of co-worker support. Kelly could not make it since she was right in the middle of treatments and she had some complications with one of her surgeries during our actual walk. Even with the absence of our dear friend it was a very emotional and life changing event. We experienced three days of laughter and tears, even though our motto for the weekend was “I didn’t sign up to cry!” We had some rain, it was Seattle for goodness sakes, and we have had some camping catastrophes with an early a.m. sprinkler flood of everyone’s tents. This story happens to be from the 2011 walk in Seattle. Kelly’s Angels walk with hot pink feather wings on our backs. These wings have been well received by all the walkers and cheering stations (except when we walked through the bird sanctuary in San Diego in 2012… they were confiscated for a short time and returned to us at the next rest stop) Anyway after 3 long days of walking with these wings on our backs we all wondered what to do with them. 14
I, personally, had a Seattle Police Officer that asked every day for the last three days if he could have my wings…I quickly handed them off to him as we cross the finish line, but my three teammates were left with their wings and no good way to get them home since we all have to fly to Seattle to participate. Anyone who has participated in this amazing walk knows that the finish line is a sea of supporters and family members. It is more congested than a rock concert! As our team continued through the sea of people, we came across three of the most beautiful little girls with their Dad. We knew instantly those sweet girls were waiting for their mom. They were the perfect recipients of our angel wings. Our 3 “Kelly’s Angels” ran over to the girls and offered their wings… Of course the girls were thrilled to get them and their Dad was so happy to see the smiles on their little faces. As we stepped back and watched those three little angels, the most touching thing happened. Their mom came across the line with her “Survivor” shirt on. These three beautiful little girls’ Mother was a Breast Cancer Survivor, not just a walker! Our “We didn’t Sign Up To Cry” motto was instantly out the window. As we stood and bawled the sweet little angels bounced with joy as they showed off their wings to their Mom. It was most amazing thing I’ve ever experienced and the reason Kelly’s Angels will walk again next year. It was the most amazing thing any of us had for participated in before, so in 2012 our team was up for another adventure and we walked in sunny San Diego California. This year we had Kelly to cheer us on along the route and had the outstanding financial support of our co-workers who hosted a Taco Tuesday with all proceeds going to our walk. Having Kelly present was the best part. There was no crying this year - it was a time to celebrate, as Kelly was cancer free. 15
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Surefire way to raise awareness and money!! I would start by flocking a neighbor or friend with two dozen pink flamingos. I would put a sign around one of the flamingos necks that reads “You Have Been Flocked!!” The small print reads, “If you want to flock a friend and spread the awareness, please donate $25 to our account and we will come and move them in the middle of the night. If you aren’t interested, please call us and we will remove them immediately.” Some would donate $100 to flock four friends and the chain reaction got so big! People really enjoy flocking their friends for birthdays, Cancer Awareness, or just for fun. Some families even wind up buying a few flamingos from me because their kids didn’t want to see them go. We have a great time doing this fundraiser. It’s fun, easy and no pressure…
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Our shirt shows hydrating fossils- fossils stands for Fighting Off Stiffness, Scarfing Ibuprofen, Laughing, Surviving. Initially for Tammy’s mom. Also, Linda, our team captain, is a survivor. Tammy and Linda met on Tammy’s first walk. They were randomly assigned to be tent mates. That first year was quite a ‘bonding’ experience as the walk was from Kenosha, WI into Chicago’s Montrose Harbor. The first night we were evacuated to a school due to rain, and winds.
The second night we slept in a school again due to thunder storms. It was an experience! Nothing like sleeping inside of a school, where the lights cannot be turned off for safety reasons after walking 20 miles.
But it was a BLAST 18
All the miles- the tears, laughter, blisters, and numerous storm evacuations. The storms and heat in Chicago, the wind at the Presidio in San Francisco, the gorgeous start of the walk in Atlanta, the pre-walk meal with our team in D.C. where we all had ‘beaten’ rice.
Every year, we have more women close to us be impacted by this disease. That is why we keep walking.
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I started because I feared this disease. Now I want to help fund the finding of the cure. I started walking for my mother in law and her twin. Now I walk for my old neighbor, 3 friends that have beat it and 5 more who are still battling it, and I am always meeting new people. My favorite memory of my walks has been walking with a survivor Diane last September who just beat the disease. Five years ago my mother in law said she had breast cancer; I got scared of the disease. I knew nothing about it. I had the privilege to be at an expo with Dr. Love and sign women up for the Army of Women which helps do the studies we need to find the cure. Thanks to her, I have learned so much about this disease. I started walking because I feared this disease‌Now I want to make as many people as possible aware of how to save their own lives.
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I walk for Teresa Clark survivor and Pat Ballow in memory. Teresa Clark is a survivor in every sense of the word. She’s 80 years old, had nine children and is a retired registered nurse. She has survived breast cancer twice and the definition of resilient. Her family is her passion. Pat Ballow was a kind and gentle soul who worked for many years is risk manager at Saint John’s Regional Medical Center until her retirement. She was a loving mother and grandmother with a great and supportive family she is greatly missed Next year I will walk again and we’ll walk in honor of my sister Kathy as well who was just diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and having surgery I will give thanks that Kathy is a survivor too. 21
I’m walking for my wife & daughter (survivors) & so the next generation won’t have to.
I’m walking because my wife was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and had a recurrence in 2006. By the spring of 2007 it had spread to her lungs and we almost lost her to complications. But her strength and determination along with a lot of love, and a lot of prayers from a lot of people, and great medical care proved that 4 stage does not always means death sentence. She has now been cancer and hospital free for four and one-half years. That same strength is also inside my daughter, as she learned that she had breast cancer in 2008. But after fighting back with surgery and chemo she too emerged a survivor. Linda and I have three granddaughters and we don’t want them to have to face this menace. I am in it to end it for my daughter Christine, my wife Linda, and so that the next generation will not have to.
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I can vessel a hope for someone else. I chose to do this each year during my birthday so that I can give another birthday. My shirt depicts 171 names of people who have been affected with cancer. Some are in memory of, and some are warriors. I walk for those affected by cancer, beginning with my dad. The names I carry are people of all different walks of life. They are moms and dads, sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles, and so on. I started this walk after seeing one of the Susan G. Kolmen commercials 2 years ago and my life has been a whirlwind of meeting wonderful people with amazing stories about their loved ones. I carry the names of children, the youngest is 7. And I carry the names of adults, the oldest of which is a cancer survivor, has a radical mastectomy in her 30’s and celebrated her 100th birthday this year. My favorite memory was turning around at the finish line to see my son finishing this amazing experience with me. I carried 171 names on my 2011 shirt and 121 on my 2012 shirt. I plan on celebrating my birthday to give someone else another birthday as well.
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In Loving memory
La Nor was a mother of 3 children who devoted her life to raising them in the best way she could. She was hugely involved in both the Girl Scouts of America as well as the Boy Scouts as her children were in both organizations. No matter what difficulties she faced in her life La Nor always had a positive attitude and a huge smile on her face. She loved making beaded jewelry and raised money for the Susan G Komen organization by making and selling silver bracelets that had the pink ribbon as a charm. Watching La Nor driving her daughter around
La Nor Grundmeyer August 17, 1958 - November 12, 2010
the neighborhood selling Girls Scout Cookies even though she was in midst of her chemo and she still had a smile on her face! Her first fight was when her children were very small and the chemo left her with congestive heart failure. The cancer returned and the treatment seemed successful for a time but it metastasized to her brain and the throughout her body. Despite her having congestive heart failure from her first round of chemo La Nor took part in quite a number of 3 Day Walks as a walker, and later as a volunteer on many occasions. Nothing kept La Nor down even to the point of joking about having tests for her eyes when she started getting headaches only to discover some time later that it was, in fact, brain cancer. Her bravery was inspirational and she never wanted pity. She so impacted the people around her that when her best friend organized La Nor’s Angels, her
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family was provided with meals during her treatment, through her last weeks and for 6 months afterwards, as well as driving the children to school and various appointments. Whilst La Nor was in remission we talked about walking together in the 3 Day Walk. I had recently been to the Galapagos Islands and told her my idea for our team name – Pink Footed Boobies. She LOVED the name but events overtook her and she became ill again soon after. I made a promise to myself that I would walk in her honor in the next year’s 3 Day and before I knew it we had a team – 6 walkers and 3 support members. Each year 5 of us walkers, one lives in VA and so cannot attend, have pledge to be a cheering team providing special goodies and drinks for the walkers. We all loved La Nor and still miss her happy smiling face.
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I have wondered many times why I was chosen to have cancer. What did I do to deserve this? I had always led a good life, tried to do what was right, never smoked, didn’t drink much. Why me? I used to contemplate that question a lot. Then one day as I was reclining in my chair at the infusion center at Moores Cancer Center, reading my book, and getting my routine dose of Herceptin, I noticed a young women across the aisle from me and she was in panic mode. It was her first session and she was scared to death. I asked the nurses, who I had come to know quite well since my diagnosis in 2005, if there was anything I could do to help calm her down. I remember how scared I had been my first time. They allowed me to sit and talk with her. I talked to her about having a port-a-cathe put in so the infusions would be less invasive and even showed her where mine was located. We talked about a lot of things that afternoon, well, until her medication made it necessary for her to sleep for a while. Before I left that day I checked in on her again, she thanked me and told me that talking with me and helped ease a lot of her anxieties and fears. I ran into her a couple times after that in the infusion center but I haven’t seen her lately, which I know means she has fully recovered. After that day, I looked at my diagnosis in a new light. It made me feel so empowered to know that even in the span of a few hours I could help ease someone’s fears and help them on their journey to their new “normal.” That is what I like to call life after being diagnosed. You can never go back to the way your life was before you were diagnosed; but with a good support system, a great medical team, and family and friends you can achieve a new normal life; one where you learn to realize how precious each and every day is. So whenever I can, in the infusion center or walking the Komen 3Day, I always strive to do whatever I can to help others in their journey for their new “normal.” 27
In 2002, I was going through personal struggles. Life had thrown me some curve balls that I was having a hard time dealing with it. I knew I needed a positive focus to help me get out of my own way so, when I received the email from Susan G. Komen asking for volunteers to help out with the 3 Day for the Cure, I immediately knew I found my answer. A month and a half prior to the event, I made the decision to volunteer- but only if they were no longer accepting walkers. I went online and was overjoyed to learn that I would soon be participating in what has since become a life-changing event! However, at that time, I was unaware there was a breast cancer survivor in my own life. I had signed up for personal reasons and only later learned that my very dear Aunt Dorthy – or Dot, as I know her – was dealing with her breast cancer experience. She chose to share her story with only a few people until her mother’s passing in 2005 , to spare Nana the fear of losing a second child to cancer. Only then was I to learn of the dignity and grace in which my aunt got 28
through her difficult days. Dot chose not to use words of war against her body. She was not “fighting” or “battling” cancer. Instead, she used her Reiki training to channel the energy of the Universe to help her heal. Her philosophy is that cells have memory and that hers forgot what they were supposed to do… so she used her practice to remind them of their job. That, along with modern medicine, has helped her to become a true survivor, in every sense of the world! Fast forward to 2012. I had just gotten back from my 9th consecutive Boston walk on a Sunday evening and was sharing the experience with my father the next day, on Monday. I told him of my plan in 2013 to walk both Boston, which is historically the first event of the series, as well as San Diego, which is the last. He asked me why I was going to wait until the following year and why didn’t I just do it that year instead, in 2012. I reminded him of the $2300 fundraising requirement per event. “ I didn’t know that.” “Yes, you did.” “ Well, I’ve never helped out in the past.” “ I know!”
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With that we both laughed, and then my father knocked my socks off. He offered to cover the entire requirement so I didn’t have to wait a full year to finally share the event with my aunt, who lives just north of San Diego. That was Monday of what I will always remember as the best week of my life! And the reason for that is because the very next day, on Tuesday, I received a text message from gal I had tented with in Boston. “ Hey gurl… I just signed up for San Diego last night. Please do it with me!” and so team ‘Pink Polka Dots” was born! With Wednesday came the phone call from Dot letting me know she was able to get me a free flight from MA to CA using her airline points. On Thursday, a dear friend I had only met on facebook who was also walking in San Diego – whom I had felt compelled to “friend” due to the fact her name is Treasure and she certainly is! – let me know she was able to get us all very low room due to her employment at one of the large national chains. And then came Friday. At every event, there are certain people who are nominated to 30
carry the Honor Flags. They recognized my mother, my sister, my friend, myself, and many others. On Friday, I got a phone call that I was given the honor of carrying my aunt flag! This meant that not only would I be carrying it on stage during Opening Ceremonies but that I would also have the greatest honors in asking my dear Aunt Dot, whom I love so very much, to join me on stage during Closing Ceremonies to be recognized as a survivor in front of the thousands in attendance! This, on my 10th walk, in my aunt’s 10th year as a survivor! If I never before believed in a Higher Power, I now saw that spirit in action putting every piece together for me so beautifully! And so I finally got to share this extraordinary event with my aunt, my survivor, and let her see what I had been doing with her in mind, with her in her heart and spirit, for the many years prior. It was an event I will always cherish and feel exceptionally fortunate to have experienced in my life!
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On our path to fundraising, we decided to ask the management team at InCahoots if they would be willing to help us fundraise. For example, could we have a bake sale or host some type of fundraising night to bring in a little bit of money. The management team was more than supportive and before we knew it, we were working with them to plan a 12-hour Dance-a-thon event. A LOT of work went into this day as we planned the dance contest/event side of the fundraiser and as we secured sponsors for the fundraising side of the program. Overall, the fundraiser raised nearly $14,000, enough to send all five of our team members to the walk in addition to sponsoring other walkers! This surpassed our expectations. We were taken aback by the outpouring of love and support from the management and patrons of InCahoots as well as our friends and family. We are all so grateful to have had the opportunity to walk in the 3-Day. It was truly a life-changing event. Although we won’t be walking in it this year, you can bet that our dance team will be on the sidelines encouraging and supporting those who are walking! 32
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Breast cancer entered the lives of my sisters like a sudden earthquake, shaking up our lives, then leaving our lives in rubbles and uncertainty of how to rebuild our lives. No one can prepare oneself for the shocking scars a mastectomy leaves behind. Lisa was left wondering if her husband of 20 years, Mike, would still find her attractive. She no longer felt like the feminine woman she once was and wondered how she could continue on with the vibrant spirit of a loving mother of two teenage boys. The good news came shortly after surgery, when the labs showed the cancer was at a very early stage and chemo and/or radiation would not be necessary. The cancer was gone. Lisa began piecing her life back together and started the one year process of reconstruction surgery. Little did we know at the time, our encounter with breast cancer was not over. With a family history of cancer and Lisa’s diagnosis, the little sisters headed out for mammograms. It was my little sister, Stacia, just celebrating her 38th birthday, that would be struck with breast cancer next. The mammogram left little doubt, but a biopsy in confirmed the diagnosis, aggressive breast cancer in both breasts. She underwent a bilateral mastectomy on February 6, 2012 and her prognosis was not as good as Lisa’s prognosis. Most of the lymph nodes on her right side also had to be removed. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes. It wasn’t long that we got the call that rocked our world even more, Stacia’s cancer had spread to her bones in her skull, ribs, pelvis, back and hip. She was stage 4 and her treatment changed from the purpose of curing her, to prolonging her life as much as possible since her cancer would never go away. Our lives changed dramatically as breast cancer became a new member of our family. The reality of the situation finally hit us, had Lisa not been diagnosed with early stage 0 breast cancer, Stacia may have not found her cancer until she had very little time left. In September 2012, I walked the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer for the very first time in honor of my sisters. I made the shirt I’m donating out of the same fabric I used to make a breast cancer quilt. It’s with great honor that I donate the shirt to carry on the story of my sisters, Lisa and Stacia.
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Hi, my name is Jeanie. In 2008 my friend Jen and I set out on one of the most inspirational challenges of our life. We started the team Pink Feat and joined the Seattle Susan G. Komen 3-Day for a Cure. We walked in honor of 32 friends and family members ... 13 of which had already lost their lives to breast cancer. Within 2 weeks of completing the walk we lost 2 more wonderful women. With that, the seed had been planted. We knew we couldn’t stop after just one walk. To be a part of the 3-Day ... to laugh, walk, talk and cry amongst fighters, survivors and hero’s alike is an experience like no other! Soon after the 2008 walk, my cousins Chelsea and Cheryl joined Pink Feat and have helped me lead the efforts of our team ever since. They too began sharing stories and reflecting on loved ones we had lost and those close to us that had battled or were battling breast cancer. Every corner we turned we met someone else with a passion similar to ours; a similar drive to fight the battle against breast cancer. We knew that together we could make a difference and so we continued spreading the word. In 2009 our team of nine walked another Seattle 3-Day event and raised $21,500. Conni was the first breast cancer survivor to join our team as a walker! In 2009 Seattle also found themselves encouraged and loved by Pink Feat’s very own walker stalkers Kay, Carol and Wanda. Carol and Wanda are also breast cancer survivors and their personal stories are shared below. With every walk, stories are shared, lives are touched and breast cancer awareness is raised. We choose to walk in honor of those close to you and close to us. 36
Our Pink Feat family continued to grow in 2010 and we walked as a team of 15! We were also thrilled to add two route safety crew members to the event! Our team was now comprised of four survivors with this year’s addition of Laurie. We continued to raise money and walk in honor of the survivors as well as the loved ones we had lost mothers, grandmothers, aunts and friends. In 2010 we were able to raise $36,000! To be a part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day and to be a part of the Pink Feat family is evidence of our choice to live life; to choose to face challenges head on; to fight and persevere. As dedication and enthusiasm consumed us after another amazing year, we were hit with news that our very own Stacey, at the age of 40 and just having had her first mammogram, was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Stacey’s personal story is shared below. With this new diagnosis the 3-Day spirit grew and once again so did our team! In 2011 we were comprised of 18 walkers, two route safety crew members and 1 youth corp crew member. For the first time we also hosted a Mardi Bra cheering station and we continued to have walker stalkers on route. In 2011 we raised an incredible $47,000. With a series of adventures in the lives of our Pink Feat family, our participation in the 2012 3-Day took on a different look. The Seattle 3-Day found us out on route as 4 of the route safety crew members, 1 youth corp crew member and once again we were out supporting the walkers with a fabulous Mardi Bra cheering station. We also had 7 members walk in the San Diego 3-Day event that year. With every 3-Day event our hearts are touched in a new way. It doesn’t matter how many events you’ve participated in and whether you’re a walker, a walker-stalker, an event crew member or an innocent bystander swept into the inspiration of a 3-Day event - once you’ve been touched your life is forever changed. Every story is significant and brings forward another piece in understanding just how invasive breast cancer is and how important it is to find a cure. Below we have shared 3 personal stories of Pink Feat’s own survivors. We hope these stories will inspire you to spread awareness and encourage routine mammograms.
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Wanda’s Story – As of the morning of January 24, 2008, the only surgery I’d ever had was wisdom teeth removal. Now I’ve just had my annual, routine mammogram & Dr. Julie Adam (radiologist) has ordered an ultrasound of my left breast, a procedure she performs herself. Her experience suggests they should do a needle biopsy and with surprising availability in their appointment schedule I am seen late that same afternoon. Pathology results 4-5 days later reveal a diagnosis of DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ). This news was shared with me, Carol & Kay by our family practitioner, friend & my employer at the time Dr. Kristen Knox. She had appointments set up for me within 2 hours with Dr Michael Towbin (general surgeon) & Dr. Eric Taylor (radiation oncologist). I was going to be seen that same day! I had an entourage of people with me for those appointments ... Carol, Kay & Dr. Knox which set the scene, mood & bar for the remainder of my experience with breast cancer. My 1st MRI was performed to mark the tumor & another tumor was located in my right breast. Believe it or not, that felt like good news ... except more testing was required for the right side so they were not able to operate on both at the same time. Dr. Towbin felt it was necessary to remove the centinal node for pathology to rule out cancer in that area and so preoperatively a “sparkly dye” was injected to highlight the node. That enabled the technician to mark right where the incision should be made to remove the node. Outpatient surgery under general anesthesia was performed on February 13, 2008 ... with some of my back up crew to assist with support for me & Carol & Kay, including food, jokes, dish washing and you name it! Thanks Stacey & Traci, Aunt Judy & Uncle Jack. All of that happened on a Tuesday and I went back to work the following Monday. The pathology report showed no cancer in the lymph node & clear margins at the tumor removal site ... Yeah! Next was the surgery at Dr Towbin’s office surgi-center with a local anesthesia and then home & back to work in a couple days. :-( The pathology report this time showed bad margins with necessity to redo the test and with possibility of mastectomy. I went back to the surgi-center & this time the margins were great!
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Once the scars healed, radiation was the next step in treatment. The procedure to map out the sites for radiation is highly technical & complicated. I have 5 tiny tattoos that were used to guide the technicians in setting up the machine to administer radiation 5 days a week for 16 weeks. It caused some burning like a mild sunburn & fatigue. I had my treatments in the early morning then went off to work. Post radiation I started follow up with Dr. Van Haelst, my medical oncologist. She has monitored my progress for the last 5 plus years. I have been taking a medication called Arimidex which inhibits cancer cells. I started out with mammograms every 6 months, an MRI & dexiscan once a year & lab work twice a year to monitor cancer markers, calcium & vitamin D for the first 3 years. As of now, I am a happy and healthy breast cancer survivor! Thanks to Carol & Kay, my huge group of family & friends, Dr Knox & the staff at Woodinville Primary Care & the doctors & staff at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. You were all instrumental in saving my life & making it possible for me to support & participate with the Susan G Komen Foundation.
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Carols story – A tumor was found in my right breast during my annual, routine mammogram on April 14, 2009 – my niece Chelsea’s birthday. An ultrasound, biopsy & MRI were done next. It was determined that there was cancer in both breasts & that a radical double mastectomy was the best choice for removing the cancer. Prior to surgery I had appointments with Dr Towbin (surgeon), Dr Taylor (radiation oncologist) & Dr Lonergan (medical oncologist) who are all on staff at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. I chose not to tell anyone in my family until April 20, 2009 when the pathology report confirmed a malignant tumor. I shared that I would be having a double mastectomy. My sister Cheryl showed up to support me along with Kay & Wanda. We cried, we laughed and we hugged. We then decided that was enough of that & said “What should we do now?” Let’s have a party... a going away party for the “Girls”. It was a Monday night ... we had a small gathering of 30 people . We drank margaritas, ate pizza & everyone signed my breasts. The signatures, sayings & colorful pens were great! My favorite saying was from Chuck Ihrig “Here today, gone tomorrow”. I had a pre-op appointment with my surgeon, Dr Towbin, the next day. He & his staff loved the artwork on my chest. All were included in the viewing as they had become like family after participating (beginning to end) with Wanda’s surgery, treatment & recovery. Wanda & I still have our follow up appointments at the same time in the same exam room with Dr Towbin ... a 2 for 1 special of sorts. My surgery was performed on April 22, 2009. I was released the next day with drain tubes inserted under both of my arms. KK & Wanda emptied them hourly/daily as needed for 6 days. They were the best nurses ever! The drains were removed after 1 week & after 2 weeks Dr Towbin released me to recover at our resort in Indio, CA. The desert was the best place to recover ... warm sunshine, great family & friends ... that’s what life is all about! After returning home to Seattle, it was time to consult with Dr Lonergan again. At that time, I had to consider the possibility of undergoing chemotherapy. After 2 meetings with Dr Lonergan - he, myself, Dr Knox, KK & Wanda decided that chemo would do more harm to my other organs and brought with it many negative side effects. I decided to take my chances & move forward without chemo. As of today, I am boobless & happy to be here ... Cancer free & a soon to be 5 year breast cancer survivor! My story is one of the reasons we support the Susan G Komen Foundation. 40
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Stacey’s Story - I turned 40 in August 2010 and was looking forward – odd I know – to my first mammogram. I felt empowered after participating in the 2010 Seattle 3-Day that I was now being proactive even more in my breast health by getting checks annually in addition to doing self-breast exams. I walked in 2010 because I met the amazing people who started a team named Pink Feat and felt an instant connection to them and their mission to support finding a cure. Our paths crossed for a reason and I am thankful every day that they are a part of my life and have supported me throughout this journey. My first mammogram was on December 6, 2010 and was followed up by a biopsy on December 14th and confirmed a positive diagnosis on December 15th. My tumor was 9 ½ cm and due to the size and rapid growth was classified as Stage 3. My treatment plan was identified to consist of 24 weeks of weekly chemotherapy treatments, a double mastectomy and then 6 weeks of radiation. The reason chemotherapy was the first step of my treatment plan was due to the size of my tumor and the fact that it resided so closely to my chest wall. The objective was to reduce the size of the tumor through chemotherapy in order to surgically remove it with hopes of receiving clear margins without having to remove any of my chest wall. My port-a-cath was surgically inserted on December 22nd and my first chemotherapy treatment was on December 23rd. I was provided the option to begin chemotherapy treatment after the holidays, but I opted to forgo feeling good for one Christmas in hopes that it would provide me the opportunity to participate in many more within my lifetime. My tumor responded very successfully to chemotherapy treatments and after 12 weeks of treatments had been reduced in size by over half. My double mastectomy was on June 15th and I started radiation treatments at the end of July 2010. My last radiation treatment was 5 days before the 2011 Seattle 3-Day in which I participated as a walking Survivor. To all of you with a personal story, to all of you who have lost a loved one and to all of you who are survivors … please know that you are not alone and we will be in this fight with you until there is a cure! Thank you to everyone who has supported Pink Feat along the way and for helping us raise an incredible amount of money for Susan G. Komen! We’d also like to extend a special thank you to SOS for giving us an opportunity to share our Pink Feat story with you as well as the personal stories of a few of our survivors. We hope to see you out on the 3-Day!.
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I do not have a typical story of walking in the 3 day walk because of having breast cancer myself or knowing someone with breast cancer. Instead, I did it for the personal challenge of walking 60 miles while at the same time doing something to help others by raising over $3,000.00 for breast cancer treatment and research. I also walked because I was working as a scientist at a major pharmaceutical company doing research to discover new cancer medications, and I believed that participating in the walk would enhance the work I was doing. That was in 2008 and my plan was to do the walk only once for the personal challenge and accomplishment of walking 60 miles‌But something happened during my walk and I have since been able to walk away from the healing that the walk brings through hope, faith, and belief in ending breast cancer among the entire 3-day community, including many walkers, volunteers, and people who come out to cheer us on, many of whom are breast cancer survivors, know breast cancer survivors, or lost someone dear to breast cancer. Doing the walk helped me to see and experience first hand just how important the walk is for so many people. To date, I have walked in 5 consecutive 3-day walks beginning with that walk in 2008 and I have raised over $16,000.00 for the fight against breast cancer! I walk with the “Miles For Miraclesâ€? team. I will be back again for my 6th walk in San Diego in 2013.
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November 2010 I was walking near the beach enjoying a typical warm sunny day in San Diego. It was a simple day, no worries, just taking in the scenery and window shopping. I looked ahead and noticed a field of pink and before long I was a north bound pedestrian on the south bound side during rush hour. As I began reading the heartfelt inscriptions on shirts, hats and signs being worn by the pink mob it hit me. The cause; THE CURE. Me in the mix of thousands of people changing lives, there for a purpose, and I was walking the wrong way. Reading their statements brought tears to my eyes and an emptiness in my heart. Why wasn’t I walking with them? Ive heard about the event for years and believe in its cause. I wanted to stay and take in the inspiration, emotional bond and positive belief they all seem to share. They were glowing and I walked through admired. It was the moment I made the commitment. Next year would be my year to give. I committed to raising at least $2,300 and physically take the challenge to walk. 60 miles in three days is a cake walk compared to what one who is diagnosed with breast cancer goes through. I experienced 3 of the most inspiring days of my life, even though it was not a typical sunny day in San Diego, it poured down rain. But the experience was unforgettable. The simple act of one person that raised over $2,500 and walked and walked 60 miles inspired 14 other amazing and dedicated women to make the commitment to walk in 2011 and raised over $43,000. We are the “East County Coconuts”. We were unable to walk in 2012 so we decided to set up a cheering section to encourage those that did walk. The favorite hand out that we received the year before was Jello Shooters! So we made 350 Jello Shooters and quickly found out that wasn’t enough! But it was another inspiring day and whether we walk or cheer we will participate in the Susan G Komen 3 Day Walk For a Cure.
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I walk for me, my friends, and others who cannot Walking (which is my new form of meditation and reflection) hiking, cooking, and random acts of kindness. After having cancer it is a “wake-up” call to make the most out of every day. While old habits are hard to change, change is important. I laugh often, usually at myself! I love to love, touch, and make others happy, which in turn makes me happy. One favorite memory I have from the last 5-years was when my hair was growing back and it was about 1/4”, some guy at a gas station said it looked so cool (LOL), he had no idea I was fighting! I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Nov. 2007 at 50, while I knew it was a very curable cancer, it was still devastating. Even more so when the pathology report came back with cancer in my lymphnodes. I thought I was very fortunate to have great friends to help me through this experience, they were there for me whenever I needed them. My dogs were my second blessing, they rarely left my side. Throughout chemo and radiation I worked, which for me was good, it kept my mind focused and I was needed. Laughter worked great for me... I did feel sorry for myself a couple of times, but that never lasted long. There were others in a much worse position than I was. In addition to laughter, the ads for Kaiser Permanente were great - “I have cancer, Cancer doesn’t have me”... It was a mantra I said to myself every day. To this day, I know it was my attitude that helped me kick cancers butt. I was also very fortunate to have found it at such an early stage. I have reached my 5-year mark and look forward to the next 30-40 years being a survivor. I will continue to walk for those who cannot, who lost their courageous fight, who are yet to be diagnosed, and to help find a cure for this horrific disease. As strange as this may sound, I found the positive in having had cancer. I have been given another opportunity to rediscover who I am, what I want out of life, who I want in my life, and how I want to move forward. Life is about choices, waking up every morning being happy to wake up. I love getting older!
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I woke up on Mothers Day, 2009 80% blind. I was kept in a medically induced blindness for 5 months until the infection went down so I could have surgery. I had an auto immune deficiency which attacked my eyes. After months of testing, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I have implants in my eyes and have had four surgeries so I can see. I am only 48 years old and my vision is impaired. I am very thankful for the staff of medical doctors that pulled together and made it possible to save my eyes. I walk because there are so many people who helped me through this horrible time and I wanted to find a way to give back. I have always loved exercising, have two teenage daughters and what a better way to give to the community. Two years ago, my daughter was the youngest to do the walk. Before we were finished, we had decided to do it again the following year. We did, and as we went through the finish line again this year, we decided to walk again. We have met some amazing people with amazing stories. We will continue this journey every year we can. We walk to find a cure. 49
Self-Exams Saved My Life…Twice At 37 years old, breast cancer was not something I thought I would have to worry about. Little did I know, it would consume most of the next 3 years of my life. Like many women, after a hard day at work, I came home, took off my bra, and lifted both my breasts in an effort to relieve some of the discomfort that comes from wearing a tight-fitting bra all day. It was at that moment that I felt an off lump just to the right of my right nipple. I immediately took a closer look and feel. Today I describe the feeling to my co-workers as feeling a peanut, or in my case, an almond, inside one of those squishy yellow plastic scrubbing net balls you use on pots and pans…lumpy and weird, but definitely something there that didn’t belong. Now, I will admit to being a bit of a hypochondriac (i.e. a headache is probably a stroke or brain tumor in my mind), so when I mentioned my new lump to my mom she reassured me that it was probably nothing. We decided it was not likely a problem because, like many people, we were under the misconception that lumps mostly appear closer to the armpit. The next day I made my boyfriend check the lump and give his opinion. He agreed that he definitely felt something and like a wise boyfriend, ignored my proclivity for exaggeration and told me I should get it checked if it would make me feel better. I made an appointment with my Ob/Gyn who also felt the lump and referred me to get an ultrasound and a mammogram. Given my age, my doctor was fairly certain it would
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be nothing to be concerned about. That’s why, the next time I met with him and saw the serious look on his face, I got worried. My doctor let me know he would be referring me to a surgeon who would give me more information, but would most likely recommend a biopsy. Some of the language on the radiology report that followed had me concerned. The word “speculated” in particular was something I had never heard and discovered was a term used to describe edges of a tumor that are irregular or “star-like” rather than round like a cyst.
A strong woman, a survivor, SO NO MORE WOMEN HAVE TO BEBEATEN BY THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE.
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The meeting with my surgeon was distressing. He was kind and professional, but what he had to say was not what I wanted to hear. Not only was there a lump that showed under ultrasound with its speculated edges, but there was also some calcification spots that showed on the mammogram in a completely different area. Both areas would need to be biopsied. I was thankful that at least the appointment had been changed to Monday that week instead of the previous Friday as had been planned, my 38th birthday. After what felt like an eternity, I went in for my biopsy. It was Tuesday of the last week of the school year, and I remember feeling guilty for having a substitute on the last week of school. I called my doctor’s office twice a day for the next two days asking for results. I felt like the waiting and not knowing was the worst part. I was wrong. On Friday, about an hour after I said goodbye to my class on the last day of school (June 2009), I got a call from my doctor. He wanted to meet with me in person, but knew I had been anxious to hear results so he gave them to me over the phone. It was cancer, two types. There was the tumor I had felt, as well as a patch of DCIS cells (ductal carcinoma in situ‌basically stage 0 cells that would/could become cancerous later). I hung up the phone and immediately called my parents. They insisted I leave school, but I needed to finish cleaning up my classroom for the summer so I could sign out. Of course, my principal would have told me to leave if she had known, but having something to focus on was the only thing that kept me from curling up into a fetal position and sobbing. When my dad showed up at my classroom door about 20 53
minutes later (a record time from Agua Dulce to Stevenson Ranch), I lost it. I hugged my dad for what seemed like an eternity and cried until no more tears would come. Like many people, when I heard “cancer”, I was sure that meant inevitable death. As a single mother, I was distraught about my two girls, who were just barely 6 and 8, growing up without me being there to help them, protect them, and love them the way only a mother could. Surgery was scheduled for the day after an Alaskan cruise that was planned for the next week. It was decided that I would do a double lumpectomy, even though my doctor would have rather done a mastectomy. I came back a few days later to go over the results. I even brought a thank you note with cookies and brownies I had made to say thanks for everything and goodbye. Instead I heard the words far too many women have to hear, “The margins were not clear.” It was time to do the mastectomy. I was so angry that I was now going to have to miss the beginning of the new school year recovering from surgery. Everyone told me to stop worrying about work and to just take care of myself. The truth is, it wasn’t about missing work, it was about cancer being able to take something else from me. It took my breast, it took my comfort, my time with my children, and I would be damned if I would let it take my work life, my sense of normalcy, my escape from the reality of what I was dealing with. Unfortunately, cancer won that round and I missed the first 20 days of the new school year. When chemotherapy started, I was not going to lay down and let cancer tread all 54
over me again. I planned treatments for Thursday afternoons, suffered through the weekends, and showed up to work Monday, tired but with a sense of accomplishment and victory. My class loved the fact that I showed up with a whole new look each week, alternating wigs weekly. Soon life returned to normal. I had about a year past chemo when I felt the lump on the left side which had been completely clean during all of the earlier exams. Due to the round shape, my Ob/Gyn was very confident that it was a cyst this time. He was right, but given my history, it was decided to remove it regardless. After surgery, I was told that it was definitely a cyst. I met with the surgeon a few days later to go over the results, feeling confident. By some incredible fluke, the small cyst they had removed was the vehicle to discovering a new problem. There were tiny DCIS cells in the tissue surrounding the cyst that were completely unrelated. Had I not been vigilant, had I not performed regular self-exams, had I been afraid to bother the doctor with something that could have been nothing, I may have ended up with another tumor in the months or years to come. It was caught so early this time that I was able to do another mastectomy and skip the chemo this time around. This time I was prepared and cancer didn’t stand a chance. I entered the ring with gloves off. I have decided to be an example, to the best of my ability, of a strong woman, a survivor, so no more women have to be beaten by this terrible disease. 55
Hello, my name is Loretta Ocampo. I am 53 years old and I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 Inflammatory Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed in August 2011. It was devastating news, but I have had great support from my family and friends. I have 4 children, which I have raised as a single mother. It has been a struggle, but my focus was on raising them and I have accomplished that. They are now adults and I also have grandchildren. I am so proud of my family and they are part of the reason for my fight with this terrible disease. I want to see my grandchildren grow and share the futures years with them. I felt there was something wrong with me, but I did not go to the doctor. I was scared and really not ever going to the doctor my whole life, I never would have thought the news would be so devastating. Being diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer and learning that it had spread to other parts of my body was so surreal that I couldn’t believe it. Even today, I still find it hard to believe that this has happened to me. If I would have had my annual check-ups, I probably could have caught this sooner. Now, whenever anyone mentions that they have not gone for a check-up, I tell them to go and get checked out early. I wish I would have done this.
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Though I am living with this disease, it is not going to stop me from living life to the fullest. I am very fortunate to have positive doctors and the support of my family and friends to help me through this fight. I still live a normal life with breast cancer. I work and I am able to enjoy life. I sometimes forget that I even have breast cancer. I keep my faith going and pray every night for the strength to continue and be positive while I endure this disease. I hope my story will help encourage others to get their check-ups and not to ignore the symptoms. Please remember, Early Detection is Key!!! 57
Today I walk in memory of my Aunt Terry but when I registered for my first walk five years ago I was most interested in having a girls weekend. A good friend of mine (Iron Coconut) had done the walk in 2006 and there was no question in my mind when she asked me to do it with her since breast cancer runs in my family. The event was life changing, I knew from the moment opening ceremonies began that I would put my heart and soul into this event for years to come. The 3Day has made me more aware of not only my own physical shape and health habits but for those around me as well. Raising breast cancer awareness is a goal for our team as we have grown from 3 members to double-digits in just a few years! It’s the most incredible thing to share this experience with others and watch them succeed with not only their fund raising goals but also the belief in themselves when they make it to the event. I originally thought that this event would be a good thing for me but it’s truly so much bigger than just me. I walk for my Aunt Terry, Uncle Tim, Sister-in-law Gloria, Mom Irene, Mother-in-law Mary and every single person that had, has or will have to deal with cancer.
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My Aunt Terry was such an inspirational person! One of her favorite quotes was: Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it. ~Mother Teresa 59
I had been watching the ads for the Avon Breast Cancer Walk for a couple of years. Not having anyone directly in my family experiencing breast cancer, I didn’t know if it was the right way for me to contribute, but then I started hearing about my friends – and the next thing I knew, three close friends were diagnosed and battling breast cancer. I signed up to walk the Rocky Mountain Avon Walk in 2009. The day I signed up, I received an email from my dear friend, Carol. We are both involved in competitive handgun shooting – an often misunderstood and misrepresented sport – particularly for women. She had signed up for the same walk!! Completely unaware of each other’s interest in the walk, we decided to walk together and form a team. As accomplished shooters, we thought we could promote the positive side of women in shooting as we walked for a cause we believed in. We knew several of our male friends in our male-dominated sport had loved ones facing breast cancer, so off we went! What happened next was nothing short of amazing… we did fundraising at every shooting match that year; our significant others – both professional shooters – donated courses as fundraisers – making more than $2,000 to put toward the cause and our total of more than $6,000 in donations. Shooters from across the country chipped in to help, and the list of names of those being honored continued to grow. A dear friend, ½ of the Catdaddy organization in Oklahoma, designed and donated the printing of our shirts/jackets – a design that honored those for whom we walked, and promoted women in the shooting sports. 60
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We walked the walk – me, the 39 miles, Carol - 26 – limping all the way due to a knee injury. We loved the humbling experience learning from survivors, their family and friends, and those who honored the ones who lost the fight. We hadn’t known what to expect of the actual walk, and the powerful experience resulted in our signing up at the end of the first day to walk again the following year! In 2010 the process repeated – we added a teammate, increased the fundraising, received more donations from across the shooting community – literally across the country - and our artwork donor? Her mom was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I’m thrilled to say she made it through treatment and is doing very well, but needless to say, it really boosted our commitment to continue the walking. Catdaddy’s provided the shirts for the entire team once again. We added another teammate from our shooting sport, and had friends travel hours to meet us at the finish line. Again, Carol struggled with a knee injury, but made the 26mile trek, as I finished the full 39. We didn’t sign up right away for the following year as we wanted to find a less strenuous walk she could complete. 2011 brought life challenges to us both – and the list of those for whom we walked continued to grow. Late in 2011, we made our commitment to walk the 2012 Santa Barbara walk – expecting a flatter route so she could finish the walk. We added another shooter teammate from Arizona – Annette – whose aunt had just passed from breast cancer, and two more CA gals committed to the cause. 62
The five of us met in Santa Barbara – on event Eve, and spent the weekend with the amazing event – celebrating our nearly $15,000 in donations. Carol, again, couldn’t do the full walk due to injury – but she and the CA gals finished the 26 miles. Annette and I did the 39 – and I watched Annette have the same amazing first-timer experience that Carol and I had enjoyed in 2009. On the first night – at Wellness Village – we signed up for Charlotte, 2013. Carol knows she can’t walk the full walk, so she’ll be a volunteer in 2013. Annette and I are planning for the full 39 miles again. Our list of those we honor has grown to nearly 40 people – survivors and those who didn’t. The good fortune we all experience, the health we have, the ability to walk – all of these drive our goal to support the cause. It’s humbling, powerful, empowering – and the right thing to do. Is it easy? No. Am I already planning for 2014? You betcha!! Is this a breast cancer story? Only in that we are so grateful that we can walk in honor of others. Do I hope there won’t be more people added to our “honor roll”? Absolutely! But until that happens, we’ll walk… Kathie Ferguson – Team Captain Rocky Mountain Shooting Stars
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My mom, my daughters, and anyone affected. My mom, Margo Armstrong is a 5 year survivor and taking change of life. She is taking a European tour next summer. My Mom loves to read, watch shows with high body counts and her family. Still making memories! My Granny and Auntie both and breast cancer so when my mom found a lump, she would not be put off when the nurses said it was nothing. Luckily she pressed on. There was a doctor close by and he went with my moms instincts and the cancer was found early. My mom had a lumpectomy and radiation and been cancer free for five years.
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Te ll i n g t h e sto r i e s o f p e One Shirt
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e o p l e a f f e c t e d b y C a n c e r, At A Time.
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