What Does Think Pink Mean To You?

WHAT DOES Think Pink

MEAN TO YOU

BY KIM CARSON

October is Breast Cancer Awareness

Month. These four women share their remarkable stories of the discovery of their cancer, the unexpected devastating impact it had on their lives, and how they came through on the other side.

MEET LASHAUDRA COX. She’s 36, an educator, and a mom. In March of this year, she noticed a round mass under her left breast, or what she thought was a cyst. At the mammography and ultrasound appointment her doctor told her the discovered round mass was a cyst, but underneath was a suspicious shady area. A biopsy was performed and two days later LaShaudra received a call that changed her life forever.

Ms. Cox, your biopsy results came back positive for cancerous cells you have Stage 1A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma breast cancer.

Tears fell from her eyes and she sobbed as with the news. She asked, “How could I have cancer? No one in my family has had cancer. I have an 11-year-old, and I don’t want to die.”

LaShaudra’s faith in God has always kept her sane especially in times of need. And so, she prayed like never before, asking God to give her strength. She immediately felt a calm and a peace come over her.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and practices, LaShaudra could not have family with her. She would have to endure radiation and recovery alone. But in her treatment, she learned that she is an overcomer and has a purpose on this Earth. “I am here to encourage others”, she said. “When this first happened, I said 2020 was my worst year, but it’s been my blessing year.” MAUREEN DOLAN IS A MOTHER, WITH A MOTHER WHO ALSO HAD BREAST CANCER. Maureen was diligent in getting her annual mammograms, especially after her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2008. August 2018 for Maureen was like any other year. She had dense breasts, so a 3D mammogram wasn’t unusual. This time was different.

The radiologist found a suspicious spot that would require a biopsy. The following week it was confirmed the tumor was breast cancer. Further genetic testing revealed a cancer gene mutation called ATM (Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutation).

“My husband and I decided that because of my history and the gene mutation, a double mastectomy was the wisest choice. I kept a private blog that I shared with my close friends and family. The nurse that gave me the news about my cancer diagnosis said this was ‘just a little blip in the road,’ and the title for my blog was born. Humor was my medication. I learned through this journey that I am much stronger than I thought I was, and I am currently two years cancer-free. Surrounding myself with people close to me who had gone through this was my most helpful part of healing. We can’t do this alone!” FOR STEPHANIE CORNWELL IT STARTED OUT AS A NORMAL SATURDAY . While showering she noticed a rather large lump on her left breast. She wasn’t worried, but called her OBGYN with her discovery and was scheduled the next day for a mammogram.

At the time, Stephanie was in training for the 2016 Boston Marathon — less than a month away. Then, the call, where the nurse told her she had an aggressive Clinical Stage IIB Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, ER/PR-positive, HER2- negative breast cancer.

The world stopped. The oncology team did give her the green light to run the marathon so she ran Boston on Monday, flew back on Tuesday and was in surgery for her port Wednesday. Friends celebrated her Boston Marathon accomplishment and her hairdresser was there to shave her head and prepare 24 inches of her beautiful blonde hair for a wig.

It was important for Stephanie not to hide, but to live out loud. Post-cancer she ran a 50-mile trail marathon and in August of 2019 she ran the Grand Island Trail Run, 50k, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. What a victory! She says, “I’ve learned that I am a warrior and with my experiences I am able to pay it forward.”

2017: BECKY RICHARD WAS 45 WHEN A CLIENT OF HERS, DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER AT AGE 40, SAVED HER LIFE.

“When was your last mammogram?,” Becky’s client asked. Becky would tell her the doctor had informed her she could wait until 50. Her client then strongly insisted she absolutely not wait. At 45, she needed to get a mammogram as soon as possible.

Becky took her client’s advice and scheduled a mammogram immediately, in turn saving her life. A few weeks later she would be diagnosed with an aggressive breast cancer. The recommended treatment was a double mastectomy and 12 rounds of chemotherapy. “From the moment you get that call, your world just starts swirling around you like a hurricane,” Becky said. She never thought she would have to face her own mortality at age 45, and to add, her youngest was only four years old.

Becky participated in an ArtPrize exhibit featuring women going through cancer treatment who received a henna crown. She began volunteering for Henna Crowns of Courage and Beautiful You Salon, two nonprofits providing free services for women going through cancer treatments, helping them to feel beautiful.

“I try to submerge myself in the little things … the sun on my face, rolling my windows down in the car, smelling my son’s hair.” Surprisingly, I’ve found that the little things are actually the big things in life. Cancer is like a sieve that ‘catches’ all the important things in life and the rest just falls away. It’s a gift that only suffering can bring us.”

Kim Carson is an Author/Radio/TV/ Internet personality living in Southwest Michigan. Listen to her 5-10am on FM106.5, watch her on WGVU TV and learn more at kimcarson.online. Kim loves cats, calls her mom her best friend, enjoys hiking, farmers markets, photography and interviewing people because we all have a story to tell.

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