Do I let Cancer control me? Or do I take control?
Who has more power? Me? Or Cancer?
Breast Cancer at 26? There has to be a reason!
These were questions I asked myself. And the last finally gave me the answer I needed to see a reason. You hear all the time God has a reason for all he does sometimes it just takes time to see what the reason is? Well I am an inpatient person and I refused to wait for a reason, I made my reason.
If I didn't know my family history, if I didn't know my odds, I may have listened to the numerous times I heard "you're too young." If I wasn't outspoken, if I wasn't stubborn, I might have listened to "you're to young." But I did know, and I am stubborn and I am outspoken, some are not! I used my voice to help me beat cancer now I felt it was my duty to use my voice to help others beat cancer. More than that using my voice gave me an opportunity, let me take control, gave me power and a reason.
So I spoke! And I shared! And I didn't wait to see God's reason I made my own.
First I made sure I called my doctor's and the hospital and I told everyone I knew to share my number with any woman who may be going through cancer. Who needed a shoulder! Or thought they were too young!
Second I got online. My friends and family helped me and my family when I was down now it was my turn to make sure that they didn't have to have help after hearing those awful words. I ordered tons of info, how to perform exams, different awareness materials and pink ribbons to remind them their number one risk...They were female! Not how old they were!
Third I got a phone call asking if i would interview with a local news station while they did a segment on the wig shop where I purchased my wig. It was an honor! I'd be proud! Search breast cancer...what do you find? Most of what you will find tells you or shows you the face of breast cancer is older! I felt the need to put a younger face on breast cancer.
I did my interview with a woman that for years I grew up watching, a woman who had done amazing things for advocacy in breast cancer and now she was asking me about my story and she was airing it to share with others! What a huge honor! I was filmed being fitted for a wig while being asked about my personal struggle with breast cancer. There was the camera zoomed in on my very bald head, at first I must admit my own insecurities wanted to run but I knew seeing a 26 year old with breast cancer could help some young woman somewhere. http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=58160
I later learned that my story was shared again by Andrea Roane on different occasions. http://www.wusa9.com/rss/local_article.aspx?storyid=93977
Fourth I typed away I sent emails to all the local tv stations and newspapers and I first heard back from the Free Lance Star. First I did an interview and then days later a photo shoot. It is not easy the first time you see your story in print but it was needed I needed to share my story! http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/072007/07222007/295676
Then the Culpeper Star Exponent contacted me and they too did a story on me. http://www2.starexponent.com/news/2007/oct/07/amazing_strength_10_07_07_cse-ar-345041/
Because of these articles I found in googling my name that there were stories all over on adoption sites, etc that they had taken from my news articles.
Fifth a friend asked me to share my story with nursing students at a local college so that they were aware breast cancer does not discriminate! I stood in front of these women with my power point and my story and did not have one dry eye.
I was also asked by the local American Cancer Society to speak at a ladies luncheon. I was honored and again stood in front of a room full of strangers and shared my story. Most of these people were much older than me but so many stopped me on the way out and told me they were calling their daughters, or granddaughters as soon as they left to tell them of my story.
And I think so far my biggest speaking honor has been that at Pamper Me Pink. I spoke in front of over 450 people and shared my story. This was for a fundraiser for our local hospital and I recently spoke with the CEO of the hospital. I have received many compliments from sharing my story but he told me in all the years of Pamper Me Pink the room had never been so quiet. Hearing that I know I am making a difference and I am speaking out!
Sixth I have raised money for a cure, for advocacy and for an end. I have walked many years in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and have raised several thousand dollars for them. And October of 2010 I walked in the Susan G Komen 60 mile 3 day. Those were the most moving 3 days in my life and I plan on doing it until my feet can't walk anymore.
Seventh I have taken the airwaves and shared my story over the radio.
And now I have pledged to myself to go after my dreams, to reach for unreachable stars and really make a difference in breast cancer!
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