A Very Sweet Story

Today I had a very nice lunch with two of my sisters, Nancy and Christine. (We missed you, Donna) We met in Santa Rosa where they both work and had a good, relaxing visit.  I finally got up the gumption to wear one of my wigs out too, and they had fun with that.

As we were chatting up a storm, as sisters do, Nancy was recalling her recent visit to upstate NY to visit with her in-laws. She held out her wrist to show off a very cute breast cancer bracelet, and told this story.

As she was on the flight to NY, she struck up a conversation with one of the flight attendants who was wearing the bracelet. Nancy complimented her on the bracelet and asked if she was a survivor. The attendant replied that she was not, but that she was the only member of her family who had not been struck by cancer. The flight attendant went on to say that she made the bracelet. Nancy then told her how she has a sister who is going through breast cancer right now. Then they both went about their journey; Nancy reading, the flight attendant taking care of her passengers.

As the flight ended, Nancy and her husband gathered their belongings and started to exit the plane. From behind, Nancy heard someone say, "Just a minute!" It was the flight attendant who was handing the bracelet to Nancy, as Nancy was saying, "I can't take this from you". The flight attendant explained that this was for her sister, so that when she/I was finished with chemo, I could say I am a survivor. As Nancy told this part of the story, she slipped the bracelet off her wrist and handed it to me. Of course, Tina and I both had eyes welled with tears at this point. 

There are so many kind, sweet, and generous people I have met through this journey. This is yet another one of those instances. I have no idea who this sweet angel was, but I will always remember her, this story, and will cherish my Survivor Bracelet.

 

I am a survivor!

I will close this entry in saying that I returned home to receive a call from the Breast Care Coordinator of Redwood Regional Medical Center. She has gone with my suggestion and after talking a bit more with the Radiologist who reviewed my latest ultrasound, put in an order for an MRI guided biopsy. In this way, it will be on the schedule for next week. If my surgeon returns from his trip on Tuesday and says this is not what he wants, we can still cancel it. But at least we won't lose another week in the interim.

I also had a good appointment with my oncologist yesterday and reviewed all the statistics and asked lots of questions. He confirmed that the recurrence is not greater with lumpectomy and radiation, as it is with mastectomy. After really grilling him with lots of other questions and concerns, I feel very close to making a final surgery decision once my surgeon returns and we have the opportunity to discuss everything further. I think I am over all the uncertainty and confusion and more at ease with everything. Ahhh; this feels much better.  :-)

Hugs,

Debbie... aka the cancer warrior ... AND SURVIVOR!!!
Sonoma Relay for Life Team (8/6/11) ~  Debbie's Blasting Crew.

LIVESTRONG: 

I AM STRONG. I AM LOVED. I AM HEALTHY. WE WILL WIN!