Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Go PINK! Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Ok, so usually my posts are full of fun and laughs but today I just felt the need to write about something so scary but so important. 


I'll never forget the day one of my very best friends in the world, Candy was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  She had told me that she was going in for a routine Mammogram after finding a tiny lump. 
No big deal, right? 
She was 36. 
The doctor called her into his office 3 days later for a consult. We were all there with her. How could we not be? We have been friends since I was 14 years old.  
She is like a sister to me!
When he told her that she had a very aggressive type of breast cancer and a radical mastectomy was required, we were all in shock, that is except Candy.  She smiled thru it all and held our hands and we left in a cloud of shock and for me total despair. 
Cancer at 36? 
Why Candy? 
I know of women that are NOT sweet, NOT kind, NOT caring like she is, why not THEM?


The surgery was scheduled for the end of the following week. 
I went home and cried for days. She was so strong. I was not.


An entire bevy of us arrived with her at the hospital. She was told to gown and where to go. All of us girls were surrounding her hospital bed right before they were to wheel her in for the procedure.  
Someone, I'm not sure to this day who, suggested we all pray. 
We began..."Please God be with Candy......" 
That's as far as it got before we were all wailing and sobbing and broken down in tears.  All of us crying .... then Candy's sweet voice...
"Please God be with these wonderful friends of mine and keep them strong. 
You see, I need them. 
I borrow their clothes."
All was so quiet. No one was even breathing. Then, in a flash we all broke up into fits of laughter. 
No tears. No more crying.  Candy was going to be fine. 
Here she was the one lying so vulnerable and small in that hospital gurney and she was comforting US!
She had the procedure and went home that day. 
I took a covered dish to her house that evening and guess what? She was out on the back of a motorcycle! WHAT?
Three weeks later they scheduled the first of a six month round of Chemo.  This was the first I saw how hard this was going to be for my dear friend.  
She told me that losing her breast was no big deal. 
Her boob had Never hugged her kids. 
Her boob had Never drove her car.
Her boob had Never gazed up at the stars in the sky.
Losing her hair was going to be the hard part.  We would sit outside and just the lightest breeze would make her long beautiful hair blow away in a cloud.  I could see how much this hurt her.
She shaved her head and then just simply rocked headscarves and wigs. She was beautiful inside and out. Hair or no hair.
It's been over 20 years and Candy is Cancer Free.
Thanks to early detection and a willingness to follow her doctors orders, she survived.
Breast Cancer is survivable. 


October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I Thank God it has had a light shown on this disease.
I go on Friday for my annual Mammogram and screening.
I hope that all of you over 40 or with a history of Breast Cancer in your family,  schedule a Mammogram this month. It could save your life!
I could only hope to ever be as strong as my dear friend. She gives me hope everyday ~ in Every Thing. 
Besides, she borrows my clothes!
ℒℴѵℯ You All!


18 comments:

  1. One of my favorite professors revealed that she had breast cancer and she will most likely get it again. It was so sad to hear and shocking that she was so casual with it.. they must have super strength because I would break down.

    One out three people are diagnosed with cancer everyday! All we can do is pray & keep strong!

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  2. @Lisa
    I would too but God must give these wonderful women inner strength to be a great example to the rest of us so we can go get the oh so important screening.
    God Bless them all.

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  3. Ty for this post Lana...I pray someone will read this & get tested.Early detection is the key. Also, if you feel like something's wrong don't rely solely on a mammogram. Demand an ultrasound. I have dense breast tissue...hard to detect anything with just a mammogram. Only ultrasound & biopsy can tell all. I only wish I would have known this...I wish I 'd known about genetic testing. Plz keep spreading the knowledge...it's empowering. Love ya Sweetie!<3,Teer

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  4. That is a great story. And so inspirational! Thank you for posting this! And GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FRIEND!

    xox nickey
    youtube.com/nickeytime

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  5. My grandomother, Bless her soul, had breast cancer, but she was my father's mother, so the doctors told me this is not hereditary for me. In April this year I went for the first time to shuch an exam, because I had a little something that I felt for a long time - and I wasn't willing to go, but my swet boyfriend made me go faster. So, the first doctor I went to told me this is Fibroadenom - a "good" tumor! I was SO scared, even though this is very cummon. But I didn't want to get only one opinion, so I went to other 2 very reputable doctors and they told me this is not it! Ah, I was so relieved!

    I am so glad your friend is well now!

    Big hugs and than you for this post!

    Poli

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  6. This was a great post to remind us all of one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.
    Women need to not be afraid of doing this exam!!!!
    Its not as bad as everyone makes it out to be!

    Prayers go out to all the women who have suffered from breast cancer...

    Suzanne

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  7. Candy is amazing. I hope your check up goes well.

    ~peachypink

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  8. Great story and so happy it ended with all smiles.
    I went for mine last week and got the call today that I need to go for an MRI on my right breast...

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  9. @Pamnkidz
    I will be thinking about you and praying. I just know all will turn out well.
    Let me know and just know that in spirit, I will be right there with you.
    Love and Hugs~
    Lana

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  10. Lana, thanks for sharing, I understand how hard it can be on friends and family of loved ones with cancer... It's nice to know their are people rooting for them on their team. I also know what it's like to be the one who needs suppose. I'm 26 and I have spent the majority of this year battling Uterine cancer. I would not have made it through without my support system!

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  11. I am glad you shared this story.. My mom is having surgery in a couple of weeks for what could be cancer.. we arent for sure yet.. but there is a mass on her ovaries.. Its very hard not to see her strong and i try to be strong for her but at night i cant help but cry and worry.. But Its good to know there is hope. and with prayer all things are possible!! Thanks for giving this story of hope.

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  12. Wow, such a story...I got teary when you said what she prayed for...

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  13. Thank you for this post. My family was slammed late Sept. when the Doc told us my Dad had cancer. He has since had the cancer removed and is scheduled to have 6 months of chemo. Even though it is not breast cancer, it is so encouraging to hear a survival story. Helps to keep my head up! Thank you again.

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  15. Oh Lana, Thanks for sharing another personal story of yours. What a great friend to have and I know she is thankful for you. When you were going through that horrific cancer with your sweet husband I was also going through my kidney cancer. Thank God it was found earlier while checking my gallbladder cause most of the time that is a fatal cancer to have if not caught early enough. Then 3 months after my kidney surgery I had my 40 year old first routine mammogram and guess what They found in my right breast atypical ductal hyperplasia. The stage it is in right before it turns in to breast cancer. I am thankful to get to be here for my kids still... While I was going through that I lost a woman who was like my 2nd Mom to breast cancer. This crazy and difficult time I was going through was while I was going through all my junk too. I hate everything about cancer!!!! I can not stress how very important it is to have your routine test done as we get older or if you feel something needs to be checked for whatever reason cause early detection with most cancers are curable. I'm living proof of this. Thank God! Prayers to your dear friend.

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