publisher’s note
Beating The Odds Although the month of October means many different things to people across our state and country, October is the month most of us recognize as the start of fall, the beginning of our leaves turning glorious colors and the month of tribute to a not-so-glorious disease, breast cancer.
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12 | At Home Tennessee • October 2011
Each year, approximately 200,000 women are told the dreaded news, “you have breast cancer.” It may come as a shock to some that over 1,700 men receive the same news. I am very blessed to say I have never heard these words directed at me but unfortunately I have received phone calls from some very close friends who have been hit with the “cannonball in the stomach” feeling this type of news induces. As I started to think about what to write, I quickly realized that although I have been with several friends as they so bravely have fought this disease, I had no idea of what they really went through. From the minute they hear those words to the day those who win the battle get the news that they are in remission, so much goes on that I couldn’t possibly understand. What I wasn’t shocked to hear was that for those of my friends who were mothers, their initial thoughts revolved around their children and how they were going to handle the new situation they were facing. As parents, our first reaction is to protect our children from all physical and mental harm. Breast cancer not only affects the patient but the entire family as well. I was talking to one of my friends, Kristen, who recently told the dreaded news that she had breast cancer. This is a piece of her story. “I was 33 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was an athlete, a healthy/organic eater and a huge vitamin nut. I was happily married and the mother of twin three-year-old boys. When I heard the words ‘breast cancer’ I was in utter shock. Why would this happen to me? Well, the more I thought about and read about cancer the more I realized, why not? One out of every eight women will face breast cancer in their lives; it is a game of odds, ladies, and they are stacked against us. As I sat there and I realized I was going to have to fight for my life, I decided I would do it on my own terms. I shy away from calling myself a survivor because I chose not to ‘survive’ but to beat the pants off of cancer, off of a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and off of eight rounds of chemo. I wasn’t going to count the days until I was done fighting, I was going to fight like hell every day from the time I woke up until I went to bed- but also to live like I had not lived before. Cancer can't beat you physically if you don't let it beat you mentally and that became my mission. I am now almost two months out of chemo and about to have the final stage of my reconstruction. Having young children was the greatest blessing because little kids just accept you for who you are. They loved my bald head and accepted it readily, even made jokes about it. Their unquestionable love and support made it so easy to be their Mom and be myself as I went through this battle. The funny thing about breast cancer or any cancer is that in many ways it actually gives you such a unique perspective on life that you almost feel like it's a gift. My own experience has made every moment a little sweeter: when one of my sons kisses my nose at bedtime it is more special than before; when I wake up and get to walk my dog in that beautiful early morning light I feel so blessed to be able to see a sunrise; when I snuggle with my husband on the couch as I have done a hundred times before cancer, it feels like the first time I ever have and I feel warm and safe and never want to get up! Life is truly a gift, and getting a second chance to live has taught me to live the life I always imagined I could.” Get your mammograms and enjoy every day; like Kristen said, “it’s a game of odds” and every day new strides are made in curing breast cancer, but it takes support from us to continue the effort. Grab some friends and participate in one of the many races this month and by all means remember your pink! Prayers and support to all of you fighting this disease.