Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Stories of Cancer-survivors & in memory

Not a day goes by where I don't hear another story about someone who has cancer or has passed away from it. It is just such a common thing to hear these days and I am not going to lie-I hate it. I hate cancer and everything it does. Cancer has touched my life in so many ways recently. Whether it is someone in my immediate circle, a friend of a friend or a stranger asking to help tell her story-it is always there.
{My father-in-law Sonny & mother-in-law Cheryl}
My mother-in-law, Cheryl, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of 2010. She had surgery to remove the cancer and went through a year of chemotherapy and radiation. She lost all of her hair and had days when she didn't know if she would make it through another round of medicine. Thankfully, after a year of fighting her battle-she won! She has been cancer free for over a year now and we couldn't be happier!

Unfortunately, not everyone is that lucky. This is Nancy-she is from my hometown and is about 5 years younger than me. She went to school with my cousin and her brother was a friend of my brother's. When Nancy was 17 weeks pregnant, she found a lump in her armpit and the doctors just gave her antibiotics. Not long after that, she was admitted to a tumor institute and was diagnosed with anaplastic non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She refused to give up her baby in order to save her own life. Sadly, the baby didn't survive much longer and Nancy passed just a few short weeks later. Her friends have rallied around her and started a dance studio named in her honor. They raise money to donate to cancer research and keep her memory alive. You can read more of her story here and here.

This is Heather. I don't know Heather, but she reached out to me and asked me to share her story. Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, Heather is a survivor and wants to share her story with others who might be faced with a situation that we so commonly see these days. I encourage you to read her story and find hope.
My hope is that you read these stories and learn from them. If you feel like something just isn't right, do whatever it takes to get the answers that you need. Don't take the first answer that you get, keep seeking answers and second opinions until you find someone who will help you find the right diagnosis and the right treatment. Not all stories have a happy ending, but some do. If you are ever faced with this horrible thing we call cancer, I pray that you come out a survivor!
Dedicated to Nancy and her precious baby girl

12 comments:

ShabbyESP said...

Hey Trisha,
I also think cancer is a mean nasty disease and I wish they would find a cure. It touches so many lives and it is just so sad. I have lost cousins, Aunts, friends...the list goes on and on.
Thank you for your post today, my mother is a ovarian cancer survivor and my father a cancer survivor also!!! I am very lucky.
Suzann ~xoxo~

Lynn said...

What a thoughtful post, Trisha. And you're so right. This horrible disease touches everyone in some way. My teeny thyroid cancer scared me enough to start eating vegetarian. My son gave me the book Skinny Ba&t@rd (don't want to be vulgar, here!) and it was powerful. Though I struggled to not "throw the baby out with the bathwater" because of the crude writing style of the authors, it was full of eye-opening realities on the foods we eat, etc. My daughter says it's not "if" we get cancer, but "when." So thanks for your post. I've had a weird pain under my left arm and I'm going to look into it further as a result of reading your post. Thanks for putting my Giveaway button on your sidebar. I'm still a blogging newbie and need all the help I can get!
xo,
Lynn at Cottage and Creek

Tara said...

Hi Trish,I'm a survivor on non-hodgkins lymphoma and thank God every day that I'm here with my boys..Life is unpredictable but it only takes one discovery to help so many..Lets keep hoping and praying..A lovely post..xx

Suzanne said...

Bless your heart Trisha! what a beautiful, poignant and important post you have written. Thank you for sharing the stories of these brave people! You never know who is reading your blog in the middle of the night, in some far off country, that you may have helped! I will read the stories of your sweet friends. Thanks for sharing!!!

Barbara @ 21 Rosemary Lane said...

Hi Trisha and thank you for stopping by 21 Rosemary Lane and leaving your comment on my Photography Tip Thursday post. The truth is that I just got my camera too but I can't self teach such technical stuff. So I enrolled in a 15 week photography class at my local community college. I am sharing what I learn each week so be sure to stop by next Thursday. Also check out last weeks post at http://decoratingwithbarbara.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-photography-tidbit-seriesweek-one.html

Have a great week!!

Special 'K' said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely post even with all it's heartache. I lost my sister to this terrible nasty disease. She was so very brave. This is my first visit to your special space, I will follow on my way out as I am sure I will enjoy engaging and supporting your special place now I have found you,I hope you will find the some time to come visit me some time. Cheers SpecialK XoXo

Red Rose Alley said...

Trisha,
That is so special of you to share these stories, as they sound close to your heart. I have had loved ones who had this, so I do understand. My best cousin is fighting it right now, so if you could say a prayer for her. I see you switched to the pop-up comments now - so did I. Isn't it alot easier? I hope your weekend is filled with fun, my sweet friend.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

Red Rose Alley said...

Trisha, Thank you for your prayers for my cousin. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Our loved ones that go through this are truly brave souls.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

A Cozy Cottage in the City said...

Hi Trisha,

Wow, that story about Nancy losing her baby and then her life just touched me...actually, all of it does. My grandmother died of lung cancer {she never even smoked once in her life} when I was 16 yrs old...so I know how it feels to lose someone you love dearly to it. Wonderful stories and you have a huge heart to share them with us.


Hugs,
Jessie

Chris said...

Hi Trisha, very sad stories and yes, most of us have been touched by this dreadful disease. What strikes me is that you are one very caring person and everyone should have a friend like you. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.com/

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Goodness, this is all so sad, but unfortunately reality!! Thank you for sharing their stories! We all hate cancer!

Carol

Michelle said...

I am now following you on Linky.I would love it if you followed me back. I really enjoy meeting new Bloggers.