Pink Ribbons

I had such grand plans for the blog for breast cancer awareness month and postings all through October. Sadly, life has gotten in the way. But I wanted to make sure you hear my mom's story. She is among so many women and yes, even some men, that have experienced breast cancer. I hope that you've seen the recent articles that I've linked to the Concert of Hope that my mom and step-dad have been involved with.

Any good southern girl knows to listen to her mamma....so listen up to the mamma of Grits and Gossip. Here is her story:

On December 8, 2000 I took a phone call that changed my life. I remember holding the receiver and hearing the word carcinoma. I picked up a pen and began writing every word the doctor said from that moment on. My husband walked in my office within a few minutes of that call and his world changed as well.

I had a routine mammogram, followed by a biopsy. The biopsy revealed that I had ductal carcinoma insitu. I chose to have a lumpectomy on December 20, 2000 and 3 days later the surgeon called to inform us they did not get clean margins and another lumpectomy was recommended. I had my second lumpectomy on January 3, 2001 and 2 days later (my 43rd birthday) the surgeon called to say higher grade cells were found and they still did not have clean margins. At that point I decided I wanted a mastectomy to insure the cancer was out of my body. So on January 24, 2001 I had my left breast removed. Finally 3 days later we received good news – the cancer was contained to the area and there was no lymph node involvement. I did not have to have radiation or chemo and I was able to begin the reconstruction process.

My initial reconstruction surgical procedures were not successful and I ultimately had to go to Atlanta where I finally got a wonderful result. All in all I had 11 surgeries in a 3 year span of time.

I started this by saying my life changed the day I received a cancer diagnosis. Prior to that day I didn’t understand those life and death issues. I should have – I am a nursing home administrator and deal with those very issues everyday. It is quite different when it is YOU! You receiving the care, You making healthcare
decisions, You lying on an operating table, You being sore after surgery, You
having to wait on someone to help you up out of the bed, You having to stop all
that is normal in your life. I became a better nursing home administrator
because I had experienced those helpless feelings my residents have each and
every day.

I learned to appreciate this very short life we are given. Each and every day is a blessing. A day may be full of challenges but at the end of the day it is so refreshing to realize you had the strength to endure. And no matter how bad I feel, I only have to look around and realize there are others in a worse state than I.

Those scary first days of my diagnosis have evolved into a wonderful journey that has brought so many people and opportunities into my life that never would have been there had it not been for cancer. I have often said that for me cancer has been the greatest gift I’ve ever been given, it just came in a very ugly package.

I know that many who read this blog are vibrant young people that think cancer could never come their way. I hope you are right. REMEMBER – Early detection is crucial. Know your body. Pay attention to changes. Have regular check ups. And should your life be touched by cancer – You will find a support system that will get you through those uncertain times.

We must find a cure for this disease. Each and every political election gives us an opportunity to support those candidates that know the importance of finding a cure. Buy those pink ribbon objects whose proceeds support research. Walk and Run in those races that fund these causes. Who knows, your life may one day depend on it.

~ Carla Heritage