A Tribute to the Warriors

On Sunday, October 17th, I volunteered with my mom in the survivor tent for the Making Strides Walk for Breast Cancer.  Usually, three to four thousand women shuffle through the survivor tent where I stand handing out schedule pamphlets for the Look Good, Feel Better Program.  A little bit about the program.  LGFB is a community program designed to help women deal with the physical affects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments.  The program is free for these women.  Licensed cosmotologists and estheticians volunteer time to helping female cancer patients feel good about their physical appearances again.  Here, women are shown how to apply make up and even receive a free make up kit to take home.  I am confident that the LGFB program is achieving the goals it set out to do.   Mostly because many of the suvivors that pass by our table tell us what an amazing program it was for them during their journey. 

For some reason on this particular morning, women seemed as though they wanted to share their journeys.  One woman in particular really touched my heart forever.  I don't know her name, but I will never forget her face or her spirit.  She stopped by the tent and I asked her if she was familiar with the LGFB program.  She explained to me that she was in between treatments at the moment.  She told me how she's been fighting breast cancer for 4 1/2 years.  This time though it has metastasized to her bones.  My heart sank to my feet.  I looked at her and told her how amazing she looked.  Looking at her, you would NEVER even know that an evil beast was eating her up inside.  She was in such great spirit and told me "I'm not ready to go anywhere yet.  He doesn't want me yet.  He knows I'd be too much of a bitch up there." And we both exchanged a giggle.  She continued to tell me how her oncologist can't believe how she is doing as well.  I asked her how she feels on a day to day basis.  Her answer: "Some days are bad.  It has spread to my spine and my hips, so there are some days where I can't even walk.  But I don't tell anybody about it."  She also said that she has allergic reactions to regular chemo treatments and one time even had an outer body experience with it.  So she's waiting for a new type of treatment to try at the moment.  She continued to tell me how a team was there walking for her.  And that her son is leaving for Afghanistan so she is going to take a trip to see him to say goodbye.  I told her to keep up that spirit. And we hugged.  She went about her day, and on my way out of the walk I saw her sitting by her husband in chairs by the entrance way so she could see her support system/team walking back.  I waved to her and she waved back.  But something made me stop in my tracks.  I ran up to her and said... "I just need to give you a hug.  You are truly amazing!  You keep doing what you're doing!"  She said "Thank you.  You make sure you take care of that baby."  As I walked away from that woman, the realization that I didn't know her name, or that I may never see her again put me into tears, I broke... because chances of her making it to next year's Making Strides Walk are not likely.  I pray for her strength.  I pray for her family's strength to take on the road that awaits them in the coming weeks and months.

Overall, the morning was an emotional one for me.  Perhaps more so due to pregnancy hormones.  Or it could've just been due to thoughts of past memories and journeys of those we've loved and lost.  It's an amazing feeling though to look out into the huge crowd of walkers and supporters and to see all the pink that takes over for that bit of time.  It's one time a year that I don't mind getting up before dawn, because I know that I am going out there to provide information that helps those who are battling this evil bitch feel good even just for a little bit.  I would love to work with the cancer society and be a family consultant.  However, I don't have the strength in me that I did when helping Jess and her family.  I think that's largely in part because after using up all that strength, what followed tore me apart.  And when I see other families going through the same battle, I know what they are potentially facing and it all floods back to me.  But those women are TRUE Warriors.  They fight and they battle for freedom... their own freedom.  Freedom from the masses that try to take over their bodies.  But I also realize that they aren't the only warriors.  They have their army marching behind them every step of the way.  This army consists of sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husbands, friends... you name it, the list goes on and on.  These armies stand strong and hold up their warrior.  So I dedicate this post to the Warriors and the armies that stand up behind them.  The women who battle every day and beat that evil bitch called breast cancer.  The women who I couldn't even begin to fathom how they might feel inside both physically and emotionally on their march through the battlefield.  I will always do what I can to be a part of making some sort of difference. Donating is one thing and always helps, but DOING and helping others is in my blood and holds no greater feeling.  I may not be that warrior (though one never knows what the future may hold).  However, I will always be a part of that army.  God Bless...