Last night I was invited to the Young Survivors Group at the Pink House – otherwise known as Carolina Breast Friends. It was a neat night for meeting all different women who have all different types stories to share and now I can ponder the details. I have known a few of these women for a long time and I met some new really great friends. Two of these women are battling recurrences of triple negative breast cancer and they are positive, brutally honest, and fighting with everything they’ve got. I still think it’s cool that they allowed me into the “young” group because, as we all know, I am not a young survivor. Regardless of that tiny detail, it is a great group of women to learn all I can learn about anything they are willing to share.
Today is the 16th anniversary of my Mom’s death. I miss her each and every single day and I was talking to Danielle last night, over a glass of wine before the survivor dinner, I told her what it was like to not remember what it felt like to hug my Mom, or what she smelled like, and I am losing the ability to remember her voice. I have some videos of her, which helps tremendously, but the details of her memory are vanishing, as I get older, and my memory declines. As we sat and talked about her we both had tear filled eyes, me for missing my Mom terribly, and Danielle, because she cannot bear to imagine not having hers. They are extremely close and she is very blessed to have such a great Mom. Today isn’t as sad as most June 2nds and I think that last year was probably my hardest of her anniversary dates to get through. I was going through chemo, I was very sick, I was bald, I was gray, and I looked like she did a month or so before she died. BUT, that is behind us all now and I am glad I am not where I was last year.
Tomorrow is National Cancer Survivor Day ! I am going downtown to the block party Presbyterian is having and I am hoping to get some time with the nutritionist there. My main question will be are Twinkies and Twizzlers all that bad for me? Ha. I am looking forward to tomorrow to see what kinds of cool things they are doing down there to celebrate a day worthy of celebrating in a big big way.
If you know a cancer survivor, of any type of cancer, please give them a call tomorrow, send them a text or an email, or facebook them and congratulate them on being a survivor let them know that you are proud of them and are happy they are still in your life. Hopefully they will be doing something special for the day, even if it’s just for a small part of their day. Hopefully they are celebrating survivorship, life, and love. I know I will be !
Such a great message, we are so blessed and grateful to be here..I know you miss your mom…she would be so proud of you, and all you are doing to be a friend to those who are in this fight..I hope there will be an end to all cancers soon…God bless all of you who are in this fight, and especially you, sweet Laura!
Thank you for your comment sweet Dianne! You always have such kind words to say. Happy survivor day to you too tomorrow my friend ! xoxo
I have just read all of your previous blogs you sent me and I am at a loss for words. I feel like you have written out my journey,my feelings, my fears almost word for word. I know now that you were sent to me in my time of need when I was so unsure and lost on this terrible ride and needing somebody so desperately that understood. I thank the Lord every night for bringing you into my life. Thank you just does not seem adequate for what you have given to me!
Jil – I cannot thank you enough for your kind words. Please know that if you are ever feeling lost, overwhelmed, exhausted, un-feminine, and down right sick of being sick, please know that you are NOT alone. We are all on this roller-coaster ride together and we can support each other, even from a distance. Happy Cancer Survivors Day to you my friend ! Hope your days continue to improve and your side effects continue to disappear.
Thanks again for your very kind words. You have made my day. xoxo