Friday is fast becoming one of my favorite days. And not just because Willow goes to preschool.
No, I love Fridays, because that's when I get to introduce you to some of my favorite people. Today I'm absolutely delighted to share one of my best blogging buds, Ginny Marie from Lemon Drop Pie, with you. She's also in our SITS Girls tribe of Spring Chickens. And she's a breast cancer survivor.
She's so kind and modest that Ginny Marie probably wouldn't be comfortable with being called inspiring, but G, you are. I know there are people out there facing devastating news about cancer right now -- either for themselves or someone they love -- and Ginny Marie and her beautiful family are living, breathing proof that life can still get better and better, despite how hard things may be right now.
And I love her description of her blog title, because life is a little bit sweet and a little bit sour for all of us. That's what makes it so delicious.
Take it away, Ginny!
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Last week, Amanda wrote a beautiful piece for my blog titled "Filling in the blanks." I had asked her to write about the challenges she faces and why she blogs about them, and I couldn't have asked for a better guest post. This week, I'm writing a guest post for Amanda, and I hope I do half as well as she did.
For the most part, my challenges are over. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 27. That was over 14 years ago. I'm in remission; I'm not going through any treatments like chemotherapy or radiation. I'm no longer taking any medications. My hair has grown back, my body has healed. Sure, I have scars, but I am used to way my body looks.
In the fourteen years since I had cancer, I met my husband who did more than accept me for who I am. He loves and cherishes me more than I thought was possible.
My fears of being infertile due to the chemotherapy and Tamoxifen were groundless; I had two quite normal pregnancies, gave birth to two very healthy and happy daughters, and successfully breastfed both of them with one breast.
My challenges are over. Everything in life is good; I have more than I ever dreamed I would have after that terrifying diagnosis of breast cancer.
However, I am haunted. October haunts me, not with Halloween ghosts and goblins, but with ribbons. It's the pink ribbons that haunt me.
Every pink ribbon reminds me: breast cancer is personal. I had it, and it can come back. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 40, and it came back. We thought it had gone away forever. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, we found out we were wrong. The cancer had metastasized to her bones. We lost her last November, 26 years after her first diagnosis.
I tend to say, “When the cancer comes back.” My husband correct me as quickly as he can...not when, IF. But I can't stop thinking of those teeny, tiny cancerous cells that may lurk inside my body, looking for a home in my bones, my lungs, my liver or my brain. What if?
And so I write. I write about breast cancer to reach out to you. To encourage you to do a breast self-exam. To visit your doctor if you feel anything unusual. To help find the cause of breast cancer by joining www.armyofwomen.org.
I write so that someday, those pink ribbons will become unnecessary. I write because we're all tired of being haunted by those pink ribbons every October.
Ginny Marie blogs about surviving breast cancer and being a mom at Lemon Drop Pie.
I'm gonna try this one more time!
Saturday October 23 2010 02:30:14 am
Cheryl D.
I posted this brilliant comment, but it didn't post (I have this prob on this site from time to time).
I'm gonna try one more time...
Ginny, that was such a beautiful post! Thank you for sharing your story with us. It's so inspirational and informative. I honestly didn't think having children was possible after treatments like that!
I hope the IF never happens!
Thanks again for sharing your story!
Thanks!
Friday October 22 2010 09:32:48 pm
Ginny Marie
Thank you for your kind introduction, Amanda!
Lisa...I'm so sorry you lost your mom to breast cancer.
Lynn - Thanks for being a faithful reader! ;)
Jen, I hope your aunt's cancer goes into remission again...
Lucy, I need that reminder to think positively!
Jenni, we can always hope!
IF
Friday October 22 2010 04:52:16 pm
Jenni Chiu
What an important post.
I hope someday you are right, Ginny... that those little pink ribbons will be obsolete.
That there will be no "when" and no "if".
Friday October 22 2010 12:14:13 pm
Lucy
What an inspiration you are. Think positive thoughts always...
Lucy
http://postpartumillness.com/
Friday October 22 2010 11:46:29 am
Jen
Great guest post! Our experiences shape us even if the immediate challenge is over. My aunt's cancer, 15 or so years in remission, has returned. But another friend has been cancer free for over 20 years. I guess we have to live like the worst won't happen, and then deal with it if it does.
Friday October 22 2010 10:43:43 am
Lynn
Thanks for this post Ginny! You are an inspiration!
Hope and Encouragement
Friday October 22 2010 09:40:04 am
Lisa Ladrido
Thank you both for sharing your post. You give hope and encouragement to all women who have had had or who are currently dealing with this terrible disease. I am so sorry for your loss. I also lost my mom to breast cancer in November 1993 and yes with metastasis as well. However, I encourage all women to have their yearly mammograms and do their monthly self breast exams. My mom's life may have been spared if she had done any of those. You can read about my mom on my post: <a href="http://iamallatwitteraboutlife.blogspot.com/2010/09/back2blogging-event-day-4.html">My Mom</a>
~Lisa
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