Disease eats away at the normal functions or structures in
the body. Our goal in life is to
avoid disease by exercising, eating healthy, drinking lots of water, getting
plenty of rest, etc. Disease not
only affects the physical body of the person, but also the mental health of the
individual and the people closest to them.
Cancer is one of THE most feared disease in the world
today. When we hear “cancer”, more
often then not the thought of DEATH jumps in our heads first. After that initial thought and shock do
we take a breath and figure out what path to take regarding treatment.
My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer over 15+ years
ago. She shared the same fears and
challenges as all cancer victims ~ being sick from treatment, losing her hair,
fatigue, loneliness, etc. My dad
was her stable support throughout her treatment and I am thankful, everyday,
that he was there for her.
Cancer hadn’t been ‘on the radar’ until my mom was
diagnosed. Even then, once she finished
treatment, life went on as usual.
It almost seemed as if it was a subject to ‘forget about’ amongst family
and friends.
A few years later, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with
breast cancer. “What was up with
all this cancer stuff”, I thought for a moment. But again, once the treatment was finished, everyone went on
with their lives.
It wasn’t until I became involved with an organization over
10 years later called “First Descents”, that I really learned what cancer is
all about. I have been involved
with this organization for about 7 years now. This experience has given me the opportunity to sit down
with cancer survivors and cancer victims and learn how this disease has
affected them, their lives’, their families, etc.
I have heard stories about relationships ending because of
the stress that cancer had caused.
I have heard stories about schools unwilling to work with their students
going through cancer treatment. I
have heard some pretty unbearable stories from survivors and those still in
treatment.
I have also heard stories about support and love. I have witnessed, first-hand, these
“First Descent” participants finding strength when they didn’t know it existed
inside of them. I have witnessed
laughter through fear. I have
witnessed the most amazing “families” being developed at the end of these FD
camps and the support continuing for years and years afterwards.
This has changed my reaction towards cancer. Yes, this disease SUCKS big-time, but
it also forces YOU and the people around you to become the most amazing people
and realize there is SO much more to life then work, play and everyday
life. Life is YOU, ME . . . US!
I feel blessed that my entire family is playing their part
in ‘fighting cancer’. My mom demonstrated her strength through her treatment and supports cancer research through her Mary Kay business, myself with FirstDescents and my sister works with the LIVESTRONG Foundation in creating and
supervising exercise programs for cancer survivors at her local YMCA. And, well . . . my dad just supports
his ladies in everything we do!
So, in a way, I have to say “thanks, cancer! I hate you, but without you, we (mom,
sister and I) wouldn’t have met the most amazingly, strong people and been a
part of the most memorable experiences!”
Read here for a posting from awhile back about my mom's cancer.
Read here for a posting from awhile back about my mom's cancer.
