This past August, I went through a scary time. I found a lump. With a history of breast cancer in my family, I knew that I couldn't ignore it, that pretending it wasn't there wouldn't make it go away. I wanted to forget about it. I wanted to act like it didn't scare me. But it did. I was almost 29, the same age that my cousin was when she found a lump. For her, it was cancer.
So I went to the doctor. Then to the Halsted Breast Center. Then to the Radiologist for a needle biopsy. I am terrified of needles, and this procedure had me beside myself. I can tell you though that it didn't hurt at all and I made it out in one piece (but I cried the entire time.). I waited for a week for the results and went into the office. The doctor came in and said the words that we had been praying for: It's not cancer!
Relief. Gratitude. Joy. More time with my girls, more time with my husband. More time to live and laugh and love and breathe and be healthy. More time. It makes everything very real. And something that I couldn't get out of my head... all of the women who go in praying for a second chance but instead get the news that they in fact do have cancer. So many women. Just like my cousin Debbie.
3 days ago, Debbie left her pain behind and moved on to a better place. To Paradise.
Today I got an email from my cousin Karyn. this is what she said:
"A few months ago my friend Deirdre did the Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk for the Cure in Seattle. I trained with her all summer for her epic 60 mile journey but was unable to do the actual walk with her because of work. I lived vicariously through her along that walk and when she returned to LA, I agreed to do the walk with her in 2010. My plan was to honor my cousin Debbie and her ongoing battle with cancer. About 8 years ago, at the age of 30, Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Through many rounds of chemo and a shiny bald head, Debbie's cancer went into remission and she set out to raise her 3 beautiful daughters, Savannah, Meghan and Mallory. Tragically, 8 years later (September 2008) the cancer had come back. This time in her colon, liver and abdomen. The prognosis was not good but she was determined to put up a fight.
At the end of September, Deirdre and I decided to do the walk in 2010. This time in San Diego. My plan was to walk for Debbie because she was too weak to do it for herself.
Tragically, 3 days ago, Debbie lost her battle. She was only 38 and leaves behind her 3 daughters. This disease doesn't care about that but we have to. To honor her completely, we registered our team and are walking as team "60 Miles for Deb!". 60 miles is a LONG way but every step I take and every dollar I raise will be dedicated to finding a cure for cancer so that Debbie's girls can grow up in a world without breast cancer!
I know that many of you have someone important in your life you would like to honor as well. Since it's not possible for everyone to do this walk we thought we'd help you do that. For every $50 you donate we will carry a ribbon with the name of your honoree written on it. Just let us know the name. We hope to be COVERED in ribbons!
It's very easy to make a donation. Just click on this link: http://www.the3day.org/goto/KarynNewbill2010
Thanks so much for everything!"
Debbie had a fantastic laugh. She had a great smile. And she had 38 years on this earth. Like Karyn said, we can help raise money for cancer research so that our daughters might grow up to live in a world without breast cancer. If you would like to help Karyn reach her goal and to also honor someone in your life, click on the link above. It would mean a lot.
She is going to walk 60 miles for Deb, and I too hope she is covered in ribbons.
(Debbie and Karyn, 2009)
