THEY LOVED ME THROUGH IT

My husband & I had been married for 4 years, and were relishing being new parents. Our son, who was perfect in every way, was just 9 months old. We thought we had our whole lives in front of us. Then came the diagnosis: Breast Cancer. I was 36 years old & facing a double mastectomy, numerous surgeries for reconstruction and 6 months of chemo and there would be no more children for us. I prayed that I would be here to see our son start kindergarten. I was surrounded by family, friends, doctors & nurses who continued to “love me through it” every day. I knew there was a reason I had been chosen to carry this burden and it didn’t take me long to figure it out. I have been a Reach to Recovery Volunteer for 18 years now & am one of only 4 regional trainers in Nebraska for the ACS. I have visited with many, many women & their families to help them as they adjust to this new live – living with & living through cancer. I have helped friends, family and even strangers who are facing that life changing diagnosis. I volunteer for the ACS and also a local organization, Project Pink’d. Today I am proud to say that I am a 21 year survivor and that baby – the one who was 9 months old – well, he will soon be turning 22 & he has been an amazing advocate for children and youth whose parents have cancer. I wouldn’t change my journey for anything – it has made my life full.