Riding the Roller Coaster of Breast Cancer Month

Among those due recognition for contributing to my Susan G. Komen goal in October is fellow “young” breast cancer survivor Nicky and her family. Nicky is battling breast cancer for the 2nd time. As her cancer has moved beyond the primary site, she is Stage 4 and will always be in treatment. But this woman is back up to 3-mile walks with her hiking buddies. She brings homemade hair growth solution to all of her friends, so that as her hair returns, theirs will thicken. And she manages to help her three school aged children participate in all of the activities available to them inside and outside of school. She is Wonder Woman - and while I walk for many loved ones who have had their lives disrupted by breast cancer - I have dedicated that absolute first mile my feet strike out on the 3-Day course to the beautiful Nicky.

The tiny firecracker known as Lizpeth somehow manages to climb the tallest mountains - in some cases literally. When my victory involved ascending about a third of the route, Liz was among those who reached the top. Liz is a “doer” - whether organizing a hiking field trip or booking a wine tasting excursion. Thanks to Liz, I get to have many fun experiences. She is a person who sees the world as her oyster and wants grab onto every single experience.

Merely weeks after we met, Ann made it possible for me to donate platelets to my sister by committing to watching Thomas and Daphne one day each week. This meant she wrangled 4 children under two for 6 or so hours at a time – just because she is that amazing. This went on for months. Since that time 20+ years ago, we have experienced life’s up and downs together. She has taught me to stand up for my kids. She has jumped on every crazy idea I have had and made sure I could bring it to fruition. Each low has been softened and each high has been higher because I have the most generous friend in the world.

As the world is blanketed in pink each October . . . I am . . . conflicted.

Memories of Breast Cancer Months Past: Bradley showing his support!

I am happy that there is an intense effort to drive funds towards a disease that will strike an enormous 1 in 8 or 12.5% of women in their lifetimes.

I am elated that novel approaches to breast cancer will benefit patients facing many other cancers that don’t have the visibility breast cancer does.

I despise the rhetoric of being a warrior that surrounds me. Warriors step up and volunteer to go to battle - this was thrust upon me. There was no option to decline. I do not fight because I am strong or because I believe in a cause or because I want to help others - I do it because I was not given a choice.

I appreciate that the image of being a warrior fighting alongside sisters in the battle against breast cancer empowers and motivates many.

I love that there are so many cute, funny, powerful, and heart-rending pink products available. My wardrobe always fares well during breast cancer month.

I hate that so many vendors mislead people regarding the economic benefit their products provide to breast cancer research or patients - frequently donating de minimis amounts. These bad actors diminish the pool of resources ultimately committed to ameliorating the lives and treatments of cancer patients.

And I am capable of spiraling through all of these thoughts and emotions in mere minutes - just like clicking up to the top of a roller coaster only to plunge down in circles trying to catch my breath.