Woman survives plight, with support | Breast cancer awareness month
Published 10:58 am Thursday, October 23, 2014
By Kathy Hemenway
For the Auburn Reporter
I am a nine-year breast cancer survivor.
I was diagnosed in 2005 with breast cancer. It was complete shock when I was given the news. No one in my or my husband’s family had heard before the words, “you have cancer.” My first thought was of death and that my kids still need me at ages 8 and 11.
My husband was with me when I received my diagnosis, and I’m so grateful he was there. It is so important to have someone with you when you visit a doctor for results from a test like a biopsy. You need another set of ears because as soon as you hear the word “cancer,” you block everything else out.
I was blessed to have lots of support from family and friends. One friend cleared her entire calendar to be with me for all of my chemo appointments. I had another group of girlfriends who would bring dinner for my family. Sometimes they would take me out for a drink and a laugh, when that was just what I needed at the time. I never had to ask for support; my friends just came forward to help out and try to make things as easy as possible for me and my family. I think it meant a lot for them, too.
Since that day nine years ago, my son, Will, and I have participated together in several Races for the Cure. Each year, I see so many ways we have made progress since my diagnosis, financed in part by money raised by the Race for the Cure, the 3-Day and other efforts.
Will is a stronger runner than I am, but he runs with me for a couple miles and then he bolts to up his time. At the finish line, though, he waits for me with a big hug and a big smile. It’s a tradition he and I have together every year.
Perhaps one of my favorite parts of each Race is the Survivor Parade that closes the event. It is particularly inspiring to see breast cancer survivors walking under the 20-year survivor banner and even the 30-plus-year banner. Newly-diagnosed women can see the hope of survivorship right in front of them.
I recently saw my oncologist for the first time in nine long years. It felt good to shut that door. ’Cause, now, I am doing great.
