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Last year just about this time, I saw Donna at The Little Everglades Ranch during the Cancer Walk. Her crisp sense of humor weaved with her knack for telling great stories equals someone that you like to be around. It was a hot day for a long walk, but the air was filled with hope, compassion and sisterhood. Donna was all smiles, as usual. She is a breast cancer survivor.
Donna was living a typical American life as a wife and mother. She also was a teacher at a middle
school in a small town in Michigan. Then, one day, (in 1997) Donna's physician discovered something in her right breast during an annual mammogram. The next day, a pathology report revealed that she had breast cancer, Stage 1.
A Lumpectomy was scheduled within a week of finding out the news of cancer. The doctor advised her that he thought a lumpectomy would take care of it. However, the surgery did not get all the cancer, so in November of '97, she had a mastectomy on the right side. After the surgery, one of her fondest memories was when a group of breast cancer survivors came to visit her in the hospital. They assured her that all would be well and gave her something soft to place in her bra until she could get fitted for prosthesis.
Then, more bad news. One year after her mastectomy, pre-cancerous tumors were found in the unterus. She had a hysterectomy. Although Donna took the news stoically, her husband, Dick treated her like a porcelain doll. For the first time, her children thought of the possibility that their mother could die.
Through all of this, Donna never thought she would die. She had a strong faith in God. "I didn't think he would take me at this time because I didn't even have any grandchildren yet. I felt peaceful." The treatment for uterine cancer was successful
Today, Donna is a strong breast cancer survivor. Something good came from the cancer experience; the immediate family now is closer after realizing how fragile life is. Donna would like to encourage other survivors (and men) to be a part of the Breast Cancer Walk. "It is so encouraging. There are so many good speakers. It helps you and gives you hope when you talk with others who had or now have breast cancer."
Francine Larson:
Co-Author of Character Keys to a Bright Future.
She is currently writing for The Pasco Shopper (Fl.) and The Highlands at Scotland Yards. Also writes poetry and short stories.She has a new personal web site:http://thedragonflylady.com/
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