It's been a while, huh...
Nearly a year since my last entry. Since last October, I've had three excellent mammograms, including the one I had yesterday. I never got an article about my experience published as planned but I did learn that writing for women's mags is not what I want to do. I made it through one dance recital and I'm about to start preparing for another. There've been makeups and breakups, a job layoff, the landing of an even better job, a summer in the Hamptons, ups, downs, highs lows...the point is, Life Goes On.
I felt the need to write this after running into a friend, G, last Friday night. She told me that her friend, 45, had a double mastectomy and that she's not coping all that well. Seems that all of the stories she hears are negative ones and she's left with little hope for a positive future. (I am curious if it has anything to do with her living in a very remote area, potentially w/not the best doctors). I told G that she can assure her friend that there are many, many happy endings, as I've come to know some of the greatest, most powerful women (and men!) who are all doing exceptionally well. Many say they feel as if nothing ever happened.
I can't say the latter is true for me. I can't help but be reminded of my good fortune every night when I pop my little white pill. And it's not as if I had my appendix out. You don't look at your appendix every day. Your breasts? Well, they're seen every day in the shower, while getting dressed, being stuffed and shifted and moved around so they look just so. There's no avoiding them. I'm always reminded that I'm alive and well.
My two year anniversary of surgery is approaching--this Saturday, Sept 12th, which happens to be the day before the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
(if you care to donate, it's not too late:
http://www.komennyc.org/site/TR/Race/race2009-wide px=1734359&pg=personal&fr_id=1170)
I'm running this year with just one thought in mind: That life throws you curve balls, but more often than not, it's not the end. It's just the beginning. Because Life Goes On.
Please take a moment to read the attached article featured in the Oct '09 issue of "Women's Day", written by my friend and fellow dancer, Bethany, whose writings I've posted in the past. This article is about two very special people about whom I wrote (and danced with) last October--a father and daughter who were diagnosed and treated together. Their story is one of inspiration and hope.
http://tinyurl.com/n9o7fp
So, I ask my friend G who I believe is reading this, to pass on good wishes to her friend. I know when I see that blanket of pink in Central Park on Sunday, there'll be every reason why I should do so.
Love to you all,
Liz
