You have just been diagnosed. Yet, your first thoughts are to help others and to acknowledge those who came before and made it possible for women today to experience cancer with hope. I am in awe of your courage. I am inspired by your unselfishness. I am so sorry you are faced with a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, but maybe, just maybe, us grandmas can help them find a way to better treatments or even a cure! You are right, Karlene, this too shall pass. But the blessings that come from people like you reaching out in support and concern, they are forever. May you know many such blessings throughout your own journey.

You have just been diagnosed. Yet, your first thoughts are to help others and to acknowledge those who came before and made it possible for women today to experience cancer with hope. I am in awe of your courage. I am inspired by your unselfishness. I am so sorry you are faced with a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, but maybe, just maybe, us grandmas can help them find a way to better treatments or even a cure! You are right, Karlene, this too shall pass. But the blessings that come from people like you reaching out in support and concern, they are forever. May you know many such blessings throughout your own journey.

Caroline, despite your difficult situation, compounded by the need to travel, you took the time to reach out to me. Thank you! That just shows what a deeply compassionate woman you are. I am grateful for your willingness to share a part of yourself. Although, I must admit, the heartache that is cancer is multiplied each time you think of others going through the same or even worse experiences.

With respect to the hair, I remember the tears that flowed in the shower. Don’t you love showers? That is where you can give yourself permission to let the emotions flow. The spirit is cleansed along with the body.

With respect to the baldhead, here is what helped me…my baldhead wasn’t a symbol of my cancer. In reality, cancer didn’t cause the loss of hair. So, I chose to see it for what it was. My baldhead was a symbol of my fight against cancer. My baldhead was my battle helmet, smooth, round and hard :)! With the full forces of the chemo drugs and the healthcare team, I was armed. I was going into battle and I was not alone. Most importantly, I believed, my battle helmet and I were going to win the war.

A lot of really fun wigs also helped. I got costume wigs to wear to go with my moods. It’s a great time of year for that!

Thank you for reaching out to me…I hope I am able to give you some encouragement and support in return. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers and those of so many others who care so deeply about the fight against cancer.

Caroline, despite your difficult situation, compounded by the need to travel, you took the time to reach out to me. Thank you! That just shows what a deeply compassionate woman you are. I am grateful for your willingness to share a part of yourself. Although, I must admit, the heartache that is cancer is multiplied each time you think of others going through the same or even worse experiences.

With respect to the hair, I remember the tears that flowed in the shower. Don’t you love showers? That is where you can give yourself permission to let the emotions flow. The spirit is cleansed along with the body.

With respect to the baldhead, here is what helped me…my baldhead wasn’t a symbol of my cancer. In reality, cancer didn’t cause the loss of hair. So, I chose to see it for what it was. My baldhead was a symbol of my fight against cancer. My baldhead was my battle helmet, smooth, round and hard :)! With the full forces of the chemo drugs and the healthcare team, I was armed. I was going into battle and I was not alone. Most importantly, I believed, my battle helmet and I were going to win the war.

A lot of really fun wigs also helped. I got costume wigs to wear to go with my moods. It’s a great time of year for that!

Thank you for reaching out to me…I hope I am able to give you some encouragement and support in return. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers and those of so many others who care so deeply about the fight against cancer.

Her roots go deep –she has nourished them well.

We are blessed to have her as our daughter.

Mom and Dad.

Her roots go deep –she has nourished them well.

We are blessed to have her as our daughter.

Mom and Dad.

Thank you for sharing your heart and soul to us MaryEllen! I am listening, I am heeding your words and I am, we all are, connected to you in LOVE!

Chrissie

Thank you for sharing your heart and soul to us MaryEllen! I am listening, I am heeding your words and I am, we all are, connected to you in LOVE!

Chrissie