Avon Walking

As a patient, I found that the hardest part about fighting breast cancer was the feeling that I had to do it alone. 

Just a few months ago, I was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer.  At 34, my world consisted of playdates and walks in the park, simple times with my two baby boys that I enjoyed with all my heart.  With the diagnosis, though, my world changed in an instant.  Days at the beach were replaced with days in bed.  Sunny afternoons in the park were few and far between, as I became unable even to drive or lift my little one out of his car seat.  Regular trips downtown to visit the museums were put on hold, as I visited the hospital instead.  Although I knew that treatment was necessary for me to have a chance at life again, it was difficult for me to give up the good times and turn to fighting cancer instead.

No one brings a party to the chemo ward.

When I think back on all those lonely mornings waiting for the IV drip of chemotherapy, the quiet afternoons as I struggled to move my utterly fatigued body, and the evenings where I would fall asleep with my toddler, I shudder.  It was not a good time in my life, and not one that I'm likely to ever be thankful for.

Except ... something amazing happened to me when I fought cancer.  My friends rallied to my side, calling and emailing and twittering and blogging, bringing meals, bringing treats for my boys, bringing me closer to the outside world as they told me of the latest happenings in playgroup here or on the other side of the world.  I became very close to an incredible group of women who banded together and called themselves Team WhyMommy, after the nickname I used on my blog.  These simple acts of friendship, bestowed quickly and easily even though most of them only knew me through the internet, helped see me through my illness and give me the daily courage I needed to continue treatment, and to heal.

Two weeks ago, I was declared cancer-free.  There is now no evidence of cancer in my body, and I push myself more and more every day to exercise, to eat right, and to be there to raise my baby boys.  The boys are now 15 months and 3.5 years old, growing like weeds, and they are happy little boys who make friends everywhere they go.  When I heard the news, I wanted more than anything to forget this year, to start over, and to live life without even thinking about cancer again.

But today I saw something that changed my mind.  Three amazing friends walked in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer today, and we went down to cheer them on.  Before they walked around the corner and up the hill towards us, dozens of other women came by, in pairs and trios, large groups and small, and they had that look about them.  That look, that glow that tells the world, "I'm working hard.  I'm doing something I believe in," even as they smiled and waved at those of us sitting and standing and jumping up and down to cheer them on.  Each and every one of them was dedicated to walking this marathon.  Each and every one had raised $1800 or more, funds that will be given as grants for research, for breast cancer screening, and just for dinner for lonely and hungry cancer patients who need a hand.

These women, through Avon, even support a program to help pay for transportation, child care, and elder care necessary for lower income women to go to a breast cancer screening or treatment.  Having cancer has made me more aware not only of the costs of treatment, but that the costs are so high that many women fear to even have the screening done.  They are afraid to have a clinical breast exam or a mammogram, reasoning that they can't afford the treatment anyway.  But what I have learned is this:  there is help out there.  There are foundations that will pay for screening.  There are ways to pay for treatment.  There are good people in the world, whether we normally would meet them or not.

Today I met hundreds of them, marching over the hill and to the day's finish line, weary but with smiles on their faces as they walk to help women with cancer.  I remember the determination of the first ones and the exhaustion of the later ones, but all the others are starting to blur into a line of pink angels, woman after woman, walking to honor friends they have lost and to help others who they have never even met.  I will remember this day for a long time. 

Post original to DC Metro Moms blog; Susan also blogs at Toddler Planet.

Comments

[Caitlin]

Congrats on being cancer free :). That is really awesome. I know your family must have been so happy to hear the doctor say that.

I am really glad that these women (and men) are raising funds and awareness for this cause. As someone who grew up below the poverty line, I know how sick you have to get before you can go to the doctor. I had no idea that these options were available, but I am really glad they are available and can help women below the poverty line get a screening before the cancer has a chance to spread.

[Leticia- Tech Savvy Mama]

Congratulations to you for being cancer-free and to all the amazing moms who completed the Avon Walk. You are awesome and an inspiration!

[Jean]

I wish I could have gone to cheer. What an amazing thing. What amazing women!

[Sarah S.]

Susan, I love this post. You are a truly inpirational voice for us breast cancer survivors. Thank you!

[jodifur]

What a lovely post. I did the avon walk a few years ago and it was a fabulous experience.

[Nicole]

Congrats again!

I saw these ladies walking all day long through Bethesda-
YEY!

[bettyjoan]

Thanks for coming out to support us! I actually saw someone whose tee shirt said she was walking for "WhyMommy," so it's great to read your post and put two and two together. This was my second Avon Walk DC, and I'm proud to have crossed the finish line again. It's a wonderful event, and I hope even more folks participate next year! Congrats on being cancer free!

[tina]

Although this Summer will be my 4th Avon Walk for Breast Cancer every year it amazes me to see the strength, love and support of so many who support not only Susan but our friends and family who are fighting, surviving or held in our hearts and memories from Breast Cancer. This weekend my Aunt is throwing a Bunco fundraiser with her friends for my Avon walk. Last years fundraiser raised an amazing $1400 on one Saturday because everyone has been touched by BC.

Susans account from the sidelines of the AWBC is amazing. I think she recaped the walk better than I did. I will be linking my page to this page to help others understand from a survivors perspective how the Avon foundation and the walk can help those who are underprivilaged.

Hopes and Prayers for a Cancer Free Tomorrow

Tina D. Mickelson
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk2008/SanFrancisco?px=2097414&pg=personal&fr_id=1480

[Vicky]

How wonderful Susan! I read this and cried a bit for how happy I am to hear that you are cancer free! It makes walking the walk this weekend even more of a victory! I wish I had seen you out there!