FOR THE CAUSE FRIDAY.

Yesterday I was reminded of a journey I started in April 2007. I went to have a mammogram....my 18 month check up mammogram....which will also include an MRI at the end of July. It is 18 months since I finished chemotherapy and radiation.

I remember the day, March 23, 2007, all too well. My mammogram day. This was my third time having a mammo and I was expecting to follow the regular routine....get dressed and go. But this day was not the regular routine...I was the one in the waiting room that was told to wait. Well, I knew and the rest of the women in the waiting room knew what that meant. The feeling in that waiting room was overwhelming......a need to reach out and a need to be reached. But all sat quiet and motionless, as if my fate was contagious.

After that day I underwent surgeries and tests and on April 18, 2007, those words...."yes, it is cancer", were directed at me. Those were words only heard by others. I knew people who had heard those words themselves, but my own fear, ignorance, denial, whatever...enabled me to close my eyes and be silent to it. On that day, my eyes were opened wide and I was no longer silent, but screaming inside and out. Thoughts of dying and leaving my boys, my husband, my family...my life.... pierced such fierce panic in me that I thought I would literally die of fright right then and there.

But I didn't. I fought the disease and I have hopefully won. I am forever changed because of the experience. Physically, mentally and emotionally. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about breast cancer. I fear every ache and pain. I fear that it will return and I fear no cure. I also fear the tests... but am thankful that there are tests, like mammograms, MRI's and utlrasounds.

The reason that I am disclosing something so personal today is not only because that's all that is on my mind but for another reason.... The Cause. I recently visited my family back home and found out that my nephew's girlfriend, whom I will fondly refer to as my niece, will be walking in "THE WEEKEND TO END BREAST CANCER" She reveals she will walk for me...my name on her T-shirt. Her thoughtfulness overwhelms me and if I were telling you this, instead of writing you this, you would see my tears, of so many emotions, begin to spill uncontrollably.

In order for her to participate in the actual walk, she needs to raise $2000, and any less she will just donate but not walk. She is very passionate about this cause, as I am. I know this walk is one of many ways the world tries to raise $ for the cure of Breast Cancer. I am asking you to contribute to this one, to my niece, Karli's, walk to help. No matter what province, state, country or continent you live on...a donation of any kind, to this cause, will help all woman everywhere today and tomorrow. It may be for you, your mom, your sister.....Karli would appreciate your help...so she can help! 8)

I have provided a link to my nieces donation page. Thank you, from a survivor. 8)
All donations have to be in by August 1, 2007.

So here's to surviving....here's to finding a cure!
Crystal 8)