Good afternoon, my friends. This is Donna with an update. “I AM A CANCER FREE SURVIVOR!” I am blessed to be able to speak these powerful words after seven months on this journey through Triple Negative Breast Cancer. It has been an amazing month of memorable Moments of Joy since I officially stopped my chemo treatments. Since you have walked with me through my valley, I would like to share some of the mountain top experiences with you also. * On October 1st, the SHE Magazine Breast Cancer Awareness Special Edition was released which included a two page feature article on me and my battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I chose to have the photographer take pictures of me with my bald head rather than a turban, asking him to please try to capture a shot that would show the Joy in my heart as I walked in faith on this journey. He did just that! * On Monday, October 6th, I spoke for the first time since starting my treatment this Spring! My heart was touched by the emotional response of those attending this Women’s Recovery Meeting as I shared a 30 minute spontaneous talk on H.O.P.E. with the theme Hold On, Pain Ends. It felt so good to be speaking and sharing my lessons again, and I had a glimpse of how God is going to use my cancer experience in the future to inspire others and honor Him. *On Monday, October 13th, I was invited to hear an inspirational speaker at a Juice Plus meeting. I am not easily impressed by other speakers, but my heart soared as I listened to the beautiful words of wisdom shared by Kathrine Lee, a gifted speaker and woman of God from Texas. She was living my dream as she traveled cross country stopping to share her message where ever God opened doors. We promised to work together in the future and I was inspired to hurry and heal so I can tag team with this amazing woman on some future projects. *On Monday, October 20th, I had my first meeting with my personal nutrition and health coach, Daphne Trent. I am so excited about learning how to eat healthy and take care of my body. I realize I have so much to learn but I am committed to getting healthy and in the best shape of my life so that I can fight any possible return of this aggressive cancer. I hope to be sharing some of my new knowledge with you in future posts. * On Wednesday, October 23rd, I was given a delightful surprise Celebration Party by my precious Living Life Group. These ladies went all out with pink tops, boas and leis, a beautiful crown for me, delicious food and gorgeous decorations, flowers, gifts, and an unforgettable handmade “boob cake”. We laughed and cried together as we celebrated the end of my chemotherapy, and we counted our blessings as we shared a special Communion Service and thanked God for His healing hand. * On Friday, October 25th, I had a beautiful Henna Crown painted on my bald head to celebrate my victory over cancer. I told the talented artist, Whitney Hempsy, that I wanted her to create a crown that screamed “Cancer, you can take my breasts and my hair, but you can never take my joy and my spirit. I am a daughter of the King!” She free handed her beautiful design for three hours, and I squealed in delight when I saw the finished art. I felt powerful and beautiful for the first time this year. * On Saturday, October 26th, I was invited to attend the First Books Luncheon and was honored to sit at the head table with Cokie Roberts who is also a breast cancer survivor. It was my first social function since being diagnosed in April. I was touched by the love and kindness of the First Books Committee and my henna crown brought me great luck as I won three door prizes! * On Sunday, October 27th, I was honored to be one of the six Models of Honor in the Couture for the Cure Fashion Show which raised money for the Caring in Our Lifetime organization locally. I did not expect the event to be so emotional for me, but I began to cry backstage as I heard the survival stories being read as the other incredible models of honor each walked the runway. I am rarely nervous in public, but my knees were shaking as I stepped out on the stage with my bald head and flat chest amidst so many beautiful women. As I walked the runway, I was overwhelmed by the tears, love, handshakes, blown kisses, applause and standing ovation from those in the audience. I was presented a bouquet of beautiful red roses by two precious friends during the finale walk and I can truly say that this evening was one of those magical moments in life that will stay with me forever. *On Tuesday, October 28th, my youngest son Carson and his beautiful wife Miho flew in from California so I could meet my darling new five month old grandbaby, Kailyn. This was the first time I have seen my son since I was diagnosed with cancer and sharing his hugs and holding Kailyn were powerful joy moments. What a blessing it was to see “my baby boy” taking such delight in “his baby girl”. I am so proud of Carson and Miho and what wonderful loving parents they are to Kailyn. *On Thursday, October 30th, I spontaneously jumped in the back seat of Carson and Miho’s rental car with Kailyn and caught a ride to Virginia where all three of my children and all my grandchildren were going to be gathered for the only time this year. My son Coleman and his beautiful wife Shannon were flying in from Boston and everyone was gathering at Niki (my daughter) and Sean’s house. I truly didn’t know if I was up to the trip physically but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to be surrounded by my family. We broke the trip in half and stopped for the night in North Carolina to visit Miho’s family where we were treated to an incredible Philippine feast and gracious hospitality. We continued on to Virginia on Friday, arriving just in time to celebrate Halloween with the three little Princesses. I spent the majority of the week with my family and saw only a couple of friends due to my limited energy, but it was a beautiful time of love, laughter and special memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. On Wednesday, November 5th, my friend Jeanne drove me back to the beach and we shared several beautiful days of good food, beach walks, a jazz show, and laughter. On Sunday, we attended a health seminar on bone health and alkalizing your body by the knowledgeable Dr Susan Brown from New York. It is so much easier to make the necessary changes in your diet and exercise routines when you have someone committed to join you in your quest to get healthy. I just wish Jeanne lived a little closer! On Friday, November 14th, my beloved sister Dana arrived for a weekend visit. As we walked the beach at sunrise, she exclaimed she was shocked that I no longer had a “sick walk”. I can actually walk the beach now instead of sitting in my chair watching others pass by. We laughed at my sprouting new hair and I told her I feel like a chia pet! We have eaten healthy food and babbled about exercise and diet options all weekend. We even made a trip to the health food store to purchase yet MORE vitamins. Oh how I love the precious time I get to share with my mom and my sister. They are indeed sacred moments that I do not take for granted. Also on Friday, November 14th, I met with my oncologist and was told that right now I am “cancer free”. I am officially a “survivor”. Oh how those words thrill my soul. They are powerful words of hope, and yet they hold a shadow side as well. As I speak these words, I am aware that this is just one battle in my war against TNBC. I have won this round and I am thrilled, but even as I celebrate this victory I must prepare for future battles with this aggressive cancer. Just this week, I learned of two new online friends with TNBC that have learned that it has returned in a major organ. I wept. I will not speak of that possibility today lest I manifest it in my own life. Today I choose to focus on Joy, Gratitude, and Good Health. I will accept the Gift of Today. And that brings us up to date. This month has been a whirlwind of positive activity and healing. I am gaining energy everyday. I feel my body and my spirit healing and I am grateful. I must confess that I have had several emotional moments when the fear of the return of the cancer has taken over, but I know that is going to be a life long balancing act now. I am going to live each day in gratitude and joy. I look forward to spending Thanksgiving with my mother and then Christmas with my daughter and grandbabies. My brother is coming for a visit the first week of December! I am moving forward with plans for future speaking engagements and new product. I am also getting ready to start a spiritual support group for ladies going through breast cancer. A new chapter in my book of life begins. Thank you for your love and prayers. You bless me greatly. I love you.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:02:34 +0000
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