Public Spark

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I wanted to pass on my personal story.

About 3 years ago, I lost a dear friend, and mentor to breast cancer. I share this as a story of inspiration and as a reminder of how breast cancer can affect anyone.

I met Debbie at Loyola Marymount University. She was a nurse at the health center as well as the moderator and advisor for the Emergency Medical Technicians. I don’t remember a day when she didn’t have a smile on her face. Her support and love for the Emergency Medical Technicians was remarkable. There were ranks within the emergency medical technicians (Veteran (these were the most experienced), veteran-in-training, rookies), but she treated everyone equally. When I first joined and didn’t really know much she asked me to go for a cup of coffee. She was one of those people that you can feel an immediate connection with. Even when I decided not to go into medicine, she did not judge, but rather believed that I would do well no matter what field I chose.

She was full of life, even after her diagnosis. She would try to visit when she could and send us email. She faced the cancer as a challenge and courageously fought it. She had done everything in her power, joined support groups and wrote in a diary, but when the cancer had started to spread, she spent the last couple of months preparing her funeral, doing things she valued such as spending time with her family and friends.

Her funeral was one like I had never gone to before, her personality radiantly shined through. She was always organized, always worked hard, and did a great job. The funeral was indeed all of those things. There was a video in which she was the narrator, photographs, as well as a section where people could come up and talk about her. She wanted people to share happy and funny stories. She wanted to be remembered for who she was. The funeral was not about the sad end of a remarkable life, but a celebration of a great life.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned from her is that yes no one wants to die or have their life cut short of cancer. However, I would never trade a longer life, if I cannot live a fulfilling one.

Having breast cancer or knowing someone with breast cancer can affect each and everyone involved. Here are some resources to assist with the difficult issues.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Breast Cancer Site has resources as well as information to get involved.

Cancer Care has a list of organization, as well as resources.

OncoLink gives a general overview of what Breast Cancer is.

People living with cancer gives an overview as well as scientific explanations about the cancer.

National Breast Cancer Organization has a place where you can donate.

Breast Cancer Awareness site lists events, resources, news, and forums.

Breast Cancer Organization lists news and treatment information.

The National Cancer Institute also has treatment information as well as clinical trials.

Medicine Net has more technical information.

SUPPORT GROUP INFORMATION

This website lists support groups for survivors.

Estronaut lists resources such as numbers to call.

Speakeasy is a support group based in Willingboro, New Jersey.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

The Breast Cancer Survivor Manual
Just Get Me Through This
Uplift
Breast Cancer Husband
Voices of Breast Cancer