Face of Hope, February 2014 – Sandra (Louisville, KY)
1. How did you become connected with Hope Scarves?
Two years ago I went to a fundraiser for Young Survivors Group at Norton. I met Lara’s dad and he was so inviting and shared his story about his daughter and Hope Scarves. I was intrigued by the idea of the scarves and thought the scarves were so pretty.
2. If you donated a scarf please share what this experience meant to you or if you received a scarf and story please share how this impacted your healing journey?
I donated several scarves and my story with Hope Scarves to encourage other women in this fight. It was such a special experience to have an outlet to do this.
3. What are the things that provided hope and strength to you throughout your battle?
One of the biggest things besides my faith and belief in a higher power has been sharing experiences with other survivors and women who have been through what I have been through. They are willing to walk my journey with me and hold my hand. This has been so encouraging.
4. Where are you currently in your life after cancer? Tell us about your hobbies, interests, family and what is going on these days.
I had a re-occurrence in March of 2013. My cancer metastasized to my bone and other areas. I am stage 4. I am in the middle of an aggressive treatment with infusions and injections. I am hopeful and my prognosis is good, but I am uncertain of my future.
5. What do you wish other people knew about Hope Scarves?
I think it is important for people who have received scarves to send them back when they finish treatment and share their story. There is someone out there who will benefit from your encouragement and find hope in your story. Pass it on!
6. What would you tell someone who is thinking about sending a Hope Scarf to a friend battling cancer?
Do it! A Hope Scarf is practical but it also a great way to communicate that you care.
7. What is something that you would like to do that you haven’t done yet? (ie. Bucket List)
I’d like to go out on New Years Eve with a nice looking gentleman and dance the night away in a ballroom.
8. What is your favorite inspirational quote or words to live by?
The grass is always greener on the side you water.
9. If your friends or family had to describe you in two words, what would those be?
Sweet – (even my blood sugar is high)
Compassionate
10. Please share something you learned having gone through cancer.
I’ve become a better human being going through cancer. I am able to understand life and its twists and turns and ups and downs. Tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone so make the best of today.
milestones and happy moments. Radiation done = champagne! Jay surprised me with my very favorite champagne and we drank a toast with my parents to our future. Then jay and I went out to dinner at Silver Dollar and talked and laughed almost like life was just back to normal. (Only I was sitting on my coat and scarf because it hurts to sit down for very long). I will continue to lay low and let the radiation work for a couple weeks. Hoping each day brings more comfort. I have a couple tests next week and meet with my oncologist on Thursday. We will finalize our plan for hormone treatment and move forward with attempts to keep my estrogen from going crazy. I have to wait a while for a scan to know if the cancer has spread anywhere else. That will stink… Waiting. But I’m going to fill the time with fun and laughter and just live in each moment. Thanks for the flowers, treats and messages to celebrate my last radiation. And thanks for all the prayers and constant encouragement. I’m so blessed. I got my drivers license renewed yesterday too. I’m sticking around for a long time!
starts today! This morning instead of going to radiation at 10am my mom and I went to yoga. As I focused on my breathing i thought of all the people in treatment. The same women and men I saw each morning for the past 3 weeks. I hope they will all be strong and hopeful. With each breath I felt my body pulsing with energy and life. I was sore and not able to do everything, but I was there! As I found a focus point across the room (trying to not fall over!) this quote was painted on the wall. It seemed pretty fitting all things considered. Happy new year my friends! I know it will be filled with hope and love. Lara
hoped. My doctors tell me to be patient (grrrrr) and that the full effects of radiation are still weeks out. But the sun in shining and I really just want to bundle up and go for a long run! Soon… Soon! I’m taking this little gift to the radiation techs at Norton Hospital. They are the kindest, compassionate, professional people I’ve ever worked with. They are such a big part of someone’s cancer journey- working with you daily, over and over again, and they do their job with such love and care. They also happen to do this great work in the basement of Norton (because of high levels of radiation, etc…) and their hands are COLD! Especially since my treatment was all during the coldest days of the year! They maneuver you on the radiation table and line up your “marks” to be just right for treatment. And theirs hands are freezing. So, I am giving them a bag of hand warmers!! 12 hours of heat- hopefully they can warm up their fingers before each patient! Hopefully I won’t see these kind folks again for radiation. I will certainly always remember their cold hands and warm hearts. With hope, Lara
started talking with her about Hope Scarves. She was wearing a scarf and I am always so excited to let people know about our program. After my treatment I had a chance to talk with her sister (while she has having her treatment) and learned she is also fighting metastatic stage 4 breast cancer. She just finished chemo and has 7 weeks of radiation! 7 weeks! My heart just sank as we talked. She and her husband divorced during her treatment 6 years ago and she has 2 sons. My heart went out to her so deeply… her sister said she is really scared. I hope she reaches out to Hope Scarves so we can send her a scarf and encourage her to keep fighting! I am so blessed to have help overflowing, an amazing husband and so many people praying and encouraging me. I am also so honored to be able to share Hope Scarves with people like this brave woman. I hope we can do our small part to make her smile, just pass along a little bit of hope and help her feel she isn’t alone.