Pink Lemonade - A Survivor's Story
In “The PWL Story, my husband tells how and why we created Pink Warrior Ltd. formerly Pink Ribbon Fashions.org and what our plans and goals are for the future. However we have had many people wanting to know more about us and asking that I share the story of my personal journey with breast cancer. As I am a very private person it took some real persuasion to convince me that sharing my story was necessary or would be beneficial.
Firstly I want to thank my amazing husband for his unwavering love and support through this journey and through our marriage. If I am to be considered the inspiration (as he says) than I believe he is most definitely the catalyst and the motivation. Almost beyond comprehension are his investments of countless hours and dollars, so that we may move one step closer to realizing our dream of a world without breast cancer. No one will ever understand all that he does for me and for this business - I love him more every day.
Thank you also to our ‘Band of Angels’ an exceptional collection of family members and friends who have been a pillar of strength and support that we have leaned on many times.
I would love to say that my story is unique but unfortunately it is not. If only it was an uncommon thing for a doctor not to take seriously the possibility of breast cancer developing in women under the age of forty. If only this was not happening everyday - more woman would be alive today to have a chance at fulfilling their dreams - what ever they may be. But this is not uncommon. When life delivered this unwelcome basket of lemons … we set out to make Pink Lemonade.
On July 11th 2005 I stood staring at my mammogram slides, which looked more like a map of the stars and planets, as the doctors words echoed in my mind “it looks like breast cancer”. All the air seemed to have been sucked from the room and I struggled to stay upright. I couldn’t even look at my husband but I felt his protective arm around me. It seemed like an eternity before the doctor spoke again, “You need to see a surgeon as soon as possible”.
After months of fighting with my family doctor and her office - I had finally convinced them that I needed a mammogram order and then another month waiting as it was not marked properly. Now I would have to fight with them again to move quickly on booking the surgeon. The anger we felt was so blinding we struggled to set it aside so we could focus on our personal battle plan against the cancer.
I am so grateful that the attitude of our former doctor did not continue with the experts who took care of us along the way. In sharp contrast was my treatment from Dr Jodi Spelay, whom I would like to thank for literally saving my life. By the time I met with her the tumors in my breast were visible to the naked eye. Through her obvious frustration she promised to move quickly and decisively. A few short days later she performed a lumpectomy to confirm the breast cancer diagnosis and then immediately performed a modified radical mastectomy, as we had planned. This was followed by 6 months of intense chemotherapy and a second mastectomy when a growth was found in the second breast (this time thankfully it was non-cancerous).
As I am writing this I am working through the many stages of a bilateral reconstruction and I continue with two types of treatments to help prevent the return of the breast cancer. The neuropathy, a lasting side effect from my chemotherapy, causes me constant pain in my hands and feet but making the jewelry helps my hands somewhat and better still it lifts my spirits.
As each piece sells we celebrate our ability to work together with family, friends and total strangers bringing us one step closer to funding a cure for breast cancer. In my heart of hearts I truly believe if we can find a cure for breast cancer - we will have the secret to curing all types of cancer.
