First off I just want to say thanks, thanks to my friends who decided to turn their sites pink for October. It’s great and it’s definitely made me think about doing the same. I’ve gone back and forth about the whole idea for a good week and I’ve finally decided not to. It’s not because I don’t think it’s a fantastic idea to spread awareness about this terrible disease, it is, it’s just not for me.
A few weeks ago I went down and participated in the Race for the Cure down in Portland. It was an event my Mom spent most of her illness participating in. She didn’t want to be a big voice in it, didn’t want to sport the pink “survivor” cap they give you. Eventually she bent and wore it on her belt, but I could always tell it wasn’t what she wanted. There’s many people out there who are wonderful spokespeople for the disease, many people who rock the pink and shout the disease from the rooftops. She didn’t want to be one of them. She didn’t want the disease to become her. She taught for 4 of the 5 years she had the cancer, second grade no less, and I can count on one hand the times she looked scared or ever had to ask for help while she fought the cancer. She wanted to beat the disease, and while she was living I truly believe she did.
I don’t want this disease define me either. Her dying was a defining moment in my life, yes, this disease no.
Thanks again for going pink. Thanks for doing what I can’t.
You can also subscribe to a feed of this entry’s comments.
Nicely said Tom. My Sister/your Mom would be proud.
You’ve pretty well expressed my feelings on it, too. My mom also didn’t buy into the survivor club, though I never asked why. I got the feeling that the couple of times she beat it, she wanted to move on and live on.