Working On My Relay for Life

Well, it's been a while since I've written here. I've started substitute teaching, had some more surgery for reconstruction (which looks fantastic I might add) and started volunteer work for the upcoming Relay for Life for the American Cancer Society (ACS). As my mother-in-law told my husband, "she can't stay still can she?" Guess not.

Anyway, my friend Dana recruited me to the planning committee for our area's upcoming Relay which will happen March 22, 2013. As I attended my first meeting talk came around to the kick-off dinner. One of the planners said, "We need a speaker." Then someone else said, "Someone new. Someone people haven't heard their story."

I could feel the stares burning my skin and hear the tapping of fingers on the table.

"Someone who recently battled the disease," ACS lady said.

OK, I give. When I offered to speak, they all acted surprised. Gee, they are REALLY BAD ACTORS! No Oscar winners in this group.

So I jotted down some comments and stood before about 30 organizers the following week. I tried to hit the fine line between depressing and naive or worse, Polly Anna. I started off by saying, "Well, when I first got the diagnosis my husband and I sought some solace. We went to a bar." That got some laughs.

I rattled off some positives of cancer -- get to try a new hairstyle; people bring to you loads of food; you can take a guilt-free nap at anytime. I also said that some people thought my death from Stage III breast cancer was eminent, I became a walking, 5'2 confessional booth. Now those people are starting to look a little worried.

That got more laughs.

Anyway, after I finished, the newspaper editor rushed over to me, asked for my notes and interviewed me. Then the ACS lady came over.

"That was so good!" she gushed. "I didn't know you could speak. Why didn't you tell us? You should do this more often."

So now I'm on their Speaker's Bureau.

But what was really great for me was hearing other stories. I met someone whose sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer. That was 15 years ago. Then I heard of someone who has successfully battled three bouts of cancer over several decades. I also met a woman my age who was diagnosed at age 25 with breast cancer.

"I had been married for a year and a half," she told me. "We didn't have children yet."

She went through surgery, chemo and reconstruction. She's accomplished raising a family, working full-time and being a multi-year Relay for Life participant.

So this weekend I'm off to San Antonio for the South Texas Summit. I've been told to wear purple which should be pretty easy since that's TCU's color too. From what I gather, the Summit is a planning, sharing, and bonding experience. I'm really looking forward to hearing more inspirational stories.

But between now and then, I've got to pay bills, walk the dogs and do laundry. Life doesn't stop even for cancer.

I'll let you know how the Summit goes.

Wondering if I should spray paint my hair purple? Nah, maybe I'll just buy some super purple eye shadow.

The Wondering Texan