Sarah Jane

So the month is finally here. The month that I wait for all year. Before my mom was diagnosed October meant many different things to me. Of course Halloween and fall. I never once thought about breast health or breast cancer awareness. I was just a carefree 20 something year old. What did I need to know about breast health for? Was I wrong. People in their early 20's are diagnosed everyday. Below you will find a message board post by one of the strongest women I had a chance to meet while walking. It truly touched my heart, and I hope it touches yours also.

I signed up to walk about 6 weeks ago. We still had hope then.

Sarah Jane was 29 years old. She was diagnosed with triple neg in October, when she was 20 weeks pregnant with her first, and only, child. It was a shock--she was a marathon runner just completing her master's degree in counseling. She wanted to help others deal with grief and family issues--she did volunteer work most of her life and was known above all for her kindness and smile. There was no history of breast cancer anywhere in our family.

It spread so fast it went from stage 2, to 3, to 4 within months. She wanted to save the baby and so had chemo but put off surgery. The baby was born in Jan 2010, premature but robust and healthy with a full head of hair--which made his bald-headed mommy smile. He is our delight now.

In the last few months, she could hardly hold him, she had no strength. The pain had gotten so intense. Two weeks ago, it was confirmed--it had moved to her liver, lungs, spine and other bones. It was time to let her go as she had suffered so much in 8 months and had radiation burns all over her chest and back, while recovering from the brain radiation burns as well.

She fought every moment until we told her to let go. She was one of the most loved people I've ever known--people came from a thousand miles away to say good bye at her funeral. There was such diversity of color, race, religions, and political persuasions there it was amazing--but they came for Sarah Jane because she'd been there for them, always.

Now I have to walk this walk. Part of me wants to say, "Why bother--I'm so tired and just want to sleep for a very long time". Part of me wants to pick up an old habit and have a smoke. Part of me knows it will be really hard to catch up on my training having spent the past 3 weeks in hospital and walking to the coffee machine for exercise.

Yet all of me says, "This is for Sarah Jane. This is to help prevent any other mother's heart from breaking as mine is right now."


Even reading this now makes me cry. I had the chance meet this AMAZING  woman at the 3 Day. She was hurting so much. On the second night of camp she was honored with the Keep Going award from Energizer. She stood in front of all of those people and shared her story again.

So I ask you when you think you are too young, or too healthy. Think again. Breast cancer knows no boundaries. It doesn't care what color you are, what gender you are, how old you are, or how much you weigh. It cares about one thig and one thing only....killing you. Please do everything in your power to prevent it and to help others with their prevention.

Have a Blessed Day everyone!!!!