
05 Oct My Pink Ribbon Posting
October has become my oxymoron month. On the one hand the parade of pink ribbons has created a sense of comfort. As a survivor it is that recognition that I have a sisterhood of women who would walk, march, or run to show their encouragement. And at the time of diagnosis, every pink ribbon felt like a whisper of support in my fight to get healthy. I truly appreciate the people who have raised money and conducted research for the cause.
Today my daughter asked me if I wanted to be honored at a pink sporting event. Actually, anytime my teenage daughter asks to be seen in public with me I am honored. But I did a few of those events in the past and its not for me. Partially because I know that my survivorship is a blessing. I didn’t earn it. I love that some suggest I am a warrior but in my heart I know that so much of this battle was won because of an early diagnosis, quality health care, and a big darn chunk of luck. The woman whose cancer has metastasized is often referred to as loosing her battle. And over the years I have decided that I dislike this reference that suggests she did not fight hard enough.
I’ll never forget sitting in a restaurant with another dear friend dealing with a rarer form of cancer. As I twisted my pink ribbon bracelet she made mention of the fact that there was no ribbon for her disease.
I hesitated writing this post because I didn’t want to come off as ungrateful. I am fully aware that life changing treatments meant that the disease I survived is one that I would not have had I been diagnosed only a decade earlier. And I love that pink-outs and 5k’s bring the community together for a cause.
And if nothing else, let the month of October be a reminder to you to get your mammogram. Schedule it. I wouldn’t be around to wear my pink ribbon Dansko shoes this month if I had missed mine.