As many of you know, October is breast cancer awareness month. I have 2 aunts who are survivors and I know many more. But this summer, the disease hit close to home for my 7 year old daughter. As I mentioned at the end of this post, L’s teacher from last year was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer treatment. It had spread to her bones and her liver. She tested positive for the breast cancer gene so her two daughters will have to be careful as they get older. She is in treatment and it appears to be working. She is awaiting results of her latest scan and we all have our fingers crossed. The next step will be surgery.
When L found out, of course her first question was if Mrs. U would be OK. I told her that we hoped she would be but it would be a while before we knew if the medicine was working. She immediately wanted to do something…draw her pictures, anything to make her beloved teacher feel better. When Mrs. U posted on Facebook that she was participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Orlando, I told L that would be a great way to help and show our support. At first, I signed just L and me up. I sent emails to family and friends asking for donations. After a while, B expressed interest in doing the walk as well so I added him to the team. Now our whole family will be participating in the walk on October 29.
It has also amazed me how the school community has stepped up. Every October, they sell pink ribbons and bracelets. This year, they are doing the same but with one difference…all the proceeds of the sale will go to a fund For Mrs. U and her family. I think I may have cried when I saw that news because I know this hasn’t been easy on them. She has not been able to work at all so far this school year and she did not have any type of disability insurance. I am so proud of the members of the school staff who are doing their best to help out their fellow teacher. Our entire family bought bracelets and Linnaea was going back today to buy a ribbon.
I wish we could do more. I hate that anyone has to be touched by this disease and I hate that my daughter has to see it hit so close to home. I can’t say it enough…Cancer is Bullshit. We need to find a cure.