My Story

For those who have not read my story- and for those wondering why I am so dedicated to Relay for Life.....

 

There once was a lady who had just celebrated her fiftieth birthday. One half century gone by. As was the custom it was time for that embarrassing - yet important thing called the annual physical. At that physical the doctor told the lady that it was time for a test called a mammogram. Due to various reasons he had not thought it needed until then. She, not wanting to do the test anyway had never argued the point. This time, she did not argue, only nodded in agreement. She nodded again when she was informed they would let her know of the date, the day before Thanksgiving. Shrugging it off as just something to be dealt with and put behind her.

Time came for the test to be done. Entering the building she signed in and took her place in the reception area. When called she filled out the insurance and other needed information and returned to her seat. When she was called back she followed the technician down a long hallway to where the dressing rooms were located. Following the directions she was given she prepared for the test. Removing her shirt and bra she pulled a long fluffy robe on, and waited.

Within moments her name was called. Following the technician to the examining room she looked at a contraption the likes she had never seen before. A slight fear caused a shiver to run down her spine. This was not going to be comfortable and definitely not fun. But she could handle this, soon it would be over with and she could put this behind her and get on with life.

The test itself did not take long. While it was going on she could see the screen and the images flashing across it. Not knowing what it may or may not be showing she commented that it gave the appearance of a lunar landscape. Soon the uncomfortable and slightly painful mashing was finished. Gathering the robe together she was lead back to the dressing room where her clothing had been left. Dressing she was rready to leave when the technician told her that since this was her first mammogram and that there was nothing to compare it to she might get called back in again. Smiling she nodded and the lady went on her merry way. All thoughts of the test put out of her mind.

When the letter arrived saying that there was a potential problem that another test needed to be done she thought nothing of it. Making the call the test was scheduled, for the day after Christmas. So while so many others were taking advantage of the day after sales she had to get this out of the way. Thinking it would be in and out and that the shopping could be done afterward her mother accompanied her. Signing in they both took a seat and waited. When her name was called she handed off her purse to her mother and walked down the hallway. Changing once again into the robe she waited. All was fine until she was told that they only wanted to image one side. The first tinge or worry appeared, shaking it off she walked into the examining room. Taking her place she followed directions given.

When the first images were taken the technician told her to take a seat she was going to show them to the doctor. Returning she lead the lady back into the room. Another set of images were taken with the same instructions. After the third time the lady was told to get dressed and return to the waiting area...the doctor wanted her to have an ultrasound done. All of the way back to the waiting area the technician leading the way was babbling on about something, nothing and anything. The babbling made her more nervous than anything else.

When her name was called again, she once again followed the person calling her. down a different hallway to another room she again followed instructions to get partially undressed and don a paper vest. The room was cold and the vest had no warmth. The lady's nerves were beginning to fray.

Finally the technician entered the room and began the test. Time and again she returned to one location. The lady was able once again to see the screen but not being trained had no idea what she was seeing. Finally the technician told her that she could get dressed and she would be informed about the results. Getting dressed she returned to the reception area and gathering her purse from her mother left the office. They tried to go shopping- but neither were in the mood.

An adventure- a battle-an experience had been set into motion- and they both knew it, though neither spoke the words out loud.

Hallelujah-Hosanna- sing praise

Heaven's gates opened wide
As the angels welcomed you home
Your earthly life you have left behind
Now you sit by the feet of our Lord
Shouting, Hallelujah- Hosanna
Praise to the King
and the angels sing
Hallelujah- Hosanna
praise to the King
the most gracious on High
Hallelujah- Hosanna
sing praise sing praise
Your presence will be missed, by those you left behind
with aching hearts and tear filled eyes-mourning your loss
even as we know, with no doubt
when you took that final breath
when you closed your eyes that last time here
You opened your eyes to the glory, of your heavenly home
you opened your eyes to the glory, of the welcoming King
Now you sit by the feet of our Lord
shouting Hallelujah-Hosanna
praise to the King
and the angels sing
Hallelujah- Hosanna
praise to the King
the most gracious on High
Hallelujah- Hosanna
sing praise sing praise
You have left mortal life and suffering behind
never more to feel pain
Your body glorified
You wear the cloak of eternal life
Your eyes behold the glory of the Holy One
Your heart overflows
as You sit at the feet of our Lord
shouting Hallelujah-Hosanna
Praise to the King
and the angels sing
Hallelujah- Hosanna
praise to the King
the most gracious on High
Hallelujah- Hosanna
sing praise sing praise
time will come, when our jobs are done
our name called from on high,
we will take that final breath
close our eyes that one last time
to open them upon Heaven's glory
where we will join you at the feet of our Lord
shouting, Hallelujah-Hosanna
Praise to the King
as the angels sing
Hallelujah- Hosanna
praise to the King
the most gracious on High
Hallelujah- Hosanna
sing praise sing praise
Hallelujah-Hosanna
Praise to our King
Praise to the King
most High
 

Kick-Off Celebration-

Kick -off

---

On October 10Th at 6:30 it begins. At the First Baptist Church in Stanley, NC it begins. The beginning of the tenth annual event. You are welcome to attend.

Yes I am talking about something near and dear to my heart, the East Gaston Relay for Life. Some of you already know this-many do not. The reasons that I am so dedicated to Relay for Life.

In January of 2008 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In February I underwent a lumpectomy and began radiation treatments. There are few things that can blindside you any more than having a doctor sit down beside you and in a calm, caring voice tell you that you have cancer. Even though I thought I had already accepted that the tests were going to come back positive for cancer it still sent me reeling. The rest of that day was spent actually accepting the diagnoses and deciding how I was going to handle it. An unashamed Christian I spent a lot of time talking to God as I tried to finish out the day at work. By the time I got home I was calmer. I knew it was going to be okay.

I had a wonderful doctor, she explained everything, every step of the way. Possessing a wonderfully different personality she made it easy to prepare for everything that was to come. And then to travel the road to recovery afterwards. Still, there were moments that I wished I knew more about things other than procedures, types of cancer and recovery times. Having never traveled this road I had no clue where to go find answers. There were times that I felt very alone.

Near the end of my radiation treatments I was invited to join a Relay for Life team. There wasn't many meetings left before the event was held so I didn't see what all was involved in the making of the Relay night happen. At my first Relay it was an amazing collection of sights, sounds and happenings. Campsites lined the track, tents and lawnchairs surrounded the canopies, the air was filled with the sounds of voices and laughter. The different textures of the grass and the paved track, the feel of the air warm in the afternoon sun cooling quickly as the sun went down. The aromas of various foods cooking, drifting on the breeze, the kaleidescope of colors drawing one's attention from one site to the next. It was so amazing, so thrilling and at times confusing. The crowds thinned the later the hour got. At 2AM I found myself walking around the track alone. The cool night air bringing a shiver. The music level had been lowered in an attempt not to disturb the neighors. I walked with my hands in my pockets absorbing everything around me, hearing the people I passed or who passed me. I walked alone and felt it. Just as I had felt alone undergoing the whole cancer experience.

Since that first time I have remained a dedicated part of the East Gaston Relay for Life. I do help as I can with the fundraising, but I have come to realize that it is so much more than that. I have learned a great deal in the time since my cancer. There is a wealth of information on the American Cancer Society's web site: www.cancer.org. There are people on the other end of the phone number: 1.800.ACS.2345 ready and willing to answer any questions and provide any assistance or tell where the caller can get the assistance they need. I know that there are programs set up to help those who are fighting cancer. Programs such as Look Good-Feel Good, rider programs and more. They want the person fighting and the fighter's caregiver to know they are not alone and there is always someone there for them.

The fundraising events are not just fundraising- they are times when communities can come together with one goal in common- fight cancer, help the fighter. I've watched the people attending some of these events and watched how the spent time visiting, laughing and sharing. How they support the fight and are also determined to win this. Too many have been touched by cancer in some form or other. Too many have watched friends, relatives, co-workers fight and win or fight and the cancer win. The pain of this has them working in what ever capacity they are able to put an end to cancer.

On October 6TH the East Gaston Relay for Life will have a booth at Stanley's Country Festival, stop by and visit with us. Learn more about what we have to offer the community, how we can be a bigger part and not just a fundraiser.

The very first East Gaston Relay for Life event took place in 2003 raising over $43,000. This Relay beginning will be the 10th annual event. A lot of changes have taken place in ten years. Teams have come and gone. People have won..and lost..their battles, lost friends and family members. A lot has been lost to cancer. The event has moved from the East Gaston High School football field to the Methodist Church's walking track known as Common Ground at 5481 Hickory Grove Road just outside of Stanley. We have made progress, but we have not met the goal of getting rid of Cancer.

On October 10TH the East Gaston Relay for Life 2013 Kick off event will take place at the First Baptist Church in Stanley at 409 Old Mount Holly Rd. It begins at 6:30PM. It promises to be an interesting time, an educational time, a good time-complete with edibles. We've saved a place for you, won't you join us? You don't have to be a cancer survivor or caregiver to be a part of Relay. all you have to be is someone with a dedicated heart and a solid determination to help eradicate cancer in our lifetime and while we are working on that to make things better for those in the midst of the battle.