I Hate Tumors Guest Post

Recently I have become inspired to start posting regularly.  This inspiration didn't just come to me in a dream. Last week I was contacted by Tamika from Tamika and Friends asking if I would like to speak in DC on The Hill about cervical cancer. Being a survivor and somewhat of an advocate I jumped at this opportunity.  I started thinking about my personal battle with cancer, the chemo, radiation, nurses, doctors....all of it.  This was a painful journey for me and that brought on tears of joy and sadness. It also got me started thinking about someone who helped me through some of my most darkest days, Heather.

I never met Heather, in the sense that most people consider "meeting". Heather had passed away from cervical cancer at the young age of 28 in 2005. I had never met her and we shared no common friends. In fact I had no knowledge of Heather while she was alive. But, Heather helped me through my battle each day, she inspired me, comforted me and encouraged me.  Our battles were so similar, same age, stage, treatments but our outcomes were very different.

While researching cervical cancer one of my friends came across this article and that is how I met Heather.  I remember reading it for the first time, it was a pivotal moment in my life. I've read this article hundreds of times, like visiting an old friend.  For the past three years I have attempted to find Heathers friend Sara and her sister Donna with no luck.  Last week this all changed. After agreeing to speak with Tamika and Friends I found out that Tamika knew Donna and Sara.  Tamika message them both and then Donna friended me on Facebook.

Donna and I spoke on the phone and have texted back and forth since our call. Its so amazing for me to have this opportunity and it has inspired me to continue sharing my story.  This Tuesday Donna will be a guest on my Spirit Jump Podcast show and I hope you all get a chance to tune in.  The show will be 8-9pm EST and can be viewed at www.wafs.tv.  

Please take a moment to read this amazing article about Fellow Fighter Heather. She is an inspiration and with your help we can keep her story and spirit alive.


















 
 







 



2 comments:

Swirl Girl said...

Oh my god- I am bawling...
I don't know what to say other than that. Even in her darkest moment, it seemed she was there to comfort her friends and loved ones. What an amazing Spirit.

and word verification is 'astound'...how does it know that?

Gretchen said...

Just wanted to thank you for posting that. I had read it before but the page was taken down, so I was glad to find it elsewhere. Heather was a good friend of mine. She truly was one of the most amazing people I had ever met. She was the kind of person you only come across once or twice in a lifetime. An amazing blend of goofyness and selflessness. <3