Dawn is nominating her sister Claudia….

My sister Gloria is a breast cancer survivor.  She’s 46 now, diagnosed 2 years ago, and currently cancer free.  Praise God.   My sister never complained when she went through her treatments, or surgery.   She held down a part time AND full time job, and still continued to take care of her young daughter and husband.     The day she found out she had breast cancer, she sent me and my other sister, a screenshot of her results. I can’t imagine calling and saying that out loud, to anyone.  So she didn’t either. 

    I was standing at the stove, starting dinner, when the text came across my phone.  Initially, yes, my heart skipped a beat, and I broke down.  I was scared for her, (especially having lost my mom 5 years earlier, from lung cancer, but also ironically, with stage IV breast cancer) –  I caught my breath, regained my composure, and called my younger sister, Tammy.

 She and I talked briefly, after getting that text, and decided to do what we knew best.    We headed over to Gloria’s house to process the news with her.      We grabbed tacos and booze, on the way, and we had a night on her patio, joking about things.  Which, to most, would seem odd or not appropriate, but that’s how we handle things in our family.   Humor and laughter.  But no one ever fights alone in our family.  That’s our motto. 

    Gloria also has severe Crohn’s disease, so she’s been through some serious health issues in the past.   This was just another challenge that she faced with courage and strength, and few complaints, if any.   I believe every cancer survivor should be celebrated, and deserves this recognition, but I’m nominating the one closest to my heart.

  I pray for continued, fervent research so we have more stories of survival and, God willing, a CURE someday.   *Thank you for this opportunity* – Dawn Lipomi