Survivors/In Memory

Gladys Jefferson
Being a nurse of 33 years, you would think that I would have noticed the signs that there was a lump, some tenderness and would have had it checked sooner. But after spending those years lifting so many patients in the hospital, I injured my back resulting in my early retirement. It was the prescribed pain medication I was taking that prevented me from feeling any discomfort in my left breast.

So on a warm summer Monday in 1998 while lying across my bed, my granddaughter jumped on the bed accidentally elbowing me in the chest. I remember still the sharp pain but that it would subside. It didn’t. An hour or so later I went to the bathroom to check myself. I did a self-exam, then the pinch… and there it was, the dimple. My heart skipped a beat. I immediately went to the phone, called my daughter in Detroit to tell her my suspicion. She calmly told me to just call my doctor and stop trying to self diagnose my condition. So I did. My appointment was on a Tuesday; my results came back on Wednesday; on Friday I went under the knife with a complete mastectomy.

I remember that week trying to recall if any of the women in my immediate family had breast cancer… not one. I was the first (and prayerfully the only one). With no cancer cells in my right breast, I was able to keep it. Due to my age, and the loving support of my husband, Arthur, I chose to not have reconstructive surgery. I had experienced enough after the radiation and chemotherapy. I simply wanted to live a longer life with my family.

I have to share that during such a traumatic time, nothing is more helpful that a family that is there for you. My oldest granddaughter at the age of 22 did the unthinkable to demonstrate her love for me. The day before my appointment to cut my hair short before it would come out due to chemo, she spent two hours in the bathroom, coming out totally bald! Her reason? She said simply, “Grandma, since our heads are shaped alike, I wanted to show you how gorgeous you are going to look with no hair, just like me!” Now THAT is love.
Last year my daughter, Aj, decided to ride her motorcycle to Florida with Divas For A Cure to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research. This year, she will be riding it here to Tulsa, Oklahoma on her second ride, this time all the way to Maryland and back to Los Angeles. I couldn’t be more proud, and I am thankful for all of the people that donate to Divas For A Cure. This is a worthy cause, educating on the importance of early detection and providing funds toward research. God bless you all.

Jean Segers
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2000 after a routine mammogram. I underwent surgery including reconstruction in April. I consider myself quite fortunate in that my cancer was in situ, which means it had not spread. Therefore I did not require any radiation or chemotherapy. I believe if it had not been for cancer research, with the development of the mammogram as well as other life saving devices, I may not have been so fortunate. My husband was my rock throughout the entire process and my family and many friends could not have been more supportive. I continue to do whatever I can to support the find for a cure; including buying breast cancer stamps, doing the Ultimate Drive with BMW, supporting Divas for a Cure, etc.

Sandra Jackson-aka-Sesamestreet
AND THEN THE LETTER CAME

I was really excited with the idea of attempting to ride across the country for breast cancer awareness with Divas For A Cure. I started checking out my trike, (Harley Davidson-Ultra Classic) on what new things I could get for her, purchasing pink shirts and even a pink sun visor with pink shoes then the word came.

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer twice and lung cancer once. For those of you that have been through any form of cancer or any life changing diagnosis, you know the feeling of what a serious diagnosis means.

A few weeks before I met with my oncologist, I knew something was wrong, because I felt a lump under my arm. “Your recent mammography examination showed a finding that requires additional imaging studies for a complete evaluation. Most such findings are benign (not cancer).”

This quote from a recent letter I received regarding my mammogram changed my attempt to ride. Although the quote does not state that I have a recurrence just the idea of “requires additional imaging studies” out weights any future planning for the trip right now.

It saddens me, that I have to drop out of the ride, but I am not dropping out of celebrating with the Divas. When I spoke with Sunny on Sunday (June 4) she knew how hurt I was that I will not be riding with her. It was a spiritual meeting for the both of us when we met. Obstacles that kept us from meeting early on have now strengthened our new found friendship.

I will be with my “sisters” and “brothers” in spirit and will be holding down the home front. I am also going to try to ride at least to Phoenix, AZ, if all of the “imaging studies” are done by the time everyone leaves. Life is good and if the “imaging studies” proves to be a recurrence it will be round four of a major fight. I’ll do what I gotta do.

Janet Downes
Passed away on March 8, 2007.

Her Story...
My name is Janet Downes and I’m a 7 year breast cancer fighter. I don’t call myself a survivor anymore as I’ve been truly battling this disease. We’ve gone many rounds in this fight but I refuse to give up or let it beat me. It may win eventually but I’m going to go down swinging hard and leave my own bruises on it. Read More...