I was privileged to walk in Sunday’s Race for the Cure as a part of Lisa Schneider-Cipriano’s "Team Lisa-TNT." As many who follow the station know, Lisa has battled breast cancer throughout most of 2010. She is not your normal patient. In her early 40s, she was not supposed to get this awful disease so early in life. Lisa's mother had breast cancer as well so Lisa knew early on the odds were against her. And so it was in early 2010, she discovered lumps that indeed were cancerous. A young mother with eight year old triplets and having recession issues like many of us...she faced yet another challenge in life. Cancer.
But those friends that know and love Lisa knew that this young woman is positive and a fighter. She rarely gives up on anything she goes after. I like that spirit in her. She makes good TV. Her interviewing style and ease of giving Pat McMahon grief and company is what makes her special. And we love her for that.
While I have known a few women that have had breast cancer, it became more personal to all of us at AZ-TV with Lisa. We saw the emotional pain of deciding whether to take one or both breasts. She chose to take both. We saw the anticipation of the surgery grow as the calendar moved. We respect that she chose to open her story up both on air and online and the overwhelming response we have received from other woman who had the courage to go get checked as a result of Lisa’s message. Then the surgery and the pain that followed.
I never knew about “extenders” or “chemo pumps” that get inserted inside your skin. And now the path that chemo takes on one’s body. Loss of hair, loss of identity. But through it all Lisa fights and survives and lives every day like it’s the best day of her life. How can you not like that? She even brought coffee and donuts to those who came to race for the cause, her cause and others like her. So much to think about and Lisa remembers donuts! Only a mom would think like that...concerned for others first.
So going down to the Race for the Cure was a no-brainer for me. For the first time as I looked out into the sea of pink shirts who are the woman and families of those impacted by this terrible cancer, you are stunned at the vastness of both the disease and the fight of those inflicted.
Powerful stuff in a time where so much is negative and uncivil around the country. Here were 30,000+ people all participating for a cause that consists of hope among pain. I am blessed to have been allowed to know Lisa. Her story is an inspiration to me and others that when bad things happen, you can give up or you can fight the fight to live another day. What a great experience seeing the faces of those still in the game on Sunday. I saw life...and for a small moment in time, the political nonsense of the world took a time out for hope. It’s a great life lesson for all of us.
Jeff
(Check out Lisa's Blog on AZTV.com here:
http://www.aztv.com/Global/story.asp?S=12835440)
Dear Jeff,
ReplyDeleteI was nearly in tears by the end of your post, as I’ve had too many of my ladies go through the same thing as Lisa, and the only way to get through it is by being open about it and through the strength of good friends you can get through it.
I went to Breast Cancer.org and I wanted to share with you how I do my own breast exams every week in the shower so that you and your readers can learn from what I do.
Step 1: First I look at my breast color and look at how round my nipples are, to make sure there’s no change or discoloration. Sometimes its tough to notice with bigger breasts but I make sure to keep an idea of the shape of them in my clothes.
Step 2: Then I raise my arms up and watch how my breasts tend to fall.
Step 3: When I’m looking in my mirror I look to make sure for fluids (this is gross but it can be a good indicator).
Step 4: Okay, here’s the main part. Ladies, when I do it I lie down on my back and run my hands up and down my breasts, slowly tugging with my right at my left breast, and vice versa, with a firm touch and while keeping my fingers close together, slowly circling around my breasts.
Then I push my breasts together for cleavage (use this as a guide), starting at the nipple and move in circles bit by bit out to make sure you can feel everything and don’t miss a spot. I make sure to do it two or three times, because again with bigger-sized breasts it means I have to double check I have covered all the tissue.
Step 5: Again, getting in the shower allows for extra sensitivity, so I always make sure I’m wet before I do my breast exam.
Anyway Jeff, I really hope this helps you and your readers out, as it means a lot to me. Wish I could have seen you at the race this year, maybe next?
XO
Cindy