ELIZABETH'S STORY - In the summer of 2002 I found a lump in the upper interior of my left breast. I was not alarmed as I had received a negative mammogram exactly 6 months earlier. I had an appointment the next day with my pulmonary doctor, and upon telling him of my find the wheels were set into motion. I had a mammogram the following day and a biopsy the day after. On the 19th of July 2002 I was told I had breast cancer. My heart broke! I had to tell my family the news. I had to see the fear in their faces and again my heart broke. I had to be strong for them and prove I could survive. I had a mastectomy on August 7th with chemo to start September 9th. Breast cancer was not spoken of in my home, as my father’s mother had died of this disease before my parents met. I soon learned the history and how it does repeat itself. Our similarities were uncanny. We both were named Elizabeth, we both were 49, we both had a husband 48, and we both had a son 22. Now here lies the difference. I lived!

I knew I had to fight this disease and make a voice for women who never got the opportunity to speak like the grandmother I never got to meet. I was not to be silenced. I knew that there was a reason for my surviving, and I was going to use it. I had to put a face and a voice to a disease that was taking wives away from husbands, daughters away from parents, and mothers away from their children. I had to keep my word to my son when he said, “Please don’t leave me, please don’t die, you have to dance at my wedding and tell my children all the mischievous things I did growing up.” I have a voice and I am using it.

I have learned you have to be strong and mentally prepared for the physical changes your body endures. You have to have an enthusiastic spirit and a sense of humor. Because bald is beautiful! I am a better person for surviving this ordeal!

In 2005 I was encouraged by my doctor to have the BRACA cell test since other cancers are so prevalent in my family. On May13th, 2005, the results came back positive. Again my heart broke! On November 17th, 2005, I had my second mastectomy. I was determined more than ever to eradicate my body of cancer. My daughter has tested negative for the BRACA cell. If by telling my story I can save one life I have done my job.

I became involved with Komen when I learned a race was coming to Savannah. I had attended another breast cancer race after my first mastectomy, yet I was too weak from chemo to walk across the parking lot. I sat at the finish line waving my pink survivor flag receiving high fives from all who crossed the finish line. I was more determined than ever that no woman would have to sit on the sidelines and watch the race go by. I am on the board of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Coastal Georgia Affiliate, and I am the Survivor Co-Chair for the Susan G. Komen Savannah Race for the Cure®, Savannah, Georgia 2009 and 2010. I organize the Survivors’ Reception the night before the race and on race day I maintain the Survivors’ Tent for our survivors. I have become the mother hen for all the women who have come before me and after me, gathering them under my extended wings so their voices and faces can shine. I organized Team Elizabeth consisting of walkers and runners participating in my honor. I now choose to stand at the finish line waving my pink survivor flag giving high fives to these runners, these walkers, these survivors who run for all.

The diagnosis of breast cancer does not have to be a death sentence. Today’s technology and education can help saves lives. I know for I am a survivor. I continue to encourage women to do their monthly self breast exam, have their yearly mammogram, eat a healthy diet and exercise. Our voices have to be heard and our faces have to be seen. We are the grandmother, the mother, the wife, the lover, the daughter, the sister, the friend, the woman, the survivor!

My heart has healed for me but it still breaks every time a woman hears the words you have breast cancer, or loses her life to this disease. I am more than a woman in pink, I bleed pink. I am breastless, not breathless.