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the pink rose Ellen Ramig
As each rose is unique and each petal’s fragrance
spreads hope, joy, courage and beauty to those
around it, so it is with the special people who come
into our lives.
The Pink Rose is a relatively new BBN tradition and one that
Don’t forget to register for the
2007
Survivors Day Celebration
NETWORK
B
B Bosom
Buddy Network Winter 2007
we hope will grow and flourish through the years. A Pink Rose is
Seeking “A woman is like a tea bag; you don’t know
’
presented each issue to someone unique in herself/himself and
who spreads their fragrance by helping others connected with her strength until she is in hot water.”
breast cancer and/or survivorship. ~Nancy Reagan
This winter the BBN board is thrilled to present a Pink Rose
to Ellen Ramig. A breast cancer survivor and founding member
dealing from a distance
of the BBN newsletter, Ellen’s positive attitude and willingness
to help other breast cancer survivors is an inspiration to us all.
Sunday, April 15
For your decade-plus of work and commitment to the BBN,
this time we thank you, Ellen, for all that you do!
Check us out!
2 to 4 p.m. on the web
www.rwhs.org When I found out that my out to Macuelizo, a town Mom would have loved
If you would like to nominate someone for a Gering Civic Center mom, Cathie McRoberts, seven miles away from to have my support in
Click on ‘Departmetns &
Pink Rose, please contact Teresa Clark at had breast cancer, I was in Ococona, to visit neighbor- person, but frequent emails
clarkt@rwmc.net or (308) 630-1687. Call (308) 630-1541 Services” then click on
‘Cancer Treatment Center’ the middle of my second ing volunteer Touie and phone calls served to
to reserve your place. year of Peace Corps service Norawong and I. We started brighten her spirits from
Although this newsletter does not endorse specific products, we strive to provide informational material which pertains to our readers. If you have information
this issue in Nicaragua. Mom,Dad and the day with a cross-cultural
I always scheduled a monthly Easter egg hunt with local
“phone date” during
time to time.
Prior to Mom’s battle with
breast cancer, Mom,
about clothing, wigs, prosthetics, or other tips that worked for you and you would like to share, please call Teresa Clark at (308) 630-1687. Dealing from which I would call Dad and my sister
a distance them from the one Carmen visited me
A son’s story and only phone in in Nicaragua. It was
Ococona where I incredible for them
Plate to pressure lived. This time, I to spend time in
canner could tell that some- Ococona and the
When support is missing thing was different as surrounding com-
Survivor’s Story Dad told me that my munities where we
A thank you to Dairy Queen mother had a tumor visited most of the
in her breast and may Nicaraguan families
Rae’s rules for have breast cancer. that had become
radiation relaxation The next time we close to my heart.
Tips for bosom buddies talked, they confirmed Keegan and his mom, Cathie After the visit,
Question and Answer that Mom did have community mem-
Golfing after a mastectomy? breast cancer and would school kids that Touie had bers, especially the women,
be undergoing a double mas- organized. After that, Touie constantly asked about my
The pink rose tectomy followed by several and I each had half hour family.
Honoring a charter months of chemotherapy. I informal interviews with Some time after Mom
BBN board member
asked if they wanted me to Susan. She asked about our was diagnosed with cancer,
Board members: Katy Hawkins,
come home and they said no. projects, life in Nicaragua I began to share my mom’s
Becky Kreman, Cathie McRoberts, Mom and Dad both had a and relations with family situation with Nicaraguan
Ellen Ramig, Marletta Warner very positive attitude about back home. I told her about friends. They were very
and Rae Whitney it and that made me feel Mom’s bout with cancer and concerned and supportive;
Editor: Teresa Clark more at ease. I was confident she was very supportive and Mom had an incredible
Regional West Marketing & Public Relations that Mom would beat it. grateful that my family support group in the area
The Bosom Buddy Network newsletter is One of the first times that understood that I was doing around Ococona!
written by cancer survivors - this is your
Permit No. 30
newsletter. We value your input and appre- I shared this with anyone in more good by staying in Community women like
ciate feedback and articles relating to your Nicaragua was when then Ococona than going home Doña Rosinda, Leilin,
69361 Scottsbluff, NE 69361
Scottsbluff, Nebraska 3911 Avenue B, Suite G100 breast cancer experience. To submit ideas
PAID and articles, please call Teresa Clark, Peace Corps Nicaragua to worry over a situation I Tomasa, Silvia and
Regional West Marketing and Public
U.S. Postage Relations Department, (308) 630-1687 or director Susan Pezullo came could not control. I know (continued to page 5)
Non-Profit Organization e-mail ttclark@charter.net. (continued to page 6)
We can survive.
I am like the rest of you hating to get
annual checkups. But I had been going
and on April 9, 2004, my life was
a survivor’s story
worst day of my life. We met with
Dr. Forney who told us what my
options were. I wanted it out of there
but the surgery had to be done before
or after I got back from my family
The first week was spent on the couch
sleeping. I could eat but the thought
of food would turn my stomach. The
next week a little better, then the last
week almost back to normal. Oreo
PLATE TO pressure canner
pressure canner and about to blow. You
have already heard words like “chemo,”
others got the family trust changed.
I had to do some real serious studying
turned inside out. During the breast vacation to London and Scotland that blizzards were my comfort food. They “surgery,” “suspicious,” “probable” and about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not
exam, my doctor asked me if I had we had planned. They said they could helped cover the metal taste in my “radiation.” There are no encouraging mean letting them “off the hook,” nor
felt the lump in my breast, which of do it the next day. Back to Sidney and mouth. Thank you Dairy Queen. words that you will beat the cancer even does it mean you are sending a statement
course I hadn’t. She asked when my Scottsbluff again so we could be at About 14 days after the first chemo if you do the recommended treatments. that it is okay what they did. It is not
next mammogram was, which was the hospital at 6:45 am. The drive was my hair started to fall out and hurt - You now have a new family that will okay what they did. However, you cannot
not for a couple of months. She said again was a therapy session. I am so not my head - my hair. I decided to come to know just about everything there change them and are not responsible for
I probably could wait. But that voice blessed that I have married my best have Craig and my best friend, is to know about you. They will spend anyone’s actions but your own. When we
in the back of my head said, “GO friend and that we can discuss and Desirae, shave my head. So in the mid- countless hours planning your treatments have not forgiven someone who has
NOW.” work through any problems. In less dle of the kitchen, Craig shaved my and your visits will be numerous. They wronged you, the hurt and anger that you
After getting the mammogram they than 24 hours after finding out that head. I owe my husband huge kudos, want you to survive. You will actually carry actually hurts your potential and
called me a week later to get another the lump in my breast was cancerous, while shaving my head he made it so I build a sense of security that they are well-being-not that of the other person.
and an ultrasound. I called 10 days it was out of there. did not see one strand of hair fall. always there for you and working on your Only through God have I been able to
case. forgive and pray for them who have hurt
We have survived. But you also have family and friends to
help support you…or do you? When I
lost my hair, I felt so self-conscious. I
thought one day I would test the waters
me that they will be healed. I have too
many important things to do yet and I
know that God has a plan. Forgiveness
does not come quickly.
later and they said they did not We met with Dr. Packard for treat- Other than the queasiness, the
have the results and I should call my ment options. Since my lump was one hardest thing was having people give so I walked up to a group of children- I did not pick cancer-it picked me. This
doctor. When she called she informed centimeter, no nodes involved, chemo me “the look” when they saw you did You walk into the clinic to get the “good children are always an honest start. Not did not just happen to me-it was a family
me that “Yes, I did have a lump.” We was up to me. Four times, three weeks not have any hair - “you have cancer report” or the “bad report.” Your heart one asked about my hair-they accepted affair. Every day you wake up with the
met with the surgeon in Scottsbluff. apart, I could make it through that. So and you are going to die.” I even had already knows the answer but your brain me for who I was. It was the adults who choice of what your attitude will be for
He confirmed what we already knew after a restful vacation, we arrived for a little boy tell me that I looked funny. is still holding out for the miracle words- seemed to have the problem and engaged the day. You can make it the best day ever
and we met with Lois from the Breast I had more people tell me that I buying more time before having to face the mouth before the brain. I heard or you can be miserably angry. I was
Center. My whirlwind started after looked great with no hair and I should or deny it. When you walked into the things like, “Hope you are not sicker than forced to deal with it but others chose to
that. She arranged for me to have a go without my hats (which only hap- clinic, you had the same plate in front of you think” and “Did they get it all?” walk away. Who’s sicker, them or me?
biopsy that afternoon. Everyone made pened at home). you that most everyone else has. It has Our family used to be fairly close with —Marianne Fisher
us feel we were the only patients they I was bound and determined that I little piles; “children,” “finances,” “work,” a little bit of work. At first, everyone Gurley, Nebraska
had that day and made my husband was going to have a good attitude etc. called, encouraging me that I would be Photo: Marianne with her two grand-
feel like he was involved in everything. through this. I looked for positive You knew the report would not be fine. About one month into it all, one daughters, McKenze and Makayla.
Dr Johnson took some samples for things to get me through. I was not good and now your plate is as large as a person quit calling and never knew when
the biopsy. On our drive back to going to let it get me down. Having I had chemo or about the horrible reac-
Sidney we cried and talked about cancer did not stop me from living my tions that I was having. Two
every option we had. It was also the life. Two weeks after my first treat-
first time we had heard Tim McGraw’s
song “Live Like You are Dying.”
Kristi and her
husband Craig.
ment, we went to Ride the Ridge in
Chadron (a 10-15 mile horseback ride)
dealing from a distance
(continued from cover)
I had no idea how much it had changed her life until I
Which of course made us cry some and camping for the weekend. Also many, many others continually asked about her progress and returned home for a month after over two years away from
more. The hardest time I was having, during my treatments we went to told me how they kept Mom in their daily prayers. This was home. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason
was what all of this was going to do my first treatment. I had no idea what Cheyenne Frontier Days, Colorado very uplifting for me. When Mom started to lose her hair, I and the adversity of breast cancer changed my mom’s life for
to our families. Craig’s first wife had was going to happen or what to Springs Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame decided to follow suit and began to bic my head for a couple the better. She decided to go back to school to study nursing
died of cancer 10 years earlier and expect. Leslie, my miracle worker, got Induction and the Taste of Colorado. months. Community members thought the show of family with a new, extremely positive outlook on life. Mom’s bout
my grandmother had died of breast my medication correct the first time I surrounded myself with positive solidarity was really special (Dad shaved his head at home as with breast cancer has reinforced the importance of taking
cancer. I knew that there was nothing with the right dosages that worked people. I did have times that I did not well). Many of the young men in the region followed suit advantage of each and every day of our lives and enjoying
I could do, but fight. for me. Not that I skated through get out of bed but for the most part I and sported shaved heads. Little did they know they were life to the fullest while we have it! The Nicaraguans who
When we arrived the next day, they treatment or did not have an easy supporting my mother as well! Mom and I look so much have been and continue to be supportive of my family and
delivered the news. All I could think time, but I never got sick. Not that I (continued to page 4) alike that Dad saw her bald profile heading for the house in indirectly helped my mom get through breast cancer deserve
was that I am going to die. It was the didn’t wish I could and even tried to. Nebraska one day and thought I had made a surprise visit a very special thank you!
We will sur vive.
home! Little things like that and the ability to maintain a sense
of humor throughout it kept us all strong. —Keenan McRoberts
Cornell University
I am so thankful that my mother is a breast cancer survivor. Ithaca, New York
2 ~ Winter 2007 BBN Winter 2007 BBN ~ 5
Question bring your favorite golf club and put it in a place
where you can see it from your bed. Also take a
picture of a golf hole. When you are feeling sick
and weak, look at these things and think about the
s rules
rae’ for radiation relaxing
day you’ll be back there, with a new appreciation
Can I still golf after for being alive in beautiful surroundings. When I have a medical appointment, I and on Wednesday with
C
Ask your doctor when you can play golf again. always make sure I carry a book that will (Christ the Lord is risen
my mastectomy? If he or she says “Two months,” ask ‘why not
sooner?’ Ask about rehabilitation specific to
last me at least an hour, in case I have to today).... Some letters needed
wait in a public room. two or more days, so I had no
answ er regaining your swing and then count down to
the day when you can hit the links again.
If you have a mastectomy or a lumpectomy,
But when the nurse takes me into the
examination room, and says, ‘Sit on the
end of the table; the doctor will be in
worry about running out of letters of
the alphabet... I gave myself rules. I
must not look in a hymn book before I
rehab your arm religiously. Use the exercises given soon, - unless there’s an emergency,” go; in fact I must not ever think about
to you in the hospital. If you have more than two (there usually is!), I don’t want to just sit this specific task until I was actually on
or three lymph nodes removed ask your surgeon there till my back aches. So I get off the the radiation table!!
about referral to a rehabilitation center. Without table and do some physical exercises
Cancer is often seen as a thief. Cancer steals health, adequate rehab your shoulder can freeze up. This might seem a trivial idea to share
(and I don’t care if I get caught doing with my Bosom Buddies, but maybe a
both physical and mental, it steals time and it Start with chipping and putting. They don’t them!) mostly leg and arm swinging,
can steal our vision of who we are. One way for require the full swing that a drive does and while definite mental task might help take
shoulder shrugging, hip rotating- you
women to empower themselves after a diagnosis practicing your short game may be boring, it can away from you the kind of stress we
get the idea.....! And of course I can
of breast cancer is to ask, “What can I take back?” be the key to shaving strokes off of your game. always return to my book. What do you do all probably feel when our bodies are
As more women are diagnosed and ultimately Plan an extravagant golf trip. Tahiti? South However, going to the 33 radiation in someone else’s control.... Doing this
survive breast cancer, they make decisions about Africa? Scotland? Take your IRA, turn it upside turned out to be fun for me; it mellowed
who they will be and what kind of life they will down and shake it. If ever there was a time to live
treatments after my lumpectomy was
somewhat different. I knew I must not
while waiting in the strange noises, and relaxed me.
lead after treatment. For some women this means for today, this is it. move once I was lying on my back on If you like the idea of alphabetizing,
you could put the names of your friends
going back to a job they love, while for others it
means going back to a favorite hobby.
When you start chemotherapy, let your doctor
know golf is a priority. An implanted port or
the very narrow table. So I decided I
needed to give my brain a task to do
a doctor’s office and relatives in order. Or think of your
Every year, about 210,000 women are diagnosed groshong, while wonderful, can interfere with that I could pick up and continue with teachers, starting in kindergarten, and
with invasive breast cancer. Odds of being diag-
nosed with breast cancer increase as we age.
your swing. Make sure your doctor takes this into
consideration when deciding on placement.
on each visit. or spending time remember gratefully a specific thing each
Since I am a hymn lover, I decided to one has taught you. Or it might be fun
Ninety-five percent of new breast cancer For many women, an axillary dissection or arrange hymns in my head in alphabeti- to catalog food: alphabetizing herbs the
diagnoses occur in women over the age of 40 removal of a significant number of lymph nodes cal order. The first Monday, I thought of on the table? first day, fruit the second, etc... and of
and 60 percent of women golfers in the U.S. are is part of the treatment plan. This procedure puts
a
all the hymns beginning with course one can always use that “time on
40 or over. you at higher risk for lymphedema, or swelling of (Amazing Grace, And Can it the table” to name and give thanks for
Thanks to mammography and self-breast exam, the arm, one of the disease’s most debilitating side Be, Abide with Me, etc); - if I Here are our doctors, nurses, helpers and encour-
the chances of survival after a positive diagnosis effects. knew them well enough to sing agers! I’d love to hear from you if you
have steadily improved. Five-year survival rate The National Lymphedema Network them to myself I did so, - if not I went
has increased from 72 percent in the 1940s to 97 recommends post-mastectomy golfers wear sun on to another one..... On Tuesday, I Rae’s Relaxing have invented some specific mental tasks
and want to share them!
percent today. At last count there are 2,000,000 block, insect repellent and gloves to avoid cuts started with
B
breast cancer survivors in this country. Of these and blisters.
2,000,000, most do far more than just survive. Other techniques that may be useful once you
(Blessed Assurance, Beneath
the cross of Jesus),
Radiation Rules! —Rae E. Whitney
Scottsbluff, Nebraska
They work, love and get back to the basic business have started golfing again include: putting your tee
of living with gusto and for more and more this in the ground with your left hand when your right
includes playing golf. hand hurts or sticking a piece of compression foam
According to Betty Cuniberti of Golf for into your golf glove if your hand is swollen.
Women Magazine, golf is natural fit for women
who have survived breast cancer. “We don’t
Remember the anonymous verse, ‘What Cancer
Cannot Do.’ It can’t cripple love, shatter hope, cor-
we can survive.
(continued from page 2)
discourage easily. We understand that life is not rode faith, destroy peace, kill friendship, suppress
fair …we don’t wail, “Why me? Why me?” The memories, silence courage, invade the soul, steal went about doing what I would have got depressed. After going on anti- and you are not alone. Remember that
question with no answer that is the first hurdle of eternal life orconquer the spirit and for many done, had I not had cancer. depression pills I almost feel normal. there are survivors five, 10, 15 and even
cancer. We golfers see the unjust, the unlikely and women it also can’t prevent them from playing golf! Radiation was next, really boring. But what was normal? I would have 30 plus years.
the infuriating all the time. Then we have lunch.” —Becky Kreman, RN, APRN-C, PhD But it was still something I could do to make a new normal. We can survive. We have survived.
Case Manager Regional West
Betty has several tips for women who golf and Scottsbluff, Nebraska to fight against the cancer. I had had a If you have just been diagnosed, We will survive.
have no intention of letting breast cancer stand in Cuniberti, Betty (2004). Survival 101: How golf can bring you back, from a lumpectomy, three months of chemo starting treatment, going through
woman who’s been there. Golf for Women. Found at: —Kristi Bruner
their way: http://www.golfdigest.com/gfw/gfwfeatures/index.ssf?/gfw/gfwfeatures/gfw2 and weeks of radiation. Now what was treatment, just finishing treatment or Sidney, Nebraska
When you go to the hospital for your surgery, 00409survival101.html I going to do? Tamoxifen would start a a survivor for years, remember that
year after my lump was removed. I cancer is no longer a death sentence
Winter 2007 BBN ~ 3 4 ~ Winter 2007 BBN
