You can often tell a cancer patient by the scarves they might wear to cover their chemo ravished head.
In my case, I had 2 mastectomies, so I wore fluffed up scarves in order to try to appear normal until I was healed enough to wear prosthetics. But, due to 2 separate surgeries and a slow healing process because of the diabetes, full healing took almost a year, so I wore scarves.
A LOT.
While I had no reservations over losing my breasts, particularly as I had the type of cancer that would return, I was still self conscious, after my surgeries ( and..admittedly felt like I'd been punched in the gut, when first confronted with my post-surgical body ). So, it helped whenever I went out, to feel like I was somewhat able to conceal what I was missing with a strategically placed scarf.
I received some very lovely scarves that year for my birthday and Christmas and Mother's day, and these are some of my favourites.
2 of these were given to me by Kelsey ( the lime green, and the striped one beside it ), 2 by Kelsey's future mother-in-law Angela, and one by my very dear friend, Lorraine.
( I have many others - in rich reds and blacks and grays - but I like this bright colour palette, today.)
Fortunately, I never did have to wear the scarves on my head, as the post surgical pathology revealed no cancer in my lymph nodes, which in turn meant no chemo was required. I have been "in remission" since Oct 11, 2008.
I still have to take an anti-cancer drug ( which ironically HAS thinned my hair ) for another 2 and a half years, and won't be officially declared cured until then, if there is no reccurence in the meantime. But since the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes, the chances of that are quite slim.
So, we hang on to that.
In the meantime, I still wear my treasured scarves whenever I want the little extra boost of happiness that wearing bright colours can bring.
Proudly Canadian.
Wife, mom, daughter, sister, auntie, breast cancer survivor, emergent artist, and neophyte photographer.
Soon to be Mother of the... learn more
Love the scarves and the colours are all the ones that I would choose to wear. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm loving the way that this site is allowing us to get to know one another and to begin to fill in little bits of personal information. Perhaps we should plan a gathering in 2020 somewhere like Hawaii! That would be far enough for everyone to have to do a journey.... or Saint Helena would do as well! Or Ireland.... Enjoy the scarves!!
I will be walking in Richmond on May 8 for Race for the Cure in memory of my mother. I will add your name to my honor role of brave women who fought cancer and prevailed.
Oh Allison, thank you! :-) I am deeply touched.
( It's so funny that we both live in Richmond....though in different countries and coasts! )
Elizabeth...thank you, as well. :-)
I too love the stories, here. And I would LOVE to do Ireland someday. But Hawaii would definitely be a fantastic location, too!
Barb Thank you for sharing that. I love learning everything about you. You have such an interesting story that deserves to be heard. You should write a biography about your life. You seem so wise and experienced. Your story would be very touching...and very well worded if I may add :) I would buy it, get it signed by you :) ...anyways I love the colors of these scarves! very beautiful way of arranging them. For some reason...it reminds me of the girl from Sillyville. Don't ask me how I remember that hahaha
How beautiful! I am doing a relay for life cancer walk May 15th and 16th event and I too would like to walk in honor of your bravery.
I found a breast cancer shirt and gave it to my babysitter who is battling breast cancer, and it said' "Fight like a girl!!" I wish I would have bought more!
Oh.. thank you so much....to all of your comments.
Again, I don't really know what else to say, except that I am so touched.
I just sit here and bang out my thoughts and somehow try to relate them to my day as well as the particular photo idea that has caught my fancy...so its really gratifying to know that people seem to enjoy reading them, and feel compelled to respond, and offer support...as I do with so many of your words and pictures.
I just want to let you know that this whole process has been so very healing, too! :-)
Gorgeous colours Barb, and beautiful textures. I wear scarves - they are great for hiding my tubby tummy :) My hair has become thin and wispy from my cancer drugs.
holy cow Barb. thanks for sharing. what a beautiful image. thanks for your comment on my son's shot. yes, that was me totally sneakin' a shot. so its natural for him. keep up your fight girl! i guess you can never really exhale can you. must be a tiny bit tortureous. {don't know if that is a word, but i think you know what i mean, always in the back of your mind or soul} god bless all your days :)
I cant even begin to image the feelings associated with what you've been through.
Your one amazingly resilient woman Barb and an inspiration.
Im guessing they all looked gorgeous on your, but the blue scarves in particular would be stunning.. :)
Sometimes I come a day or two late, and find I should have been here much earlier on! Barb, bless your heart, all that you've been through! You've so bravely shared your story over these past couple months, and I know it draws everyone closer to you, if only in our thoughts and prayers. I've always wondered why some have to carry such a burden, while others seem to skirt it. I stand in awe of those who bear their burden bravely. You'd be someone I'd be so proud to call a friend...and I do.
There are more survivors of cancer on 365. Check out Nancy (http://365project.org/overseasnana/profile) that is a full year out...and living life working for an NGO in Vietnam. Her story will inspire you as well. And, like you....I look for brightly colored clothing from my healing months to remind me how much more I appreciate the small moments in life---that I know I missed pre-diagnosis. Your scarf photos could be a great cover to a card inspiring other survivors. KUDOS to YOU!
Good for you for being a survivor. I do ACS Relay for Life every year and see more and more survivors. The Relay in our area is for 24 hours and I am there the entire time.
Oh...you all lift me up so much...really you do!
Thank you to all of you for your walk/runs and Joe...24 hours! WOW!
Theresa, I really appreciate your link and story! XO
( It's so funny that we both live in Richmond....though in different countries and coasts! )
Elizabeth...thank you, as well. :-)
I too love the stories, here. And I would LOVE to do Ireland someday. But Hawaii would definitely be a fantastic location, too!
thanks for sharing, you're simply amazing!
I found a breast cancer shirt and gave it to my babysitter who is battling breast cancer, and it said' "Fight like a girl!!" I wish I would have bought more!
Again, I don't really know what else to say, except that I am so touched.
I just sit here and bang out my thoughts and somehow try to relate them to my day as well as the particular photo idea that has caught my fancy...so its really gratifying to know that people seem to enjoy reading them, and feel compelled to respond, and offer support...as I do with so many of your words and pictures.
I just want to let you know that this whole process has been so very healing, too! :-)
Your one amazingly resilient woman Barb and an inspiration.
Im guessing they all looked gorgeous on your, but the blue scarves in particular would be stunning.. :)
Thank you to all of you for your walk/runs and Joe...24 hours! WOW!
Theresa, I really appreciate your link and story! XO
thank you for sharing your story :)