Surgery-Day Post Redux, updated with images that have come in during the past week. The June 29 post was seen by 5 times the number of people who usually check out my blog, and more than twice as many who visited this blog on my best day ever. How many of these visitors actually know me? A fraction. How many hate cancer? Every single one of them.
After a week of rest followed by a great pathology report, tissues are healing and the mood in our house is MUCH lighter. Still treatments to follow, as well as many slow days of trying to find my way again. But make no mistake: science is a wonder and I wouldn’t walk this path without it, but love — even the love of strangers who support us with a smile or a hand or a photograph or a word or prayer or thought or mention of our name or even an acknowledgement that we are all on this path of life together — love in every form from the fieriest passion to the innocence of children in the surf to the gift of human affirmation — love is a damn strong tonic.
This journal is a seed, and these photographs a fledgling reinforcement that we are one in wonderful ways. I’ll keep adding pics from any who send them in the process of building a network for any who need it at any time for any reason anywhere in the world. Cause this love ain’t just me babe — it’s for all of us. Just click on the first image for a really nice slide show.
Today is the day they slice you out of me, you and all of your little scouts and parasites, you with your wily ways, greedy fingers, silent chewing, your poison, your hate. You are not me. I am not you. I will not be you. You’re outta here, and you’re not coming back. And I am not alone.
Many thanks to the fabulous friends, friends of friends, role models, ass kickers, lovers, survivors and supporters for these funny, touching, inspirational photographs. I love you all!!!
- Lee Ann, Tiger Protectress
- Susan, Warrior
- Taylor, Leukemia Survivor
- Suzie, Working the Prayer Waves
- Bonnie and Dianne, Survivors
- Grace, Runs with Hose, Protector
- Nancie, 5 Year Survivor, Grabbing the Beast by the Horns
- Nancy, 12 Year Survivor, On the Slopes One Month after Finishing Treatments
- Ashley and Pam, Daughter Defender Supreme
- Dianne, Survivor, Fun with the Shave
- Helen in UK, Atom Heart Cabbage Woman
- Ann, I Hate Cancer So Much I Didn’t Even Comb My Hair
- Fresca, Dragon Lady!
- Pam and Carol, Survivors
- Susan Wechsler Altar, Fighting Cancer with Peace
- Jason & Kate, Armed with Garlic
- Colors of the Soul, from Vernon
- Jacki’s Kiss-Off
- Lion and Lamb, We are the Same, from Ken
- Janet, Mother and Supporter of Survivor Derek, Red-Lipsticked-Naked-Dancing-Moon-Howling-Ass-Kicker
- Susan, Candy and Pam Laughing it Off
- Never Give Up! David, Miracle Baby, Now Healthy and Hardy, with Mom Kristie
- Linda: Live, Laugh, Love
- Biopsies Save
- Don’t Stop the Dancing
- Courting Laura, by Linda Vaden-Martin, for Breast Cancer Awareness
- Mermaid Bra by Marian Shapiro
- My Role Model for 40 Years, Ruth Gordon as Maude, Living It Straight Up
- Flair’s Strong Women
- MoHo Solidarity
- Forrest, Cancer Survivor, and Son
- Cindi, Cancer Basher
- Carol and Family Kissing Off Cancer, Post Op
- Nancy, 8 Year Survivor Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, and Granddaughter Grace
- Fresca’s Healers
- Micheal, My Brother who Hopped in the Car the Minute He Heard
- Paper Cupcake Waiting for Doctors
- Unbroken by Jeannette Brossart, in Honor of Aunt Cheryl, Cancer Center of Asheville, NC
- Lydie Saada from France, Art for Cancer
- Ashley, Crusader
- Because No One Likes Cancer, from LVM
- Art Warriors at Ciel, Open Studio
- Twyla Tharpe Kicks Ass, Role Model
- Mary Catherine During Chemo, Breast Cancer Survivor
- Jeanne, College BFF and Still Holding Me Up
- Terri, Warrior Love
- Francesca Marie, FIERCE!
- Elsbeth, Warrior from The Netherlands
- Tina, Rhythms of Life
- Susan, Breast Cancer Survivor
- Mona Lisa of Galilee, Sent by Penny from The Holy Land
- Lisa, Super Chef, Drove from DC to Cook for Us
- Blue Pee for Days, from Lymph Node Testing
- Adams, Jack and Henry; Beach Boys Sending Smiles
- Toasting the Clean Pathology Report!
- Rascal, “You know I only drink Chardonnay; I’m not paying for this!” Celebratory Cava
- EVErywoman, Mosaic by Susanne Vernon
- xxoo
- Never Alone
- We Are All Queens; Plumb the depths, know love, shine forth, light some fires.
Now this is the best cancer post ever! XD You rock Pamela! So happy for you, go girl!!!! π π π
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What a brave fighter
What a great turn out of warriors
What a great blog π
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I had breast cancer last year. I didn’t want to talk about it, the less people who knew the better. (Less explaining to do, fewer people feeling sorry for me…) I stumbled onto your blog through a mosaics search, and was very caught by what you were writing. I thought, oh no, another I’m sick, I’ll fight back, hear me roar blog. The fact is, I was very moved by the photos. I don’t know why this got hold of me, whereas I usually brush by such “documentation.” So, in my anonymous way, I want to say you’ll get through it all, even if you think you won’t. You seem to be seeking an inner balance, and I hope you find it. Me, I just wanted to be on the other side of it. And I am. You will be, too.
i
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Love this comment Barbara π
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Sniff snif, how wonderful! I just love each and every picture. So damn happy for you Pam. Xo
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Me too Laura! They make me smile π
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