I chose to fight and empower myself

On Aug. 2, 2007 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I'm 34 and was just starting to live my life again after a divorce and was ready to move to a new state with a huge promotion. Then WHAM! Life hits you square in the face and you're forced to make a left turn. I had a choice. Would I become empowered or sit and wallow?
I chose to fight and empower myself to beocme a better person and live a fuller life. LOL finally put out there what I have been trying to live and say! I LOVE the cancer t-shirt and can't wait to wear it. So many of the shirts fulfill the setiment that I think many survivors are trying to scream at the top of their lungs and some days just can't. Thanks to LOL we can all scream it and we can all LOL! God bless to you!

Trish

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This story is not about me but my hero my inspiration my mom

About 2 years ago she started having pains in her lower back. She went to the chiro as he said it was her siatica. She continued to go until she started spotting (she is 65). She went to a NP who told her that her pap came back abnormal but to come back in 3 months. She demanded to have test run and was told she had cancer but was unsure of what type. She was told it definetly was NOT ovarian cancer. After conducting a biopsy it indeed was stage 4 ovarian cancer. She was told it was inoperatable and there was nothing they could do as it was very agresseive. My sister, my partner and I were devistated. My mom had cancer and the news was so heartwrenching. My mom said hell no this is not going to ge the best of me. She started chemo and eventially got the surgery that she was told would not happen. They got 95% of it and would have to continue with chemo treatment.

She continued to have this pain in her back that started this whole process. She was told she needed a tolal hip replacement as the pain she had was bone on bone. She went to get her hip surgery after being released from her oncologist she was struck down again as the Dr said she was "To weak and frail" to have the surgery and needed a stress test before she would be released for hip replacement. At the Dr. office to get that stress test the Dr. was checking her heart that worried him to the point of sending her to Las vegas for emergency heart surgery. The surgery ended up as quad bypass as she was 85% blocked. We thought that was the a tough road but if she had not listened to the Dr. and went ahead with the hip surgery she would of died on the table.

6 weeks later the Dr. finally gave her the okay for the hip surgery which took place 2 weeks ago and she is up walking with only a cane and back to work part time. So in the past 6 months she has 3 life changing major surgeries and! she is now Liv'n out Loud as my hero and inspiration and my best friend. She is strong woman and I hope to have the strength and courage as she has, if I ever am told the news she has received in the past 2 years.

Toni

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Here's my Liv'n Out Loud Story...
I have learned so very many things on this journey.
I have learned never to let things go unsaid.
I have learned its okay to be frightened.
I have learned to enjoy the moments.
I have learned Breast cancer isnt a death sentence.
I have learned what being a survivor means......
I have learned to say( I love you )more often..
Ive learned that cancer has just added volume to my laughter, and color to my spirit. nothing more.
Iam Blessed

Debb