{"id":194,"date":"2012-09-14T03:10:02","date_gmt":"2012-09-14T03:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/turningheadsproject.org\/?p=194"},"modified":"2013-07-26T17:06:41","modified_gmt":"2013-07-26T17:06:41","slug":"carol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/turning-heads.org\/carol\/","title":{"rendered":"Carole"},"content":{"rendered":"

A few weeks ago I received the most memorable gift! It was a beautiful book entitled TURNING HEADS: Carole\u2019s Journey into Baldness and Beyond. As I leafed through the pages, my eyes filled with tears and memories flooded the spaces. The photos dated November 12, 2011 marked a crucial point in time of my journey with breast cancer.
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\nOn February 4, 2011 the words echoed \u201cyou have cancer.\u201d I was speechless, numb. Later a breast cancer survivor friend referred me to Gilda\u2019s Club, a sanctuary where I was welcomed with open arms. I found compassion and support when I needed it most. After surgery in April, radiation treatments followed at the Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center. At their Breast Cancer support group I learned a priceless lesson which has become my mantra. Simply \u201cTrust the Process.\u201d Another cancer survivor in her wisdom shared that after all of my research to understand my treatment options \u201cyou need to trust the process.\u201d I needed to know when to let go, let God, and be at peace.
\nAfter six weeks of radiation, chemotherapy started. On July 31 after two treatments, clumps of hair fell out in the shower. Soon a friend shaved my head in the moonlight. Supportive friends are a godsend in such a time. Especially when they remind us we are more than our hair. By the time Stacy and Debbie waltzed into my life at Pink on El Paseo with their Turning Heads, Changing Minds, Changing Lives, I was overjoyed to learn of their worthy objectives and to be a part of their mission. After all we cannot walk this incredible journey, no matter how difficult, and not share our experiences and lessons with our fellow sojourners.
\nMy love and gratitude go to Stacy and Debbie for their vision of stepping into lives when it is most challenging; and bring rays of light and love and hope. And yes even photos that many years later will be a reminder that we are more courageous than we ever imagined. The day of our photo shoot, the skies were grey and rain was gently falling. Yet there was much excitement in the air as the team was happy, caring, thoughtful, playful and spontaneous with us. On one occasion I held a portrait of my granddaughter with the hope by the time she is a young woman breast cancer will be eradicated. After the shoot was over, I chose the word \u201cExhilaration\u201d because it so perfectly described my feelings!
\nI have learned to see life through a new prism. One in which life is more precious and not to be taken for granted. Knowing there are no guarantees I remain humble and empathetic. I have learned that our attitude makes all the difference in how we respond to the myriad of unplanned events that occur. I have learned that we have strength and courage unimagined. When I think of the shock and fear that enveloped me on hearing I had cancer, I remember Mark Twain\u2019s words:<\/p>\n

\u201cCourage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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