The Villages - October 2017 - 2

CheCking in

By Rica Lewis

As a surgeon uses probes to explore the body, a writer uses words to
discover the world. But in this issue, my words failed. Throughout the month,
I heard stories that left me speechless and searching with a lights-out-in-thedark desperation to find the right words - words that are as profound and
poignant as the stories women shared. But I could not.
I feel I have painted with a scant brush the intricate tales they told,
because words lack the depth and luster to describe candid tears, warrior-like
resolve, and the spark of a survivor's strength and feminine spirit in the face
of breast cancer. They are powerful, inspiring and far beyond literal depiction.
As I listened, I learned the do's and don'ts of support: do call to say, "I'm
thinking of you," don't assume you know what if feels like to battle cancer,
or what you would do if you were diagnosed. It also became clear that while
breast cancer is a personal journey, it has a sweeping effect on the families,
friends and spouses of those diagnosed. And while optimism surely is a boon,
a chin-up stance was nearly impossible for
even the most positive people to maintain
throughout the journey. No amount of
planning or discussion can effectively
prepare your heart for the blow of a
breast cancer diagnosis. As Deb Gruber,
breast cancer survivor and Tri-County
Support Group facilitator, said, "Women
need a place to melt down, because it's
going to happen. It's just a matter of
when." As they traversed the fear, anger,
worry and heartbreak, these women
found the slender silver linings on their dark
clouds of cancer. Many said they were grateful
to be here, in our active, caring community
where sunshine and friendship always have kept
them warm.
As we don our pink in October, let us
remember the battles they fought and the
lessons with which they emerged. I believe
them when they say life is a gift and every
day counts, and I will heed their advice: Be
vigilant; get checked. We thank them for
boldly sharing their stories and showing
their scars.
We don't call them victims, for they are
strong, spirited survivors.

robynmac/istock/Thinkstock

Warriors Wear Pink



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - October 2017

Contents
The Villages - October 2017 - Cover1
The Villages - October 2017 - Contents
The Villages - October 2017 - 1
The Villages - October 2017 - 2
The Villages - October 2017 - 3
The Villages - October 2017 - 4
The Villages - October 2017 - 5
The Villages - October 2017 - 6
The Villages - October 2017 - 7
The Villages - October 2017 - 8
The Villages - October 2017 - 9
The Villages - October 2017 - 10
The Villages - October 2017 - 11
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The Villages - October 2017 - Cover3
The Villages - October 2017 - Cover4
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