My Third "Stroll"

When I made my first journey sometimes it was hard to explain to people why I was walking. You see, I had never had a Mother, Sister, Aunt, etc affected by breast cancer. In fact, none of my friends had been “touched” either. It was just as I sometimes joked "a calling". Unfortunately that changed right after the first walk. Around the first of 2002 we were at an old friend’s house. We were talking about the normal stuff – kids and where we were when. There was a lull in the conversation and “P” allowed that she had something to tell us. Long story short, she had been diagnosed in early November of 2001 and had in fact already had some minor diagnostic surgeries. P and her husband told no one until all of the holidays were over. I went straight home and registered for my second walk.
P’s attitude throughout her entire ordeal was great. She attacked the disease with a vengeance. Granted there were times during chemo and radiation that she was not her normal bubbly self but hey lets cut her some slack here. She and her husband constantly kept us (and all of their friends/family) up to date on all of the details. I learned that on Valentine’s Day 2002 she faced the inevitable and shaved her head. I also learned that in medical terms a wig is a follicle prosthetic (kind of like a fake leg I suppose).
P is now a five year survivor!!!!!!!
That year was not good for my friends. A few months later we learned that our dear friend S had been touched also. S and her husband were very quiet about the whole ordeal and all I really know (or care about) is that S is now a five year survivor also.
So my good (and patient) friends, I dedicated my third walk to the courageousness of my two dear friends P and S. They were with me every step of the way. As a matter of fact, P was at closing ceremonies with cold champagne and beer for celebration. I was honored to just have her at the ceremonies but was also glad to get the cold beer!!
P and S, you inspired me to get back into the fight. Thanks for your help.