Mothers race for cancer cure

By Sherill Natzke
INDEX Contributor

DAVISON — Well, my story is probably no different than many others. In 2003 I was 47 years old with a wonderful husband of 26 years and two great sons away at college working hard on their dreams and futures.

I felt I was entering a new path in my life as an empty-nester and soon to be baby boomer. Life was good.

I’d been healthy my entire life until that spring when I found a lump in my left breast. My doctor thought it was just an infection, but sent me in for tests. It was cancer, stage two. After many surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, love and prayer, my cancer is gone. In addition to my family, friends and community, CTCA was my sanctuary of hope and strength.

I think back on the plans I had for my life before cancer. I’m a strong believer and always have been, that God leads you to where you’re meant to be. A good friend recently told me, “Your unfortunate health experience has given you a lot of great opportunities to enrich the lives of others.”

He is right. My life has been so blessed by the people that have crossed my path that I would have never met, had I not gotten cancer. I now teach enrichment classes in our community about “How to Survive and Thrive with Cancer.”

I enjoy my work with the Patient Advisory Council for the CTCA and I’m active in many other areas related to cancer in my community. I’m so grateful for my position as office manager and marketing director with Medicap Pharmacy in Davison. The owner, Brian Arnes, and his staff were always supportive and encouraged my recovery every step of the way.

To celebrate my fifth year anniversary of “surviving and thriving” I will be doing the Danskin Woman’s Triathlon Series in Orlando, Fla., at Disney World on Mother’s Day. I wanted to do something big to put a huge stamp about my journey these last five years and the many years to come.

It’s been a long, hard journey, but one well worth the travel. One of my favorite quotes is Maya Angelou, “I can be changed by what happens to me. But, I refuse to be reduced by it.”

One’s journey is never traveled alone. My good friends and their daughters will be joining me in Orlando: Eileen Sparks, Heather Lane, Nichole, Lane, Barb Appleton, Carol Burley, Alecia Wigness. Seven women, each with their own personal journey supporting each other every way.