"My name is Ann Wilcox. I was diagnosed with breast cancer March the 8th, 2011. It’s a day you never really forget in your life usually because it’s so traumatic. I, through doctors' decisions and helping me make a decision, decided to do a mastectomy on the left side. And with that, because the tumor was over an inch in diameter, I had to have chemo. I took chemo for four sessions, of which I was allergic to the chemo after two sessions. They had to change my chemo to an older version of the chemo and they reduced it to ¾ of a dose because they weren’t sure I could even take that. I finished the four sessions of chemo and since then I’ve been on Arimidex, which is an estrogen blocking drug, and I will be on it for at least five years, maybe ten because the new version is saying now ten. My life is going well now with no signs of cancer. I am a three and one-half year survivor and thankful to be alive."
I had the privilege of meeting Ann Wilcox last week at the Norwich Bulletin Senior Expo. Golden Horizons had a booth at the event, and Ann was setting up a booth right next door to me. Over the course of the event, in between our times engaging with attendees, I learned about her career, marriage and beautiful cats. She also told me her cancer story.
A personal testimony of someone surviving cancer and now living each day to the fullest is an amazing inspiration, but Ann takes it a step further. She is working with a long-time friend at the Pink Mermaid, a mastectomy boutique in Center Groton, CT, offering needed products, hope and support to women fighting breast cancer. Not only does Ann live every day grateful for life, but she is now paying it forward, offering support and sharing her story. Thank you Ann.
If you or someone you know is battling breast cancer, it can be very difficult to function at times. What can you do? How can you get through? How can you be a support? What do you say?
Research. Raise awareness. Be there as a presence and support for your friend or loved one. Reach out to others who have gone through it. If you have gone through it, tell your story like Ann has. Here are a few resources to start with:
- The Pink Mermaid
- The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
- Connecticut Challenge: Empowering Cancer Survivors
- Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Breast Cancer A to Z (lists breast center resources in CT)
I had the privilege of meeting Ann Wilcox last week at the Norwich Bulletin Senior Expo. Golden Horizons had a booth at the event, and Ann was setting up a booth right next door to me. Over the course of the event, in between our times engaging with attendees, I learned about her career, marriage and beautiful cats. She also told me her cancer story.
A personal testimony of someone surviving cancer and now living each day to the fullest is an amazing inspiration, but Ann takes it a step further. She is working with a long-time friend at the Pink Mermaid, a mastectomy boutique in Center Groton, CT, offering needed products, hope and support to women fighting breast cancer. Not only does Ann live every day grateful for life, but she is now paying it forward, offering support and sharing her story. Thank you Ann.
If you or someone you know is battling breast cancer, it can be very difficult to function at times. What can you do? How can you get through? How can you be a support? What do you say?
Research. Raise awareness. Be there as a presence and support for your friend or loved one. Reach out to others who have gone through it. If you have gone through it, tell your story like Ann has. Here are a few resources to start with:
- The Pink Mermaid
- The National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
- Connecticut Challenge: Empowering Cancer Survivors
- Terri Brodeur Breast Cancer Foundation
- Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Breast Cancer A to Z (lists breast center resources in CT)
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