Linda Demarest
I never imagined this would happen to me. I didn’t have a family
history and didn't realize there was any risk to women under 40
other than those with a family history. But nevertheless, I had it
and I had it pretty bad. I needed surgery, chemo and radiation. I
was told I had a 50/50 chance of surviving five years. With a
4-year-old son and 5-year-old-daughter, I didn’t like those odds.
And just three years later I found out the cancer had spread to
several other areas. I went through more surgery and started chemo
again last year on my 38th birthday.
As I write this, my 39th birthday has just passed. I'm feeling
good and hope to for many more years to come, but I’ve been told not
to expect years, only months of disease- free living. With that kind
of prognosis, I have no choice but to live each day to its fullest
and I try. My kids are 8 and 9 now and I'm thankful for everyday
that I get to spend with them. They’re the best kind of medicine
there is and they’re the reason I will battle this disease with
everything I've got. I was quite young when I lost my father (not to
cancer) and know what a sense of loss that was for me and I cannot
bear the thought of now leaving my own children. It was this issue
that brought me to The Wellness Community. It was almost a year
ago, when I went to see what one support group was like, and I was
somewhat disappointed because I didn’t think anyone there could
really understand what I was going through. They were all
considerably older than me, and I figured they had lived good lives
and raised their kids. And then there was me. I was the youngest
one there, and I had the worst prognosis.
Even though The Wellness Community had barely gotten its start in
Sussex County, right then and there, a need was seen for another
support group and somehow within a couple months it was up and
running. Now I almost never miss a “Being Young With Cancer”
meeting. (It helps that they actually work around my schedule!) I
consider myself very lucky to have found The Wellness Community –
rather, I’m lucky it found me (thanks to the help of Clare Wilson,
Kaye Webb and Isabel Benson). I’ve also found that even when I
think I’m just there to offer others support, I get as much, if not
more in return.
This is one of the many reasons I decided to join the Strides for
Hope Team this year and take part in the P.F. Chang’s Rock & Roll
Marathon in Phoenix, Arizona. The money that we are helping to
raise will allow programs like “Being Young” continue and get others
started when a need is seen. I know how much The Wellness
Community has helped me and it makes me feel good to do what I can
to help others too. I’m hoping that with my letter writing
campaign and my marathon training, I can help spread the word about
The Wellness Community to others who may also need help and
support.
I’m looking forward to completing the marathon challenge but my
commitment to The Wellness Community and to my own wellness will
never end. Facing cancer is tough; but it’s a lot better knowing
I’m not alone.
Editor's Note: After a courageous battle, Linda passed
away on August 21, 2006, surrounded by loved ones.
Answering to a need in the community, the Carl M. Freeman
Foundation graciously provided the funding for the group "Being
Young With Cancer" referred to in the personal story of Linda
Demarest.)
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