A Letter A Week - Surviving Breast Cancer

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"Surviving Breast Cancer"

If you are a regular visitor to the site, you know that in three weeks I will be attempting to walk a marathon with a few friends of mine to raise money for the American Cancer Society. I always have a problem asking people for money and predictably the fund-raiser hasn’t exactly taken off – we have only raised $226 to date.

I thought that by posting some letters on the site relating to the cause, it might motivate some people to open their hearts and give to our cause. So last week I had Anthony Marino of the American Cancer Society write our guest letter of the week highlighting some of the ways they use the donations they receive to help fight this disease that affects so many.

This week, I’m pulling out all of the stops.

Either the age-old stereotype is completely wrong or I am just very lucky – my mother-in-law is an amazing woman. I know it sounds like I’m sucking-up a bit… and maybe that’s true. But I think that if you read the letter she has written, you will see what I mean.

-----------------------

June 23, 2009

A Thank You Letter to All of People Who Have Been a Part of My Successful Survival from Breast Cancer!

It has been 5 years since I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. As I reflect on these past five years, I want to express my gratitude to those people who have made my survival medically and spiritually possible. When you first receive a diagnosis of breast cancer your whole world goes into a spin. You have many serious decisions to make while simultaneously feeling scared and confused. I wanted to take action as fast as possible and put this behind me but ended up needing a second opinion. Luckily my daughter, Kelly, found an amazing noted breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Deborah Axelrod.

Dr. Axelrod, thank you for giving me an immediate sense of security and confidence from the beginning and right through to our visits today. You remain such a positive part of my care and I admire you so much. Thanks to you my surgery was a great success.

Dr. Paula Klein at St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center is my oncologist for chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Klein, as you said you became my “quarterback” for the remainder of my care for cancer. You have been the most dedicated, compassionate doctor and I especially love your touch of humor. Of course, I also want to thank all of your staff at SVCCC. Each time I go for my appointments I feel safe and welcome.

To my primary care physician, Dr. Vincent DeGennero, my gynecologist, Dr. Lynn Rapp, and their staff – you have been a tremendous support during these past five years through the many ups and downs.

To all of the staff where I work at Volunteers of America, Staten Island Early Learning Center, I want to thank you all for the never-ending love and support you have shown me during this time, especially, Bonnie and Maureen.

To my special young friend, Jennifer Dennis, you have been a great friend and you will always be someone I admire.

To my sister, Kate, you were such a support to me during those months when we would go upstate to rest after chemotherapy. You were my chief cook and housekeeper. To this day I find surprise prepared dinners in my refrigerator from you when I come home from work. To my sister, Chris, you too have been a great help. I thank you for having the courage to shave my hair off for me when it started falling out. To my daughter in law, Jennifer, I was lucky to have you there for me when I needed some difficult tests done.

Kelly, Sandra and Scott, my wonderful children, your love, encouragement and your faith in me helped me find the strength I needed to remain positive during this illness. I love you all so much. Thank you for also taking care of Dad while he was taking care of me.

Most importantly, my husband Louie, you have been my rock throughout all of this. You were always loving and compassionate even when I would wake you up every night crying from the pain or just from being upset. You always knew what to say or do to comfort me. You never complained or gave up on me. I can’t express how much your love and support meant to me.

Even though I have daily reminders from the treatments for my breast cancer, I feel blessed for the lessons I have learned. I have a greater sense of what is really important in life and live life more freely with peace and confidence. I am grateful to each of you for your part in my recovery. For anyone who is going through something like this, don’t be afraid to reach out to those you love, the returns are unbelievable.

All my love,
Jeri Landron


		Letters featured on this site have raised $609 for charitable causes.
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So last week I had Anthony Marino of the American Cancer Society write our guest letter of the week highlighting some of the ways they use the donations they receive to help fight this disease that affects so many. This week, I’m pulling out all of the stops. Either the age-old stereotype is completely wrong or I am just very lucky – my mother-in-law is an amazing woman. I know it sounds like I’m sucking-up a bit… and maybe that’s true. But I think that if you read the letter she has written, you will see what I mean. ----------------------- June 23, 2009 A Thank You Letter to All of People Who Have Been a Part of My Successful Survival from Breast Cancer! It has been 5 years since I had a bi-lateral mastectomy and subsequent chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. As I reflect on these past five years, I want to express my gratitude to those people who have made my survival medically and spiritually possible. When you first receive a diagnosis of breast cancer your whole world goes into a spin. You have many serious decisions to make while simultaneously feeling scared and confused. I wanted to take action as fast as possible and put this behind me but ended up needing a second opinion. Luckily my daughter, Kelly, found an amazing noted breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Deborah Axelrod. Dr. Axelrod, thank you for giving me an immediate sense of security and confidence from the beginning and right through to our visits today. You remain such a positive part of my care and I admire you so much. Thanks to you my surgery was a great success. Dr. Paula Klein at St. Vincent’s Comprehensive Cancer Center is my oncologist for chemotherapy treatment. Dr. Klein, as you said you became my “quarterback” for the remainder of my care for cancer. You have been the most dedicated, compassionate doctor and I especially love your touch of humor. Of course, I also want to thank all of your staff at SVCCC. Each time I go for my appointments I feel safe and welcome. To my primary care physician, Dr. Vincent DeGennero, my gynecologist, Dr. Lynn Rapp, and their staff – you have been a tremendous support during these past five years through the many ups and downs. To all of the staff where I work at Volunteers of America, Staten Island Early Learning Center, I want to thank you all for the never-ending love and support you have shown me during this time, especially, Bonnie and Maureen. To my special young friend, Jennifer Dennis, you have been a great friend and you will always be someone I admire. To my sister, Kate, you were such a support to me during those months when we would go upstate to rest after chemotherapy. You were my chief cook and housekeeper. To this day I find surprise prepared dinners in my refrigerator from you when I come home from work. To my sister, Chris, you too have been a great help. I thank you for having the courage to shave my hair off for me when it started falling out. To my daughter in law, Jennifer, I was lucky to have you there for me when I needed some difficult tests done. Kelly, Sandra and Scott, my wonderful children, your love, encouragement and your faith in me helped me find the strength I needed to remain positive during this illness. I love you all so much. Thank you for also taking care of Dad while he was taking care of me. Most importantly, my husband Louie, you have been my rock throughout all of this. You were always loving and compassionate even when I would wake you up every night crying from the pain or just from being upset. You always knew what to say or do to comfort me. You never complained or gave up on me. I can’t express how much your love and support meant to me. Even though I have daily reminders from the treatments for my breast cancer, I feel blessed for the lessons I have learned. I have a greater sense of what is really important in life and live life more freely with peace and confidence. I am grateful to each of you for your part in my recovery. For anyone who is going through something like this, don’t be afraid to reach out to those you love, the returns are unbelievable. All my love, Jeri Landron If you would like to comment on this letter, Jeri can be reached at jlandron21@hotmail.com. To see Responses, Results and Reactions to this letter, click here (no responses yet). RSS Feed
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