October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of it, here is a story written by Sandy Kloehn, Grassroot’s Nail Technician:
I’m a nail technician, she’s a new client. We sit across from one another. She sits back to relax and I finish preparing. We make small talk. ”Are we polishing?”, “What Color?” “What length and shape do you like your nails?”. As we sit for the next hour and a half those questions seem so unimportant compared to what she shares next. My relationship with Trina Reynolds will never be the same. It will grow to a friendship neither of us were expecting. Here is Trina’s Story:
December 17, 2008
“I will not die from this.” ”I am going to MD Anderson” (A cancer treatment center in TX).
These were my exact words upon hearing my former oncologist inform me that not only do I have breast cancer, but there also is a tumor on my liver. As he spoke of “comfort care” in front of my brother and sister, all I could think about was how this was surreal: I am only 46 years old. I am the mother of Hillary and Nick. I want to grow old and live happily ever after. I want to become a grandma. This cancer is not how I’m going to die. Especially now when I feel I’ve just begun to live. ”Do you hear me God?” That was the beginning of my search of another opinion about how I might fight and win the battle against breast cancer. I am one of the fortunate ones. I have strength to fight this and I am blessed with family and friends who love and support me way beyond what I could have anticipated. Because of them, I am determined to win this battle. As I listened to the doctor’s pessimistic words, I knew I had to seek another opinion.
I was able to take on the financial burden to find a different approach for treatment, but what about the women who cannot afford the cost of travel for a second opinion? There has to be some way to help women with cancer to receive a second or third opinion about treatment.
When you support the “Trina Fund” you are giving hope to women who want to make sure they are receiving the best possible treatment for their breast cancer. Your contribution will assist with out-of-pocket expenses of travel for a second opinion. You can help them win their fight against this disease. This is my vision for every woman who hears the same words I heard, “You have breast cancer.”
In an effort to help support the “Trina Fund”, Trina’s daughter, Hillary, and several other artists have composed a CD titled,
“Living Life Out of a Suitcase.” You can obtain a copy of this CD at Grassroots for a $10 donation and help support Trina’s vision.
At this time Trina and her sister flew to MD Anderson where she underwent surgery to remove her right breast. In addition to that, surgeons will also remove the tumor from her liver. We will keep you updated on her progress. We hold Trina in our thoughts and prayers..
