Leading up to October- the month that is surrounded by pink, we want to highlight the amazing survivors who are part of our program, rather than the color in our name. Please take the time to read and share the excerpts that we post this month as a way to inspire others and create an awareness not just about breast cancer, but the impact of the disease on families.
Survivor Reflections -Holli
Ronnie had scheduled a short trip to SPI (South Padre Island) for the last week in August. My amazing nurse navigator Gina at my breast surgeons office had encouraged us in December to apply for a retreat through an organization called Little Pink Houses of Hope. We had never heard of this organization and really didn’t think much more about. But one night during some of the worst battles of chemo and fear and family sadness, Ronnie kept coming to the bedroom to ask me questions… He had decided to fill out the application. I mean, what could it hurt…
We never heard anything and through the battles of chemo and beginnings of radiation, it slid off our radar. That is until around June we received the best call EVER to tell us we had been accepted to a Little Pink Retreat!! I couldn’t believe it. it was just too good to be true. We were accepted to the retreat in Gulf Shores, Alabama. And get this… It was to be around the same time frame that Ronnie was looking at to try and get us to the beach for a few days at SPI. Coincidence? Awwwww…. You should know me better by now to think I thought the timing to be mere coincidence. I know Gods hand has been in every aspect of this journey. Now I don’t always understand His plans (radiation pneumonitis anyone?) but His are always best.
That phone call brought amazing news. When I spoke to my mother in law about it she said it was the first time she had heard joy in Ronnie’s voice since this whole cancer mess began. And if just the phone call brought us joy, you can only imagine how the trip went.
I prayed ( and asked others to pray as well) for there to be children at this retreat close to my children’s ages. And once again God provided. They made friends and so did Ronnie and I. And honestly, these families (7 in all) on this retreat felt more like family than friends. Not only were the families amazing, but the volunteers (or volun stars as they are referred to by Little Pink) became family as well. I even felt 100% comfortable leaving my children with them and for those of you who know me, you know I don’t take that lightly.
My family and I were chosen to go to a Little Pink Houses of Hope retreat. I didn’t want to post anything until we got back, which is why I haven’t posted anything about it until now. It was incredible. This organization (turned 4 years old in August) is amazing. I have never experienced such love from complete strangers. I am all for all the race for cures and so many other breast cancer research and awareness programs and fundraisers… We would not be where we are today with the break through treatments, medications, and awareness programs without them…
But this is so different. Little Pink Houses of Hope are helping to heal and connect ( or reconnect) families as they battle in the trenches of breast cancer warfare.
I’m Going to try to post a flip a gram on here so y’all can see pictures.
http://flipagram.com/f/HwnNLl6Fk9
If the link doesn’t work, email me and I will send it that way. I will also be posting a few pictures on here.
We had a FULL week of fun, relaxation, friendship, and love. Love is what made the biggest impression on me. Especially seeing the love within each family for the breast cancer survivor at the hub. It was poignant and humbling and beautiful.
I also want to thank Jeanine Patten-Coble (founder of Little Pink Houses of Hope) for acknowledging the caregivers on our last night there. We often times forget that our spouses and family and friends must adapt to new roles of caregivers to the cancer patient. They do so without asking for accolades or pats on the back. But I know it meant a lot to Ronnie to get a specific shout out.
If you are ever inclined to donate to a non- profit, please take a look at Little Pink Houses of Hope. There are more than just monetary ways to help.
I would love for others to be as blessed by this organization as we were.
Gulf Shores LPHOH Mom, Holli B