Rhythm of the Heart Quilt

From Mickey: I was diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 breast cancer right after Christmas, 2006. I had lumpectomy surgery and was told the cancer hadn't spread to the lymph nodes so I would only need radiation treatment. But in February, just before my birthday, I was told by my oncologist that I would not only need chemotherapy, but one more surgery and then radiation. Three weeks after my first chemo treatment I started to lose my hair. A friend, who is also a breast cancer survivor, told me about the Cancer Association and what they do for cancer patients. She took me there and I was given 2 wigs and a turban to wear at no cost to me.

Later on in my chemo I was treated to what they called, Look Good Feel Good, a beauty treatment class that dealt with the loss of not only your hair, but eye lashes, eyebrows and the skin tone changes that chemo causes. The class taught us to make eyebrows where there weren't any, different ways to put on makeup to cover the splotches you get, and how to wear wigs, hats and turbans. They also gave us a makeup kit -- and it was an expensive kit -- all high end makeup, but again at no cost. I left there feeling better than I had in a while.

I wanted to give the Cancer Association something back, something from me that showed how much I appreciated everything they did for me and other cancer patients. They help cancer patients deal with their diagnoses, their feelings and worries and any other information they need before, during and after their cancer treatment.

I'm still going through treatment, but I hope to be done by the end of September and hopefully be back to work in October. The Cancer Association is raffling my quilt at their next walk for breast cancer and I hope it does well for them. The label on my quilt read, With heart felt love I make this quilt, To all past survivors, all present survivors and all future survivors. My heart goes out to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer.