Clariese
My Experience with Cancer
I was told I had breast cancer on August 28, 2006 via a telephone call from my (former) doctor. As someone who came from a family with a history of breast cancer I had been asking my doctor for approximately 5 years to take me off the hormone replacement therapy she had me on due to my hysterectomy but she kept saying I “needed” it for my bones…yeah, right! Now what do I need for the lymphedema? What about that big hole in my breast? How about the burns/blisters that were so bad I couldn’t have anything touch them…including my own skin? Okay – off my soap box but hoping it will help others know they have a right to tell their doctors “NO” if they feel something is wrong for them.
Hobbies
Walking, fundraising,walking, reading,walking, bicycling, walking, swimming, walking…did I mention walking?? Maybe this will help you understand…http://www.the3day.org/goto/vickielane
Books
Guilty of reading the Twilight series as well as the Harry Potter series. I am currently reading Dead Souls by Ian Rankin – think I’m going to have to read the Inspector Rebus Novels series now…do you see a pattern here???
Music
Where do I start? I have such eclectic tastes that my iPhone thinks I’m pschyzophrenic! Recently I’ve been to concerts by Saving Able, Carolina Liar, Parachute, and Celtic Women. I love piano and guitar instramentals but love listening to lyrics too! Josh Grobin, Daughtry, Shinedown, The Fray, Plain White Tees, Charlotte Church, Music of Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Les Miserable…see what I mean???
Movies
Last of the Mohicans starring Daniel Day Lewis and Madeline Stowe. I have to admit that I am a sucker for “chick flicks” though. There was a series on the BBC called “The Haunted Airman” that is actually quite good as well but I’m not sure that counts as Movies.
My Kind of People
REAL – I can’t stand people who have several faces and you can never be sure which one they will show you on any given day. I have a very small group of friends that I love dearly because I know they are being themselves with me and allow me to do the same. My family is incredible and no one is cooler than them…they rock!!
Reason for Being Here
I’ve tried to make people laugh at life because crying does no good. If I die tomorrow I want people to have happy times to look back on and enjoy and my goal is to meet others like me that I can inspire and be inspired by.
Words of Wisdom
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” Pericles
Religion
Christian
Know Me
I am about to turn 50 years old (less than a month now!) and have waited this long to decide what I want to do when I grow up…I think…this quote helped me with the decision: “When you do nothing, you feel overwhelmed and powerless. But when you get involved, you feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.” Pauline R. Kezer
I have started sending letters to celebrities and none celebrities asking them to show their support for cancer research and use their “status” to make more people aware of the cancer dangers out there. I figure even if the “celebrity” doesn’t read the letter someone will and that person may be the one that makes a difference in the battle against cancer. I’m becoming…dare I say it…an advocate for cancer research and early detection!!
