Hannah was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, but that hasn't stopped her from walking.
This is my niece. My beautiful little niece. Actually she’s no relation to me, but her mom and I have been best friends for 30 years now. Which is impressive since I am only 35 years old.
Feb. 16, 2012 will always be a day I will remember. It was the day my life, my family’s life, all changed. During a routine exam my family doctor found a lump in my right breast, and under my arm. My heart sank and the tears came two weeks later when it was confirmed: stage 4, grade 3. Highly aggressive were the only words I understood. Elevator music started playing in my head. All I could think about were my kids. My teenage headaches waiting for me to get home, and this little girl. My surrogate sister watched and helped raise my children, and I was wondering if I would get the chance to return the favour.
My husband has been by my side the entire time. He has held my hand, wiped my tears, been the sounding board as I screamed in anger, but he never wavered or gave up. He has been my rock, and my reason to keep going. Without him or my kids, I never would have made it through surgery, chemotherapy, unlimited side effects, or the hate I have raging through me right now. Whether it’s hate or self pity, I am not sure yet. Still not done. Radiation is happening now, and more surgeries to come.
So we walk. We walk for me. We walk for them. We walk so my kids will have their mom, my niece will have someone to teach her all the fun things, my best friend will still have her giggle mate, and my husband will have his other half. I am walking for my answer to that all important question: why me?
When I figure that out, I am sure to shout from the rooftops. Until that moment, we walk…
Hannah McEdwards
Hannah, just keep walking, one foot in front of the other. you don't have to look too far down the road, just know that you are not alone on the road. Your road is full of wonderful woman, all ages & sizes & backgrounds. And we all walk together with you
Hannah: I truly hope that you will have every chance to participate as a survivor next year. Your voice is strong and your blog post has touched. I will walk with my daughter on Sunday for a friend who is now a survivor, and for so many others, and now I will also walk for you.
Hannah
I so wish you a complete recovery and that you are one of the success stories. The more stories i hear of women like yourself who have the courage to pick themselves up and keep walking, humbles me and makes me more deteremined to do more to end breast cancer.
Positive wishes and thoughts
Jill
Wow, you said all the things I am feeling. I am one treatment away from finishing chemo.. then surg.. then radiation. My husband is my rock. my kids my saving grace!
I am going to walk the 1km tomorrow with all my friends and family ….
Good luck to you tomorrow!
another 'why me' women xo
God Bless you, Hannah and your family. Many of us will beat all odds and you have the tenacious spirit , the loving support of family and friends and a winning attitude to achieve that goal. What a beautiful face and smile you have……even without tresses. Now that my hair is back, I kinda miss the "5 second, throw on my wig….ready to go days!" I'll be listening for your victory shout from the rooftops when you're well again!
Carol
Hey Hannah. Finding others in the same boat helps. You can rage together. Or enjoy a coffee. Keep on keeping on!
My favourite blogs: the accidental amazon, and double whammied.
Hannah, we love you and say prayers for you and your family. Continue being strong and gorgeous, and exchange smiles with that little niece of yours frequently — it is the best medicine…
Love,
your co-aunt, Christine
Dear Hannah,alfho we have never met I feel like you too are my best friend . I too have breast cancer started 3 yrs ago and now I am waiting for a biopsy result to tell me if I now have uterine cancer . I am 77 …3 near perfect kids 10 beautiful grand kids and 3 really perfect great grand kids .I am grateful and blessed to have a warm and caring partner as I have been widowed for 11 yrs .I am not afraid of dieing but I am so afraid of being alive and not living .I cared for my husband for 6 1/2 yrs as he suffered thru a brutal case of the worst type of a form of Parkinsons . I guess that even tho cancer sucks ,,so far I am very lucky . I look forward to the WALKS like they were Christmas . I love the pain in my legs when I get home as I feel like I am doing something good for someone .My kids and Grandkids join me and we all gather later at the pancake House . What a great day !!!I will add you to my prayers God Bless
Hannah,
Thank you for being such an inspiration. But most of all, thank you for letting us know that we're not the only ones asking, 'why?'
We can't waste time asking why me, because there will never be an answer. No one is deserving of this devestation. And as a survivor in my 30's, every day is a gift for me and every day I think why not me. I can't think about my 30% survival rate, or the reason I was chosen, or if I will ever have grandkids. Because then I'm not living my life the way I should, with no regrets. I live for my husband, I live for my kids and its time to start living for me.
Keep up the good fight. Cry, scream, and yell. Let it all out, but don't forget that people love your smile.
xox
Hannah
Stay strong! My mother found out 2 years ago that she had breast cancer and she beat it! You can too! My prayers are with you and your family.
Hannah I was in your position 4 years ago exactly.. My cancer was aggressive, so many lymphnodes were involved. and the size of the tumors were so large.. my world also looked so bleek.. My family and husband like your family,, stayed strong and true to me and they were my rock . I can't say it got easier.. or it gets easier. But thank-you for posting, I became a Grandma again and seen my grandson.. even named after me. Stay strong. Our life is truly a gift and we need cherish it..I still see milestones everyday……I agree with Leanne. Cry, scream, and yell. Let it all out, but don't forget that people love your smile.
Dear Hannah
I am a male breast cancer survivor and when I was told I had breast cancer in July 2011 I became numb and I thought I had just been handed a death sentence. It was not until a couple of days later that I became angry and asked “why me”, but I never found out the answer. Shortly after, I stopped looking for it as it really was not that important in the scheme of things.
I commend you for being public with your thoughts. I know how difficult it is for some to reach out and ask for help, support and prayers from family, friends and even from strangers.
I know there is nothing that I can say that will take away the fear that you have in your heart as you go through more surgeries and possibly more chemo and radiation. But from what I see in your photo and in your writings, I believe you will get through it it all with the love of your family, friends and strangers.
My wife was with me from day one of my first test until the last day of my radiation. She told me we were a team and called us “Team Peter” It sounds to me that you have a great team, that being you and your husband. Together I know you will beat it.
Take care Hannah and I would like you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peter
Hannah,
I have stage 4 breast cancer too (age 26) and it does suck, it is awful and there are days when I feel so ugly. Then I remember that I can't be ugly because I'm kind and I bet that you are too. We are on the tipping point for stage 4 breast cancer and I say that I plan on having chronic cancer just like people with diabetes. We'll be alive in our fifties, I just feel it.
Love,
Cailey