Read This For Me and My Sister Please

This is something I wrote a couple of years ago but would like to re post in honor of my sister. Kimber Le Hurt, the best sister a girl could ever have, passed away one year ago today from breast cancer.

October is National Breast Cancer awareness month. I didn't know this fact until I found myself writing up a flyer for a fundraiser to help my sister with her own battle with breast cancer. It's amazing all the information that we close our eyes to until it smacks us in the face. There has never been any history of breast cancer in my family so of course like many I neglect doing self exams until I have to go to the doctor. Of course when they ask me if I have been doing these every month I typically answer "yes! Of course!" I am such a liar.

When my sister informed me that she had breast cancer I was stunned. I thought this "thing" had to run in families. (Fact-80% of Breast Cancer is NOT hereditary) In a world wind our family was turned into a team out to get information. The more I talked to people the more I learned of treatments, nausea, how much the nausea pills cost! And how many women have it that live right in our area. I was shocked.

Am I stupid? I wouldn't like to think so. I think that we all tend to close our eyes to somethink that is scary. How do you ignore the little pink ribbons and posters and commercials? You turn your head, you get up to get a drink when a commercial comes on, you probably do what I do and just think "This doesn't concern me, and it doesn't run in my family"

I suppose there are a lot of people out there who don't know anyone who has breast cancer. I'm going to assume that there are a lot of women out there like me who don't do a breast exams every month. I'm also going to assume that there are a lot of doctors out there who know that we are lying to them when we come into see them every month.. If your only excuse for not doing a self exam is that you have not had it effect you directly yet, let me be your link. If you know me, then you know someone whose family is dealing with breast cancer.

I can never fully understand what my sister and those around me with breast cancer are going through. I can sit on the phone for hours with my sister as she tells me about how her butt goes to sleep after sitting getting chemo for four hours, I can listen to her concern for her daughters and her husband who go out of their way to support her. I can try to help her understand her medical bills and co-payments and try to help her raise money for her battle, but I cant quite say the right thing to make it all better.

The one thing that breast cancer has done for our family is brought us closer together. Our family has one mission and that is to help her fight in any way we can. We know that "chili feeds" to help raise money wont cure her disease but it does show her all the support she has from her family and friends. I know the late night phone calls wont cure her, but somehow might lighten her load. I know my little article in this little newsletter wont cure cancer either, but maybe, just maybe it will get one of you who is reading this to honestly be able to answer your Doctor when they ask you if you have been doing your monthly exams. Oh, and don't forget! All of you (you know who you are) go get that mammogram that you have been putting off getting. It might just save your life.

Spread the word. For me, for my sister, for yourself, your daughters, your wife, your grandchildren, your neighbors...you get the point.



As of this day, one year ago August 25, 2010 my lovely only sister, Kimber Le Allen Hurt lost her battle with breast cancer. I cant even begin to explain the pain and loss I feel everyday. She became a grandmother for the third time during this past year...she was buried on her 49th birthday...and she she would have turned 50 this Sunday...me 40 her 50..we would have had so much fun celebrating...my heart aches for voice on the phone.

Please forward this post or at least comment or LIKE it...to show support for all those who have lost someone or for those who are fighting the battle...and to support my family and the memory of Kim...Thank you for re-reading..