Another Brave Warrior: I will carry my new purse with pride for the breast Cancer Warrior who owned it before me.
I recently was able to purchase this beautiful purse on ebay. It belonged to a metastatic breast cancer warrior. I never met Michelle in person. I got to know her through a facebook group through Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation. This is a group of women all living with stage 4 metastatic Breast Cancer. It is a group that no one wants to belong to, but those who belong are glad to have the support of others who understand what it is like to live with a terminal illness like this.
I later learned that Michelle's paths crossed with others that I know. Its funny how you find these connections through social media. Through this beautiful young woman's posts and zoom chats through Gloria Gemma's straight truth meets, I was always so moved by this girls strength, beauty, smile, and courage.
She stopped working after her diagnosis and did lots of fundraising in support of awareness for metastatic breast cancer. One of the organizations that she supported was Metavivor, an organization devoted to supporting those effected by metastatic breast cancer as well as focusing on research to find a cure. When I saw that her husband was selling all her beautiful handbags and wallets and donating the funds to Metavivor, I knew that I wanted to purchase one of her bags. It was great that the one I won the bid on was the one I loved the most.
For many reasons, I will carry this purse with pride and will always remember how brave, and courageous this young women was. She was only 43 and left behind a little boy, but I know that she made a difference for her child, friends, family, and even those who never even met her in person. I watched in awe every time she posted about yet another challenge, progression, change in treatment, disappointment, excitement at any little progress and in the end her courage as she faced the end of the journey. Her husband then posted about her last days and her courage. I pray that I have many years before I get to the end of my journey, but when that time does come, I will remember Michelle and others before me who have been so strong. This young woman and so many others that I have had the pleasure of meeting show so much strength and dignity. Even in my line of work where I see so much strength, I still feel so motivated and thankful to meet these amazing people at a time where the courage and hope really shines through.
Michelle...rest in peace, I will always remember your beautiful Portuguese smile.
Idalina (Linda) 11/29/20
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