Carole Bacon Breast Cancer Survivor Story (5)

In October of 2005, my very dear friend, a woman I have been friends with for 35 years, was diagnosed with breast cancer. We cried on each other's shoulders and I was so glad to be there for her. Fortunately, her cancer was detected early.

After her lumpectomy and before she had even entered chemotherapy, it was my turn to cry on her shoulder. On the last day of December, just two months after her diagnosis, I was diagnosed with the same type of cancer—same breast, same stage, same size. Our lives were already quite parallel. Over the years, we’d shared many trials and tribulations as our families grew, but we had never dreamed we’d be sharing something such as this.

Before my diagnosis, my friend had been determined that she would not go through chemo and lose her hair. Although my doctor decided I would not need the chemo treatment, I promised to shave my head and be bald with her. With support from other close friends and me, she decided to endure that emotionally painful treatment. Now, when she looks back on her experience, she thinks that it was silly for her to feel that way and if, God forbid, she ever had it to do over, she would not hesitate to go through chemotherapy.

Over the next several months, whenever we spoke on the phone or were together, our emotions and our experiences with lumpectomies, chemo, and radiation therapy were top priorities. I feel we were both able to accept this more easily because we were there for each other. Together we made a pact that we were not going to let our cancers rule our lives.

It was also discovered I had uterine cancer, so I had a total hysterectomy. Again, I was so blessed, as the cancer had not penetrated the uterine wall and therefore no further treatment was needed.

Today, our treatments are complete and we are both on hormone therapy for the next five years. We feel good about our future and thank our Lord for our blessings. Ahhh, such a feeling to be so blessed. Now when my dear friend and I visit, our tears are of joy and happiness—our sorrows are behind us.

Carole Bacon was diagnosed with breast cancer on December 28, 2005, just after her 68th birthday. Her cancer was in the very early stages. Carole has been a stay-at-home mom and wife since she and her husband married in 1959. While cancer did not affect her lifestyle dramatically, dust bunnies no longer drive her crazy, and piles of ironing are now more likely to grow. These things are no longer important, as she’s realized that fretting about them is a waste of precious time.

Carole and her husband will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in September 2009. They have eight wonderful, supportive children, of whom they are so very proud. She often thinks of the many times they’ve gathered together and what fun they all have had. She is so blessed.

Carole and her husband also have a Westie, Suzie. A great gift from one of their daughters, Suzie has provided them with much comfort and enjoyment. Over the years they’ve also shared their home with a variety of their children’s pets, including cats, dogs, Lizzie the lizard, Pinkie the white rat, Tweetie the parakeet, rabbits, Billy the goat, ducks, and chickens (one of whom was called Pock-ah by their youngest son).

Carole donates to breast cancer funds and participates in the Relay for Life event held each year. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.
She is thankful for her many blessings each day, some of which she took for granted before her cancer. Life is great: she has a terrific family and lots of wonderful friends; she lives in a great country. Everything in life is so very precious to her and she tries to live each day at its fullest.

My Friend’s Cancer and Mine
by CaroleBacon
Fort Collins, CO

Breast Cancer Survivor Since 2006

Carole Bacon (l) friend Loree Unrein (r)

both breast cancer survivors!

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