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My name is Connie. I have worked at Kroger for 9 years. And I am a breast cancer survivor.
I was born in Mobile, AL, and I now live in a little town north of Atlanta. My husband and I have been married for 38 years and we have a 36-year-old son and a 27-year-old daughter. I was 35 years old and scheduled to have my first mammogram—but two months before my appointment I was doing a self-exam and found a small lump. I called to reschedule my appointment immediately. The doctor did the exam, felt the lump and sent me to have a biopsy. It was breast cancer. I knew absolutely nothing about breast cancer and I was terrified when I heard the words. There was no history in my family, so of course I was devastated.
Check yourself every month. It's so simple and easy. It could save your life, like it did mine.
When this happened, I was thinking, “I have a daughter in kindergarten and a son in high school—please Lord, just let me live long enough to see him graduate.” Back then, when you heard cancer, it was a death certificate. My husband was there with me all the way—through the biopsy, the chemo treatments, the radiation, my hair falling out. He was my rock. I learned that family is very important and will always be beside you to give you strength when you need it the most, but I also found that I have a lot more strength than I thought I did.
My store has been so fantastic. Every year during Breast Cancer month, my manager lets me wear a pink shirt every day. And this year, they're going to be ordering pink shirts for everybody! I'm continually encouraging women to go for their mammograms and do their self-checks—that's how I found it myself. I tell people about eating right. Watching what you put into your body is so important. Every day when I'm working here, I have a great big pink ribbon that says, "Pray for the cure." I want to spread the word no matter what I have to do, and that includes lectures at church and our women's club.
I am so thankful that there are programs like Kroger’s to tell women that there is hope—don’t give up! Remember to keep family and friends informed because they will be your life support system. Some people just get down and out. Your attitude about the word cancer means everything. A positive attitude has everything to do with dealing with something like this. Do your self-exams, get a yearly mammogram, and try to keep a positive outlook. Be strong even when you feel defeated, and don't be afraid to cry. And through it all, "Laugh, Laugh, Laugh." It is so important.
- Connie
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