The four most dreaded words

“You have breast cancer.” I felt numb, like I was floating in the ceiling of the exam room watching myself get the diagnosis from my doctor. I thought I was going to die. But six years later I am still here, emotional and elated to be able to proudly wear pink and support breast cancer awareness. On October 1, i joined state legislators, survivors, medical doctors, researchers and advocacy group representatives on the Grand Staircase at the Boston State House to kick off Breast Cancer Action Month.

On the weekend, I was in Providence, Rhode Island, for the Gloria Gemma Breast

Cancer Foundation release of the anthology, Forever in Our Hearts at this year’s Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life. The foundation hosted a luncheon and book signing at the Rhode Island Convention Center for all of us who contributed to the book.

"Forever in Our Hearts Volume 3" brings you the stories of 12 of us who have experienced loss as we navigate the healing power of sharing our journeys. This collection aims to light the path for those navigating their losses. My story is about the time I spent with my mother as she was battling late-stage ovarian cancer and I was being treated for breast cancer.

The foundation’s mission is to celebrate and nurture life in the local community before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis by providing education, access to wellness resources and support programs to all those affected by cancer. They have all kinds of great resources and wellness programs worth checking out, which can help ease the pain of loss and bring people together in community. The story collection is available from online book retailers.

Lisa Braxton-Reid

GBS NCNW Communications Committee Chair