slockwooclimbs's Cancer Blog
October 17, 2006
| Favorite memory, HERA Climb for Life 2006 | Views: 151 |
On Sunday we had the second half of the awards ceremony. Bury the Dragon had won an award on Friday night and I had won a “top three” fundraiser prize as well. That was all great, but the award I received on Sunday was better.
During the weeks leading up to the climb, I obsessively studied the donation website. I looked at all the teams, read their blurbs, and memorized their pictures. One team moved me the most – The deJong Family. The picture showed a family of five holding a colorful cardboard sign, which read “We are climbing in memory of Aunt Susan!” I read the blurb. Aunt Susan was the mother’s sister. Four years ago, Susan had to be rushed to the ER on her wedding night. Weeks later she was diagnosed with advanced Ovarian Cancer. She was gone within a year. She died at age 32 and the deJong family was honoring her memory.
I had the deJong family in my mind during the whole event. I kept my eye out for them but I have to admit I was not looking forward to meeting them. How could I face them as a survivor when the lost someone so dear? I felt guilty.
So, back to Sunday—We were sitting under the tent in the Black Diamond parking lot sipping our green tea, eating our yogurt, and getting ready for the big gear raffle (I won a pink rope!) when Sean Patrick mentioned she would like to honor the survivors. She called me up, tearfully I hugged her. She called Laura up, tearfully I hugged her. Laura and I waited for Barbara to come up. When she did, we hugged her then I realized everyone was still clapping. I saw a woman stand up in the front row. It was Ann Marie de Jong. She had tears in her eyes and she was clapping the loudest. Within three seconds everyone was standing up clapping as tears streamed down my cheeks. I looked at my team, they were all cheering and crying. I am a survivor. I heard Sean manage to say “This is why we are all here doing what we this”. Cameras flashed in my face, we all held each other and cried.
Here are pictures of the event:
http://slockwoo.livejournal.com/136897.html
Favorite memory, HERA Climb for Life 2006, 
3 comments)
06.22.08 - 
Thanks for your support -
Hello Samantha – I have heard a lot about the Climb for Life program and want to go one of these years. My friend Lindsay who is in my photo gallery has gone a couple years as a photographer. She is a big climber too. I am inspired by what you are doing to raise money and get the word out about ovarian cancer. cheers!
Hi Samantha.
My brother actually found your blog and mentioned to me that you seem really cool and have had a great perspective on all of this cancer crap. Anyway, I’m 31 and have ovarian cancer as well, recently diagnosed. Check out my blog if you want the gory details…
Anyway, I noticed that you were able to keep an ovary and your uterus! They’re telling me I need a hysterectomy, and actually my cancer is stage 1C, low grade. I guess I’m just wondering if they gave you options for surgery.
Thanks… i know this comment isn’t related at all to your post, I just wanted to contact you.
: )
Tanya
Tanya-
I’m so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, though it is nice to meet you.
I was not given an option about keeping ovaries before my surgery. I didn’t know I had cancer until after my surgery. I went in to have a “cyst” removed. Fortunately, I went to a gyn-oncologist for my surgery so he was able to diagnose and stage me correctly.
How did they diagnose you if you haven’t had your surgery yet?
They are giving me a 10-20% chance of recurrance at this point. I think that is pretty good.
This is an ugly ugly disease. Make sure you go to the best doctor you can find for your surgery. It is the most important part of your treatment.
Good luck and keep writing! I promise to update this thing more often…