Dear Marcy,

I attended a seminar at NCCAT (Women in Aviation:  Pioneers of Courage) last September (2008) where you joined us one night to share your story.   We were all so moved by your amazing story.  You are truly a living pioneer of courage!  Through your music and stories I was stunned and yet inspired.  On my way home from the seminar, I stopped at Atlantic Beach and had a little time to digest all that we heard and learned.  When my husband found me sitting on the beach, my first comment was, “I feel like I have been brainwashed, and I love it!”  I felt strong, courageous, and proud to be a woman.  I went back to school and felt I really empowered some of my female students too!   I felt NCCAT was a success for me and helped me become a better teacher. 

Little did I know that during a self breast examination in October, I would start to lose all of my courage!  I convinced myself that it was nothing and I would check again in a month.  My fear started to get the best of me and after a month, I decided to make a doctor appointment and get a real check up (it had been a few years since I had been).  My doctor sent me for a mammogram.  When it came back, he sent me on to a specialist.  I still wasn’t really panicked.  It had to be nothing.  The specialist sent me on for an ultrasound and biopsy of what looked to be a 5mm nodule.  My biopsy was scheduled for Christmas Eve at 8am, and I was home by 9am.  He couldn’t find anything big enough to biopsy!  I KNEW it was nothing!  My Christmas miracle ~ it had disappeared, SO we waited 6 months.  In July, I wasn’t as lucky.  Not only did they find it, it was now 6cm, not 5mm.  It was real this time, and I discovered “being dropped in a basement nightmare” that you sang about.  I was falling and it was hard to find any courage.   I had to though; I have a 7 year old daughter (Holly).  I know I don’t have to tell you about how a daughter changes your life.  I’m still not able to put into words how scared I was (and still am) for myself and her as well. 

I am in Chemo Therapy now.  The plan is to do surgery, radiation and hormone therapy.  I am still teaching everyday and enjoy the weeks in between chemo.  I really don’t give myself a lot of time to think about it now.  It is so overwhelming and out of my control.  I am just thankful that I have faith in my doctors and I have a great support team with family and friends.  I am finding courage again, from my husband and especially from our daughter.  She is so wonderful about the whole thing.  We have shared this with her in 2^nd grade terminology, and she has handled this great.  I don’t think I could be more proud of her!

I have wanted to tell you my story and send the biggest THANK YOU, but finding the right words seems so difficult.  I know in my heart, I would never have done a self check, let alone go to the doctor and found my cancer, without you sharing your story.  I know things happen for a reason, and I really feel you were there because I needed you to be!  I am deeply grateful.  I hope you continue to share your beautiful story with others.  I still listen to your CD that I got at NCCAT, and it inspires me to think positive.  I read in the paper that you played in Greenville this summer while we were at the beach.  I posted on my “facebook” that I had missed my HERO singing and shared my story and yours with my family and friends.  Very few knew how I had discovered my cancer, and everyone was in awe of your story.

I hope I have put into words how much I appreciate you sharing your story with me.  I truly feel I have a chance at life because of you.   I hope you are continuing to do well.  You have such a beautiful gift with words and song.  Please keep sharing your story.   I see they are having “Pioneers of Courage” again this year at NCCAT, I hope you will share your story with them as well.

Thank you again,

Sharon