Exclusive club chapter is active in Lima

My mother belongs to an exclusive club.

There are about 2.5 million people in the various U.S. branches of her club, and 182,460 new members will be inducted this year. You may know someone in the club. Ever since my mom joined it, I've noticed some things about her have changed, and maybe you will recognize a few of these changes in someone you know.

Mom has never been one of those people who cared too much about what brand of shoe or clothing she wore or purse she carried; but since she joined the club, she's more likely to buy items with the club colors and logo. The club members feel a kinship because of their club membership, and they want to be able to recognize each other when they're out and about. Some stores specialize in items just for club members, and so there is all manner of items emblazoned with the club logo that members can buy.

Club members even have their own language. There are all kinds of vocabulary words that new club members must memorize at their induction into the club, because at each meeting, there will be many discussions, and members will need to know what is happening. Club discussions are held in groups large and small, sometimes with one of the many club leaders that are all across the United States. These club leaders do a good job of keeping the members informed about what's going on in the other club chapters throughout the world, and about new vocabulary words that have been added.

Some of the club members are young, but the likelihood that a person will be in the club goes up with age. Most of the club members are just ordinary people living ordinary lives, but there have been some famous people who have joined the club, and that helps others with less notoriety to feel more comfortable with their own membership in the club.

Being a member of the club affects every part of their lives, from their work lives to their relationships with family and friends. Club meetings and discussions are held regularly, so if you have a club member in the family, you can expect that he or she will be gone periodically for those meetings. And when they get home, often they will be exhausted because of the sometimes emotional nature of the discussion.

Club members will often miss work for the meetings, and despite being tired, they will try to make up for what they have missed. A kind reminder not to take on too much is often needed. Sometimes club members try to do more than everyone else at work, just to prove that they can combine their chosen career with club membership, and sometimes they can, but often it's just not possible. So balance is needed, as club leaders have to remind many of the members.

Sometimes there will be a few people in the same family who are members of the club, but usually there will be just one. If the club member is the only one in his or her family, as my mom is, it would be a supportive gesture if everyone else would do his or her best to learn the vocabulary the club member uses, and be understanding if he or she has to attend a club meeting. At times, he or she may ask you to accompany them to a meeting, and don't worry, you won't be pressured to join, but my mom usually liked the company.

If you haven't guessed by now, it's no ordinary club that my mom belongs to, and it is a club that no one really wants to join. My mom is a breast cancer survivor, with the emphasis on survivor.

Membership in this club means you'll suddenly be partial to pink ribbons. You'll need to learn new vocabulary words like carcinoma, in situ, metastases, Taxotere and Doxil, among others. Rounds of doctor visits, along with various drugs and their side effects, and just the weight of a serious diagnosis, all combine to make a person feel tired, anxious, apprehensive and sometimes sad. Knowing what's in store can make you more confident, so be sure to read all you can and ask for help if you don't understand something.

A breast cancer diagnosis is serious but it doesn't have to be a death sentence. My mom is proof of that. Diagnosed at Stage IV (for reference, there is no Stage V), my mom will celebrate five years of being a breast cancer survivor in February. Mom attributes her amazing recovery to a fabulous oncologist, good treatment decisions, and the support of her family and many friends. We are all hoping for the day when no one else will have to be a member of the breast cancer patient club.