LIMA — Hope — that most fragile of human resources — is stronger when it’s shared. That’s what drew approximately 40 breast cancer survivors and health care professionals to the Lima Memorial Medical Park on Eastown Road for the health care system’s 20th annual Hope Garden Celebration.
“What give me hope?” mused Lois Morrisey, 71, who’s 10 years free of breast cancer’s clutches. “The inspiration I get from the ladies.”
Sitting next to her at one of the long tables placed in the atrium of the Medical Park’s campus were two of her “ladies,” Nina Cunningham, 52, and Morrisey’s niece, Tammy Schaefer-Hicks, 48. They call themselves the “I’m Special” Group.
“I’m two years, eight months breast cancer free!” Cunningham said, beaming.
“I’m four and a half years,” said Schaefer-Hicks. “My mom, her sister” — she pointed to her Aunt Lois — “died of inflammatory breast cancer 14 years ago. She was diagnosed around 1997. They didn’t have the treatments then that they do now.”
The annual event is usually held outdoors, in the Hope Garden, but rain prevented that. Attendees were treated to a light lunch of pasta and bread sticks. Dessert was a cupcake from Sara’s Sweets, decorated with a pink ribbon-shaped swirl of frosting. Survivors were encouraged to sign a pink and blue quilt that will be permanently displayed at Lima Memorial’s Women’s Health Center.
Diane Schulz wrote, “Keep the faith in yourself!” Ginnie Hudson signed a square with “Fight like a girl.”
The room was filled with stories, but the one given special prominence at the celebration was from Veronica Ballard, who discovered she had Stage 2 breast cancer while pregnant with her second daughter. She underwent chemotherapy and a radical mastectomy during the pregnancy. At one point last year, she told the group, the implanted port used to deliver her chemotherapy drugs became infected. She developed sepsis, and was flown from Lima Memorial Health System to medical facilities at Ohio State University in Columbus. Her treatment ends next March.
“I”m just looking forward to finishing that up and watching my little girls grow up,” the 40-year-old Ballard said.
She was dry-eyed as she relayed her story, but Heather Aguirre was not. Her mother died of breast cancer in 2010, and the time Aguirre spent caring for her prompted a career change. She now works as an administrative assistant at Lima Memorial.
“I just wanted to give back,” she said through tears. “As a caregiver, it’s hard to stand by and watch. I’m amazed by all of you for as hard as you fought to be here.”
Aguirre donated a wind chime to the garden. “That way, when the wind is blowing, you’ll have nice music to relax to and enjoy this beautiful place,” she said.
“This event signifies a renewal of hope to everyone who has been touched by breast cancer,” said Dr. Darlene Weyer, Medical Director of Lima Memorial’s Women’s Health Center, in a statement. “Throughout all phases of treatment and survivorship, it is important to keep your spirits up.”
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