A Woman of Substance

I would like to dedicate today's blog to the life and work of Alicia
Parlette, a young woman of courage and conviction. She passed away yesterday at the age of 28 from Alveolar Soft Sarcoma.

I became acquainted with her story in 2005 while reading the San Francisco Chronicle where she wrote about her diagnosis and treatment . She was a copy editor at the Chronicle and on March 2, 2004 she received the news that would forever alter her future. Her story is written in a most honest and touching way. A young woman taken totally by surprise, a young woman who's favorite book was "To Kill a Mockingbird", and favorite companion was her dog Clarabelle. I would urge anyone interested to go to SFGATE.com and read her story.

I wanted to dedicate this blog to her because I remember being so touched by her story five years ago but of course as we all do, thought this can never happen to me. Well surprise, surprise it did happen to me and even though it was a different kind of cancer it still happens to some of us who least expect it.

After I was diagnosed I went back and read her story again. I had always wondered how she was doing and prayed for the best. In re-reading her story I became stronger, more resilient. Who would ever have thought five years later she would again be an inspiration to me.

For me, reading of her struggle gave me the strength to go on with my own. I am so grateful to her for opening up her private life and letting us all know how it feels to be stricken with a devastating diagnosis.

I will close with one of my favorite quotes, unfortunately I do not know who wrote it.

This day is remembered and quietly kept. No words are needed, we will
never forget. For those we love don't go away, they walk among us everyday.
Unseen, unheard but always near. So loved, so missed so very dear.


-Author Unknown


Celeste

Fearless

Cancer has made me fearless! No longer do I shy away from questions about my illness. I now lend my name to the causes that were my lifesavers. I speak out and want to be part of all the things that help cancer patients, their families and us survivors.

Cancer has done me a huge favor. I am now re-centered and have found my true purpose. I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most amazing women. Women committed to making the lives of others better and taking in every breath and sight with a new resolve to receive every essence life has to offer.

Life has become a vividly painted canvas and I now see things so much more deeply than before when life was so much easier. I live in the moment and a simple conversation with a stranger has become an interesting quest for knowledge. The stories of their journey's and their triumphs fill my heart and I am no longer in such a rush to go nowhere.

There is a great freedom in feeling fearless. I now make the statement and ask the question without feeling self-conscious. I no longer fear being thought of as being too familiar or asking too many questions.

I am here to be present and to assist in anyway I can those who need my help. I don't wait to be asked, I offer. I am truly fearless.

Celeste