What Cancer Gave To Me

Lisa Willman

Almost 3 years has gone by since my diagnosis and six months since the article in the Independent ran and my life keeps getting better.

I continue with check-ups and blood work every six months and the anxiety of going through that will always be there but as I near that all-important “3 years out” marker, my anxiety has lessened.

My three girls are now 10 ½, 8 and almost 7 and are active as any kids are at that age.  I feel so very fortunate to be able to enjoy their activities and now be an active participant.  While going through treatment, one of the hardest things was not being able to go to some of the games and witness their accomplishments as I wasn’t feeling well.  They have their Mom back at full-speed and hopefully they are enjoying that as much as I am.

I have started a new position as Operations and Marketing Director for the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce as of November, 2008 and the excitement of taking on a new challenge is a true rush.  Working with getting our community ready for the 2010 arrival of the State Fair is a challenge that I truly relish and look forward to accomplishing.

My mission and dream of getting the GRACE Foundation up and running has now become a reality.  Our first major fundraiser this past October was extremely successful and we are now set up with the Grand Island Community Foundation so that people can donate to GRACE and have it be tax-deductible.  We are already planning this year’s “Dance with the Stars” event to be held on October 24, 2009 at the Midtown Holiday Inn.

I highlighted in the original article that I was grateful for the diagnosis as I believe that it gave me a greater appreciation of life and a greater love of those around me.  I still honestly feel that way and think we all need a “wake up” call every once in awhile which is what the diagnosis was for me.  I would love not to be on the hormones anymore, not to have aged 10 years during the process and so much more but truly feel that overall, the experience was positive.  I have been truly blessed in what God has given me and I hope to never forget that feeling of gratitude.  The whole cancer series in the Independent was also a gift as it enlightened not only me but many others in Grand Island and the surrounding community about so many other people’s journeys.  George, Scott and the whole crew deserve accolades for bringing the series to fruition.