No matter what it is, you're going to have the bad days, but if you have hope throughout, you won, no matter what the results...Life is so beautiful. - Diem Brown
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| Diem Brown |
Back in the day I used to watch these shows and do remember Diem Brown most of all because of her battle with cancer. Even when I stopped watching the shows, I kept up with Diem. She started MedGift - a website that provides support pages to those dealing with a medical crisis or illness. She beat cancer, then the cancer came back, she beat it again, it came back.
Diem lost her final battle against cancer today. She was only 32 years old.
There are two things I take away from this news story. The first is timely, as only this morning I went to get a pap smear done. No woman likes doing a pap smear. Pap smears suck. It is generally recommended that you get a pap smear every 3 years. I actually did one last year, but as part of my annual company medical I needed to do one again today. During our discussion about my personal health care management, the doctor commended me for my regular smear tests over the years. He said he speaks to his patients ad nauseum to do their pap smears and most never do. Pap smears can help doctors identify any cervical cell changes (dysplasia), treat them, thus reducing your risk for cervical cancer and the risk for abnormal cell changes (WebMD).
How many of us also do regular breast exams - whether it is self examinations or at the doctor's? While we cannot predict what happens to us most times, listening to the doctor this morning made me aware that even in the areas where we can be proactive, many women are not. This was scary to me.
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| Life is beautiful! Get tested! Be aware! |
Secondly, the quote at the top of this post - a quote from an interview Diem did with People magazine.
Life is so beautiful.
A 32 year old woman is no longer walking this earth. She had so many dreams. She wanted to be a mother. She wanted the house, with the picket fence - all those things we dream about. She will nvere do or have those things now.
What are your dreams and are you living them, or working towards them? Are you scared of taking the next step towards that dream? It is okay to admit it because many of us are in that space or have been in that space. The tragedy is staying in that space.
Life is so beautiful.
Enjoy today and every day. The moments - simple and not so simple. The people in your life, those who love you and cherish you and vice versa. Diem Brown -
She dreamed of experiencing everyday pleasures, like apple picking in the fall, but more than anything, she said, she just wanted to live.
The news of Diem's death affected me deeply, too, and I think it's because she was such a staple for years growing up watching all of those RW/RR challenges. I am just so devastated for her that she had battled cancer on and off for nine whole years. Nine years of her young 32 years on this earth. Seems so unfair, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteBut it is a reminder to live madly and deeply. XOXO and hope you have a great weekend, Trini. Thanks for a beautiful reminder.
Charlotte, I loved how she used her "fame" to raise awareness and help others and she really showed true grit in her short life. A real inspiration so I was really really saddened to learn she had died. She lived a full and beautiful life. May she rest in peace.
DeleteAnyone who is taken at such an early age is a loss, with this horrific disease. She made an impact on many lives, and yes I will go and do my test this year after reading your post. No eye rolling, haven't been in a while, but I will make the appointment! URGH!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I encouraged one woman to do the test, then I would have succeeded, Ray! :-)
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