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 Nicole Bottrell was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer
December 2013 and began treatments in January 2014. She says,
“Cancer has shown me how much I am loved. So many people did so many
things for me. It all started with my parents, who went to every
doctor appointment and made sure I took my medication on time. They
stood by my side through this whole ordeal and continue to stay by
my side.”
As the bills piled up, she says, “My co-workers at St. John’s
Hospital held a bake sale with the proceeds going toward my medical
bills. They also had a Hat Party for me and showered me with hats
and scarves for when I lost my hair.” Referring to the time of her
hair loss, Nicole says, “Brenda Humbert at Shear Perfection cut my
hair and all my wigs for free. She made me feel pretty when I needed
it the most.”
Nicole also received other types of support while undergoing
treatments. She states, “My sister-in-law, Tonya Turner, cleaned the
house while I got chemotherapy so I would come home to a dust free
home. I had several friends cook dinner for us every time I received
chemo or had doctor’s appointments because it usually was an all-day
event. I received letter after letter from family, friends, and even
complete strangers giving me words of encouragement or a joke to
make me laugh. I loved it the most when people would stop by to see
me because I didn’t have the energy or immune system to be out and
about.”
Additionally she says, “The thing that helped me the most through
this whole ordeal was the power of prayer. I couldn’t even count
people that prayed for me. It really does mean a lot to me that I am
in so many people’s prayers. This is just a very short list of what
people did for me.”
Nicole says, “I never knew how loved I was until I got cancer . . .
I would have never made it this far without my family and friends.”
Nancy Reese’s battle with breast cancer occurred in 1976 when she
38. She says, “At that time, my husband Wally and I, and our five
sons (who ranged in age from six months to 15 years) were living in
Springfield, Illinois.”
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Regarding her rare type of cancer, she says “recovery was
long and difficult—three weeks of radiation followed by 18
months of chemotherapy.” With her husband working, they needed
extra help during this time, so her mother stepped in. She
notes, “I am an only child and my mother was a widow. She
decided to take early retirement to help Wally and me through
this healing time and stayed with us until
I felt strong enough to take over household responsibilities.”
Her mother also took her to many of her appointments.
Like Nicole, Nancy had the support of friends as she “relied on
friendly neighbors to be babysitters while I continued therapy.”
Having been cancer free for over 35 years, she says, “I feel
very fortunate to have remained cancer free these many years
and, along with Barb Howe, I founded the Logan County Breast
Cancer Group which is still active today.”
As both of their stories show, the support of family and friends
is a vital part of the cancer journey. Both grateful survivors
see participation in and support of the Relay for Life as a way
for many more to join the ranks of friends and families who help
cancer victims emerge victoriously.
The relay will take place at Lincoln College beginning on Friday
evening at 6 p.m. on July 25 through 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
For more information call Tonita Reifsteck at 217-855-6145 or
look up
www.relayforlife.org
[By ANGELA REINERS]
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