Who are the Pink Warriors?
warrior [wawr-ee-er, wawr-yer, wor-ee-er, wor-yer]
noun (source dictionary.com)
- a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier.
- a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in politics or athletics.
Our definition of warrior: Gloria Marianne Dow (Marianne). She did not choose to go to war with breast cancer at the age of 59, it chose her. She has only been fighting for a few months, but she is winning battle after battle against the enemy. She has stared death in the face and fought back. She has more courage and vigor than anyone we have ever met. She is a PINK WARRIOR. We will CHOOSE to stand beside her and be a PINK WARRIOR. We are committed to fighting the war on breast cancer. We will fight for a cure so she, as well as many other brave women, can win their battles.
Marianne's battle officially began on December 2nd, 2011. That afternoon, we were told devastating news; she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer that has metastasized to her lungs and bones. Over the next few days, we were paralyzed with shock and fear of what was to come, but really we had no idea of what really was to come. On December 12th, she was admitted to the hospital and the unimaginable happened. The cancer had taken over her lungs (in 2 short weeks) leaving only a tiny airway the size of a drinking straw open to breathe. We were told she only had a few days to live. Months later, she is still here! To us, she is the ultimate fighter...a PINK WARRIOR! She was tired, run down, gasping for breath but she was not ready to give up the fight. She fought back with a vengeance! Each day is a challenge for her; going to doctor appointments, getting blood work, 5 days a week of physical therapy and occupational therapy, receiving chemo weekly, and taking antibiotics to fight a staph infection that has taken residence in her bone. Yet, each day she wakes up with a positive attitude ready and willing to accept the next challenge.
I had written this piece in February 2012. Since then too much has happened to even begin to describe. It is devastating for me to report that my mom, Gloria Marianne Dow, passed away November 6, 2012 in my/our home with my brother and I by her side. She ultimately lost the war, but we knew that final day would eventually come. She fought longer and harder than most people in this situation. Although she had many bad days, she overcame them with the good days. She fought an AMAZING courageous battle. I am proud of everything she accomplished, not only in the 11 months of fighting against the cancer bitch, but in her short life on earth. She is the ultimate warrior and for that I will forever be her PINK WARRIOR. In honor on my mom, please join us in the battle against breast cancer.
