Strength for Shannon
Donation protected
So this is my first attempt at setting up a fund raiser so please bare with me. Im good at babbling... So my guess is Id be capable of telling you a story as well.
On Monday July 6th I was at work. I seen a missed call from my mom. Just figuring she "butt dialed" me, I didnt think anything of it. Then something didnt sit right. I stepped off my nursing unit, heading into the med room to make a return call. "Stacey!" My mom said timidly". There is no right way to tell you this, so Im just going to say it. Shannon has breast cancer.....!"
Shannon is my big sister. Well she is about 11 months older than me is what I mean. Her boobies are bigger, but she is shorter... wait does that make me the big sister? Growing up, we fought just like any normal sibling does. As we proceeded through life, we had our ups, our downs, and our ups. We always were in competition.... whether it came to who could dance better, who could play softball better, or who got more attention however we got it, who got into the shower first, who sat at the coolest seat on the bus first. Who got the remote first, who got to dive off the diving board first, who got to blow out the candle first. I mean our birthdays were so close, we often had to share a cake. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.
It was relentless! Just ask my mom... (snort, giggle, honk, snort.... giggle)
So my sister never knew this, but I always envied her. I thought I hated her, but looking back it was acceptance that I desired.... just pure envy! So this was my thought process as an insecure kid growing into that weird teenage stage...
Shannon was always stronger and Shannon had the perfect skin, ...what I would give to take her place!
Shannon was so popular, good at sports, and always had cute boyfriends, ...gosh only if I could take her place!
Shannon had what I thought was the perfect body, always dressed well, knew how to put on makeup, and damn it she was just so confident, ... God why couldnt you let me take Shannon's place!
There was a time that I couldnt stand my sister. There was a time that I said, if I got married I wouldnt want her there. There was a time, when I thought all hope went right out the back door! But hey it didnt matter, because I couldnt stand her anyway... so rational right?
Shannon went into the Army right out of high school. They tought her respect and disipline like no other. Shannon came home a completely different human being. She came home to my shaved off eyebrows... yeah, nevermind, a phase where I thought it would be a cool idea to pluck. I screwed up ... nevermind, I just shaved them. Anyway.... shannon was scared "something is wrong with your face" she said!. Anyway She worked her butt off, several jobs at times... whatever it took, Shannon did it. Shannon raised her son, leaned on the family when needed... to give him the best oppourtunity possible.
About 15 years ago she met a great guy. He came with 3 kids, she had 1... and they since have had 2. Gosh ... I think my sister just raised half of a football team! While Her and her husband were raising their family they managed to open a plumbing business, moved 3 times to accomodate their growing family, have a bunch of animals, throw the best bbq's, be parents you only wished you had, be the cool house for all the kids' friends to be at, do fun stuff for the kids, pulled themselves out of debt... Holy moly! What I would give to take Shannons place!
In the midst of all of that craziness, Shannon decided she was going to school to become a nurse. She started about 7 years ago I think... dont hold me to it! Class by class by class.... slowly made her way... through nursing torture... over the course of about 5 years. Shannon overtook the bedroom... just ask her family! In her bedroom... lets just say it beacme a nursing fortress. From a 6 foot folding table loaded with books, schedules of tests, post its for the "do not forgets"! Anyone that has endured nursing school, I know you know exactly what Im talking about. You have no life of your own as soon as you get that acceptance letter. So now back to her bedroom... sorry for the digress. So to the left of that table, was a bathroom... a tiny little bathroom. In that bathroom... there was a sink, a toilet, and a shower just like any normal bathroom. Now Im about to give you a peice of Shannons mindset... that she was going to accomplish nursing school with not only determination.... but with avengence. You were either a part of her task, or you sat outside waiting to come back in! In that tiny little bathroom... there was a fridge and a kuerig maker. The family soon learned, when the bedroom door was shut... it was a no entry zone. The intensity of that rule... was more like a no fly zone over the white house! Shannon skipped out on family functions to study. Shannon forwent down time with her family, knowing her hard work was for the benefit of the family. Shannon left early from holidays for nursing school work... just pure dedication!
Shannon now works as an oncology infusion nurse. She works for this cool guy name Dr Sood. Dr sood.... Ive never met you, but id like to. As soon as my big sister told me you were "driving the train" in saving her life.... I knew that I wanted to hug you. If that ever happens, I will apologize in advance for the tears and snot that end up on your left shoulder!
Both being nurses, we now and again will talk about our experience. I do long term care in Manchester NH, and she works in a little town called Dunkirk NY. So it goes without saying...what she does day in and day out is so different than what I do day in and day out. She has come so far, has learned so much, has gained the respect of her peers, and the love of her patients that have been afflicted with life altering cancer.
So back in December of 2014 shannon did a breast self exam. Her boobies are bigger than my entire body, so Id imagine it took her all gosh darn day! ( I wouldnt be my dorky self if I didnt squeeze that in there). Snort, giggle, honk, giggle Seriously though.... Im maybe a B. Oh my sister Shannon... Yeah I think she registers somewhere on the other end of the alphabet! Anyway... enough about boobies... back to my story!
I mean i once got a Christmas card from her that went something like this "I was going to get you a living bra for Christmas. But I couldnt, that would be inhumane... cause it would starve to death in 2 days flat. God I kill myself! BAHAHAHAHA.!!! With love, Your favorite sister Shannon"... It goes without saying i couldnt help but laugh, but I didnt like her very much that day. My comeback now is "When we are old, at least I wont be tucking my nips into my ankle socks!" (snort, giggle,honk, giggle)
So anyway.... back to last winter! They pretty much told her the "girls"were too big, and they shipped her up to Windsong Breast Center near Buffalo NY for a 3D mammogram. So long and short that led to a 6 month followup a couple weeks ago.
Shannon has been diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3. Not that anyone deserves cancer, but my sister is only 38 years old. I mean why not one that isnt married and doesnt have kids? That doesnt seem quite fair to me.... She has a scary insight as to what is about to ensue, as she sees her sick patients everyday. The pain, the illness, the skin changes, the hair loss, the appetite loss, the weight loss, the endless appointments... Not to forget that lost look in their eyes, the attempts at smiles, the crying families, gosh.... they all might as well be wearing superhero outfits in my opinon. If that were me... Id rock under roos again! Yeah, remember under roos.... yes... Stacey Rae doesnt have the last name of Thrasher for nothing you know!
Shannon has been really strong through this all so far. She said the hardest part so far has been initially hearing "you have breast cancer". Since that day she has said the hardest part... has not been telling her story to concerned friends and or family. Rather that she is now the cause of making them feel bad or making them cry. I mean who says that? She has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and she is more worried about making someone else feel bad! That pretty much makes her a weirdo in my book. Weirdo or not... I knew I needed to put my big girl pants on! I mean If you knew Shannon, you would understand... She is just a throw up your hands and enjoy the ups of the ride, not the downs. And not to be outdone by the cold Mich Ultra that would probably be in her hand. I mean her proudest accompishment at that point would be that she didnt spill the beer while on the ride! Shit .. that would be alcohol abuse and all:-)
So this is what I understand... Nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes. After that its all perception in my opinion. A situation is not bad or good, its how you choose to handle it, that makes it bad or good. I have no understanding what my sister is about to go through. I have no concept what Shannon's husband must think about when its quiet and he's in his own thoughts. I wish I was there to pass out tissues so you dont get boogers on the floor... cause that would be gross! I would imagine with appointments, surgery, radiation, possible chemotherapy, and having to be out of work at times.... that my sisters' finances are probably going to get out of hand really quick.
I am hoping and praying for my sister to have a really long life to be there for our family, her husband, and most mportant of all is the continuous task of being a mom to 6 really great kids. I also am aware that not everyones situation turns out with smiles. Shannon and I talked about this. As im trying to not cry with her on the phone... we are having a very real conversation about the uncertainty that comes with cancer. Shannon responds with "well yes, Im scared... but I have alot of people depending on me so I dont have a choice, I cannot throw in the towel". A couple minutes later she follows with this "well If i die I dont want a funeral.. just a really big party. And if I catch any of you crying at that party Im going to trip you when you least expect it!"
So this is my story... I think my sister is a rockstar. I think my sister is strong. I think my sister is amazing. Maybe Ill be a great mom someday, just like my sister. Maybe ill be blessed someday and find someone I love enough to marry, just like my sister. No sister grows up into adulthood, and thinks they are going possibly loose their sister.
My sister has breast cancer
...what I would give to take her place!
...gosh only if I could take her place!
... God why couldnt you let me take Shannon's place!
What I would give to take Shannons place!
I know that I cant take her place, all I can do is try to help her... in her place. So this is my attempt. I hoping that you read this. I hope I have helped you feel the respect, love and empathy I have for my big sister. If I have accomplished that, I will now thank you from the deepest place in my heart for your donation.
Sincerely with smiles,
Stacey Rae Thrasher
On Monday July 6th I was at work. I seen a missed call from my mom. Just figuring she "butt dialed" me, I didnt think anything of it. Then something didnt sit right. I stepped off my nursing unit, heading into the med room to make a return call. "Stacey!" My mom said timidly". There is no right way to tell you this, so Im just going to say it. Shannon has breast cancer.....!"
Shannon is my big sister. Well she is about 11 months older than me is what I mean. Her boobies are bigger, but she is shorter... wait does that make me the big sister? Growing up, we fought just like any normal sibling does. As we proceeded through life, we had our ups, our downs, and our ups. We always were in competition.... whether it came to who could dance better, who could play softball better, or who got more attention however we got it, who got into the shower first, who sat at the coolest seat on the bus first. Who got the remote first, who got to dive off the diving board first, who got to blow out the candle first. I mean our birthdays were so close, we often had to share a cake. I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture.
It was relentless! Just ask my mom... (snort, giggle, honk, snort.... giggle)
So my sister never knew this, but I always envied her. I thought I hated her, but looking back it was acceptance that I desired.... just pure envy! So this was my thought process as an insecure kid growing into that weird teenage stage...
Shannon was always stronger and Shannon had the perfect skin, ...what I would give to take her place!
Shannon was so popular, good at sports, and always had cute boyfriends, ...gosh only if I could take her place!
Shannon had what I thought was the perfect body, always dressed well, knew how to put on makeup, and damn it she was just so confident, ... God why couldnt you let me take Shannon's place!
There was a time that I couldnt stand my sister. There was a time that I said, if I got married I wouldnt want her there. There was a time, when I thought all hope went right out the back door! But hey it didnt matter, because I couldnt stand her anyway... so rational right?
Shannon went into the Army right out of high school. They tought her respect and disipline like no other. Shannon came home a completely different human being. She came home to my shaved off eyebrows... yeah, nevermind, a phase where I thought it would be a cool idea to pluck. I screwed up ... nevermind, I just shaved them. Anyway.... shannon was scared "something is wrong with your face" she said!. Anyway She worked her butt off, several jobs at times... whatever it took, Shannon did it. Shannon raised her son, leaned on the family when needed... to give him the best oppourtunity possible.
About 15 years ago she met a great guy. He came with 3 kids, she had 1... and they since have had 2. Gosh ... I think my sister just raised half of a football team! While Her and her husband were raising their family they managed to open a plumbing business, moved 3 times to accomodate their growing family, have a bunch of animals, throw the best bbq's, be parents you only wished you had, be the cool house for all the kids' friends to be at, do fun stuff for the kids, pulled themselves out of debt... Holy moly! What I would give to take Shannons place!
In the midst of all of that craziness, Shannon decided she was going to school to become a nurse. She started about 7 years ago I think... dont hold me to it! Class by class by class.... slowly made her way... through nursing torture... over the course of about 5 years. Shannon overtook the bedroom... just ask her family! In her bedroom... lets just say it beacme a nursing fortress. From a 6 foot folding table loaded with books, schedules of tests, post its for the "do not forgets"! Anyone that has endured nursing school, I know you know exactly what Im talking about. You have no life of your own as soon as you get that acceptance letter. So now back to her bedroom... sorry for the digress. So to the left of that table, was a bathroom... a tiny little bathroom. In that bathroom... there was a sink, a toilet, and a shower just like any normal bathroom. Now Im about to give you a peice of Shannons mindset... that she was going to accomplish nursing school with not only determination.... but with avengence. You were either a part of her task, or you sat outside waiting to come back in! In that tiny little bathroom... there was a fridge and a kuerig maker. The family soon learned, when the bedroom door was shut... it was a no entry zone. The intensity of that rule... was more like a no fly zone over the white house! Shannon skipped out on family functions to study. Shannon forwent down time with her family, knowing her hard work was for the benefit of the family. Shannon left early from holidays for nursing school work... just pure dedication!
Shannon now works as an oncology infusion nurse. She works for this cool guy name Dr Sood. Dr sood.... Ive never met you, but id like to. As soon as my big sister told me you were "driving the train" in saving her life.... I knew that I wanted to hug you. If that ever happens, I will apologize in advance for the tears and snot that end up on your left shoulder!
Both being nurses, we now and again will talk about our experience. I do long term care in Manchester NH, and she works in a little town called Dunkirk NY. So it goes without saying...what she does day in and day out is so different than what I do day in and day out. She has come so far, has learned so much, has gained the respect of her peers, and the love of her patients that have been afflicted with life altering cancer.
So back in December of 2014 shannon did a breast self exam. Her boobies are bigger than my entire body, so Id imagine it took her all gosh darn day! ( I wouldnt be my dorky self if I didnt squeeze that in there). Snort, giggle, honk, giggle Seriously though.... Im maybe a B. Oh my sister Shannon... Yeah I think she registers somewhere on the other end of the alphabet! Anyway... enough about boobies... back to my story!
I mean i once got a Christmas card from her that went something like this "I was going to get you a living bra for Christmas. But I couldnt, that would be inhumane... cause it would starve to death in 2 days flat. God I kill myself! BAHAHAHAHA.!!! With love, Your favorite sister Shannon"... It goes without saying i couldnt help but laugh, but I didnt like her very much that day. My comeback now is "When we are old, at least I wont be tucking my nips into my ankle socks!" (snort, giggle,honk, giggle)
So anyway.... back to last winter! They pretty much told her the "girls"were too big, and they shipped her up to Windsong Breast Center near Buffalo NY for a 3D mammogram. So long and short that led to a 6 month followup a couple weeks ago.
Shannon has been diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 3. Not that anyone deserves cancer, but my sister is only 38 years old. I mean why not one that isnt married and doesnt have kids? That doesnt seem quite fair to me.... She has a scary insight as to what is about to ensue, as she sees her sick patients everyday. The pain, the illness, the skin changes, the hair loss, the appetite loss, the weight loss, the endless appointments... Not to forget that lost look in their eyes, the attempts at smiles, the crying families, gosh.... they all might as well be wearing superhero outfits in my opinon. If that were me... Id rock under roos again! Yeah, remember under roos.... yes... Stacey Rae doesnt have the last name of Thrasher for nothing you know!
Shannon has been really strong through this all so far. She said the hardest part so far has been initially hearing "you have breast cancer". Since that day she has said the hardest part... has not been telling her story to concerned friends and or family. Rather that she is now the cause of making them feel bad or making them cry. I mean who says that? She has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and she is more worried about making someone else feel bad! That pretty much makes her a weirdo in my book. Weirdo or not... I knew I needed to put my big girl pants on! I mean If you knew Shannon, you would understand... She is just a throw up your hands and enjoy the ups of the ride, not the downs. And not to be outdone by the cold Mich Ultra that would probably be in her hand. I mean her proudest accompishment at that point would be that she didnt spill the beer while on the ride! Shit .. that would be alcohol abuse and all:-)
So this is what I understand... Nothing in life is certain except for death and taxes. After that its all perception in my opinion. A situation is not bad or good, its how you choose to handle it, that makes it bad or good. I have no understanding what my sister is about to go through. I have no concept what Shannon's husband must think about when its quiet and he's in his own thoughts. I wish I was there to pass out tissues so you dont get boogers on the floor... cause that would be gross! I would imagine with appointments, surgery, radiation, possible chemotherapy, and having to be out of work at times.... that my sisters' finances are probably going to get out of hand really quick.
I am hoping and praying for my sister to have a really long life to be there for our family, her husband, and most mportant of all is the continuous task of being a mom to 6 really great kids. I also am aware that not everyones situation turns out with smiles. Shannon and I talked about this. As im trying to not cry with her on the phone... we are having a very real conversation about the uncertainty that comes with cancer. Shannon responds with "well yes, Im scared... but I have alot of people depending on me so I dont have a choice, I cannot throw in the towel". A couple minutes later she follows with this "well If i die I dont want a funeral.. just a really big party. And if I catch any of you crying at that party Im going to trip you when you least expect it!"
So this is my story... I think my sister is a rockstar. I think my sister is strong. I think my sister is amazing. Maybe Ill be a great mom someday, just like my sister. Maybe ill be blessed someday and find someone I love enough to marry, just like my sister. No sister grows up into adulthood, and thinks they are going possibly loose their sister.
My sister has breast cancer
...what I would give to take her place!
...gosh only if I could take her place!
... God why couldnt you let me take Shannon's place!
What I would give to take Shannons place!
I know that I cant take her place, all I can do is try to help her... in her place. So this is my attempt. I hoping that you read this. I hope I have helped you feel the respect, love and empathy I have for my big sister. If I have accomplished that, I will now thank you from the deepest place in my heart for your donation.
Sincerely with smiles,
Stacey Rae Thrasher
Organizer and beneficiary
Stacey Rae Thrasher
Organizer
Manchester, NH
Shannon Glavey
Beneficiary