Motivation and Support

Jackie Francke

As I write this fourth and final article, I am sitting in the infusion room of the cancer center receiving my fourth chemotherapy treatment and reflecting on my journey so far.

In the last four weeks of writing these articles, I received many e-mails, cards, and phone calls from friends and readers. I received heartfelt thoughts and words from people who have shared with me their personal experiences that helped them through their journeys as cancer affected their lives.

For this I am thankful. Sharing information and personal experiences with breast cancer helps others and me with our journeys.

In the previous three articles, I focused on personal thoughts, routines, and daily reflections that contribute to strengthening my mind, body, and spirit as I move through the chemotherapy phase in my battle against breast cancer. So in this last and final article it is my goal to share what has motivated, inspired, and lifted me up in my journey so far.

When I began on March 3, 2009, the day I was diagnosed, I was determined to battle breast cancer on my own terms, in my own way, and in my usual unyielding, resistant manner, but I have found that this disease has a mind of its own. It requires constant vigilance, attention, and management.

Force of mind and spirit are required to overcome the extreme stress on the body of a cancer patient. When I began on this journey I recall my doctor asking if I had a strong support network. Of course my response was yes, but in the back of my mind I thought it would be not be necessary.

While I realize the journey of each cancer patient is different, I have realized what an important role a support network can play in overcoming the challenging times and I have found much strength in all the motivating, encouraging words and kind deeds of many family and friends.

This is a disease that not only affects the cancer patient and her immediate family, but also affects extended and distant family members. It is a disease that impacts friendships, communities, business partners, and colleagues. It is one that moves people to take action.

For me, it is these people, many of whom I have never met, that have motivated and inspired me on a daily basis with their words, thoughts, and wisdom. It has come in the form of short text messages, simple cards, phone calls, or short visits. It has also come from nearby friends joining me on my morning runs, homemade cookies, and invitations from business colleagues ready to assist me, and blankets and scarves to keep me warm.

It has come from my family who painted a pink-ribbon roadside sign in my honor.

All gestures, no matter how big or small, inspire, motivate, and lift up any breast cancer patient.

I have been inspired by many Native women who have traveled this path before me. They found the strength to persevere and overcome their battle with breast cancer.

I am inspired by my Pawnee sister who inspires me on a daily basis with her strength in overcoming life's challenges and words of wisdom and experience. I am appreciative for the heartfelt gesture of my Cheyenne-Arapahoe sister as she follows in my journey. I am inspired by my Osage sister who overcame her battle with breast cancer, full of strength, beauty, and determination whose words of wisdom motivate me to get up and run or walk even if just for a bit.

So as I sit here in my recliner taking in the fourth of six chemotherapy treatments, it is good to reflect and prepare once again for potential side effects the treatments might hold for me as they cumulate within my body.

I look around at other patients in the room and overhear the conversation and celebration as one woman describes to the nurse that she will be in tomorrow for her 32nd and final treatment.

I look to my left and see another woman with tears streaming down her cheeks due to some difficulty with her port, as the nurse tends to her. My heart reaches out to her as I ask her if she is OK, in an effort to consol her, knowing full well that I could be the same position at any time as we all battle a disease of uncertainty, but one that can be overcome with mind, spirit, and a strong support network.

As I continue my in battle against breast cancer with such a supportive network of friends, family, and other breast cancer survivors, I am hopeful of what lies ahead and find strength in overcoming the challenging days.

It is my hope that any woman who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, undergoing treatment, or ready to finish their journey, knows that they are not alone. It has been my goal in sharing my personal perspective in my daily challenges through these articles to create awareness, to motivate and encourage other Navajo women and their families in overcoming one of life's difficult challenges.

Tomorrow morning as the sun wakes me to new day, I look forward to another early morning run, which may require more walking than running, which is fine.

I have given my body permission to heal in its own way and to be mindful of the energy tides that will come and go, but knowing full well that it is the early morning prayers and gratefulness of each new day that strengthens my mind, body, and spirit in my battle against breast cancer with my family and friends at my side.

Francke  grew up in the Shiprock area and currently lives in Longmont, Colo. Her maternal clan is the Black Streak People and paternal clan is the One Who Walks Around One. She is a wife, mother, daughter, sister, engineer, and business owner.