November 28, 2021

Today’s story is about my beautiful cousin, Sabrina, or “Dina” as we’ve called her since we were kids.

Many of you don’t know that cousin Dina was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (ER+, PR+ HR2-) almost exactly a year before the date of my diagnosis.  Dina was diagnosed on 9/16/2020 and I was diagnosed on 9/23/2021.  Coincidence?  I think not, as I believe that God works in some mysterious ways and there is a reason why Dina was chosen to walk this path just a little bit ahead of me.

In the beginning, when Dina was diagnosed, I was her support system.  Sending inspirational notes, cards, and gifts.  I was the one having late-night conversations with her hearing about the chemo (AC and Taxol – just like mine) and surgery, reconstruction, and radiation.  I was the one helping her to think positively and be positive.

And then ……. the tables turned.

As I said before, almost exactly a year later, Dina is now the one supporting me with inspirational notes, cards, gifts, and positive thoughts.  Dina has been my own personal shepherd through all of this.  She has shared her experiences, and what worked or didn’t work.  Dina has even been kind enough to share her friends with me.  The same friends that supported her during this walk are now supporting me.

Dina and her husband are a multi-cultural religious family.  Her husband is Jewish and Sabrina was raised Methodist. They have chosen to raise their children as both so they are one of those families that celebrate Hanukka and Christmas – lucky kids, right?  Dina has my name on their church prayer list and on the prayer list at the Synagogue – we’ve laughed that I’m being covered in prayer by the Gentiles and the Jews.  I will take it!

During this past year, while Sabrina was fighting her battle, her father, my uncle,  Uncle Doug was also fighting his battle with cancer.  My Uncle Doug had a tumor removed from his stomach 5-6 years ago but this last year cancer returned and he chose not to do any treatments but to enjoy the time he had left – which we all respected.   

Mano and I were very close to my Uncle Doug and we visited often and enjoyed as much time with him as we could over this last year until his passing in April.  I would provide Dina with updates on our visits with her dad as she was not able to visit as much as she wanted to during his last months.   Sabrina thanks us for taking such great care of Uncle Doug, but thanks are never necessary when it comes to family.  Do y’all see now why she’s my angel?

Today, I wanted to share some photos and memories of our time with Uncle Doug and my beautiful cousin Sabrina aka Dina.  She is the real hero here.  Through her battle, she remained positive and continued to look ahead. Dina still continues to shepherd my way for me with advice and insight that she gained during her walk on this journey.

Dina and I say we don’t know why we both have breast cancer at the same time, but we do believe that there is a reason for us walking this journey together.  So my friends, when you say your prayers for me, will you please also lift up my cousin, Sabrina, in your prayers?  Sabrina still has another surgery coming next year (March timeframe) and as a family, in January we will have my Uncle Doug’s Celebration of Life ceremony.   I know that we are all excited to honor him and to also say a final farewell.

Thank you to my village for lifting Sabrina and me up in your prayers – we sure appreciate it! 

Happy Sunday Funday y’all!

Xo,

Tracy