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| Sally Imbrogno, a true fighter! |
I received the Fighting Pretty package you sent. WOW! What an
unexpected surprise! I am not quite sure where to start...
I am Sarah’s aunt and
one of the reasons she launched her "Sparkle My Head Scarves"
line (an amazing line of scarves made specifically for women battling cancer because they are comfortable AND beautiful). I am so very proud of her for taking an empowering
approach to paying it forward. One
thing I have learned about cancer; it takes enough in its path of destruction
but you don't have to let it take your
spirit.
I
was originally diagnosed with a rare form of Type B cell
lymphoblastic/lymphoma. I had a tumor at the base of my neck and went through surgery, chemo and radiation. My oldest son had just received orders to deploy to
Afghanistan and my youngest had just started
college! As a mother, I was bound and determined this wasn't taking me from my
boys. I didn't know until after I was cleared
that the survival rate was only 2%. I am not a big believer in statistics
because the human spirit doesn't work that way.
There
are miracles every day...
This fall
I was given a final clearance and was to released from oncology care this
May. I fell on ice in December and was having some lower back
issues. After several tests the doctors concluded (much to everyone's surprise) that
the cancer was back. This time its a little
different in that is in my bone marrow. So, we get to do round #2 it
seems.... At least I know where to get some great head scarves
this time!
I must tell you
the boxing gloves were such a HUGE deal to me. It was a reaffirmation sign that
I needed so much!
I was having dinner
with my boys one evening and trying to prepare them on how aggressive this
cancer is. I wanted them to know that we
need to prepare for the worst case scenario.
My oldest son looked at
me and said "Mom, you HAVE to fight!" I planned
on it, but I realized how scared they were. So, a few days later I found
some Facebook posts of Rocky Balboa
saying "My mom
hits harder than that" and "It doesn't matter how many times you get
knocked down, it matters how many times you get back up."
I posted those on his page and said I am "fighting back!"
The next week I donated my hair to Locks for Love and I wanted to
find some boxing gloves to take of picture of them for my profile
picture.....I couldn't find any gloves...
The following week I
was in the hospital having a really bad day and I turned the TV on.......it was a Rocky marathon! Now you can
understand why the gloves were such a big deal to me. It was such a positive
reinforcement for that God heard
me and knew I needed a sign so he did it in a big way! I am honored that you
would entrust them in my care.
Rest assured I plan to
be here to pass them to the next fighter.
Thank you so
very much for all the wonderful, thoughtful items and for reminding me that I
am a survivor too! Thank you again. You never know how you can touch someone else's life with the smallest gesture. The gloves are proof!
By Sally Imbrogno, an amazing mom, and a true fighter through and through!
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