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My “One”

Updated on 33 Comments on My “One”

Breast cancer hits too close to home for too many people. We all have that “one” special woman in our world who has experienced breast cancer, or who we want to protect from breast cancer. My “one”, the person I would never want to experience breast cancer, and want to protect at any cost, is my beautiful daughter and best friend, Elise.

My pregnancy with Elise was high risk. She was a very sick baby in utero and it took a team of medical experts to usher her into this world. From the onset I made countless trips to specialists and spent many nights in the hospital, counting the precious days, hours and minutes until her arrival. Her birth was without a doubt a precious gift, a gift that keeps on giving today! She brought with her a measure of grace, patience and wisdom beyond her tiny being, a gift she continues to effortlessly share with others.   Many times, past and present, I look to her example to lead me through difficult experiences. We have been fast friends, seemingly forever.

I have a history of dense fibrous breast tissue and cystic breast disease.  When Elise was less than a year old, I underwent my first breast biopsy. The agony of waiting to get results created a great deal of stress, mainly worrying if I had breast cancer, and would I live long enough to see my baby grow up? Since then, I have undergone two more biopsies.  Thankfully, today, diagnostic tools are refined to more accurately diagnose dense and cystic breasts.  I am so grateful this advanced technology is now available to me and to Elise, creating more time for being silly rather than stressing about tests.  Being silly never felt so good! It’s never a dull moment when we are together!

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 20-59 in the United States.  Fortunately, Susan G. Komen has been on the front lines in the fight against breast cancer since 1982.  From early screening, to support for patients coping with the disease, to working to find critical breakthroughs in breast cancer, this non-profit organization is helping fight breast cancer along all stages. The new goal for Susan G. Komen is to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the United States by 2026.

I feel fortunate for Elise’s future, and all the special loved “ones” we hold dear to our hearts. A world with less breast cancer is indeed something to look forward to! I treasure each and every minute I have with Elise and it is my ardent wish that one day, all of our special “ones” will be protected with a cure.

Please visit Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer to learn how Susan G. Komen is on the front lines of the fight, and share the story of your “one.”

I am happy to be a #susangkomen_partner.  Thank you to Susan G. Komen for kindly sponsoring this post.  All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.

Barbie Holmes

I am a midlife woman embracing change and challenge, digging deep, walking through fear and anxiety in a discovery of what truly lights up my life. I am making new connections and friendships with my wonderful husband, Big Rich, by my side. We are ALL IN for a stellar third act in this play called LIFE! Please join me in my journey, maybe you'll be inspired to make a change and try something new! Much love, Barbie xo

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33 Comments

  1. I have had the privilege of watching my lovely wife and her daughter grow together. The bond they share is quite special and I am happy Barbara chose this forum and the Susan G. Komen organization to discuss the difficult issues involving breast cancer and cancer awareness. Her story touches your heart strings as you reflect in your own lives the many people you know that have been impacted by breast cancer. I am hopeful that her story will inspire those reading it to become involved in this great movement and help those afflicted with this horrible disease. Thank you my love for this heart rendering, open and honest story of the bond between mother and daughter.

    1. Awww….talk about heartstrings tugging! We are very blessed to have such a support, positive male role model (hubby and step-dad) in our world. Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments and your continued unconditional love and support in standing with us in the fight against breast cancer.

  3. Awww, Leesie Lou, I love you, too!! You’re my “one” that completes “team us”!!!
    😘 ❤️xoxo

  4. Oh Barbie! This is near and dear to my heart, for it’s part of our story too. My mom is a breast cancer survivor. I so appreciate the heart with which you wrote this beautiful post! And your daughter looks and sounds a lot like her beautiful Mama! Standing up with you!

    1. Oh, Amy, how you must know this struggle in real life! Thank you for your kind words. I pray a cure is found in our lifetime. We stand together!! xoxo

  6. I really feel the bond you two have, so very special. We are so blessed to have our “ones” or “threes” in my case and I am so very grateful that we have access to breast screening and early detection. We are blessed 😊

    1. Aren’t we blessed, Karen? Our daughters have access to cutting edge technology in early detection. I pray there is a cure found soon! Much love to you and your “three”! xxxx

  7. Early breast cancer detection is so important. Great to know better diagnostic tools are available to you and your daughter. Lovely story about your “one”.

    1. Right? We are getting closer to fewer related deaths through fine-tuned diagnostic tools. Thank you for your comments!

    1. Thank you for reading, Lynn! Please feel free to visit the Susan G. Komen links and see how the organization is fighting on the frontlines. xo

  9. Barbie, this was such a fantastic post! It hits close to home as my mom is a breast cancer survivor. Such a fan of the great work the Susan G Komen group is doing!

  10. Hi Barbie I’m passionate about breast cancer awareness having lost my Mum to this disease back in 1986. Thank you for highlighting this topic which sometimes I think many women take for granted. Self-examination and regular screening are so important. You have a beautiful daughter and obviously a beautiful relationship with her. Thanks for joining us at #MLSTL and highlighting a cause close to my heart. xx

    1. Hi Sue,
      Thank you very much for sharing how near and dear this cause is to your heart. I am happy to be a part of # MLSTL and having the opportunity to share the importance of breast cancer awareness with your group. And, thank you for your kind words. I am blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with my “one”. xx

  11. Such a sweet bond you have with your daughter…beautiful tribute! You are both blessed!

    1. Thank you very much for reading and commenting, Geri! I do feel very blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with my daughter, my “one”! xo

  12. What a great way to think about this! I had a similar experience when my children were very young. I had a biopsy and I understand the emotions associated with waiting and wondering if you will be around to watch your children grow up… to be there for them. Fortunately, all was good for my situation as well. My step mom had breast cancer and has been cancer free. This is a good reminder for all of us to stand behind the work being done for additional research and treatment options. Thank you for your this great post!

    1. Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for reading the blog and commenting. Indeed, it is always an anxious time waiting for biopsy results. I am happy to hear your Step-Mom is cancer free! Yes, we must remain strong and in solidarity in supporting the efforts of those such as Susan G. Komen in the fight to find a cure! xoxo

  13. I loved your Mother/Daughter photos – beautiful women who obviously love each other deeply. You’re so right about the legacy of breast cancer and being vigilant. I’ve been fortunate not to lose any loved ones to it, but I’ve had friends who’ve battled through and survived. I’m very grateful for the diagnostic tools we have these days.
    Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 🙂

    1. Hi Leanne, Thank you very much for reading and for your kind words. Self-examination and screening are essentials in early detection. As you say, we need to be vigilant. Thank you for sharing on your SM! Cheers! xx

  14. I think we all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Thank goodness there are huge inroads being made into early detection which is vital. Thank you for sharing this x

    1. Thank you for your comment, Hilda. I agree, early detection is crucial in saving lives. xx

  15. Almost every woman in my husbands family has fought breast cancer. So far, only one has lost the fight out of 6. I will keep walking the walks and doing what I can to raise money to kick this disease. It’s hurt way too many of my family!!! ((Hugs)) to you both!!

    1. Oh my goodness, Lisa, so many in one family! We need to stand together in the goal to find a cure. Early detection is key and today saves many more lives than in the past. Hugs to you, too! Thank you for reading and commenting! xo

  16. As a breast cancer survivor twice over, I am here to tell you early detection is the key. The first time the cancer cells appeared on a mammogram, they were the tiny size of rice grains. The second time I had breast cancer, I have the brca 1 mutated gene. Both my daughters have the mutation as well. Both girls are at a high risk for breast cancer. But only one daughter can be checked every 6 months with mammograms and an MRI alternately because she carries a good insurance. The other daughter can only get a mammogram because her Medicaid insurance in Alabama does not cover an MRI which is a superior test for breast cancer detection.

    I have called the Susan G. Komen fund for assistance but was unsuccessful in getting monetary help for consistent medical care of my needy daughter.

    1. Hi Nancy, I know you are a champion breast cancer survivor!! I am very sorry to hear one of your daughters is unable to receive proper diagnostic tools. Coming from Canada I cannot wrap my head around the lack of universal healthcare for women’s health in the U.S. I am disappointed to hear that you have not had luck securing funds from the SGK org. I hope you continue to plead your case (squeaky wheel) in making your voice heard and your needs met. Sending love and hugs to you and your girls! xoxo

  17. Thank you for sharing your story, Barbie! You have a beautiful “One” and I’m glad we all have the medical technology we do so we can live long happy lives with our Ones!

    1. Oh, Loretta! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with Elise. I am very grateful for today’s imaging technology in early diagnosis. A world with less breast cancer is a very good thing!

  18. I can so identify with the fear and uncertainty involved when going through biopsies due to cysts picked up on via mammography! I’ve had two such biopsies over the past several years, and both times it was pretty anxiety-provoking to consider the possibilities while awaiting results. Thankfully, all was well! Although I’m fortunate not to have breast cancer in my family history, I know that any of us are susceptible to potentially facing such a diagnosis, so I’m grateful for the progress in both diagnosis and treatments. It will be a wonderful thing when continued developments lead to greatly reducing (or even eliminating) deaths from breast cancer.

    1. Oh, Lauren, the anxiety of awaiting biopsy results is agonizing!! I too wish for the day there are far fewer cases of breast cancer and ultimately a cure once and for all! Thank you for reading the blog and for your comments! Barbie xx

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