Stories

Birch Negaard - Steer Wrestling

On Thanksgiving Day 1994 my mother Sherry died of breast cancer.

Her funeral was the Monday prior to my first NFR appearance. My wife Louise and I have a two year old dauther named in her honor - Sherry.

Since her death, I wear one of her earrings in my hat while competing. She was a great lady who was the ultimate rodeo mom.

Bob Tallman - Rodeo Announcer

My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 84 years old. She chose to have a complete masectomy and after a four day hospital stay was up and back at her job where she volunteers five days a week at a rest home and senoir citizen center in Nevada.

Two years later, at 86 years old, a lump was found in her remaining breast. Again, she chose a complete masectomy, and as before, she was back at work within a week. We recently celebrated her 90th birthday and her fourth year of being breast cancer free at a party attended by over 250 of her friends.

They all know her story and what an amazing woman she is as she continues to volunteer her time on a daily basis, lives alone with no assistance, and drives herself to her volunteer jobs. She remains a spokeswoman and champion to the breast cancer awareness program and is truly my hero.

Allen Bach - Team Roping

My mother got breast cancer in 1968 and went to Virgina Mason in Seattle, WA. At the time, we lived in Coulee City about 4 hours away. We went back and forth for radiation treatments and kemo.

She eventually had both breasts removed and died when whe was 53 years old. Only five years after she first found out she had the disease.

My mom was full of life and fought for her life harder than I have every seen. When she was 52 - and fighting the disease - she promoted the first all girl rodeo at our ranch and entered the bull riding, steer undecorating, and goat tying competitions.

I believe my stamina and longevity in rodeo was mostly through my mother's spirit.

Wade Wheatley

In 2004, just before I left for the Dallas Tour Finale, my mom asked me if I thought the contestants at the upcoming Wrangler National Finals Rodeo would consider wearing pink shirts during one performance in support of breast cancer awareness.

She had gotten together with Karl Stressman at Wrangler and put together a breast cancer campaign for the western community.

I told her I would do it to support her – some of my friends would do it – but I wasn’t sure about everyone else. After all, it was a pink shirt.

When I got to the arena on the night of the event, I couldn’t believe it. Bob Tallman and the other announcers had on pink shirts – the chute help and bullfighters were in pink – and when the grand entry gates opened, everyone rode out in pink shirts.

I am proud of my mom, proud of Karl Stressman and proud of everyone who have pitched in to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer.

Lisa Smith, Ponoka Stampede

I would first of all like to thank you and your fellow workers who work so tirelessly for such a great cause. As with thousands of other families, ours has been touched by your efforts in creating awareness and raising money for breast cancer.

We live near Ponoka, Alberta and have three boys who are quite involved in rodeo (One has just finished his last year of steer riding and is now involved in team roping on the high school circuit, one is in the wranger division in team roping as well). They have also volunteered their time helping with the stock every day during the Ponoka Stampede for the past several years now.

At this years stampede Tough Enough to Wear Pink day came and I wasn't prepared! My oldest boy was up in the steer riding and of course the other two were there helping out. I never thought that they would EVER wear pink, for any cause, no matter what, so I didn't even think of getting them pink shirts. However, the day before they were all insisting that they absolutely had to have a pink shirt to wear, so I was in a panic to find something (I eventually ended up dyeing some white dress shirts pink - they were thrilled!)

We were all there that afternoon watching the sea of pink shirts on young and old, women and men alike. I can tell you that there probably wasn't a dry eye in the crowd after they were through with the presentation. I was amazed to see how everybody stepped up to the cause and supported it, by monetary donations, by supporting the merchandise and, of course, by wearing PINK! It was truly awe-inspiring and it all started with your efforts!!

Anyway, I thought you might get a kick out of this picture of my youngest son, Nick, after a long, hot and exhausting "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" day. He was so proud of that pink shirt and felt so good about doing his small part to support your cause - it was really a wonderful thing to see in a kid!

Too many times people are not thanked for their efforts. I just felt compelled to send my personal thanks for a job well done. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Lisa Smith

Janet Wilder

Take life and grab it by the horns became my motto on April 24, 2004. I had tossed and turned after dealing with a fussy toddler when I placed my hands across my chest in an exasperated manner. To my horror, I felt a large lump on my right breast.

The night was endless; my husband and I did not speak too much of this because of the gnawing feeling that this was something very real. The next morning I went to school and called my family doctor and scheduled an appointment.

My husband and I went to the doctor that morning .From then on, the race was only beginning. I was sent to a breast center to receive my first mammogram. I was one of those people who was indispensable. There was no family history, breast fed four babies, never smoked, and never taken birth control pills. There was no way this could all be happening to me!

After an ultrasound, the radiologist called my husband and me in for a consultation. Not only was there one tumor but several more suspicious tumors. We couldn’t believe our ears. Our next appointment was to see a surgeon who saw us immediately and scheduled a biopsy for the next day. I already knew by the looks on the nurses’ face and the surgeon that my outcome was not favorable.

We received the dreaded phone call the next day while at school and met with my surgeon to review our options. I was not given any options. My biopsy revealed that I was HER2 Positive and had several 3+ multi-focal tumors. I was to have a double mastectomy the following Friday and then begin chemotherapy. My husband and I could not believe our wonderful life could possibly change.

The hardest part of a cancer diagnosis is breaking the news to your loved ones. I have a wonderful set of parents, loving brothers, and five children that range from the age of 20 to four years old. We gathered around the kitchen table and broke the news to our children; their eyes held the look of horror. Their only response was to know if I would die.

Johnny, my husband, had to call my parents and break the news to them. Understand that they had just received the news the day before that my sister in law had been diagnosed with breast cancer, also. We tried to stay as normal in our day to day routine but we were on a slow down hill crash. My husband became my strength and inspiration to face what was ahead of us. He never left my side and became my rock when I crumbled.

I wanted to have my surgery as soon as possible; I wanted those tumors off of my body! My double mastectomy was scheduled for the following Friday. The surgery itself is not so painful but the removal of bandages and to face myself in the mirror was the hardest part. So I thought. There were a few complications with my surgery but I was ready to start the dreaded fight.

During the beginning stages of my diagnosis I was sent an angel who just happened to knock on my door at school and shared her challenge of breast cancer with me. She referred me to her doctor and traveled with us to meet with my oncologist and begin treatments. My treatment plan was outlined for us. We were so eager to begin so that we could begin the count down of treatments.

I survived the first treatment with a breeze but also dreaded the day my hair would fall out. You are guaranteed to lose your hair on a certain day but I think my hair was just as stubborn as I was myself. I had decided to buzz my hair off so that I would not have to face it falling out. My beautician, Gail, said to call as soon as possible and she would take care of it for me. My two girls went with me and we tried to make it seem as funny as possible to see Mom with a buzz haircut. My hair stayed for a few more days and then began coming out. My poor husband had the courage to shave the rest of it off for me. This was probably the hardest thing that my mother had to endure. I tried wig, scarves, and hats but they were not for me. I wanted people to see me bald and be a constant reminder to them to have mammograms.

Chemo treatments were difficult but they are times when you rely on your family and friends the most. My oncologist did not approve of me working but I felt a strong conviction that this cancer was not going to change me. I continued to teach school but without the support from my principal and school district this would not have been possible.

From this I knew that there had to be a way to give back to the people that had helped me and to educate men and women about breast cancer. For the past two years, I have collaborated with a fellow teacher to initiate a project called “Tickled Pink.” Our project engaged students, parents, and the local community. From this project we raised and donated over $8,000.00 to the Susan Komen Foundation. Prayers, my husband, family, and friends have helped me to fight this disease.