Brought to you by the Manatee Cancer Center, Insights is a multi-series podcast of cancer related subjects; providing support and wisdom to cancer patients, families, and caregivers.

“Sharon’s Insights” is the first in the “Insights” series and is inspired by breast cancer survivor Sharon Blake. In each episode, Sharon and Co Host Mike Kradlak, educate audiences on real life concerns brought forth by Sharon herself during her course of treatment. A guest panel of experts are part of each episode and bring specific education, wisdom, and advice.

Visit www.manateecancerpodcast.com for more details.

“Long hair and boobs don’t make me a woman.  

Sharon Blake
Breast Cancer Patient

(Please read below Sharon’s Story, and you will understand why are are so excited Sharon has joined us in producing a revolutionary new cancer-related podcast: Sharon’s Insights – to be released Sept 18, 2012.)

The first two things you notice about Sharon Blake are her soft English accent and her beautiful infectious laughter.  You might notice that she proudly wears her head shaved, minus scarves or wigs, and if you stay around her long enough, she just might give you one of her famous hugs.

One might also describe Sharon as the stand-up comedienne of breast cancer.  “Laughter got me through it,” she says of hearing her diagnosis and the subsequent surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.  “I had to find things to laugh and joke about.”  She once told her brothers, calling from England, that she would keep them ‘abreast’ of everything.

This is brave humor from a woman who made the decision, after scans and biopsies, to have a double mastectomy.  Sharon keeps perspective by proudly stating “long hair and boobs don’t make me a woman.  My heart and my mind are what make me a woman.” Sharon

Sharon’s cancer journey began “all of a sudden.”  One day late last September, she was fine and the next day she discovered a lump that she knew she had to have checked.

“God never throws anything at me that I can’t handle,” she says firmly.  Her family doctor sent her to Dr. A. Samir Hassan, a breast care specialist.  The mammogram and ultrasounds, though benign, lead Sharon to ask for a biopsy after spending one whole day with “terrible pain in the other breast.”

When she heard that it was cancer, she cried and says that she couldn’t think of anything. But Dr. Hassan was moving quickly and already had Sharon booked that afternoon with Dr. Yallappa Nadaminti.  She remembers that she heard him say “mastectomy” but she says, “I think I went deaf that day.  All I could remember was ‘cancer.’”

As the shock wore off and Sharon could ‘hear’ again, she remembers a coworker confiding about her own mastectomy.  “Suddenly,” says Sharon, “I realized that I didn’t want to have it come back in three or four year’s time.  So, I made the decision.”

She made other brave decisions along the way.  “I’d always had long pretty hair,” she recalls.  “It was down the middle of my back and I cut it, donated it to Locks of Love.  I knew I was going to lose it.  What a waste it would have been not to rescue it for someone else…”

The double mastectomy took place on February 10, 2011.  “It wasn’t so painful,” she remarks.  “I just had to make a joke out of everything in order to get through it.”

Through the process, Sharon discovered that she has an American family.  “People I work with at Manatee Memorial Hospital are amazing,” she recalls as humor gives way to awe.

She specifically mentions coworker Carin who, after knowing Sharon for only five weeks, literally took her into her home after the surgery to recover.  Carin and her mother, Lillian, took such good care of Sharon that she says she felt right at home. “They instantly made me feel a part of the family,” she recalls.  After her time with Carin and Lillian, her niece, Alexandra, came to stay with her for two weeks.  ”MiniMe, I call her,” Sharon giggles.  ”We had a great time, hadn’t seen each other in five years.  She helped me with everything.”

She’s nearing the end of radiation treatment and marvels at the many kindnesses and generosities that have come her way at Manatee Cancer Center under the care of Dr. Mary Koshy and the staff at the center.  “My family, except one cousin in a nearby county, all live in England,” she says.  “So, suddenly I found that I had a family springing out of nowhere right here in Bradenton.”   MCC’s radiation therapist, Sabeetha, even remarks on Sharon’s remarkable spirit.  “She is so warm and inspirational, we feel like she is another member of our family.”

Asked what advice she might offer to other cancer patients, Sharon says, “I try not to cry.  Humor gets me through a lot.  Life is too short to be miserable.”  There’s a pause and she says, with a twinkle in her voice, “If you can’t laugh at yourself you can’t laugh at anything.  My God, look at me.”  And she laughs that beautiful laugh.

Manatee Cancer Center presents
White Feather Cocktail Reception

Join us for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, signature white feather cocktails, music, photo booth, hair curling by Cutting Loose Salon & Spa, goodie bags, and tours to view Brides Against Breast Cancer Wedding Salon.

(This event is in honor of Joan Russell and her mission to make cancer women feel and look beautiful.)

Thursday, September 20, 2012, 6 pm – 8 pm
Center for Building Hope
(5481 Communications Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34240)

Attire: Summer White Casual

Attendance Fee: $15 minimum donation. All donations support Center for Building Hope
Cash and Checks accepted at the door.

RSVP with attendees names to kparrado@oncure.com, or by calling 941-748-4324.

• Taste Testing
• Holiday Recipe Cards to Take Home

There will be an Oncology Q&A with  Mary Koshy. MD & Blake Dietician Margaret Adams, RD, LD/N, CDE

When:
December 14th • 12:00 – 1:00PM

Where:
Cancer Resource Room @ Blake Medical Center
2010 59th Street West
Suite 3400
Bradenton, FL 34209

Map: http://g.co/maps/mjw5g