Dottie, Wish and Fluffy
Left to right: The Golden Girls - Dottie, the oldest, Wish, the baby, and
Fluffy, the middle sister
“Faith, Prayer, and A Wish”
By Wish — her sisters Dottie and Fluffy are Sister Study participants from OhioFirst, I give praise to God for His grace and mercy, for enriching and abundantly blessing my life.
In 1990, I went to my physician for a burning sensation in my abdomen (later diagnosed as a bladder infection). But the first thing my doctor did was examine my breasts. I had never had a mammogram and I was 46 years old, an age at which every woman should have had at least 3 by then! But I never took the time---I was too busy. I was Super Mom! I did everything for and with my children. I took care of everyone else, but not myself.
What held me together when I received the follow-up test results? The cancer was confirmed and this news tore at my family’s very hearts, for I was their rock! I said “It will be all right; what is meant to be will be” and we prayed. I realized God had spared me for a mission to spread this awesome word about breast cancer through FAITH, PRAYER, and a WISH. Throughout our disbelief and fear we all continued to pray, for our faith was larger than our fears.
They call us the “Golden Girls:” Dottie (oldest), Fluffy (middle) and Wish (baby). My two beautiful sisters prayed and prayed for a healing and swift recovery. I was on every church prayer list across the United States. Then we just gave it to God and left it alone, because we knew our faith was strong.
I am a 13.5 year survivor.
I can continue to be a survivor.
I will continue to be a survivor.
I am a survivor.
I have been blessed with the sacred healing space to be a survivor.
I am complete.
I co-founded the first African American breast cancer support group in Baltimore, Sisters Surviving, Inc. I am an advocate, lobbyist, health educator, field coordinator, team leader, fighter and a survivor. My fight is for the eradication of this disease and I won’t stop until there is a cure.
The Sister Study will make a difference in all our lives. My sisters Dottie and Fluffy want sisters in the future to benefit from such a project in understanding what increases their risk in developing breast cancer. They are happy to take part in this study and to assist in its success!