Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2013

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“Always laughing.”
It seems Pat always gets the last laugh.
Educating ThroughWord of Mouth: Sharon FoSter
Sharon Foster feels that
women need to take time
for themselves and their own
health, and she’s doing her part
to spread the word on how
important that is.
“As women, we take care of
everyone else – our children,
our pets, our spouses – and the
nurturing part of ourselves is con-
stantly stirred up. But we tend to
forget about or put off taking care of ourselves,” she said.
Sharon, who owns a print shop in West Ashley, said she
sees women all the time who neglect health routines such
as flu shots, checkups and mammograms. Surprisingly, the
ladies who visit Sharon’s shop for printing, packing and
shipping are willing to talk candidly about their lives.
“They’ll tell me about why they’re mailing a package
and then tell me about themselves,” she said with a smile.
“They’re all multitasking, like usual.”
Sharon, who has two daughters, 23 and 28, believes
in the importance of groups to help ladies work through
the challenges of breast cancer. She currently attends
a breast cancer support group at John Wesley United
Methodist Church, which she discovered through one of
her customers.
“Groups assist with matters such as nutrition, experi-
ences and socializing,” she said. “There’s a lot of mentoring
going on as well. Once you’ve gone through breast cancer,
there’s a bond you feel with other women.”
ConnectingMothers, Daughters – andWomen:
Shirley nilSen
Back in 2003, Shirley
Nilsen worked for a company
that offered free mammograms.
One day, during one of her
own routine exams, “something
didn’t look right.” Thus, Shirley
and her doctor decided to per-
form an ultrasound and biopsy.
“I was lucky because we
caught it early,” she said. “I
went through chemotherapy
and lost my hair. It was an emotional experience, though it
was 10 years ago.”
Shirley emphasized how having the support of her
husband and children made all the difference. Today,
Shirley is returning that support to her daughter and her
four granddaughters – as well as any woman who might
be affected by breast cancer. She currently serves on the
board of the Susan Komen Foundation, spreading the
word about the importance of regular mammograms to
the ladies of the Lowcountry.
“I am concerned on behalf of my daughter and my four
granddaughters,” she said. “But I really do think a cure is on
the way, as long as funding and research exist.”
Shirley feels that women who triumph over breast cancer
naturally reach out to one another.
“We feel like a unit or an army,” she said. “Every woman
has her own story, and, when you’re surrounded by other
survivors, you want to give back.”
Share Our Suzy
•
(843) 410-7970
Share Our Suzy honors the memory of Suzy McGrane by offering
financial assistance to breast cancer patients in South Carolina.
SuSan G. KOmen LOwcOuntry
•
(843) 556-8011
This group provides information and professional support services for
patients and survivors and also sponsors the Komen Race for the Cure.
warriOrS 4 warriOrS
(843) 708-1918
Warriors 4Warriors provides emotional support via email, phone and
personal visits, Warrior care packages and support groups.
eaSt cOOper BreaSt cancer SuppOrt GrOup
This support group meets the last Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
at East Cooper Hospital. For more details, call (843) 881-9499.
Fighting the Good Fight: Breast Cancer Support Organizations