Join Jessica and Cancer Warriors at Relay For Life of Laurel, June 7

Jessica’s Journey – A Warrior Battling Cancer

One More Reason to Join Relay For Life of Laurel, Maryland on June 7 at McCullough Field

This is my friend’s incredible journey this past year. One of the MANY reasons I raise money to fight cancer!  My hopes are to have many more stories of joy and survival!  My team is “Purple Anchors” in honor of her, my mom, my aunt, and in memory of countless others.  See www.Relayforlife.org/Laurelmd  Please join us!  Donna Cunningham

Exactly 1 year ago March 26, I was officially diagnosed with breast cancer. I was taking a nap with Robert snuggled against my chest, when the phone rang. "Mrs. Proctor, this is oncology. Are you at work or at home?" My heart dropped. My soul crumbled. I braced myself for what I knew was coming next. "I'm so sorry Mrs. Proctor, your biopsy tested positive for cancer." I squeezed the baby snuggled firmly in my arms. The tears started. I called my husband, my mother and then Angela. I could hear the gasp in their voices as they were trying to process what I was saying. They told me how much they loved me and they would be here as soon as possible. I was frozen. I remembered Vanessa telling me, "Call me as soon as you hear something, and I'll be right there – good or bad." I called her and said, "I need you now. It's positive." I squeezed my sleeping baby again. My eyes clenched shut; tears pouring down my face. I looked up and Vanessa was there. She held me; she squeezed me. She didn't leave my side. She told me, "We're going to get through this." We both cried. One by one, my family came home. Seeing the tears and fear of my husband, who held me so tight, it hurt. Seeing the devastation and anger of my mother and Angie, just crushed my spirit. My kids saw my tears. "What's wrong? What's going on?" I had to immediately shift my focus to how I was going to tell them and what I was going to say." I kept telling myself, "Be strong for your children. You're their example. You will set the tone from this moment forward." I cried a few more tears, wiped my face, and then headed upstairs to tell them all. Their first questions, "Are you going to die?" "Why you? You're a good mother and a good person." I took a deep breath and said, "Cancer doesn't mean you're going to die, and cancer doesn't care who you are. It can affect anyone at any time. But your mother is a fighter. Cancer will get the ultimate fight from me. That I promise you." I'm saying this as I'm simultaneously trying to make myself believe it. I talked to my kids until their flow of tears began to settle. I left the room. A few minutes later I go back to check on them. They're all crying uncontrollably. I say, "Hey, I said I'm going to fight, and no one told me I was dying. Let's take this one day at a time." Autumn looks me in the face and says, "We all talked and we decided that if the doctors say you're not going to make it, we want to go with you." "Go with me where?" I said. "We want to die with you. We want the doctor to take us with you. None of us are okay without you." At that very moment, I no longer felt sadness or fear. I felt anger. A fearless and hungry anger. The inside of my soul suddenly stood tall, determined, courageous and fearless." I thought, "You've fx!@e& with the wrong girl, cancer! You will not take me from my family!!!" And so my war began...from that day forward, a beautiful series of events took place. My family and friends, people who I was close with or hadn't connected with in years were at my house. My SEAL team showed up and ready for battle. Taking care of all of us. Dropping by with meals, words of encouragement, rides, etc. My incredible friend and second in command, Tracey, led the fight. Coming to every single appointment, never showing me fear or sadness. She came to fight, and she came to win. She took impeccable care of my family and me. The constant visits, calls, texts and messages received from my army of family and friends continued in strength and number as if their overall well-being depended on me. My sisters, my brothers, grandmothers, parents, aunts, uncle, nieces, nephews and countless friends showed me with their actions, prayers and support that we would all persevere, victorious in our battle and forever connected as a more loving and bonded family because of it. Today, I'm blessed, fortunate and grateful for all of you. Victory = strong spirit, strong faith and strong prayer. A warrior is defined as a person who fights in battles and is known for having great courage and skill. I am a victorious warrior who will continue to battle the obstacles and trials of my life, never giving up, enjoying and living in each moment while making an effort to brighten and lift the spirits to everyone I encounter. In essence, I'm going to live on...Jessica Baltimore Proctor, SURVIVOR