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LikeTheDew has shared many stories and videos during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is relevant, even if you choose to turn your eyes away and pretend otherwise. You do – will – or have, know (or known) someone who will be diagnosed with breast cancer. We have shared many pieces highlighting startling statistics. No one wants to be just another number in most anything, unless your number comes up in the survivor column. Looking now beyond the numbers and more intimately into a real life – once on the brink of death, I am introducing you to Rosemary Griggs, a Saint Simons Island sculptress and breast cancer survivor who has fought to be in the survivor column.

Rosemary is graciously sharing a visceral glimpse of the roller coaster ride of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and survival. If you think roller coasters are fun, think again. The highs and lows, unexpected whiplash inducing turns, the unknown ahead, the brakes, followed by the accelerator – and the brakes again – the screams, the wind-whipping tears, the nausea and dizziness, and the line you waited in, plus the cost to get there – no, this is not fun. Still, Rosemary offers hope molded from heartache, just as she does with her clay sculptures. Here are her own words and pictures. There will be more each day until the end of October as she shares her Stroll Down Mammary Lane.

In Rosemary’s Words

“A Stroll Down Mammary Lane is an illustrated journal chronicling eighteen months of our experience with breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and cure. During the long convalescence, I spent most of my time horizontal healing from multiple surgeries, chemotherapy and other treatments. I was unable to work in my pottery studio and my career as a full time ceramic sculptor was put on hold while I focused on getting through one procedure at a time. I wasn’t able to do much but I did draw and it resulted in about 90 illustrations of my process of fighting breast cancer.

The Phone Call

“After the follow up magnification mammogram, the sonogram, the first of several biopsies and a long two days of waiting for the phone call, my husband, David Ray, and I wept in each other’s arms at the news that the unimaginable was real. I had breast cancer. David Ray got very efficient with the caregiver duties and he consoled, nurtured, changed bandages, drove, fed, sang and continued to tell me how beautiful I was, even when my breasts were gone and I was sick and bald.”

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5 Responses to “A Stroll Down Mammary Lane”

1. JT says:

   October 13, 2009 at 11:33 am

   I have read Rosemary’s journal(still unpublished) which chronicled the devastation of breast cancer on her life and David’s and am reminded of the Yeats quote, “All changed, changed utterly: A terrible beauty is born.” Her manuscript combines beauty with anguish and the vivid images she created while waiting at the doctor’s or curled on the couch with her critters and David in attendance allowed those of us on the sidelines to understand better the emotional and physical damages of the disease and its treatment when words sometime failed. I am so happy that The Dew is introducing everyone to Rosemary, my dear friend, and generous supporter of others who have faltered because of this disease

   Reply
2. chrys says:

   October 13, 2009 at 1:02 pm

   This is wonderful, Rosemary.Thank you for sharing your thoughts and pictures with all The Dew readers. You continue to be an inspiration to all that know you and your work. I look forward to future installments.

   Reply
3. Gail Reid says:

   October 13, 2009 at 10:11 pm

   Rosemary is a woman of many artistic talents and how wonderful for her to finally have an outlet for her journal of her breast cancer journey. It is a bold move to share the private moments of experiencing breast cancer. As a survivor myself I know well how difficult it can be to even say the words “I have cancer” let alone create art the expresses the feelings behind the words. This is a gift to all of us who will read this, both from the creator and the publisher. I hope we get to see many more installments. October may be the symbolic Awareness Month, but breast cancer is hard at work every day of the year. It is inspiring to see a depiction of someone fighting back and winning the battle.

   (N.B.-What a wonderful way to be introduced to this site. Despite my New York roots, I’ve been in Atlanta way long enough to recognize the reference to the old AJC in the name of this charming publication.)

   Reply
4. jingle says:

   October 14, 2009 at 10:58 am

   dear darling rosemary, i’m so glad to see your wonderful illustrated journal in circulation where it can help others prevail over breast cancer as you did. i’m eager to read all the chapters and to be inspired by you and your talent once again.

   Reply
5. Betsy says:

   October 14, 2009 at 7:58 pm

   Rosemary,

   You are the most spiritual person I know and your words and drawings will so help and inspire others when they can’t find their own words.

   I love you, I admire you, I am so in awe of you,

   Betsy

   Reply

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