We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Lauren McClure, 22, our cruise Inspiration contest winner. In fact, we can’t get enough of her! Upbeat, charming, and wise to the tricks cancer can play on us, Lauren sat down with us in April for a casual chat about winning the big prize (and life in general).
Amoena: Did you know Treva was nominating you?
Lauren: I had mentioned the cruise giveaway to family and friends but I did not know if anyone would really do it. I thought it was a fantastic idea and a wonderful way for breast cancer survivors to support one another.
Amoena: How did you feel when you found out you won the cruise?
Lauren: When I found out I had won the cruise I felt as though I was being rewarded for all of the pain I had endured. I was being given a chance to enjoy myself after six months of fighting a hard battle. The first thing I did was get online and look at the photos from last year. I was so inspired by all of the women and men. I am looking forward to making wonderful life long friends on this journey.
Amoena: Are you taking Treva as your guest? If not, whom do you plan to take?
Lauren: The day Treva received the call about the cruise we were driving around Dayton in my convertible listening to old music and laughing. It had been one of the first nice days and Treva was leaving for Honduras the next day to begin a six-month teaching contract. It was bittersweet. Treva had been laid off the day before my mastectomy and was unemployed throughout my entire chemo regime. I was able to call her on the phone any day and she would pop over to my house and we would spend the day laughing. It was too perfect. When her father passed away I had been at her house the night he died. Life is really amazing to watch unfold.
Since Treva was unable to go, I was torn between taking my mother and my sister. Both have been unbelievable figures in my life and have given me nothing but love and laughter. My sister is recently divorced and has had an equally tough year. My mom refused to accept and said to take my sister, Emily. I am really looking forward to spending the time together with her. We are seven years apart and growing up we were not very close. She is my best friend.
Amoena: What are you most looking forward to on the cruise?
Lauren: I am excited to celebrate being alive with so many wonderfully brave women and men. Whether the individual has had to fight cancer, or it was a family member, or loved one who has been there through it all, we all are very special. I am excited to embrace breast cancer, and not hate it. Having breast cancer has given me a lot of pain, but for every inch of pain I have gained a mile of happiness.
Amoena: The purpose of the contest was to share stories of support and inspiration. You obviously have been a tremendous support system for your family and your courage throughout your diagnosis and treatment is admirable. Can you elaborate on how your personal support system has helped you endure and persevere?
Lauren: One of my first memories is when the doctors told me of my diagnosis. I didn't fully understand. I asked my mom if I would have to do chemotherapy. She looked at me, started crying and said, "Yes, but you look so good in hats." My family has given me unbelievable strength. They make me laugh when all I want to do is cry. My family has sacrificed so much financially and emotionally to get our family through this with smiles on our faces. Every doctor’s appointment, my parents would take off work to be there for me. Days when I was so sick from chemo they would come over after work, bring me whatever odd thing I thought I could eat that day and keep me company.
I have wonderful friends who daily send me words of encouragement and love via Facebook or text messages. Days when I was too sick to get out of bed, I knew I could look at my phone and have someone sending me love. I've heard people say that going through something like this makes you see who your true friends are. I am overwhelmed by the volumes of friends and acquaintances who go out of their way daily to make me feel good.
A little laughter goes a long way to heal pain. Something that makes me smile every single day is when I come home and take my wig or hat off and my five year old nephew says, "You're not bald anymore? You're better? You're not sick, Aunt Lauren," because my hair has started to grow back. The amount of love my niece and nephew continuously give me is such a gift. Everyday their love gives me that extra reason to be happy and thankful for the beautiful life I have. I would never want them to be anything but proud of their Aunt and I know they are.
Amoena: Amoena co-sponsored the contest with Young Survival Coalition, the non-profit that supports women who are diagnosed under the age of 45. Do you have anything you’d like to share with other young women going through this battle?
Lauren: Breast cancer is not you -- it has not taken your identity. Yes, it is very much a part of you, such as the color of your eyes, or the length of your hair. It has no say in the content of your character. Your physical scars do not make you any less beautiful of a person. Be proud of what you are doing, about to do, and what you have become.
When I was diagnosed I felt as though I was just becoming comfortable with my body at the age of 22 and breast cancer was taking that from me. I refused to look at the red scars across my saline breasts for a month after my surgery. I felt as though my femininity had been robbed of me. Bald, living in pajamas, and nipple-less balls of flesh on my chest. By ignoring what had actually happened to me I was unable to mourn what I had lost. Yes, you are losing a part of you, but what you gain in the end is phenomenal. What you learn about yourself and how you perceive the world is really wonderful. I take nothing for granted, I smile as often as my cheeks allow, and I am not hesitant to say I love you.
There will be tears, frustrations and lots of questions. One thing you have absolute control over is what you make of this experience. Be happy, love often, and smile!!!!