The Yellow Cancer Bracelet

Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a huge Lance Armstrong fan. I'm just not convinced that he won all those Tours de France in a clean fashion. And, I never wore the Livestrong bracelet as I viewed it as trendy.

Not too long after my mom got diagnosed with cancer, my buddy, Pete, gave me a couple of the Livestrong bracelets. He told me "I know you don't like Lance, but....." I put the thing on to thank him for his caring, and to honor my mom's fight. Funny thing happened.

Everytime I look at the yellow rubberband on my wrist, I feel proud that people are fighting for a cure. I feel safer because I know there's other who have, and will share my mom's story, and my sadness. And, I am reminded of what my mom is enduring as cancer is pulling her away from my dad, her family, and friends.

She's not winning the fight. The cancer's returned to her remaining lung, spine, and adrenal gland. I went out one last time and it was tough. Fortunately, I enjoyed a few golden moments of lucidity and clarity with her on the morning I was due back in California. I'm fairly certain my good bye was last and I savored it, sad as it was.

When it's all said and done, I'll take off the Livestrong bracelet and put it safely along side my Sigma Chi Fraternity badge, my grandfather's Mason's ring, a gold bracelet passed down to the mother of the 1st born son in a new Bayer generation, and my important papers. As far as I'm concerned, it's an heirloom.