Lorraine Elmo's Big Pink Adventure
A couple weeks ago I attended Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in CT. While I had the honor of meeting so many of my breast cancer sisters and their families I felt an instant connection to one woman's story and her mission.
With two kids, a loving husband and a pup named Lola, Lorraine Elmo is fighting breast cancer. Since her diagnosis, Lorraine created "Lorraine's Big Pink Adventure", a Facebook page started to help inspire courage and hope in any woman on the BC path. Along with being a pediatric occupational therapist, Lorraine is also a musician and artist who turns to her creativity during hard times. Her two songs "Left Side Boobie Blues" and "Chemo Rap" (Facebook link below) make me smile and laugh every time I hear them. Lorraine strongly believes in the power of positivity and wants to help others focus on the blessings that emerge from even the hardest of times.
Lorraine's positive attitude, radiant smile and exuberant energy stuck with me throughout the race and well after. Here is Lorraine's story:
My name is Lorraine Elmo, and on January 26, 2015, I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. I’m 43 years old, happily married for 10 years to my soulmate and best friend, Brian, and a proud mama to my two amazing angels, Brian Jr., 9, and Caitlyn, 8, and our precious pup, Lola. I’ve been a practicing pediatric occupational therapist for over 20 years, and I’m also a Beachbody coach, leading friends, family and new friends on 60 and 90 day fitness challenges on Facebook. I am also a very faith-driven, spiritual person. I’ve been taking courses on meditation and prior to this happening, had just written goals for myself to become more positive and closer to Jesus this year. Three years ago, I had the great honor of taking care of both my Mom and Dad before they passed, with my mother having outlived her Breast Cancer diagnosis by 23 years—one of the mightiest, most valiant warriors I knew and loved.
“Why me? Why now? How??” were my initial thoughts upon being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. After I got over the initial shock of hearing “those words” come out of my doctor’s mouth, I was overcome by a sense of inner peace and the knowing that this cancer is a gift. “Consider yourself cured”, were the next profound, healing words I heard from my phenomenal oncologist, moments after I received my diagnosis and met him on the phone for the first time. Within my first week of the diagnosis, I opened what I refer to as my “pink page” on Facebook, entitled, “Lorraine’s Big Pink Adventure”. My original intention was to keep family and friends informed of my status throughout my breast cancer journey, but my ultimate desire was to inspire hope and courage into anyone on the Breast Cancer path, or anyone struggling with any sickness or hardship in life. In my darkest times, I’ve written and shared poetry and silly songs that I’ve posted on my pink page. I also post my “pink linings” for the day, which include reflections on the positive blessings that occur in the midst of challenges, of which there are many.
I am just past the halfway point with my chemotherapy, and I am still working out daily, leading a fitness challenge group on Facebook, and happy to have the extra time off from work to focus on my healing and spending extra time with my beautiful family and friends. I have never felt closer to Jesus and God than I do right now, nor have I ever felt more alive or more loved. My “pink page” has been an incredible source of love and support for me during this time, mostly because of the healing ripple effect it seems to have had on others whose lives I’ve touched with my story. I am continually amazed and inspired by the amazing warriors I meet, like Joan Lunden. Although this is not a journey any of us choose to have or wish upon others, I am honored to be a “pink warrior”, and I look forward to a time where I can look back at this journey with great love and nostalgia because of all the lives I may have touched and healed along the way.
Like & follow Lorraine's Facebook page! Click here: Lorraine's Big Pink Adventure Facebook Page
Joan Lunden truly exemplifies today’s modern working woman. An award-winning journalist, bestselling author, motivational speaker, successful entrepreneur, one of America’s most recognized and trusted television personalities, this mom of seven continues to do it all. As host of Good Morning America for nearly two decades, Lunden brought insight to top issues for millions of Americans each day. The longest running host ever on early morning television, Lunden reported from 26 countries, covered 4 presidents and 5 Olympics and kept Americans up to date on how to care for their homes, their families and themselves.