By Sara Strong"A survivor is a victim with an attitude."That’s what Glenda Schomacker, Luverne, likes to say after winning her battle with breast cancer.As the honorary chairman of this year’s Relay For Life, she realizes that others haven’t won the battle against cancer, and that raising money for more research is so important.Schomacker’s cancer was discovered in 1999 when she had a routine mammogram. She didn’t have a history of breast cancer in her family, but went for the test, as women are advised to do. After a second mammogram, an ultrasound and a biopsy, doctors confirmed it was cancer. The day she got the diagnosis, May 13, she said she was almost in shock. She told herself that she would simply call her husband, let him know that she had cancer … and go to her niece’s golf meet."Then it hit me," she said. "I have cancer, and I don’t want cancer."By the time she reached her husband, LeRoy, by phone, Schomacker said she could hardly speak and was hyperventilating.Later that day, she reached out to her pastor at the American Reformed Church, Dave Sikkema, and his wife, Joyce. He shared with her a Bible verse that is still special to Schomacker, Isaiah 41:10. It says, "So don’t worry because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you. I will support you with my right hand that saves you."Talking with her pastor was the first of many times Schomacker realized that reaching out was going to get her through the illness and the struggles it brought.A survivorEven though she feels healthy and the cancer is gone, Schomacker can’t hold back tears when talking about her illness."I prayed a lot, and when I couldn’t pray … others prayed for me," Schomacker said.She said her church community became even more important during and after cancer.She said the little things don’t bother her as much anymore. She’s thankful for her three children, her husband, her job at Rock County Rural Water — the things she used to take for granted.Schomacker speaks positively now, but she had plenty of negative feelings through the experience: Bitterness, anger, unanswered questions.She didn’t like to hear people tell her about others they knew who suffered through cancer treatments or horrific surgeries."I didn’t want to listen to the negative stories, and that’s with anything in life, not just cancer," Schomacker said.She also has a little bit of "survivor’s guilt" when she knows of others who die from cancer."I feel fine, but there are days that are still tough," Schomacker said. "The ‘c’ word hangs out there."Schomacker underwent six months of chemotherapy, and six weeks of radiation. Now she has an annual mammogram, a blood test every six months and she takes two pills a day. She’s an active volunteer with Reach For Recovery, helping other area cancer patients. She won an award from the American Cancer Society West Region Survivorship Initiatives for her work as a volunteer.Schomacker says in an inspirational speech she gives to groups in the area, "A cancer survivor never leaves home without tissues because tears are made to be shared. A survivor loves a good laugh. A survivor says ‘thanks’ with dignity and grace. … Since the day I was diagnosed I could have been a victim, but with all the help and care I became a survivor." Schomacker’s cancer, a lump that was 3 by 1 by 1 1/2 centimeters, took over her life for about seven months. Cancer took her energy and her health for that time, but Schomacker is thankful to have kept her friends, family, faith and her life.Glenda Schomacker has gone through the Relay For Life ceremony and said it’s a very emotional experience. She explains walking all night in the Relay is like living through the cancer experience — life is good and bright like the day, then after the cancer diagnosis and treatments, it’s dark; survival is when the light returns in the morning.The Relay For Life organizers are still seeking talent for the event on June 20. Contact Nancy Kaczrowski, 283-9261, or Sharon Boltjes, 283-4491, ext. 2270.Also, watch for ongoing fund-raisers.
