Ductal Adenal Carcinoma, highly prolific, prognosis poor. And so it began, 5 years ago today. I always collected rocks when I was stressed & named the rock whatever my stress was. Some times I would have several rocks in my purse I could pull out & look at when I needed to. Money, job, family issue, what ever. Each had a rock. When the stress was resolved I would throw that rock away. This day I went out & found a rock about 5 pounds. My cancer rock. Rocks are very interesting. They are smooth, cool, warm, rough, heavy, light, round, or almost any shape. Alone a rock is just a rock. But in a pile they become very heavy & will weigh you down. I would separate my rocks so the weight would not be too much. Don't let your rocks pile up. My cancer rock was big. I put it in my purse & carried with me. Every day it reminded me of the weight of having cancer. Some say rocks have healing power. I slept with my rock laying it next to my right breast. I don't know if they heal or not but I would try anything. As my journey began my silly rock fetish took on a new bigger meaning. I started a journey for the battle of my life. Having cancer is like climbing Mt Everest. The journey is difficult and arduous. Some make it, some don't. I was one of the lucky ones that reached the summit. I stood atop my Mt Everest, the biggest rock of all. I can tell you 2 things... The view from the top is awesome and although a huge rock in life, it is just another rock. Chisel away at it and it crumbles into little rocks. It's not easy & it's not fun. Many have gone before you, come with you, and will follow you. Never give up. You CAN do this. Only by the grace of God did I survive & today I am a 5 year survivor.

Penelope Delano
Fredericksburg, VA