A friend was on the Today Show today. Her name is Kathy Brinkman and she entered a contest they had about "Everyone Has a Story". They called her at home on Monday to tell her that she had won and could she fly out on Wednesday so she could be on the show today - I had it taped but have not watched it yet. Her story is about finding out that she had breast cancer in 2005 and in doing so, her life was saved because in the prep work for the surgery they found she had stage 4 lung cancer. She had no symptoms of the lung cancer so she probably would have been to far along to live if they had found out later. She goes to the Church I work at and is one of teh most amazing people I know. She will tell you in just a normal voice that this or that is bothering her from whatever she is going through right then but never acting like it is more than an inconvenience. She is such an inspiration.

She and 7 others were chosen to be on the show on different days to tell what their story is. One of the reasons she was chosen was because of one of the statements in her essay. She says that no one is promised tomorrow. We need to fill our days with hugs and lots of laughter. She is truly an amazing lady! Here is the essay that she won with.


Everyone Has a Story – Kathy Brinkman


"Everyone has a story" – my goodness! I hear that phrase all the time, because I am a cancer survivor and survivors can all relate to that phrase.

My story began in January 2005, when I was diagnosed with the earliest stage of breast cancer. Easy. Have a lumpectomy, some radiation and be cured. Even so, there's nothing like the word "cancer" to knock your socks off.

My husband and I planned to go to Florida early in February, so my lumpectomy was scheduled later in the month, after our return. I had the usual blood work, an EKG and a chest X-ray during the week before the Sunday we were to leave. The surgeon's office called on Friday to say there was an abnormality in my lung and I needed a cat scan. The CAT scan was done that same day. My oncologist called and said she would push for the results on Saturday because she did not want us to go to Florida with that hanging over our heads. She called again Saturday evening to say we would not be going to Florida and that I needed a biopsy on Monday. Tuesday evening we met with her and learned that I have stage-4 lung cancer. The breast cancer was put on hold. I have always said "God bless the breast cancer." I had no symptoms of lung cancer and would not have found it expect for the breast cancer. Scary. You would think your body would tell you.

It has been over three and a half years and I have beaten the odds so far. In fact, my surgeon told me that when I was diagnosed, no one thought I would live very long, so the breast cancer was a non-issue. But since I fooled them, I had to have a mastectomy this month to take care of the breast cancer. Now I can forget about that little pest.

People I come in contact with tell me that my attitude is terrific. All I know is that although I would never wish cancer on anyone, it has been a sort of an odd blessing for me. The other patients I have met during chemo are the most wonderful people. It's almost like we belong to this private club that no one wants to join. We don't sweat the small stuff anymore. And I realize how this cancer thing isn't just mine, it belongs to my whole family -- my husband, our son and daughter, grandchildren, my sisters and then to my wide circle of friends. I am so fortunate to have such support.

No one is promised tomorrow. We need to fill our days with hugs and lots of laughter.

From Today Interview:
Cancer can knock your socks off,” Kathy said, “but once you catch your breath, you realize there is so much hope – you should never let go of that