Ashland area women featured in new book
ASHLAND NEWS
Three Ashland area breast cancer survivors are featured in a newly published book, “Valley of Courage: Reflections by Breast Cancer Survivors and their Families.” The book, “dedicated to all woman and men who journey through breast cancer,” contains stories written by breast cancer survivors and/or their families who live in or around the St. John Valley. Some faces will be familiar to you. Some won’t. But their stories weave a common thread of courage, hope and strength meant to inspire those battling the disease.
THREE AREA WOMEN are featured in the newly published book, “Valley of Courage: Reflections by Breast Cancer Survivors and their Families.”
Susan Bouchard, RN, who is the health education nurse with Fish River Rural Health (FRRH) in Eagle Lake, led the idea and worked tirelessly to see it to fruition. Bouchard explains the concept for the book came to her during a breast cancer support group. She was “overwhelmed by the women and their stories” and felt “their stories needed to be heard. Everyone in the room that night felt the same way.” She went on to say, “From that day, I had a mission in mind. I had to do it for the women. All the hours I spent working on this, I could see their faces and that is what kept me going. I did it for them.” Bouchard says she is proud of the book and feels “if it only even helps one person, then it has been a success.”
Funding support was made available through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Maine affiliate. A year had passed (since the initial idea) when Bouchard wrote a grant proposal to the Susan G. Komen Foundation requesting funding support. To her delight and the team at Fish River Rural Health, the funding was approved. “That sort of gave us the confirmation that what we wanted to do was as important as we thought it was. Without them, this project would not have been possible,” said Bouchard. Gratitude is also expressed to the grant reviewers, the executive director and the board of directors at the Fish River Rural Health who saw “the value of this community project” and to all who contributed to the publication of the book. “I worked with phenomenal people. From the women, writers, the design team; everyone. It was a huge project that I knew nothing about! Because of all the help and direction, it became possible,” Bouchard humbly said.
Inspire (verb); to exert or guide by a divine influence.
The inspirational memoirs were written by women from all around the St. John Valley who have battled breast cancer. Each are an intimate account of their most personal moments of the despair to the overwhelming joys of recovery. Their stories brought me to tears and moved me to the core. Partly because I know them and their families personally. Partly because I am not that far removed from my brother’s cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery, and I understand the magnitude of the situation. It is a commanding and emotional read knowing these women have survived to share their stories with others in hopes of inspiring them and helping them through such an intense time in their lives. The stories are powerful. They are sometimes crushingly sad. Mostly they are extraordinarily inspirational.
Strength (noun); the quality of being strong.
Anyone who has faced death, regardless of the circumstances, will tell you that it changes you. The way things look and smell. The way you view your life, your history and your future. The way you see it and the way you live it. For some, they become bitter. For others, it can offer a peaceful clarity of being and acceptance. An awakening of sorts. Their senses become great. Their compassion for others becomes greater. Their passion for living becomes extraordinarily present. Each person handles their diagnosis and treatment in their own way. Some talk about it openly with anyone who will listen. Some share their feelings only with their closest family and friends. Others feel it is a time of treading and living quietly. For these three ladies, they each found support from family and friends. Most essentially, they found comfort in their own strength.
Betty Dumond
When Betty Dumond of Portage Lake was diagnosed, she found solace and support from her faith in God, loved ones and friends. She became very proactive in her care, treatment and her lifestyle. She gave up foods and habits she felt may be contributing to her bad health and she began daily exercise; all of which she maintains to this day. Her family built a new home on the lake in order to offer a more tranquil setting. “I lived in my (new) house before it was even built. When I laid in my chair (for six hours) at chemo, I would envision my house, the paint, everything,” she said. She would also close her eyes and recollect “a perfect day spent on Big Eagle Lake with Jim” her husband. She educated herself and took the measures she felt were essential to battle and overcome. Some traditional, some more liberal. But all she feels have made a direct impact on her positive health.
Barbara Baker 
For Barbara Baker of Ashland, living through her diagnosis made her “more self aware.” She decided she “needed me time.” This ironically enough has meant dedicating herself to others who are suffering or in need and to other causes she believes in. To this day, 10 years later, much of her life is spent helping others with no regard to her own needs. She is tireless in her efforts and selfless in her way of living and giving. Many in our community have benefited greatly with Barb’s help and support. Now that is quality “me” time to the fullest degree.
Sarah Brooks 
Sarah Brooks of Portage Lake said for her, the initial diagnosis was one of disbelief. She describes it in the book as “being hit by a ton of bricks.” Through the support of her cousin (who is also her best friend) and the network of friends who would accompany her on treatments, Sarah stayed remarkably positive and accepted the experience as a “bump in the road” as far as her life is concerned. Like other survivors, she became “more aware of how precious life really is” and notably became involved in “Operation Liftoff,” a fund-raising program for children with life-threatening illnesses. She and her friends organized and participated in “The North Woods Fall Trail Ride.” which is a 10-day wagon train traveling from Corrina to her farm in Portage Lake. Over a period of five years, the ride raised close to $100,000 for the cause.
Each has found healing in helping others who have been diagnosed.
Warrior (noun); one who fights in a war or battle.
Until writing this story, I never knew what these three women had gone through. I have known, and liked each of them socially, but obviously being only socially acquainted is not going to reveal someone’s personal history. As neighbors, you see them in the store, at the restaurant or a social event. Little did I know I was in the presence of real life warriors; for whom I have a great deal of admiration and respect.
Sarah is a smart and articulate woman with a deep sense of self and a depth to her soul that is seen through her eyes. A teacher by profession, she is also a teacher in the school of life. Her cells hold a vast library of knowledge that seize your attention when you’re lucky enough to be engaged in her conversation. Her gift for storytelling not only makes her a good teacher, it makes her a great teacher; and you don’t have to be in her classroom to learn a few things from her!
Barb is a very kind, compassionate and giving woman who is deeply rooted in her spirituality. She is a giver of love and her time. She is profoundly affected by those whose life she helps to enrich, therefore enriching her own.
Upon our acquaintance, I could see Betty was fighting the fight, but noticed she was vivacious and is full of life. She is a partner to her husband, a mother to her daughter and a friend to many. Betty has had to deal with several setbacks, some being quite serious. Each time she has taken them all in stride and faced them with the same fortitude and fighting spirit she did with the initial diagnosis.
My grandmother, Harriet Fuller, died of breast cancer in 1977. Though young, I remember her treatments, her positive attitude, courage and her fight. I also remember her taking a then experimental drug called Tamoxifen. This is the number-one drug used to this day for breast cancer treatment and recurrence prevention. I am proud of her insight then in knowing that someday this drug could possibly save lives. It is an empowering legacy she left unknowingly to her granddaughter. Warriors without a doubt.
Though their stories are different, they are humanly, innately the same. Entwined. Like any soldier who has fought in a war, they share a silent understanding and knowing of the battle fought. The emotional intricacies that can only be truly understood by someone who has been through it. All veterans share this bond and respect regardless of when or where the battle was fought. All rally round a comrade in need, willingly providing support and comfort. A brotherhood/sisterhood of man. The same relates to soldiers who have fought in the cancer wars.
Survivor (noun); to continue to exist. To Sarah, Betty and Barb, I thank you for your participation in this book and for allowing me the privilege to share it with my readers. You have given me a deeper understanding of who you are and I feel a bit more attached to each of you! I would like to thank Betty and Susan Bouchard for my copy of the book. It is a material possession I cherish and hold dear. You are exceptional women.
The publication of this book was made possible by the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Donations are the number-one funding source for cancer research. Without the fund-raising efforts of organizations such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, cancer research and progress would not be nearly as advanced as is it today. Please consider making an annual donation to this cause.
Copies of the book can be purchased through Amazon (www.amazon.com) or locally at Fish River Rural Health Centers in Eagle Lake and Fort Kent, and at Coffin’s General Store.
Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or feenhop@aol.com.
