We were Lucky enough to be invited to the Susan G. Komen Walk in Mishawaka, Indiana this year. We decided that we would award a Gorgeous! Experience to a breast cancer survivor at this year's event. Our winner was not well enough to attend but her team, Tracy's Team, accepted her award in her honor. We were told that she was elated to hear that she had won a day of beauty. Tracy was going to be the 1st stop on our tour, the middle of June and we were very excited to put Warsaw Indiana on our tour schedule.
2 weeks later I received a phone call from Tracy's mother-in-law asking when her visit was going to take place. We explained to her that Tracy was our 1st stop out of South Bend on our tour and that would make it the middle of June. She requested that we move the date of Tracy's visit up. She explained that Tracy could really use it. I spoke with Trish and we decided to take care of Tracy the
Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend.
Tracy had suffered from breast cancer. She spoke very frank about her disease. She had been fighting for 5 years. She told me that the cancer was now in her lungs and in her bones, but that she thanked God everyday that it was not in her brain. I thought to myself, " What an amazing individual." Tracy was a fighter and fought her cancer with every weapon that she could get her hands on, traditional and non-traditional. She never stopped thinking of others. Even with her own pain present, she was doctoring to my husband Mike as we did her visit in the DaySpa.
We had a fantastic day with Tracy. Her friend Julie stayed and shared the visit with us. We treated Tracy to a manicure, pedicure, a facial and some hilites. I had gone shopping and picked up a couple of new shirts for Tracy to choose from and we aplied Tracy's make-up. Tracy was in some pain but did not want to miss out on any of the "Experience". She and I made a deal, I wouldn't constantly ask her if she was "ok" as long as when she wasn't "ok" that she would let us know.
Tracy's family took our suggestion and had a family get together to celebrate her new look. As Tracy was taken in the house, and we were walking up the sidewalk to join the party we heard a resounding "HELLO GORGEOUS!" from the backyard. How awesome!! When we arrived inside the house there were dozens of Tracy's Family and friends there to show their love and support for her. I kept thinking what an amazing woman - what strength. I gave Tracy a hug and a kiss on her cheek and told her to keep fighting. We drove off into the sunset and left her surrounded with love.
On Tuesday, the day after Memorial Day, we received a phone call that Tracy had passed away on Memorial Day, the day after our visit with her. I could not believe it. In my heart of hearts I thought I would see Tracy at our luncheon in November. To say the least I was in shock.
Mike and I attended the viewing and saw Tracy's friend Julie, who had spent that day with us. She said " You gave Tracy a great last day. You got her ready to meet the Lord." I will never forget that day as long as I live and I will no longer put things off until tomorrow, because it is promised to noone.