In my personal life cancer has played both the devil and angel in my life. Cancer was the event that cause me to lose my breasts, lymph nodes, and a couple of organs I still wish I had. Cancer has left me many than a few friends dead in recent years and medically and financially it is still a challenge. Yet, Cancer has taught me this: How to Live. I am a driven person, as anyone in the entertainment profession, one must keep all the balls moving in hopes that one ball may be the ball the bounces big; but in that process one loses often times the simple things of life, like just laying in bed and doing nothing for the day. Like staring at accumulated frequent flyer miles and thinking one day when I find the time I should use these miles. Of course, no one ever really finds the time until one decides its okay to lay in bed for a day doing nothing or its okay to throw a dart in a wall map of the world and just book a ticket to that country the frequent flyer miles may take you. I am blessed cause, when I was diagnosed I had no insurance. No doctor would take me and I found myself having a complete breakdown on the corner of Buena Vista and Alameda Ave., opposite a hospital who couldnt take me in due to my lack of insurance. As I as sat at the curb, crying and holding the traffic pole, an older man sat beside me and with a packet of kleenex he wiped the tears from my eyes and held me. Asking me, what is a pretty girl like you crying so hard for? I blubbered on about being diagnosed with cancer, couldnt pay the biopsy doctor and no oncologist would take me in due to my lack of insurance. This man, said, and I will never forget, Oh! Is that all! I cried harder and he took my hand and led me to the Roy Disney Cancer Institute and up to the 4th floor where as it turned out he was the head oncologist and told his staff to wave all medical billing as he could tell, I would eventually make good on the cost. Dr. Mena was my angel on that day, and saved my life. I had stage 4 breast cancer, and by all accounts I should not be here. He was right on me making good on his bill. I got lucky and had the opt to audition for a National Hallmark Commercial wearing a wig and fake eyebrows and was even luckier to get a call back. During the audition one of the ad folks mentioned they needed a real cancer person to fill spot C and couldnt find one that would fit the demographics. After slating my name, I ripped of my wig and eyebrows and in grandious fashion I announced, I have cancer! I can not tell you folks enough how you could have heard a pin drop in that room. The point is? I got that national spot as many of you folks know, and it paid, to the penny exactly what I owed my oncologist. Not a penny more, not a penny less. I will never forget that event in my life. I have never felt afraid, lonely, or unloved since. BECAUSE I KNOW, I AM LIVING PROOF, WE ALL HAVE THAT ENERGY THAT SURROUNDS US AND TEACHES US WHAT IS TRULY IMPORTANT IF WE JUST TAKE THE TIME TO HEAR OUR LITTLE INNER SELVES. Our little Mes speak every day to us and few of us listen. My belief is, we are here on this planet for one reason: To help one another. That kind of love is strong and is lasting. I am sharing this with you folks as -- there is too much pain in this world and one needs to speak against all the hate that begins to build as hatred is such an easy path to ride. I know, as sure as I am alive, we folks in this world can make this world a kind and loving place for all who inhabits it. Peace. Jewel Shepard
Posted on: Sun, 11 Jan 2015 17:54:33 +0000