Today it is my great pleasure to share with you a Dolly Neighbor visit with my Friend Pam Fox.
Pam is a friend of mine who is fighting breast cancer with the help of her doll friends!
Let's talk about the healing power of doll play. Do you mind sharing with my readers a bit about how you and Gracie became a team?
"First
to start out I have always loved dolls and my Dad gave me my first
American Girl Doll (Samantha) when My daughters first started
collecting. I didn't have much growing up and this meant a lot to me
coming from my dad. Well fast forward I have a friend through Church
that got me back into my dolls a couple years ago (life had gotten to
busy with teenagers and daughters were getting "to big" to Play with
dolls (but they kept them out to admire)) So in my joy of "Playing" with
my dolls again (setting up displays and photographing) My friend added
me to some different doll groups. Thus my Love for Doll Play, especially
the American Girl Dolls at the moment. Well my family all know how much
I love these dolls decided to all pitch in to buy me one with no hair
when I found out that I had Breast Cancer. Hearing those words was the
scariest thing to happen to me in my life. And Having this doll has
helped me get through it by giving me something to focus on besides the
Surgeries, the Cancer and the Treatments. I call her Gracie but her full
name is GraceLynn Angelina Nevaeh. GraceLynn for God's Grace in my life
(Lynn is my middle name), Angelina is for Angels watching over me, and
Nevaeh is Heaven heaven spelled backwards or as I like to think: my
life as a REFLECTION of what God has done in, through, and for me to
prepare me for Heaven. Gracie goes almost everywhere with me!"
What has been the reaction you get when you and Gracie Travel to your appointments and in public?
"Majority
people just stare or pay no attention, but I have been able to share my
story with some and those I have been able to share with seem touched
by it. So she has opened conversation about what I am going through and
about life in general. At the clinic the nurses and front desk staff
enjoy seeing the different outfits that I have either been given or have
had. I have kept a journal on Caring Bridge and Facebook of my journey
through breast cancer. Part of this I have shared pictures of Gracie in
some of our outings and treatments."
Finish this sentence....Having Gracie as my constant companion is a reminder that
..." Life is short and I am loved. She reminds me to love others and
that even when life is hard we can still find joy in the journey."
Tell me about the support you feel from the Dolly World in your recovery and journey.
"The
support from the Dolly World has been Huge! From making new close
friends that I hope to meet someday to financial help so that my husband
was able to focus more on helping me through this physically and
mentally and worry less about the finances. There is a group of friends
that are involved in a group called Dolls for a Cause. They make doll
clothes and auction them off to help different charities or people for
different causes. In September they focused on Breast Cancer and decided
that they would donate to proceeds to us to help us out financially. I
felt so humbled by this... And was amazed at the out pouring of love
and support that came through this. From being able to make our house
payment when we were at our lowest for income ever, to the surprise
gifts and packages that were sent to brighten my day. "
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please email us at karenmowen@gmail.com
I'm really enjoying your Dolly Neighbors series.
ReplyDeleteAs the friend that got Pam back into dolls... it has been such a joy to watch her blossom with all the different groups she is in.. Love you Pam
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen for all you do too.. you are one special Lady!!
As one of those Dolls For A Cause members that has had the pleasure of getting to know Pam through everything, I hope to make it to her hometown, in the very near future, to finally meet her face to face, along with Kath and Katie! :-D I ca hardly wait to meet this beautiful, strong, and inspiring woman I call my friend! Love ya!♡
ReplyDeleteI was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006. My fellow doll collectors were my biggest support group. I am not sure if it is because most doll collectors are women or if doll people are by nature kinder and more nurturing. What I do know is that I could not have asked for a better support group. WTG Pam!
ReplyDelete