To say my weekend was amazing would be an understatement. Saturday, July 16th, my husband and I set off to attend the 22nd annual Gavers BarnDance in Woodstock.

The Gavers Community Cancer Foundation‘s mission is to:

1. Raise cancer awareness through education and screenings
2. Improve cancer care for local residents
3. Raise funds for cancer research

Since 2000 they have raised over $8.7 million in their fight!

Since being diagnosed in March 2022 I began researching local charities and foundations who really want to help locally. When I went public with my diagnosis in April I was blessed to find these local foundations because of their willingness to reach out to me and offer help. One of those individuals is the unbelievable, Steve Gavers. Yes, there is a relation of Steve Gavers to the Gavers Community Caner Foundation and right again… to the Gavers BarnDance! Steve, a survivor himself, reached out with encouragement, advice, a similar sense of humor and an open invitation to text him any time I needed help. There was also a reminder for me of the BarnDance. Turns out Steve is ALSO a fan of the Sherman and Tingle Show. So funny, because so am I! 😉 My husband and I purchased our tickets as soon as they went on-sale. There was no question, we wanted to be apart of this event and support local.

Saturday evening we showed up at the event looking forward to ‘great’ event, but it was so much more ‘great’. I walked into the Bucket Raffle area, honestly heading to get a beer. A small group of individuals were walking towards me.

“Huh… that woman looks like my friend Danielle. Funny. Huh… that woman looks like my friend Melissa, but she’s on vacation right now out of state. Why are they looking at me. Why are they walking straight for me. Hey, that tall guy looks like Peter. Wait. What?!?!?!“

My eyes teared up as my BFFs and their husbands/boyfriend each hugged me and told me they were here to support me. Brian organized an ultimate surprise for me. I’m so grateful to have him and his sneaky ways. My friends gave up their weekend (and a day of their vacation) to be with me and show support. Thinking about that surprise now even makes my eyes water. Definitely NOT allergies. We even had our own table. What, what, what?!?! Brian is just too sneaky!

Brian and I finally had an opportunity to meet Steve, as he was being pulled in all directions. I mean, his name IS on the event. Pretty sure he’s got people lined up to meet him, I know this because I casually stalked him while he was talking to someone else. Hence, waiting in line. It was worth the wait. He is just such a genuine person. Someone I’d like to have a Gatorade with outside of the event. Steve, if you’re reading this… you get it.

The program is about to start, Steve takes the mic to welcome everyone. My friends at my table are so thoughtful they’re trying to ask tables around us to quiet down, they know I want to be respectful and learn more about the Foundation and what Steve has to say. My friends are even videoing Steve, that’s nice. Steve is announcing the “Never Be Defeated” Awards to a husband and wife who both not only volunteer with the foundation but have both battled with cancer, back to back. What strength they must have and I hold my tears back as I clap at their courage. The next “Never Be Defeated” award is apparently going to someone who doesn’t know, “Katie Sherman”. Gosh darn it!!! It’s me!!! What, what, what?!?!?! Who am I to receive this? I just started talking to Steve a couple month ago. I put my head in my hands in shock and Brian motions to me, “let’s go! You have to go up there”. I don’t recall all the words Steve said that night, but the biggest take away was him explaining the love Brian and I have for each other. It’s true, and it’s what keeps me strong. Again, I hold back tears because I’m just in shock, but it seems harder to hold back tears right now as I’m reliving the night in my head as I type. We’re setup to take pictures with my award in hand and I get a tap on the back. Wait for it… my kids and mom are now here to watch me get this award. Sneaky, sneaky, sneaky, Brian and Steve. ❤️ So grateful to have such a thoughtful husband. Mushy, mushy, mushy. I love him so much.
The event was so inspiring. I met survivors that wanted to come up to me and remind me this isn’t forever. We fight. Just being in the room with others that know what I’m going through makes me feel even stronger. Thank you to those that approached me, it was kinda obvious with my bald head and I appreciated your openness. Even now, days late, I don’t know how to express my feelings in words now. Grateful. Blessed. Humbled. Loved. STRONG!

To my oldest son, fighting Crohn’s disease. THIS. ALL OF THIS. Family, friends and sometimes people you just meet. You’re never alone. You’ve been by my side and we will ALWAYS be by your side, one step at a time. Everyone sees the strength of our family and we are all fucking strong!

Tomorrow starts my new chemo. Weekly for 12 weeks. Blah! Most scary side-effects are neuropathy, which to all those that said, “what’s that?” I did do. It’s nerve damage. Yippee!!! I’ve been told cold packs on hands and feet help, so I’ve got my cold packs in the freeze and the special mittens and socks to wear tomorrow. Getting chemo in style! Only 12 to go. I got this!

Thank you again to everyone for this past weekend. It started with my excitement to wear cowboy boots, a dress and a jean jacket and it ended being just speechless. Except to say… get your tata’s touched… and then go get a mammogram.