The courage of a lion
Christy Fuller Sentinel Writer

Christy Fuller/ Sentinel Photo Cheryl Cattaneo gets a new fabulous look from Carolyn Bryant of Look Good, Feel Better. Her friend, Diane Greene also had her hair shaved to show Cheryl her support and love. Sandy Roberts, Glenda Roth, Sharon Fetrow, Martha Kamarat, Linda Nielsen, Barbara Hughes and her husband, Don Cattaneo were all a part of Cheryl's support that day.

Tears came to my eyes as a watched a courageous woman take another step toward coping with the unthinkable. Cheryl Cattaneo has strongly battled cancer for many years now. Dealing with the disease has taken her through many obstacles which she has been able to overcome. In 1969 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and the doctors gave her 4 months to live. Remarkably, the cancer went into remission until last year. "I have had a wonderful 39 years so far and I am enjoying every minute of it", she says.

Today, she met with some of her close friends to shave her head at Creative Designs and to receive a beautiful wig from Carolyn Bryant of the Look Good, Feel Better program. Cheryl's dear friend Glenda Roth who has known Cheryl for fiveyears also shaved her head to show her support and love to Cheryl. Cheryl's husband surprised her when he showed up at the salon with also, a shaved head. Support was endless for her. "A woman's hair is very important to her, it gets emotional for that person and for me too when they have to do this," Carolyn Bryant says. "I average about 1 person per week and can remember that in one two week span, I had seven people, that's alot," she added. "These instances make you see why Barbara and I are so devoted to raising money for The American Cancer Society."

Christy Fuller/ Sentinel Photo Carolyn Bryant of Look Good, Feel Better and Cheryl share a warming hug as Cheryl thanks her for her new look.

Each of her friends wore t-shirts that read "Suck it up, buttercup." Cheryl had these t-shirts made to encourage her to be strong on this day while losing her hair. She is going through chemo-therapy and one of the side affects is hair lose. "To me, hair is nothing, it's not a big deal to me and I don't mind losing it. It is worth losing in exchange for life," Cheryl said in response to losing her hair. "It is now in God's hands, never give up your hope, there is always hope."

Christy Fuller/ Sentinel Photo Barbara Hughes, Relay for Life Co-Chairman of Cherokee County shares this moment in support of Cheryl.

Diane Greene, Sandy Roberts, Glenda Roth, Sharon Fetrow, Martha Kamarat, Linda Nielsen, Barbara Hughes, Carolyn Bryant and her loving husband Don Cattaneo were Cheryl's support group that day.

Cheryl will be a featured guest speaker at the Relay For Life that will take place on May 16 and 17 at the Koneheta Park. Her words of encouragement are much needed to other families who are facing the fight with cancer. She says, "Live your life one day at a time, be a person of good faith and don't let it steal what you can help, like the joy of living. All we have is today, I'm just more aware of it." If you get the opportunity to meet her, you will findthat she is a good "pickme up" and finds so much joy out of life regardless of what the day may bring. We need to count our blessings each day and cherish each moment. Cheryl just meeting you, truly blessed me.

If you are battling cancer or know someone who is, please feel free to contact Barbara Hughes for any questions, concerns or help you may need at 837-6821.