Dorothy: [00:00:00] What would it be like if you never did anything unless it nourished your soul? Well, this is the philosophy of Linda Griffin, and she was so adamant about it that when she met our techs, they said, oh, we’ve got to have her on the show. Linda is quick to tell you about being a breast cancer survivor and how this attitude and this philosophy has been the best medicine she ever had.
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Let’s Talk About Your Breast, a different kind of podcast presented to you by The Rose. A breast center of excellence and a Texas treasure. You’re gonna hear frank discussions about tough topics, and you’re gonna learn why knowing about your breast could save your life.[00:01:00]
Linda, we are so delighted to have you here. I cannot tell you how many of my employees said, you must have this lady on the podcast. When they met you, they were just astounded by this attitude you have. Towards life, towards breast cancer, towards your survivorship. So thank you for making this trip. Thank you for being here. Uh, we’re just, just happy to be able to talk with you today.
Linda: You’re welcome, Dorothy. I’m glad I’m happy to be here today.
Dorothy: So tell me, I, I’ve got about a dozen questions here, but the first one is, how in the heck did you get involved with tennis?
Linda: Many years ago when I was in college, my older sister was two years older. And so initially I had graduated from a junior college, a two year junior college in Oklahoma. So I moved, uh, after two years I needed, I transferred to a four year university where my, my sister was [00:02:00] attending college as well, and so she had taken a tennis class as a PE course and she loved it. So that gave her the tennis bug.
And so when I moved. And with her to go to college, I, uh, would go to the park with her where she was playing and I, you know, I was like, okay, this is something I can do. And so I, that’s when I got interested. ’cause I didn’t even know, you know, people played tennis. I didn’t know anyone that played tennis.
Dorothy: So you weren’t an athlete or.
Linda: Well, in high school. I played basketball and I played, um, played basketball and I played softball, but I wasn’t that great at it. I didn’t even think I was an athlete at the time. ’cause I was on, you know, like the B team and the C team. So I know, you know, I was even told that, you know, you’re, you were, you’re not an athlete.
Dorothy: Oh.
Linda: And so it wasn’t until I got started playing tennis and started. Uh, started actually learning how to play, which is a challenge. And because at the time I was just hitting the balls over the, over the fence, you know, I didn’t happy for that.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: You, you need control with tennis. So [00:03:00] it was during that process that that’s where I really, well, you know, got introduced to it and, and got the love for it. And, uh, I just wanted to improve it and just to get better.
Dorothy: So you play in tournaments and…?
Linda: Yes, I do. And, and before Covid I played on two different league teams on, on, on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. So I did play league and at one time I even played on three teams, so that kept me very busy.
Dorothy: Yes.
Linda: And it’s a lot of traveling and it’s, uh, and the, the, the weeknight teams are on weekday. Where weekdays, so it was kind of hard because the matches are at seven o’clock and a lot of times we’d have to travel. Most of the time we, I, we had tra we travel ’cause we lived in the, in the suburbs. So we’d have to travel into Houston or one of the suburbs. So after Covid, I kind of, I, I’m like, okay, uh, let me take a break for, from playing the leagues.
And I occasionally, I do play tournaments. Um, I am getting ready to play in a tournament in May. Uh, down at the, uh, park where I play tennis at McGregor Park. They have an annual tournament, so I love playing there in that tournament. [00:04:00] And we have tennis friends from all over the United States that will come and play in that tournament.
So it’s just a great, it’s fun. It’s it’s fellowship. It is friendship. I love to volunteer. So my husband and I, well I volunteer and of course through me he, he volunteers,
Dorothy: right. Yeah. He gets volunteered, sounds like.
Linda: Exactly. Exactly. And so I love to volunteer and, and just to be a help and be a blessing to. And I want all the, uh, the people that are come, they spend money and time to travel to come outta town. I just want them to have a good time and enjoy themselves. Ah, and I love working as part of a team and I know the, uh, the tournament director and the team that’s helping run the tournament, they put so much work into the tournament all year round.
So if I can just be a little help, you know. I, you know, I, I wanna be able to help, you know, and make things better and make the, uh, you know, out of town players have see that they have a good time. So if I can make a contribution and make a difference towards that goal, then that’s what I enjoy doing. So.
Dorothy: So volunteer tennis [00:05:00] player and also a breast cancer survivor.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: So yours was a little different how you were diagnosed. You wanna tell us about that?
Linda: Yes. At the time, I was diagnosed in 2007, but prior, about a year before my company, they have The Rose comes out and they have the mobile thing and they, they come to our company. And I began to, um, I just had the screening done. And then they saw a film and they told me I need to, you know, go to my doctor to have a mammogram done. And so I did that and the, the radiologist told me, well, there’s, you know, we see a, we see like a, a little dark area, but there’s nothing really to concerned about.
So I wasn’t concerned about it. And then about a year later, I just woke up one morning and it was just like the, I. You know, the, the Holy Spirit told me, you know, feel the, your, your left bump, your left breast. And then I felt a knot there that I’d never felt before. And I was 44 years old. And I like, you know, what [00:06:00] could this be?
So I, right away I made a, I made a, I made an appointment with my personal physician, Dr. Anderson, and she got me in right away. And then she, uh, referred me to, she said, you need, you need to get, we need to get this checked out. And I want you to have a, a mammogram and ultrasound. And so she referred me to, um, Dr. Gaskill, who at the time had her own office.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: And so, you know, Dr. Anderson, she, I just love her because she, she’s so caring and she’s such a wise, godly woman. And she referred me there and they got me in right away, like the next day. And so I went there and, um, I just love the setup up, Dr. Gaskill. It’s everything is just like, everything was so feminine, everything. Just like.
Dorothy: She is amazing.
Linda: Yeah. Yeah. She makes, she takes that extra measure to make you feel comfortable there. And so, um, and so I went there and then had my mammogram done and ultrasound done and it was so awesome because she actually brings you in and lets you see your, the film.
And it’s like in 3D, these hu she showed me where, you know, the, [00:07:00] where the lump was. And, uh, so after that I had to have, I had surgery. I, I, I received my treatment at MD Anderson in the, the Bay Area, which was nice and convenient since, since I live in Friendswood, right? And so I went there for my treatment and, um, I. They recommended, uh, surgery first, and then I had a lumpectomy. And I, you know, I really thought I was gonna be off of work for like six weeks, but after I had my surgery, it was like, oh, this is, you know, I, you know, thanks to the grace of God, I recover quickly of course too. I was, I’m never the time to just, to sit around and do nothing and wait, you know, I’m, I have to stay busy. I love staying busy and doing things and being productive. So I had my surgery and then the, the, um, the surgeon actually found, we, we initially thought it was one lump, but it, it turned out to have, I had a smaller lump as well. So he was, thankfully he was able to, he was really good and he was able to go in just through one incision and remove the, both, both of the lumps outta [00:08:00] my breast.
Dorothy: Oh, that’s good.
Linda: Uh, so that was a blessing. So I recovered quickly. So after surgery I had to have radiation and chemotherapy. And so I did that. I did, I think that I did only about eight weeks of, uh, radi chemotherapy, but I was in stage one, so that’s like, like that’s very, that’s very early.
Dorothy: Yeah, that’s very early.
Linda: So that was really a good thing. So I didn’t require, you know, as many rounds of chemotherapy as some ladies did. And then I went to radiation, which was really easy, and I was just, that was only like 15 minutes a day. I went there for six weeks. And so, um, I was thankful that my, I was able to adjust my work schedule. Because my work schedule is, it is very, it’s a lot, it’s a flex schedule. And so I was able to, to adjust my, um, work schedule around my, my, my, you know, my treatments. So it.
Dorothy: So lin–, I, I know you probably don’t even realize this, but you know, you’re 44 years old, God has told you, or the Holy Spirit that you need to check your breast. Do you know how many doctors would’ve poo-pooed that? [00:09:00] I mean, it’s just a miracle, really, that you had the doctor who said, okay, let’s hear what this woman has to say.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: You know, you’re young. So many of our young survivors have been told, oh, well it can’t be anything, you know?
Linda: Right. Oh, yeah.
Dorothy: And boy, if you’d said, I was told to find it here.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: You know, so I’m, I’m just really impressed with, with that level of caring and really listening to you. That’s so important.
Linda: Yes, it is.
Dorothy: Every woman knows her body. Right. At some point, you know, we have some ideas. And when our intuition tells us something, we really need to pay attention.
Linda: That’s true. It’s true. Instead of just ignore and, and, and just keeping, you know, like, okay, this is, this is o it’s okay. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it’s better to me, it gives you a peace of mind to knowing. Okay.
Dorothy: Absolutely.
Linda: You know, it, it, it was, it is nothing or, you know, so. I was thankful for the care that I receive and I con, I continue to go to the same, my, my, my [00:10:00] physician, uh, I continue, we have such a close, a good relationship.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Linda: Over the years. And I just, I always heed her vice because I believe she’s al, she’s, she’s wise. And, um. And that she wouldn’t steer me wrong. And, um, she always insists that I go to Dr. Gaskill for my continuing, you know, mammograms and ultrasounds.
Dorothy: So you actually, you’re a groupie. You follow, you follow Dr. Gaskill here?
Linda: Yeah, I follow, yes, I follow.
Dorothy: Good good.
Linda: When you receive good service and, you know, good advice. It’s, it’s wise to follow that.
Dorothy: Oh yeah. She, she was such a gift to us.
Linda: Yeah, I know.
Dorothy: Uh, and, and you know, she. It’s very clear she doesn’t wanna work all the time.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: But we’ve had so many of her patients follow her here you when she, and we’re grateful for that.
Linda: When she closed her office, um, my, my doctor, Dr. Anderson was the one that told me where she was. ’cause I said, you know, I told her, you know, I need to go for my mammogram. You know, she, I’ve heard, you know, her office is closed and she actually, she let me know that she was, she was at The Rose. Right. And [00:11:00] so I was like, okay.
Dorothy: You know, Dr. Gaskill is so, uh humble.
Linda: Yes, she is.
Dorothy: She never, you know, I go up and I say, I had another one of your patients. You know, of course she knows you were here. But she’d go, oh, well, yes, I remember. And she remembers them and you know, and I think, Hmm. But she never brags. It’s so in great radiologist.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: Yes. Boy, I tell you, there is a little difference when all you do is mammograms, right? You know, you just have a different eye for it. So, yeah. Well, we are delighted. Now. Two of my employees came and said, this woman has such a different attitude and, um, you made a decision after your breast cancer diagnosis that it sounds like has been life changing for you in many ways where you said. And this has come from my employee now. Maybe you didn’t say it this way.
Linda: Right, Uhhuh.
Dorothy: But you said, I’m not gonna do anything that doesn’t nourish me.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: I’m not gonna do, now that’s a [00:12:00] phenomenal statement. How many times during the day are we doing things we don’t really wanna do or you know, there for somebody else? Or we, after we do ’em, we go, oh God, why did I do that again? But you made that decision now how? How did you come about that?
Linda: Well, my, my husband and I, we are a believer of, uh, of God and Yahweh and the Holy Spirit. So we really believe in having a positive attitude regardless of what you’re going through, and that, you know, you have to continue to fight and you, and, and also to you want to grow and become better and be, become a better person and to just live a better life, and to live a, a long, healthy life.
And that’s what we’re always striving for, is just a long, healthy life. And I believe it’s a journey. And I believe that the breast cancer diagnosis was just a, just a step on the journey where I’m learning more about how to take care of myself and how to take care of him and to eat [00:13:00] healthier and to make sure we get our steps in every day.
And walk and, you know, put with the tennis and the exc–, you know, and the, and the walking and just eating healthier and just really. Cherishing the body. You know, these are temples that God gave us. And just to cherish this temple and take care of this temple because I, you know, we, we, you see so many people that are, they, they, that they’re ill, they have terminal illnesses or diabetes or really serious health conditions, and they’re taking medication that we believe that, and I strongly believe that, you know, food and exercise and just, just a positive attitude that, that, that you can change your, you can that your medicine. Yeah.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. And so I just, and, and every day I just seek to learn more and to grow and become better so I can, you know, I live that long, healthy life that I believe that God has promised me that I can have. And it starts with me and I have to make a decision. And so many people, I think they use [00:14:00] excuses why they’re not healthy or you know, they’re not fit or why they’re ill. And, um, it is a decision. Everything is a decision and it’s a right decision and a wrong decision. And you know, it, you know, it starts with you. And, and just having a positive attitude and enjoying life and, and, you know, life is adventure and it’s a journey. And in it’s every, it is, it’s, you know, it’s a step every day.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Linda: And every moment of the day. And it starts with a just good decision, wise decision, good decisions.
Dorothy: We had a physician on just recently who said, you know, you’ve gotta make small steps.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: You know, when you’re really wanting to become healthier, just do the small steps. And then, then the others will, will be easier. But you’re so right. It, you really gotta make up your mind.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: Yeah. To do that. Now, you’re not working right now, No. you’ve retired.
Linda: I’ve retired in June.
Dorothy: I don’t wanna hear it. You retired in June. Oh my gosh. But, but even when you were working, you were, you were on that road of being. [00:15:00] Better.
Linda: Oh yes.
Dorothy: Treating yourself better. How do you do that in a work environment?
Linda: On my lunch break, I would go out and walk on my lunch break, and so I would meet, I would just, people would see with some of the, uh, employees that didn’t know me, they would, they, sometimes they would, when we would run into each other or at a meeting or something, they, they said, they didn’t know me, but they would say, I saw you out walking. You are the person that I see out walking.
Dorothy: And it’s hot out there. Yeah. All of the, all of the reasons. Yeah.
Linda: I’m like, man, when it would get too hot, I would actually walk in our parking garage. And there’s, I see other people doing this. I saw other people walking as well. So, and then also too, I, uh, I believe in, I’m, I’m whole food plant-based. And so I do a lot of batch cooking and cooking and just, just a lot of eating, a lot of fruits and vegetables. And just healthy, you know, like whole grains. And, and so I don’t like to eat out at restaurants because you, you don’t know what you’re getting in a lot of that food has so much sodium in it.
And my husband is [00:16:00] really watching his sodium intake ’cause Oh, about, I guess about 10 years ago he had an encounter where he, they, well they said it was a slight stroke, so, but thank God he didn’t have any, there’s no lasting side effects. So, so, but the doctor said he didn’t wanna take high blood pressure show medication.
And he, he doesn’t take any medication and he’s 75, he’s 74 years old. And so he said, I don’t wanna take medication. And doctor gave him a, a prescription of five five milligrams of blood pressure medication. He refused to take it. He, he got a filled, but he never took a pill. And he said, we are getting enough exercise, we just need to control.
And I was already on the journey to eating healthier.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: But I didn’t know anything about how much sodium is in processed foods. And when I was cooking, I was making foods. That, you know, using barbecue sauce, catch condiments and things like that. It had so much sodium in it, I didn’t realize it. And that’s when I really became a label reader. And even like canned vegetables, things like that, I just, I just, it just made, made me still on the journey to [00:17:00] reading labels.
Dorothy: So do you really, does it say, here’s. Everything that’s in this can, I mean.
Linda: Yeah, it does.
Dorothy: I hear people talk about that all the time.
Linda: All the ingredients are there and like I, I, I buy like, because of the convenience and I buy a lot of canned vegetables and I buy the, the vegetables that have, you know, no, no so– sodium free. Or low. Or low, so, right. So, you know, it makes a tremendous dish. And like foods like, uh, even ketchup, um, spaghetti sauce, all those, you know, some things I just don’t buy anymore. Because, you know, it’s more important. His health and my health is more I important.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: And I noticed too, I wasn’t even. I wasn’t really overweight, I was about, I was a average weight, but I noticed once we started reducing our sodium, I, I reduced, I I, my weight went down as well. So it you retain.
Dorothy: Well that would encourage all of us to do that.
Linda: Yes. Yeah. Oh yeah. And so I just, and some food, you know, products like baked goods from Pat Baked goods and things like that, we just don’t eat. You know, if we want something sweet treat or whatever, [00:18:00] we, um, you know, we bake it ourselves, but. I do have cheese. I, I have a huge, my, my sweet cheese is just, I love sweets.
Dorothy: Oh, that’s good to hear.
Linda: And so, I know, so when we go to, when we go to a, like a wedding or something like that, I might eat, you know, a piece of cake, but I’ll take all the frosting off of it.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Linda: Because it has so much fat in it, which is not, I don’t want my art arteries to be clogged. So, and he’ll do the same thing. So I’ll eat a, you know, a piece of cake or something like that. But I don’t bring my, I’m, I’m learning now not to bring it home. ’cause I’ve gotten in the past, I’ve brought in all these sweets home and I’m like, but I, I still eat it.
Dorothy: They just call to you. Yes, yes.
Linda: I know.
Dorothy: So don’t even sitting there in that closet and they’re saying, I know in the refrigerator, I’m here.
Linda: Yes, I know. I’m like, I don’t bring it home. I won’t be want to eat them, so I just don’t bring it home.
Dorothy: So go back to when you were in treatment. Did it, how important was support from others, not just in your family, but how important was that to you?
Linda: Um, it was very important and the most, my most, I felt like my, my [00:19:00] support system, my strongest support system was my friends, my tennis friends, because I had two that had already been through this journey and they had had mastectomies. And they were all, and they were just very encouraging and telling me not to do this. Don’t, you know? And also too, my husband’s cousin, she’s a, a breast cancer survivor, and she had had a mastectomy and she was telling me about some tips like, don’t overlook with the, with, uh, with the arm that were, you know, where your breast bachelors removed.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Linda: Because it might, you know, you might get lymphedema. And that’s what she’s dealing, she’s still doing, dealing with that. 20 years later, it, you know, her arm swells up. And she said, that’s from over lifting, you know, things are not too heavy. So it was just advice like that and just always encouragement, you know, with my tennis friends.
And I think too, just seeing them how they, you know, how God had brought them through their healing journey and how they were still doing. Doing things that they enjoyed and, and my really good friend who is like my sister, she teaches tennis, so [00:20:00] she’s out on the court, you know, even out, you know, after her, you know, after her healing, she’s back out, you know, teaching tennis and doing what she loves to do.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: And I, and so, and you know, so it’s just, you know, just, just people like that, just women, like that just encourages me and motivates me to be healthy and encourage other women too that are going through the process and other people that have cancer too. My sister recently. Uh, under underwent, um, she had, ’cause she had cancer, cancer, but it was from the rectum and colon.
And, um, I was just, you know, continually kind of encourage her, but her, unfortunately, her, you know, she got a lot of side effects, which I, thankfully I didn’t, I didn’t have any side effects and so I was just, you know, it. Trying to encourage her and, and trying to make her aware of things like, uh, you know, as far as like hair loss. ‘Cause some of us experienced that. That, you know, just be prepared for that. Don’t be, you know, just, I wanna, you know, I think too, if you can kind of, if you are prepared and be [00:21:00] aware of that, these things that might happen, then they’re not, I know it’s gonna be shocking when you go to that mirror, you know?
Dorothy: Yes, yes.
Linda: When it starts falling out, you won’t be, you know, as, as surprised and so panicky. ’cause sometimes that’s, you know, being just not, uh, that not being aware of these things, you know, and just, I think just encouragement and just continue to just love upon, you know, on our sisters and brothers who are going through the treatment, you know, going through cancer because no one’s journey is, is the same. You know, and just. And, and so just being, being a help and being a blessing to others is
Dorothy: Well, and I think you, you bring up a really good point, uh, seeing someone who’s been through it and seeing them as vivacious and, and healthy and active.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: That. That says a whole lot more than even the words.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: Sometimes. I, uh, when The Rose started, we had several support groups, but it, this is so long ago, but I always remember there was a woman who came to the [00:22:00] support groups who was 13 years out. Now you gotta remember this way back in the eighties.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: And women just didn’t live that long.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: And I mean, she was dating and she was beautiful and, you know, but without exception. Every other woman in that support group said, if Olamaie could do it, I can do it.
Linda: Exactly. Exactly.
Dorothy: You know, it was, it was just that absolute seeing it and knowing that, that someone else is out there. You playing tennis, that is such a, not just even inspiration, but it’s more than that. It’s like, You know, you can’t play with me. I, I know how it feels, so you’re gonna have to come on.
Linda: I’ve been through a battle and this is nothing compared than what I’ve gone to, but I believe also too. Um, when I was first diagnosed, I was in this state of why me? Why me, Lord, I’m only 44. I’m healthy. I’m I’m living.
Dorothy: Right.
Linda: You know, I’m trying to take care of why me? But then I had to get beyond. He had to bring me beyond that part to [00:23:00] say, Linda, look at that. You know, you know, you know other women who have gone through worse. And look how they’re flourishing and look how they’re, you know, they’re living their lives and they’re enjoying life.
So this is just a, this is just a, you know, minor, you know, minor thing. Minor, like a minor, uh, you know, thing. And just.
Dorothy: Like a temporary setback.
Linda: Exactly. Exactly. Do what you need to do and just move on and, and learn from this experience. ’cause everything, it’s a, it’s a learning. Everything is a learning experience and to help you grow and get better and to. You know, and to help you, you know, live a better life. So it’s, it’s about growth and it’s about learning and just doing better.
Dorothy: So how was your husband during that time?
Linda: Well, he, he was supportive, but you know, he, he, he kinda, he was kind of, he really didn’t want me to have the radiation and the chemo. He really did. He, he thought, because the surgeon said, well, you know, I’ve seen this before and I don’t think the, uh, the radiation and the chemo is really necessary. And so my husband’s kind of, but he’s not one [00:24:00] to, he’s more into, he’s not really wanting to medication and that type of thing.
Dorothy: I wondered if he, if he had a little trouble with that.
Linda: Yeah, he did. He did. He did, but he still supported me at the same time. And he always, he made sure that I got my rest because during the chemo especially, I was okay the first couple days, but by that fourth day I was just exhausted.
Dorothy: Yeah.
Linda: So he made sure that, you know, I got my rest and I need, you know, that I needed to do what I needed to do. So.
Dorothy: And you know, sometimes it’s so hard for the husbands who wanna fix it.
Linda: Right. Exactly. Exactly.
Dorothy: And you know, they, it’s a real learning for them too. It’s.
Linda: True. True.
Dorothy: A whole different way of having to be it in this world, so. Yeah.
Linda: And, but he kept telling me that, you know, he was just, he’s very, he’s really a man of God and he was just telling me, he kept telling, emphasizing, Hey, you know, God, this is just temporary. God’s gonna bring you through this and you know you’re gonna be well. And just, just to, just to hang in there and have the faith.
Dorothy: So. [00:25:00] When I think of playing tennis, I have no depth perception. So the one or two times I tried to play, uh, softball.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: You know, yeah. My nose was broken. I mean, it’s all these kind of things where, oh my goodness, no, I just couldn’t see the ball.
Linda: Right.
Dorothy: But I just wondered, was someone who’s such an avid tennis player, did you ever think of the comparisons between life and tennis?
Linda: Oh yes I do because I and my friends and I, we discuss it all the time. How, you know, tennis is a training ground for, for life and you know, you want to, you know, you want to get better, you want to persevere and you, you have to be dedicated and life throws you challenges and there’s ups and downs and in the game of tennis you win some, you lose some, but you don’t just quit because I had had those instances where I’ve been so.
You know, where I’ve lost a match and I felt it was my fault and I just want to quit. And so, but you can’t do that. I mean, you have to, you know, get back on the court the next day or the next, you know, two days and, and that’s what, how [00:26:00] life is you, you just can’t quit. You have to, you have to want to get better.
You want to prove, and you wanna have, you want to, you know, be the best and do the best that you can be. And, and so, you know, that’s what take, and even in the ups and the downs, like the, the cold weather. ’cause sometime we are out in like, 45 degree, 50 degree weather and you know, a hundred degree weather.
But you know, you still have to, you still have to, you have to endure. And sometimes I think about, you know, when I’m on the court, well, there’s other people on the other side of the court that I’m playing. They’re out here in this a hundred degree weather. I feel like, well, they can do it. I can do it too. It’s a, it’s a challenge at the same time.
Dorothy: Oh yeah.
Linda: But it’s, it is doing something you, you know, you wanna, you know, you love to do. And that I, I enjoy most, I enjoy a lot of time, just most of the time just practicing where it’s my husband and myself, you know, or a friend. And we’re just out practicing because I know that this is helping me to improve and get better and, and you have to have so much focus and you have to just [00:27:00] endure, and you have to give it a a hundred percent. And that’s the way life is. It’s, you know, I, I don’t wanna do anything like half-hearted. I want, I wanna put my whole, you know, a hundred percent into whatever I do. And so that’s, that’s the way I feel.
You know, that’s how about I feel about tennis. That’s how you get better. It’s hard work, it’s determination, but it’s, it’s something that’s worthwhile. And you know, it’s, and I also too, one of the things I love about tennis is just the, the, uh, the personal aspect and the friendship aspect that you obtain, you know, through the years of just, I love being able to meet new people and, you know, the social aspect of it as well. And tennis players. We live about, you know, researchers found we live about 10 years longer than non tennis players, so.
Dorothy: Really !
Linda: That’s.
Dorothy: Oh my gosh, that’s insentive, Hey, you know? Yes.
Linda: And we go, we go to tournaments, especially the national tournaments. So there’s men and women. They have 95 and they’re 90 plus years old. Some of them are 95 [00:28:00] and 98. You know, it’s just, it’s, that’s just, so, I love to go and talk to those players.
Dorothy: It’s amazing to see.
Linda: And they travel from other, you know, other cities. Uh, and, and go, you know, so they’re traveling by themselves or, you know, with friends, and they’re going to tennis and are going to tournaments, and, and you see so many other people that are young, their age or younger, they’re in nursing homes. They’re, they’re walking on walkers. And here you see this person, these ladies and gentlemen, here they are, they’re out on the tennis court playing tennis. So it’s just, it’s so inspiring and motivated.
Dorothy: Oh, yes.
Linda: I just loved it. And I, and sometime I’ll go up and talk to them like, how are you doing? You know? Just to, you know, just give me motivation. They’re role models. And one of my really good friends, uh, when I, I first started playing tennis at McGregor Park. When I moved to Houston, I went, um, Ms. Mac, she, she’s probably about 20 years older than I am, but when you look at her, she looks so great and she’s that, that’s the one of the, she really motivated me. ’cause at that [00:29:00] time I was so outta shape and had gained like 20 pounds and I wasn’t playing tennis anymore. But when I met her, and she’s never ashamed to tell you her age, and she was, she runs at Herman Park and she’s in her eighties now. She’s, I think she’s about 86.
She runs at Herman Parks. Like four or five days a week at that time. And then she goes to the gym and she lifts weight. So she’s got all these muscles everywhere. And I’m like, wow. Well, when I met her and she and I found out what she was doing her age, and that really motivated me to get back on the court and start to eating healthy. ‘Cause at that point I wasn’t eating healthy.
Dorothy: Wow.
Linda: I was eating like frozen di, taking frozen dinners for my lunch and just didn’t, basically just kind of just wasn’t taking care of myself at all and wasn’t being health conscious. And so once I met her, I was like, oh my goodness, Linda, you know, you can do better than this. Look at her. This is your role model. And so still I’ve been, uh, ever since that’s, that’s been, I’m, I moved up here in, uh, from Oklahoma in, uh, 1997. So [00:30:00] that’s been, I still tell her, you know. I, you still motivate me. I still remember meeting you and how you, and still she continues to motivate me to, to be better and to, you know, to know that even at, you know, as I age, I can still improve and get better and, you know, that it’s, it’s not too hard if I just, I have to have that desire and I have to make that decision to choose to love up upon myself.
Dorothy: Yeah. That’s good.
Linda: And that’s the way it is. It’s self love. It’s self love and, you know, ’cause being, you know, being the best you that you can be. And you know.
Dorothy: Wow. Linda, I can tell while my staff wanted us to talk with you, you are a role model. You, you really are. And I love what you said about, you’ve just gotta make that decision.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: But I love even more when you said you gotta love on yourself.
Linda: Yes.
Dorothy: That’s, that’s the best advice I have heard in a long, long time.
Linda: Thank you.
Dorothy: Well, thank you for being with us today and we so appreciate you making the trip and I wanna see you back in another 10 [00:31:00] years. See what else you would’ve done.
Linda: Oh. Well, I was, I’m glad to be here, Dorothy. Thank you. I’ve enjoyed our, our, our conversation.
Dorothy: This has been good.
Linda: Thank you.
Post-Credits: Thank you for joining us today on Let’s Talk About Your Breasts. This podcast is produced by Speke Podcasting, and brought to you by The Rose. Visit TheRose.org to learn more about our organization. Subscribe to our podcast. Share episodes with friends and join the conversation on social media using #LetsTalkAboutYourBreasts. We welcome your feedback and suggestions. Consider supporting The Rose. Your gift can make the difference to a person in need. And remember, self-care is not selfish. It’s essential.
