Two years ago the cancer was cut out of me!!! That’s right, I had my lumpectomy two years ago today….in my mind that is the day I became a survivor. Today is such a better day compared to that day. I can remember wanting to have the surgery over with but being terrified as to what they would find. The radiologist that I saw before surgery to inject the dye for the sentinel node had scared me so bad….he said there was so much pre cancer that he didn’t even need to inject the “marker” into the breast. In that moment I knew it was bad….I knew they were going to tell me that it was Stage IV and I was going to die. I would not see my children grow up…..I had not done all the things I wanted to do with my life and all that was going to be taken away when the final pathology report came in. I tried to remain strong but I clearly remember starting to melt down right there as he tortured me with needles….I just cried and cried while the nurse rubbed my cheek and tried to calm me down. Once the surgery was over then we had to wait….those days were hard and I tried to remain strong for my kids….Tyler said that he heard if you had breast cancer you would die…..Jillian just knew Mommy had a couple boo-boos….I was angry that my kids even had to hear the words breast cancer. When we got the call that the report was in and we were to meet with Dr. K. I was glad the waiting was over but still terrified as to what we would hear. Dr. K. once again became my hero that day. He told us that the tumor was 4 mms and the remaining areas were pre cancer…I was considered Stage I!! That was music to my ears…Bret and I were so happy…I remember driving up 71 and us both just feeling so good…we stopped for a wonderful lunch to celebrate the good news…..that’s when Bret asked me if I was going to go for double D implants….I guess that didn’t work out so well for him!! J
The journey after that day has certainly had its’ ups and downs but I can remember in those first few weeks thinking that making it to the two year mark just seemed so far away….but here I am today! I could have never gotten here without my wonderful doctors and our incredible friends and family….Bret has been the best nurse and caretaker that a person could ever ask for….definetely makes you think of “for better or worse” when you take those wedding vows. Our neighbors have repeatedly arranged for meals after surgeries and helped so much with the kids and just anything we needed…like installing a garage door during a frigid day in the winter. So many cards, blog messages, gifts, emails and phone calls that always made me feel so loved and supported…….all these things helped more than words can ever express….I know that as a family we are very fortunate to be surrounded by such a caring, giving and supportive group….we are BLESSED and will never forget all that you have done.
Today things are good….it has been a super crazy busy few weeks. Last weekend was the Komen Race for the Cure. Team Ta-Tas had over 70 registered team members and out of 381 teams we were the 5th highest fundraising group..we have over $9400 so far…I was so happy!! Kay and Vicki and their families came in town for the weekend which was so nice. Saturday was a perfect morning for the walk…they think they had almost 15,000 participants. I loved the walk being downtown this year…we crossed over the Ohio River and one bridge and came back into Cincinnati on another bridge. The survivor ceremony was in the Red’s stadium which was also very cool. I got called down onto the field when they announced the top fundraising teams….I was so proud of Team Ta-Tas…I walked down on that field just like a Rock Star!!! HAHA!! At the end of the ceremony they formed all the survivors into a large human pink ribbon in the stadium seats….hard to describe but it was incredible to watch it building on the jumbo-tron!
After the walk we went out for a nice lunch on the river with Vicki, Todd and Em. Then it was time to head home and get ready for a big party at our house….we were celebrating Bret’s b-day and Team Ta-Tas….we had around 65 people attend and it was the perfect evening. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate two years of being cancer free.
I will be going to Indy this weekend to visit Sue and family. JD is still in the hospital. Please continue to send this family prayers…their faith continues to inspire me every day. I love them all so much. It will be so good to spend some time with Sue…it has been so hard to be away from her during all of this…I wish my visit was under different circumstances but I am looking forward to spending some time with everyone.
I guess I will sign off by saying…”Hey Cancer, KISS MY ASS!!” I am a survivor!!!!!!!!!