Amazing Kids!

Just before we headed to Texas for the summer, I wrote a post about my daughter, Katie, donating lemonade stand money to Chicks and Chucks. Well, she wasn't the only one! After we left, my dear friends' kids who also took part in the neighborhood lemonade stand went for a visit to see Cathy Halloran at the boutique to donate their earnings to Chicks and Chucks as well! I am simply bursting with pride to see Whitney, Natalie, Ava and Henry opening up their generous little hearts to donate their hard-earned money to a breast cancer support charity so near and dear to my heart. Some even dipped into their own piggy banks to give a little extra. If this doesn't warm you heart, I don't know what will. I was so thankful Carrie captured the moment on video which I will post below. These kids are all amazing, and I love them all so very much! If you have trouble viewing the embedded video (which I did on my mobile devices), here is a link to the video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/uLu2yoVC1Ks.

Ava, Whitney, Natalie and Henry, YOU ROCK!!!

I left my lady parts deep in the heart of Texas

If this post goes live, it means my next surgery is over, and I am well enough to hit the "publish" button! It's no secret that my summer vacation in Texas consists of a total robotic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (sounds like something out of a Dr. Seuss poem). I know how to live life on the edge, right?!?! What can I say, my bucket list looks vastly different post cancer diagnosis. Check that one off...I've left the rest of my lady parts deep in the heart of Texas.

Why, you may ask, have I chosen to spend my summer vacay having a hysterectomy? The answer is I've got lots of help with the kids while amongst family in Texas. Plus, my OB/Gyn, Dr. Allyson Patronella, practices here and I've been seeing her for around 20 years. When it comes to some things, I am a creature of habit. She helped me through the birth of three healthy, wonderful children and is a kind and skilled doctor. I wouldn't want to go to anyone else. These are my emotional reasons for dispensing with the lady parts here and now.

The medical reasons are also important. Having estrogen and progesterone positive cancer means those hormones are the enemy. Getting rid of the ovaries reduces estrogen and progesterone production as much as possible. I have also been taking Tamoxifen to block estrogen. Tamoxifen happens to increase the chance for uterine cancer. Having the CHEK2 gene mutation also increases the risk for a host of other cancers, so I am happy to eliminate a few more targets for recurrence of the breast cancer as well as for potential future cancers. My aunt, who also carries the same CHEK2 gene mutation in her bloodline, has had both breast and cervical cancer so why not get rid of that darn cervix, too, before it can cause problems. 

It took an at-the-buzzer Herculean effort by all my dear doctors, Dr. Patronella, Dr. Flora and Dr. Murley's office to get this surgery done. The afternoon before I was due at the hospital, I was informed the insurance company would not approve the hysterectomy. With swift and decisive fact presentation, my doctors were able to get an unusually fast reversal of the insurance company's decision. Again, I can't thank them all enough. I owe a huge debt to my phenomenal medical team. 

RADIATION

I never had a chance to note my enthusiasm about finishing up 25 rounds of radiation treatment on June 19! It all went by so quickly. I thought of that time laying out on the machine getting zapped as my personal "meditation" time. The folks at OHC whom I worked with each day were simply a joy which made it a very positive experience. My body reacted well and I walked away with only a few burn areas around my collarbone. I will soon be fully healed from the radiation which was the last major leg of what I hope is my Triple Crown Cure: chemo, surgery, then radiation.

 I had plenty of help celebrating the end of radiation with this amazing group of ladies. Too funny that the Uniboober got photo bombed!

MY FELLOW FIGHTERS

Cousin Jeanne is doing well following her bilateral mastectomy. She did have to go back into surgery twice to correct some bleeding issues. She is now free of her drain lines and sounds in good spirits. I continue to hope her family finds strength and faith to handle all the ups and downs breast cancer imposes on all loved ones.

My dear friend Penny Davis Meek has also had her family turned upside down by breast cancer. Her mom, Sharon, was recently diagnosed with this terrible disease.  Further testing revealed it had already metastasized in her bones. The Davis family is a pillar of the Richmond/Rosenberg community and are much loved and revered.  My heart aches for them as I know a bit about what the days ahead may look and feel like. Please hold them in your thoughts. They are a strong, loving family who will give each other the strength they need with the help of all their friends and community. My love goes out to you all, and I am here for you always. 

HOME SWEET HOME

I posted this photo on Facebook, but I'm putting it here as well. It was so wonderful to be reunited with my family. When my brother first laid eyes on me and my new crop of hair, he said, "Awh, I always wanted a little brother!" Leave it to Stefan! That's why I love him. My sister, Heather, has been a great help with the kids as I run around visiting doctors and hospitals. Family is precious.

My brother, my sister and the little brother Stefan always wanted!

Way to go, Katie, for turning lemons into lemonade!

Katie and Cathy Halloran

This past weekend during the Parlor Grove garage sale, some of the neighbor girls got together and ran a lemonade and cookie stand. My daughter, Katie, knew when they hatched this plan that she wanted to donate her portion of the proceeds to a breast cancer charity. Today, she did just that! She turned her money over to Cathy Halloran who founded Chicks and Chucks, a breast cancer support charity organization. Cathy has done so much to help me and so many other women from Northern Kentucky who are facing this disease. She is the funniest woman with no titties you'll ever meet. I am honored to call her one of my "breast friends," and I am beyond proud of Katie for wanting to give back to those who have helped her momma. I love you sweetie!

Katie loved making signs for the big sale!

The girls hard at work!

Prancing Around Like a Unicorn

The infamous Ted Kaczynski may have forever emblazoned the title "The Unabomber" into our American nomenclature, but I have the good fortune to coin a new, much more benign term as I wander around with one deflated titty...I am the self-proclaimed "Uniboober." Yes, cancer has dished up its next helping of humility and satire. 

Why, you may ask, do I find myself in this predicament? Radiation therapy requires a beam to be shot at my chest at a particular angle to lessen the damage to "good tissue" like my heart and lungs (which I tend to place great value in). In order to achieve that proper angle, the doctor had to remove nearly all the expansion fluid from one boob. Oh, yes, it looks exactly as you may be imagining...so sorry for the visual.

I've been prancing around like a damn unicorn for nearly two weeks now but I'm finally getting about as used to it as possible. I have been trying to patiently wait for the call to say the radiation oncologist has my plan all calculated and we can get this rolling. I am sporting some lovely crosshair marks on my torso so they can properly align me once in the machine. All I've been needing is the date and time to show up! Well, with a little urging from my dear Dr. Flora today, I got placed into the schedule to begin radiation therapy Thursday!!! I know this may seem odd to get excited about radiation, but I truly am ready to do this thing! I have 28 rounds ahead of me.

My Lone Star State loved ones, I am sad to say that doesn't put us in Texas until sometime during the last week of June...if I skip having my right boob re-inflated after radiation which would take four more weeks. The kids are having a hard time with this delay but there is no way to speed it up. I can't say I've ever seen a one-tittied woman in a bathing suit. Omigosh this is gonna be a summer to remember!

Shifting gears, I want to spend a few moments to ask for support for my cousin Jeanne Beckwith Elberfeld whom I reported recently tested positive for the CHEK2 gene. She just found out that she, too, has breast cancer. She does not yet have the details or plan of action, but I know that she will need all the love and encouragement the universe can offer. Jeanne, you are in my thoughts and I will always be here for you whenever you may need me. 

I'll leave you with one final thought...I told you my hair is in the process of sprouting. This includes my eyebrows (although oddly enough I have now lost all but two brave eyelashes). I must say my eyebrows are EXCITED to be back in business. One might call them overzealous. Should this continue, I may be known as the "Unibrow Uniboober!"

My Cancer Report Card…The Results Are In

The amazing group at Fort Thomas 

Women's Wellness Center unofficially

crowned me "Ms. Fort Thomas!" I 

absolutely love and adore Dr. Heidi

Murley, Bev, Linda and Nancy. 

Bev and Linda sure know how to make a lady feel special!

PATHOLOGY RESULTS
This past week, I finally had the chance to discuss my pathology report with my oncologists following last month's double mastectomy. The pathology report is the equivalent of getting your cancer report card. It shows you how your cancer is doing after hitting it with chemo and surgery. I had a very good response to the chemotherapy and the tumors shrank significantly. Dr. Flora used the terms "near cure" and "better than expected." If this was my starting point, I would have been considered a stage 1. There were three areas left that were found to still be cancerous, but they were much much smaller than what I started with…2 mm down from 4 cm. Dr. Heidi Murley was happy about the margins surrounding the remaining cancerous sites. She said she is confident they got all the cancer in the area. 

While I am relieved that the cancer responded well, I have to admit I'm a bit uneasy that we didn't knock it out of the park. We didn't achieve the much coveted "pathologic complete response" or pCR (which means the cancer is completely annihilated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Those who achieve pCR have a much better prognosis than those who do not achieve it. If you know me well, you know that I have a strong competitive side. While I've been able to curb that competitive spirit with age, I still do have certain expectations when I do choose to fully commit to a competition or battle, like I have in fighting this cancer. I choose my battles and competitions carefully and throw my all into the ring when it's my turn. So, from a competitor's standpoint, my pathology results feel a bit like winning runner-up or honorable mention…or salutatorian (you know that one stings a bit for this former valedictorian, ha!). It's a position I'm not completely comfortable with so it is difficult for me to be overwhelmingly excited even though I know asking for a pCR is more than I should have expected.

I asked Dr. Flora the question I have been afraid to ask until now. I've alluded to it at past visits, but the response was always vague no matter to whom I imposed the question. How do we know the cancer didn't spread through my lymph system beyond the nodes under my arm and take up residence somewhere else? His answer was simply "statistics." I've been on the slim side of statistics too many times to gain much comfort from that. At this point, they do not recommend body scans or any other proactive work ups. They wait to see if symptoms should present themselves in the future and hope it is caught in time during routine office exams. This is where I have to learn to let go and take the leap of faith that we are doing everything that can be done and the treatments will work. Just acknowledging those feelings and insecurities allows me to push past the fear and move forward for the rest of the battle. I'm sure the fear of recurrence must be felt by nearly all cancer patients, so I know I am not alone in feeling this way.

So that's where I stand now, and I am extremely thankful for how well the chemotherapy reduced the cancer and for the amazing care I've had and continue to experience. As you can see from the pictures associated with this post, my team of doctors and nurses are making this an experience full of warm memories and lots of laughs, too! For every difficult instance or tough news, I, in turn, have a fun and wonderful memory associated with it and that is quite a gift!

ATTENTION SLATER FAMILY

Cousin Jeanne Beckwith Elberfeld recently tested for that pesky CHEK2 gene that I tested positive for. As much as I wish it weren't true, she also tested positive for this same gene mutation. The CHEK2 mutation appears to run in the Slater side of the family. We are awaiting results of my dad's CHEK2 test as well and will let you know when I hear something. If you want more information about the CHEK2 gene, I listed some sources in a previous post. What it comes down to is a need for diligence in screening to catch any cancers early. The mutation makes it easy for the cancer to proliferate quickly as the gene to suppress growth and hasten death of unwanted cells is compromised. Jeanne, thank you so much for undergoing this genetic testing and for sharing your results for the sake of our family. May our children be armed with better information that with allow them to be proactive and hopefully spare them from this terrible disease. 

RANDOM REMARKS

I will find out next week when I am able to begin radiation therapy. That should happen within the next two weeks. I am ready for this next big step which is also the last big step. I will continue to receive Herceptin treatments every three weeks through October, but I can totally handle that. It's not a mass kill chemo like two of the other medicines I was taking. Instead, it works to block the HER2 receptors on any cancer that may have been left behind or that spread beyond the localized lymph nodes. Side effects are minimal. 

In the meantime, I am excited to report that my hair is sprouting right along with the fresh spring grasses! I can see repopulation progress every day so I am now able to look forward to going hatless as some point in my near future!

Oh, and check out my dear friend Krista Krallman's appearance in a feature story about The St. Elizabeth's Breast Center. A cancer survivor with incredible strength, she continues to inspire me daily: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0chhhxueqwkhf55/Healthy_Neighbors_Spring_2014_FINAL.pdf

Why My Mom Became a Stripper

With encouragement like this from my kids,
how can I do anything but my best to recover!

It’s been awhile since I wrote my last blog post immediately after my double mastectomy…well, there’s a reason for that. What a bugger it’s been in between then and now! When I last wrote, I was still embraced by a comfortable fog of quality pain killers. Then I went home and had to start the real recovery process. It wasn’t all bad, but it certainly wasn’t all good and definitely not something I’d care to repeat anytime soon. I’d never had a mastectomy (obviously!) so I didn’t really know what all was involved with it. The doctors and nurses can tell you about it to prepare you as best they can, but until you are actually called on to live it, it’s difficult to truly comprehend what your body must do to recover.

At the end of the surgery, Dr. Vashi installed four drain lines around the entire area and then he sewed me up. The drains allow for the exiting of all the extra fluid caused by the trauma of having your ta tas chopped off and your lymph nodes removed. The long flexible tubes come out of your body on your sides, two on each side, just straight out of your skin…it’s pretty creepy. They drain into four containers that look like flexible grenades and those are always with you to empty as needed. To keep everything flowing and avoid blockages, you have to “strip” the lines three times a day. This is how my mom became a stripper! She helped me with this task until I gained enough range of motion to do it for myself. After a week, the doctor removed one line on each side. After the second week when the lines were supposed to come out, I still had too much fluid. The doctor faced the decision of whether to keep the lines in and risk infection from having those things hanging out of my body too long, or to pull them and see what happens with all that fluid. He chose to pull them. I was so happy to get rid of those awful things…that was until my upper body started filling up with fluid! This was the worst part of the whole recovery process because it was terribly uncomfortable. I was so full that I felt like I could burst at any time. I actually wished I had those gawdawful drain lines back. Time does heal, though, and since then my body has slowly but surely absorbed much of the excess fluid and boy does that feel good. Much can be said for time and patience.

So here I am doing much better and doing much of what I was able to do before. The expanders I will have in place until the end of summer are rigid and unforgiving because they sit under the chest muscles and have to coax those muscles and the skin to stretch to accept the permanent implants. You can only imagine what that feels like. I’m constantly aware of the rocks I’m smuggling up top...significantly higher than where the natural ones liked to rest! You know, I prefer my margaritas top shelf and on the rocks, but not necessarily my boobs!

Double Mastectomy Done!

My double mastectomy Thursday morning went quite well! The surgical oncologist, Dr. Heidi Murley, first did her part to remove both breasts, then the plastic surgeon, Dr. Christopher Vashi, did his part to place the expanders for the first stage of the breast reconstruction. I will get the pathology reports Monday or Tuesday which will tell us how successful the chemo was in tackling the cancer. I zipped right through the recovery, and I was back home by Friday at noon! I am well taken care of here by family and friends so I hope to continue this path of quick recovery! Thanks to all for your love and support. I couldn't do it without you!

Saying Ta Ta to the Ta-Tas

Tomorrow, March 20, is when I bid farewell to my ta-tas. I'm not sad. In fact, I'm ready to get this next phase going because it makes me feel like I'm doing everything I can to eradicate this cancer. The boobies were good to me (they nursed my three babies after all), that was until the bitches tried to do me in! So now it's my turn to strike back.

At this point in my treatment, I am just so thankful I am done with chemo. Those last two rounds were rough so once the worst of the side effects passed, I got busy celebrating life again and making the most of the couple weeks between that and my surgery. I will not miss the list of "indignities" that come with chemo, like playing dot-to-dot with the handful of eyebrow hairs that decided to stick with me to the end, the neuropathy that has me dropping lots of things and feeling clumsy, and the horrible effects on the taste buds that leave food utterly unenjoyable. But I must admit these are not the worst of the indignities by far, they are the ones I can mention in polite company…the others, well, let's just say I hope I never have to share them with you and I hope you never have to endure them.

So it is with joy in my heart and peace in my soul that I face tomorrow's double mastectomy and start of reconstruction. I am meeting it with slightly less strength than I had hoped, but that's what a good poisoning of your body with chemo can do for you. I do still have strength to spare, so that's what I will rely on along with all of the incredible support so very many of you have shown me over these past several months. I can't thank you enough!


CHRONICLING THE CELEBRATIONS!

I've posted several of the following photos on Facebook, but I realize not everyone is on FB, so I'll share them here as well. Yes, I've been busy celebrating the end of chemo and preparing to say farewell to the boobies! Too much fun!

Celebrating this past weekend with the Howell's and the Krallman's.

My super, dear friend Carrie Howell who has stood by my side through it all.

Yeah, we had a good time that night. This was just the start!

Our guys showing support for the ta-tas.

Carrie, Brennan, Scott and I had a head start, but Krista and Lee caught up with us.

Preparing to get my R-O-A-R on with the girls!

Love these ladies so very much! Krista, Allison, Kelly, Carrie and my mom. I only wish we had snapped a photo while Akrivi, Julie and Andrea were with us that night! How wonderful to be surrounded by such amazing ladies!

Krista coaching me through this journey and sitting by my side at The Day of  Celebration.

Enjoying the opportunity to model a fur at The Day of Celebration for breast cancer survivors. Don't be a hater, it's faux fur ;)

My Kids are Half Czech, Now I'm CHEK 2

I reported awhile back that genetic testing showed I do not have mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These are the biggest known genetic culprits in breast cancer. However, further genetic testing has revealed that I do possess a mutation in my CHEK2 gene which is another known culprit in breast cancer for women, prostate cancer in men, as well as cancer of the colon, thyroid, ovaries, lung and kidneys. Having the mutated gene alone gives women a 30% risk that they will experience breast cancer in their lifetime. When breast cancer runs strongly in the family line, the risk increases to 40%. The genetics counselor feels this gene most likely was passed through the Slater side of my family since two of my aunts on that side had breast cancer and my father had thyroid cancer, but that cannot be confirmed without testing someone else in the line.

I, by no means, want to frighten the family, but it is important to know this mutation means diligence may be in order. I don't want anyone to have to go through this, so please be sure to get those annual screenings. Ladies, mash around on those ta-tas monthly! Men get that prostate checked out. Everyone, get those colons scoped as recommended by your doctor. My cancer developed so quickly that it reached an advanced stage between annual mammograms. The CHEK2 gene, when working properly, suppresses tumors by keeping rapidly diving cells in check and makes sure they die off as ordered. The discovery of my ill-working gene may be the key to finding out why this cancer developed so quickly and so aggressively. Having this information is like wielding a double-edged sword, especially having two beautiful daughters whom I very much want to protect from this awful disease. It gives me some potential answers, but is not the most promising news for my descendants. However, I like to think this will give them a good reason to start screening early and stay diligent always.

If you would like to read more about the CHEK2 gene, here are a few sources:

http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/CHEK2

http://www.ambrygen.com/tests/chek2-related-cancer

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/genetics/breast/CHEK2gene

On  to other topics! I've told you all about my amazing medical oncologist Dr. Doug Flora. One of the local news stations featured a story about him before I became one of his patients. It took me awhile to unearth the clip, but here it is:

http://www.local12.com/news/features/medical-edge/stories/cancer-doctor-says-hes-inspired-patients-164.shtml?wap=0#.UvFpzni9K0c

I hope you enjoy "meeting" my doc!

I can barely believe my mom will be here in 6 short days! She is coming to help me through my last chemo, my upcoming surgery, and on through to radiation. I hope she can adjust to the cold of this never-ending winter we are having. The kids are beyond excited to get to spend so much time with their Gram. I'm super pumped, too!

One more chemo to go on February 17, y'all!!! Here's sending some extra special thoughts to my Uncle Jim who started chemo today for his bladder cancer. Now we can be chemo buddies! Love you, Uncle Jim!

FYI, for those who don't know me as well, you may be wondering about the title for this post. My husbands' side of the family is of pure Czechoslovakian decent which makes my kids half Czechs, or Tex Czechs to be more specific!

Never Say Never...

The old saying holds sway. It seems every time I’ve put my foot down and consciously made the decision that “I’ll never do that…” I’ve had to eat my words. For example, when I was young and naïve, I swore I’d NEVER date anyone with copious amounts of back hair. Silly, right? No one has control over their genes to make a choice whether or not to go Sasquatch. Well, I fell in love with a big, hairy man and not only did I date him, but I married him. Never say never.

Again, when I was young with no children in sight, I swore I’d NEVER drive a minivan. Who in their right mind would want one of those ugly ass things? Well, after having two of our three children, Scott and I took the kids on a vacation to Lake Tahoe. The car rental company gave us a minivan to use. Eureka! I instantly understood the advantages of automatic sliding side doors with space inside to separate everyone further than arm’s length. Yep, I’m still driving the silver bullet minivan we bought back in 2006 and will keep it another few years if it continues to hold up. Never say never.

Having breast cancer has taken me well out of my comfort zone on so many occasions already, and now I find I’m having to eat my words on two other fronts. As a mature adult, I swore I would NEVER get a tattoo and I would definitely NEVER get breast implants. I’m scheduled for a double mastectomy on March 20 which poses a few moral dilemmas when it comes to reconstruction options. Well guess what? Not only will I be toting a pair of implants for the rest of my life, but I will also have tattooed nipples on those babies. BAM, two more “nevers” down the toilet. I was considering going without breasts, but none of my doctors really wanted to go there with me. Apparently, the psychological impacts are too great for someone my age and they try their hardest to steer the conversation away from that option. I know it’s my choice, but I feel it may be best to defer to their years of experience here. Therefore, I will have expanders placed immediately after my surgical oncologist cuts off the bad girls. Plastic surgery and tats for tits! Never say never.

I hope you are able to avoid your “NEVERS” better than I have, but I know each time I have had to renege on mine, I’ve grown as a person and understood myself and others in a new light.

Now it’s time for a quick update: Two weeks ago on January 6, I had surgery to place a new port through the left side of my chest. Huge thank you to my surgical oncologist, Dr. Heidi Murley, for taking her day off to come get this taken care of for me so I’d have my port in place for chemo later that morning. She didn’t bat an eye at taking time out of her day to come to my aid even though she has children of her own at home. Boy was that a cold, snowy morning. The kids were home for a snow day, and I know Dr. Murley, just like myself, would rather have been snuggled up at home safely with the kids. We both made it to the hospital early that Monday morning, and she did a wonderful job on this port. No more open chest wounds after dealing with one for nearly two months!

Immediately after port surgery, I went over to OHC to get my fourth round of chemo. All went well as planned, and I was very thankful to get back to the fight. The side effects of chemotherapy are cumulative, so it now takes me about two weeks after chemo to feel back to 100% but the in-between time is still not anything I can’t handle! I’m doing fine. When I do feel good, I’m exercising and trying to keep my body ready for the next round. My strength is starting to wain a bit, so I’ve vowed to work harder. Thanks to those who have opened wine bottles for me lately. Hey, there’s something else I NEVER figured I’d have to do…ask for help popping a cork!

Bring on 2014

I left Kentucky for the holidays with half of my chemo behind me. I was hoping to unleash one more attack on my cancer before bringing in the New Year, but the delay around Thanksgiving didn't give my body enough time to recover and my white blood cell counts were too low. I have had a wonderful visit with my family and friends while in Texas. This has given me time to heal unencumbered from ports and PICC lines. The ironic part is that it has also given the cancer time to rebound. When I feel good, so does the cancer.

So I find myself anxious to get back to the battle. The kids and I leave tomorrow to head home. I will be ready for the fight to start early Monday with surgery to place a new port through the other side of my chest then a dash over to OHC to get chemo. Let's get this rolling!

Starting off a new year, I choose not to reflect upon the fears and tears surrounding my diagnosis. Instead, I'll recall the good times that comfort me with warm, fond memories. To start with, the day I was officially diagnosed on October 4, 2013, my neighborhood friends rallied with me for an epic cancer party. I see joy and love and good times when I remember that day.

The day I went in for my first breast MRI, Krista had prepared me for the logistics which were basically me laying face down fully exposed with my ta-tas hangin' through a frame, arms overhead Superman style. What I was not prepared for was the music that came on the radio through my headphones once they pushed me into the machine. Justin Timberlake's "I'm Bringing Sexy Back" sent me into fits of laughter 'cause lawd knows I was feeling hot and sexy just then. The technicians thought I'd gone cuckoo in the hole. That was an unexpected fun memory. 

Now who can forget the shave day festivities and car party? I've already written about that day on my blog so I won't rehash, but damn that was a good day, too.

There have been so many other fond moments as I pass in and out of people's lives while cuing up for treatments. There are so many wonderful doctors, nurses, patients and patient supporters...so many snippets of illuminating conversations while waiting for the next chance to further the fight. 

I have a few additional thoughts to share with you. It appears Doctor Flora and his practice are not off the financial hook with the new drug I am taking. I don't think the manufacturer is actually covering their side of the cost. No one really knows for sure how it will all play out once they argue their case with the insurance company, but I'd like everyone to keep this courageous doctor in your thoughts and prayers. He is my hero and my champion. 

I've learned the power of a few words. All those messages of support I've received, no matter how succinct, give me strength each day. I thank you for all your encouragement and support. This is one facet of the human spirit I just can't get enough of.

Something we have all learned through my days of walking this earth as a bald lady, and I'm amazed at how quickly the kids got it: Accept those who look different and accept the differences in ourselves. We never know what battles others are facing and we can only control our reaction to them and how others perceive the differences in us. I don't feel eyes on me when I'm out and about because I've embraced my baldness and it doesn't bother me and my loved ones. It's a sign that the fight is underway and the treatments are working the way they are supposed to. Yes, being bald in the winter is dadgum cold, but what better way to learn to walk in others shoes, make them mine, and learn from the experience. 

Life isn't simple and I'm not asking it to be. I've feasted, I've loved, I've laughed, I've hugged, and I've healed. Now it's time to get my ROAR on and finish this fight. Happy New Year all!

My Sister, My Mom and Me

The Slater Grandkids

The Slansky Grandkids

My Tribe: (L to R) My Uncle, My Brother, Myself and My Dad

My Favorite View on This Earth