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!