Race for the Cure!

April 12, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN was the annual Race for the Cure.  I gathered my crew, Brittney's Beauties and we all dressed in our best pink.  I made crowns and sashes for each team member to wear, including the kids.  I also made some pink ribbon cookies to snack on.  I arrived at Military Park around 7am and there were already hundreds of people there.  I met up with some family and then I headed to the survivor's tent for the start of the Survivor's Parade.  They line up all the survivor's according to how many years they have survived breast cancer, with the longest survivor's in the front.  So, of course being a 1 year survivor, I was way at the end.  A marching band lead us through Military Park as everyone stood along the route with maracas and cow bells cheering us on.  Then we were lead to the main stage for the opening ceremonies, where WTHR news anchors were the emcees.  A band played music, they had a Zumba warm up, and several people gave us pep talks.  Then, I met up with the rest of my crew and we headed to the start line.  We took so long to get to the start of the race that we ended up being some of the last people to complete the race!  HAHA.  The fire engine marking the end of the walk came up behind us about the half way point and continued to stay behind us until the end.


All in all it was a fantastic day!  Great weather, great company, and great outfits!  I am so thankful for all the support I have received for this year's race.  I had a goal of raising $500 this year.  I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to raise that much.  But to my amazement, I was able to far exceed that goal and I raised $1, 050!!!  I am so thankful for generous hearts.  I am also so thankful for all my family and friends who came out to supports me.  My cousin had plans for the day, but got up bright and early just to spend the morning with us, before the race began.  My friend drove 2 hours to spend all day with me.  I am one blessed girl!


I can't wait to make this annual event.  Mark your calendars for next year...April 18, 2015.

One whole year!

I can't believe that on April 4th, 2014 it will have been one whole year since my diagnosis of breast cancer!  So much has happened in the past year.  I will never forget April 4th, 2013.  At 8:30am I was woken up by a phone call from my gynecologist telling me that my breast biopsy results were in and that it showed I had breast cancer.  I immediately began crying.  Although I suspected this result, I was not prepared for it.  Once those words sunk in, I gathered myself and asked "what's next?"  Thus, began my journey.  The next day I met with the breast surgeon and met my breast navigator.  I was administered chemotherapy from May 7th-July 27th, had my double mastectomy on August 29th, and reconstruction on December 6th.  Right now I am continuing Herceptin every 3 weeks through June and am taking Tamoxifen for several years.  Currently, I am in good health, feel great and am having no side effects from medication.  I can definitely see the end of the road!  It has been a very long year for me, but thankfully it has gone by quickly.  This is definitely not something I would have ever imagined dealing with at this age, but with the support and encourage from family, friends and co-workers I have made it through.  I SURVIVED!!




Update:  Genetic testing for BreastNEXT test (which looks at 18 genes) has been completed and the results were given to me today.  All 18 genes were negative for mutation.  This means that I do not have an increased risk for breast cancer or other cancers associated with these genes.  While this is good news for me and my family members, it is also disappointing, because it still does not explain why/what caused my cancer.


What's Next?  Herceptin every 3 weeks until June.  Then, surgery to have my port-a-cath removed.  Then, nothing except check-ups and taking Tamoxifen.