Race Day

Yesterday we participated in the Race for the Cure. It was a great day. We walked in the Family Walk which is about 1/2 mile. I would have liked to do the 3 mile walk, but little Emma's legs wouldn't last that long.

It worked out beautifully. Dad and Becky came down and walked with us. There were an estimated 26,000 people there which I think is an amazing turnout.

The opening ceremonies were a bit emotional for me, but I did well not to break down. I could have easily, but thought it wasn't the time or place. I was just thankful to be able to stand there knowing I'm healthy. It was quite sobering though because in front of us was a family with "In Memory Of" signs on their backs for a loved one that died just 6 days ago from this horrible disease. My heart just hurt for them.

There weren't as many pink survivor shirts as I imagined there would be and that was a bit sobering too. In my mind I had visions of a sea of pink survivor shirts, but it was really a sea of white participant shirts instead. I sure hope there were more survivors in the crowd than pink shirts or it will be hard to be encouraged. I wore my pink shirt with pride and saw many women doing so too.

I'm not much for big crowds so this was a stretch for me, but I'm very happy we did it. It seems a fitting end to a rough year. Can you believe that my 1 year anniversary is coming up November 2nd? Almost a year ago I heard the words "you have cancer". I still can't wrap my mind around it most days.

Thanks to everyone who donated in my name for the race. With just the few donations I received, you raised $290 for the cure. It doesn't sound like a lot, but every little bit helps in the fight. Thank you again!!

Here are a couple of pictures from race day.

Check out my George Clooney cut

Ok, so I don't wear the style quite as well as George, but it's better than bald. I didn't realize it had been 2 months since my last photo update. Wow, time is really flying by these days.

I'm feeling great and enjoying my life without cancer. The new "girls" are old news. They're just a part of me now--like they were always mine. I guess that is a good sign. I am still having a little tenderness near the incisions, but it isn't bad. My port scar actually bothers me more than anything. It feels really tight like it could split open any minute. Pretty uncomfortable, but again...who's complaining?

My hair is starting to get a curl to it. I am ever so hopeful that if it is going to go curly on me that I will have hair like my sister-in-law Janie. She has the most beautiful curly hair. I'm afraid I'm going to end up like little orphan Annie minus the red.

That would be tragic....

My Angel Assignment

A few entries back I posted about applying to become a ChemoAngel. Well today I was assigned my chemo patient. Due to confidentiality I won't reveal any of her information, but I am thrilled to be "angeling" someone that is going through similar struggles as me. I just finished my first letter to her that I will drop in the mail Monday morning. Now I am on the hunt for those special little gifts that will brighten her day and hopefully send some of the the cancer shadows running.

Also I would like to send a collective thank you for all of those that have donated to my Race for the Cure page. You don't know what it means to me to have your support. Thank you again!

I will try to post a picture this week of my new hair growth. It is coming in dark after all and is thicker than ever! It still isn't long enough to "style", but I'm just thankful to have it up there to wash again.

No other cancer news to report--praise the Lord. Life is returning to normal and it's almost like cancer was just a really bad dream. I know as December looms closer (testing time) I will begin to feel anxious again, but for now I am living happily in ignorant bliss.

Race for the Cure

We registered last night for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It is being held here in Houston on September 30th. We are going to participate in the Family Walk that way Emma can walk with us. I am really excited about it for some reason. I guess just knowing I will be among the survivors somehow makes me proud. I can't explain that though...it's not like I did anything to "survive". Those that didn't win their battles didn't fight any less than I did. I guess I am really looking forward to seeing so many other survivors. It gives me hope.

I sent out an email yesterday about donating in my name. Again, please don't feel obligated. I just wanted to share this positive aspect of cancer with everyone. Maybe someday they will find a way to prevent breast cancer all together--hopefully in Emma's lifetime.

Below is a link to my personal fund-raising page.

My Page

If anyone would like to come and walk with us, we'd love to have you! You can register on-line here.

Come and celebrate with us! This is a great way to end this cancer journey--victorious!!

Follow-up appointments

I went for my follow-up appointments this week. I saw my plastic surgeon on Tuesday and she said everything looks great. I don't go back to see her until January, so I'm now officially cleared and my life is mine again.

I saw my oncologist yesterday. It was really rather pointless, but a necessary evil I guess. He asked how I was feeling (fine). Was I having any problems (no). He did ask if my appetite had returned and as I answered yes he said (while looking at my chart), "yes, I see you've put on a few pounds". Um, hello....rude. Like I don't choke each morning when I step on the scale and see the little needle heading the wrong direction. I keep wanting to blame it on my new boobs...surely they must be the reason for my extra weight. Somehow though I don't think they weigh THAT much. Since my surgeon cleared me, I guess I'm obligated to start exercising again so now I don't have any excuses (that bites!).

I also had blood drawn and gave a urine sample to check my liver function on the Tamoxifen. He wants to see me back in December for a chest X-ray and CT scan. He said a follow-up mammogram is pointless since there isn't any breast tissue to examine. I see where he's coming from, but it still makes me nervous. I guess the CT scan will show anything they need to see. So now I don't have to think about cancer until December. Uh-huh, like that's going to happen....