October 2, 2012
My morning started with an email from an old friend. A pleasant surprise to my day and my journey. Our paths took us in different directions many years ago, but it is eerie to see how much they are intertwined in ways that we would least expect. Yesterday she heard about my current battle with breast cancer and decided to send me an email. She just read the blog and shared that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago, has had a bilateral mastectomy, and she is friends with the family that I spoke about in the Eric & Kathy Children's Memorial Telethon blog. Three of many things that we have in common. A simple email that sends good karma, energy, and prayers my way. An email that started my day with a smile and reminded me of all the great people in the world that have gone through difficult times and ended up on top.
The high of the email was quickly deflated when I went to the bathroom and thought about today's date. It's October 2. Twelve years ago today I called my ob gyn to tell him that I found a lump in my right breast. To my dismay I was quickly brushed off and told "Sue, you're 29. You're fine." I simply responded that I know something is wrong and I told them that I would see the janitor if he could tell me if it is a lump that I am feeling. I was offered an appointment months down the road. I hung up the phone and called my Mom crying. My gut told me that something was wrong, but I couldn't get a doctor to see me. I had to figure out another option, but I was too upset to work it all out in my mind. I could hardly spit out words when Mom answered the call. She has grown to know that something is wrong when I cal and can't really talk because I'm trying to hold back tears. It is a voice that I am sure a mother never wants to hear from her child regardless of their age. Mom worked at St. Joe's hospital at the time and decided to go to Dr. Marshall's secretary to get me an appointment. Mom worked in catering, but knows the doctors that have a good reputation and knows the people they work with. Dr. Marshall and her team saw me that afternoon. She was flying in from out of the country, but she would see me the next day if her nurse practitioner was concerned. I was quickly scheduled for additional tests the following day. My partnership with Dr. Marshall started that day. She naturally became my go-to person for all things breast. She also phoned my previous ob gyn and gave him a piece of her mind later in the week. I remember her telling me and I asked "what did he say?" She said that she really didn't give him a chance to say anything. The moral to the story...trust your gut, the knowledge you have of your body, and know when to push harder for results from your doctors. And if all else fails, call my Mom with the "voice" and she will quickly make things happen.
The date also brought up fun memories. Two years ago today my girlfriends and I attended the ACS Pink Ribbon Ball at Harrah's Casino. We celebrated my 10th year of being cancer free a few days early. It was a fantastic night of champagne, dancing, and strong women that have been by my side through everything. In my mind everyone in the room was there to celebrate my life. :) A celebration that meant the world to me, but today seems like a lifetime away.
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| 2010 - Celebrating 10 years of being cancer free!! |
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| 2010 - Celebrating 10 years of being cancer free with my Daddy. |
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| 2012 - Celebrating 10 years of being cancer free with my Mom. |
The rest of the day is spent working. The evening is spent with a quick trip to Kohls and then baking for a work fundraising lunch tomorrow.
Tomorrow I have early morning blood work and then will head to my Chicago office for meetings. Fingers crossed that my blood work is high enough to go to the office and then have chemo on Thursday.
Sleep well!
XOXO,
S
October 3, 2012
Up early to head to Homer to get my blood work to see where I stand for chemo tomorrow. I dressed for work with full make up and clothes that are not sweats. I think they are all in shock to see me looking half way decent for the day. I take my seat in the first station...yikes...I've never been seated here. I hope it is not a bad sign. Unfortunately, my blood work is pretty low, but not to the dangerous point. I like to look at it as low but manageable. At least that is what I convince myself of. So, I head to my Chicago office for the day. I could have called in for meetings, but we are having a luncheon fundraiser for Anna's upcoming FIRST marathon and there is no way that I will miss it! I'm armed with hand sanitizer and a face mask that I will probably never wear.
We have our meeting an then set up a spread of food for staff to enjoy for a donation to the fight against cancer. What is great about working for ACS is that the majority of the staff fundraise for the cause. We truly believe in our mission and "walk the talk"! Plus, who can't resist an inexpensive lunch downtown Chicago. The BEST part of the day was Anna sitting next to me with her blue mohawk. Fortunately, it is just a wig! She had considered a real blue mohawk if she reached a stretch fundraising goal. Anna is only a few short days of running her first marathon. The support for this sweet girl is fantastic. Anna is a shy, gentle soul...today she walked through the office with her mohawk and recruited people to attend the fundraiser. She looked adorable. The room was very warm, so I was bald much of the day. Most people don't seem to mind if I am bald at work. Anna and I even took a fun picture together...
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| Me and Anna at her fundraising luncheon. |
After a long day at the office I headed towards home at met up with Eric for dinner. A quick and simple dinner to use up a Groupon that expires today. My last dinner to use! We just talked and didn't stay very long because we were both tired and I have chemo tomorrow. When I finally arrived home there were some fantastic gifts waiting. I still find it hard to receive gifts. It isn't that I don't appreciate them. I simply don't think that I deserve them. Nonetheless, I love each and every thing that I have received. People have put a lot of thought and effort in to every item. Tonight I had an amazing box of cupcakes from Crumbs in New York City sitting on my dining room table when I got home. Six cupcakes that are HUGE and beautiful. Actually the box alone is beautiful so opening it was very exciting. The box says "delivering happiness" and let me just say that there is truth in advertisement here! Thank you, Jennifer Buri Da Cunha (Jenny Pubenzt for all you Frannies out there)!! I appreciate your random act of cupcakes! I look forward to sharing them with everyone at treatment tomorrow. Then I have two boxes on my front steps. They are beautifully wrapped in white paper with a pink bow. Inside I find the Longaberger pink pie plate and pink measuring spoons. They are from the Horizon of Hope collection. A collection that has raised more than 15 million dollars for breast cancer research and education over the past 16 years. They were "pink" before pink was cool. These amazing gifts were courtesy of Michelle Pauly. I've known Michelle for a few years through Max's baseball teams and she is also a TMMA devotee. I had no idea that she also sells Longaberger. If you are in need of anything check out her website at www.longaberger.com/michellepauly. As for me, it is my favorite time of year for baking pies!!! I cannot wait to use the gifts to back pumpkin and pecan pies!! Or any other pie that I find on Pinterest and actually decide to make. :) Thank you, Michelle. I appreciate your kindness! I'll be sure to bake you and your family a pie or cupcakes when I get my taste buds back!
An overall CUPCAKE day!
Off to bed!
XOXO,
Sue
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| OMG...Crumbs NYC cupcakes!!! |
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| Pink pie plate and spoons! LOVE!!! |
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