New "Cancerversary"

Two years ago today was the date of my double mastectomy surgery. It was the day the cancer was taken out of my body and I became cancer free as far as I know. I am celebrating this day as my "cancerversary" because it makes more sense than celebrating the day I was diagnosed, which was one of the worst days of my life.

Celebration Aboard the Oosterdam

I attended a survivor brunch aboard the Holland America Oosterdam cruise ship yesterday. It was a nice afternoon (wine with lunch - always a bonus) with friends and YSC sisters. It was also a nice PR event for Komen and Holland America. Picture an entire dining room packed full of survivors. It feels a little odd to be honored in this manner. The ship is all decked out in pink. Pink balloons everywhere. Everyone is wearing pink, including me. There was even pink champagne at the end. Rah-Rah survivors... looking around the room I thought to myself... I wonder if half of us will make it. Are we really survivors? Aren't we really fighters?

3-Day Update

The Komen 3-Day Walk is less than two weeks away. I am getting excited! Training has been time consuming! It takes hours and hours to walk 18 miles, my longest training walk so far. I've done 18-14-10 mile walks back to back and I feel ready. Bring it on! I've learned more about the route. We are starting in Redmond and walking to Everett the first day. Team Double D (Dena and Dacca) will be taking a town car to opening ceremonies. Why not? Who wants to wake up the husband and kids at that hour? We are going to have the driver stop at the Starbucks drive through, as we are getting on the road at 5:00 a.m. and we need our coffee! The Girl Scouts will be out there cheering us on Friday. I believe the route goes right by my brother's house the second day, which is cool. Thank you again to everyone who donated so I could walk. I've raised close to $3,000 for Komen!! I saw one of my Young Survival Coalition sisters yesterday and loved the t-shirt she was wearing. It said: F*ck Awareness Find a Cure. (the letter U was a pink ribbon).

3-Day Training

I hooked up with some of the teams in the area for training walks this past weekend. I walked 13 miles on Saturday and 10 miles on Sunday. Thank goodness for well-fitting shoes, Thorlo Experia socks (the best) and lots of Advil! The other survivors and walkers inspire me.

Good Follow-up

I saw my oncologist for another three month follow-up appointment and all is well. He did some blood work and an exam. I always get anxious because I know he's looking for something, but the only thing that was of any concern was the slight fluid retention on my left side. I haven't heard back on the blood work yet. He was happy to hear about my training for the 3 Day walk. I told him about my 13 mile training walk last week and he said that if the cancer was back I would not be able to walk 13 miles. My fear is that it's back and we just don't know it yet. My fear stems from the fact that I did not have a "complete response" to the chemo. The cancer was still active when they removed it, which is why I had more chemo after the double mastectomy surgery. The chemo should have killed any stray cancer cells lurking in my body, but who really knows. I could make myself crazy thinking about it and try not to.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to me! I am thankful to be alive and well and celebrating a birthday. My day started with purple balloons & sunflowers and ended with a nice dinner out with Austin & the kids, followed by a big hunk of chocolate fudge cake shared by all. Yum. I love birthdays!

Thank You!!

My fundraising goal has been met. Every single donation is much appreciated and it all adds up for a very good cause. Thank you!