I’m fairly certain that most of you will be able to relate to Kristin.
Which, is kind of unfortunate.
We all know someone, if not ourselves, who has battled breast cancer.
“It is estimated that 207,090 women will be diagnosed with and 39,840 women will die of cancer of the breast in 2010″ (source)
Yucky, yucky, yucky.
* * * *
About a year ago I was just gearing up for the dreaded “40th” birthday – although I was not dreading it. I was actually quite excited to give the second half of my life a go.
Everything was swimming along perfectly.
We finally had enough money coming in that it did not consume our thoughts everyday.
Our children were perfect ages – 8 and 11 and still thought we were invincible.
Life was good – almost too good.
I started wondering why it was going along so well.
I am not a worrier but it did cross my mind a time or two that perhaps the other shoe was about to drop.
Right after my birthday, I noticed a small lump underneath my armpit. I was not really alarmed. I had been getting mammograms since I was 30 and I do regular self breast exams so I thought I would just keep an eye on it.
In December, I had my regularly scheduled mammogram and let the technician know that the lump was still there.
They did some extra imaging.
They called me back to do some more and did an ultrasound on the spot.
I was then put in a room where a doctor told me I should have a biopsy.
Several days later I had that biopsy – on a Friday. I was told the results would be in on Monday or Tuesday.
Monday at around noon I received a call from my gynecologist and they asked me to come in that afternoon.
That was when the rug was pulled out from underneath me.
I knew at that moment that it was cancer. My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 and that was why I was so vigilant about monitoring for it.
Certainly this was not going to be a big deal.
Certainly it was caught early enough that I would just need a small surgery and that would be that.
No.
I felt myself fall and keep falling as I heard words like chemotherapy and mastectomies.
Last week I had my final reconstruction surgery after having double mastectomies and 6 rounds of chemotherapy. I lost my hair. I had to quit my job (I teach fitness classes).
But in the end I am cancer free.
It was a crazy road, not one I expected to have, but one I would not trade in. I have always had a very strong faith but through this journey my faith has increased 10 fold.
God has taught me patience in ways I thought would be excruciating but ended up bringing me peace. I have learned to trust Him with all that I have and all that I am.
This journey has left scars – some on my body and some on those close to me.
My children’s innocence has been diminished but their strength has increased.
The love I have for my husband after he has held my hand through this is indescribable.
This November I will be walking in the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for a cure. I will walk 60 miles in 3 days and try to raise money for everything that has to do with breast cancer.
I hope my daughter will never have to endure the trials of this disease.
I hope women everywhere will be spared very soon when we find the cure.
You can read more about my journey on my blog.
* * * *
As Kristin mentioned in her post, she is walking in the Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure.
Did you catch that she just had her last surgery LAST WEEK.
That’s not outdated.
We’re talking DAYS ago people!!!
Kristin is a trooper.
She hasn’t quite reached her goal for the Walk.
Please consider giving towards cancer research, education, and treatment.
As an aside, there will be no giveaway this time around.
The giveaway portion of this project seemed to trip a lot of you up.
So, I’m going to skip it for a bit and see how that works.
The nice thing is that because I don’t have to select a winner, I don’t need to know who gave or how much.
Sooooo…that means that your giving will be DIRECT to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!!!
No middle man.
NO FEES.
It all goes straight to the charity.
Every penny.
To do good with it.
To make a difference.
Support Kristin.
I'm a mom to four. A wife to one. I believe in story. I love telling you about mine and would love to hear yours. There's really no sense in wasting our suffering and not sharing in each other's joy. We're all in this together...even if it doesn't always feel like it.
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My sister in law Kelley Bradley died this past May at age 37 after an 18 month battle with aggressive breast cancer. She left behind her husband to raise their 4 small children. Early detection is the most important. God bless the survivors of this horrid disease.
A team of 30 people walked yesterday in Central Park with the Komen Race, we raised over $8000 dollars in Kelley’s memory.
God bless you Kristin.
I like the new format! I can’t give much, but I can always dig something out of my pocket for Susan G Komen. :)
Your links are broken. UGH.
You can find Kristin’s blog @ http://www.kristinbobistin.blogspot.com
I am proud to say that I am her friend and will be walking right along side her in November! She is an amazing woman and I know you will love her blog! It is awe inspiring to read! It should be made into a book.