Breast Cancer Survivor

Breast Cancer Survivor
"We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails"

Family photo November 2008

Family photo November 2008

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

1st Haircut!!!!

I had my hair cut today for the first time since it started growing!
It's amazing how fast it came back. 3 1/2 months and it was a little unruly. My cut is really cute. A little pixie. It reminds me of Alyssa Milano's when she cut it really short a few years ago.

My friends here and I are doing the Susan G Komen 5k next weekend, the 18th, here in Dallas. It should be a lot of fun. We just decided on it this weekend, a little late, I know! The race originated here in Dallas and that is the one we are doing. There are like 20,000 people that do it! They have the survivors walk across the stage and wave to everyone. We wear T-shirts that say "survivor" on them. I'm a little nervous that I'll cry, but I'm sure I won't be the only one. Next year I hope to have a HUGE team of people with me including all my out of town family and friends. It will be a rockin' weekend at the Rasmusson's! I figure with a years notice you can start thinking about it. It will be an awesome tradition if we can pull it off.

Love to all!

Erica

2 comments:

christina said...

You need to post a picture of your new cut, I am sure it looks very cute. Have fun on the walk, I am sure it will be inspirational to all who are there. I hope to be there with you next year!!! Take care, miss you.
Love,
Christina

Janice said...

That sounds great. Good Luck on your walk. It is very emotional for everyone that is there when the survivors walk...be prepared to cry! I hope to be able to be there next year. Janice :)

How it all began......

Welcome to my website! This site was created by my wonderful friend Angela to keep everyone I love updated on my “Journey” beating Breast Cancer.

I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on December 19, 2007 @ 4:30 in the afternoon. It was quite possibly the worst phone call I’ve ever received. The doctors kept telling me that I was “too young”… it’s probably just a cyst or a fibroid (benign tumor). So, I had convinced myself of the same. Imagine my shock and fear when the doctor said “I hate to tell you this, but it IS cancer.”

I didn’t really know how to react. At first I cried a little. Then, I was ok. Then cried some more, then, ok. It wasn’t until I saw the surgeon and learned of the best option for survival, a double mastectomy, that I really broke down. I had a meltdown for a couple of days and then I was fine. I’ve been pretty good with it ever since. I know that I can beat this sneaky disease and I will live a long life with the loves of my life; my husband Jason, and my 2 boys, Will & Nathan.

Jason had a hard time at first. He just kept thinking the worst, that I wouldn’t make it. He’s doing much better now that we’ve seen all the doctors and the prognosis is good.

The kids don’t really understand. Will (who’s almost 4) thinks mommy is having an operation, that’s it. Nathan just turned 1 so he just wants to be held all the time. That will be the hardest thing on me. I love to hold my babies and I won’t be able to pick them up for awhile.

Thankfully, my mom, Kathy, has come to the rescue. She is here as long as we need her. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful mother and family. My sister is coming from Alaska, pregnant and all, to help out too. My dad is coming back soon and Jason’s parents, Rick & Jan along with his whole extended family are just a phone call away if I need them. Unfortunately, my brother, Steve can’t come although he wants to. I even have my friends from Maine that want to come and help! Thank you Christina and Nikki for offering. My friends here, Angela, Oti, Julie & Niki are all on standby also. They’re ready at a moments notice for whatever we need. I love you all, I can’t say how good it makes me feel to be loved.

Everyone I know is praying for us which is so wonderful. I appreciate all the prayers. Only God knows what will happen but I’m confident that he will pull me through.

Anyway, I hope you log on to find out how we’re doing down here in Texas. My surgery is January 9th @ 7:30 a.m. I’ll be in the hospital for 2 nights.

I hope this site can help anyone else who gets this horrible disease, although I pray that none of you ever have to experience it.

Love to all!
Erica