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

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Bras for a Cause

I just wanted to tell everyone about the most amazing, fun and heartwarming fundraiser that I've been a part of yet. It's called Bras for a Cause. My co-worker and friend, Emily, started it last year because her mom & grandma had breast cancer. I joined the committee in August and we just had the event on October 20th. We got sponsors who decorated a bra and entered them into a live, runway auction. The bras were modeled by shirtless local firemen, who were pretty cute! They shook their stuff and we had an auctioneer going to town to sell these bras. One went for over $2,000! It was so much fun and I am so glad that I was a part of it. Right before the auction started, they played a video that was filmed weeks before of survivors and friends & family of breast cancer patients. I was one of them. It was very moving to see myself talking about it on a 20 ft tall screen. You can see pictures of the event at proofs.coburnphotography.com. Thanks everyone, it was the best fudnraiser ever, I can't wait until next year!
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Friday, October 22, 2010

Another Scare 10/2010

So, here we go again. Another October, another scare. I went for my 3 month checkup and my oncologist felt a bump on my right side. She thought it was scar tissue or a wrinkle in my implant but she wanted me to see my plastic surgeon to be sure. So, I got in to see him that same afternoon and got the same reaction, "I think it's the implant or scar tissue". "I think" is not ok in my book anymore. He wanted to see me again in 6 weeks, so I said ok. That was Wednesday, by Monday, I had an ultrasound scheduled because it was driving me nuts wondering and worrying. The ultrasound showed no mass but she said U/S is only 40% accurate so I needed an MRI. Off we go to the imaging center for the MRI a week later. That is so fun, laying on your face with your boobs in a box with 2 holes cut out for an hour! So uncomfortable. I drug myself with Ativan (like Xanax but stronger) before I go since I'm claustrophobic. The next day the results were in, no signs of mailgnancy. Phew, dodged another bullet! SO VERY SICK OF OCTOBERS!
Love, E
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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