October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. this affects many of us 1 way or another.

As you all know, June 2007 I lost my mom to her 2nd battle with breast cancer. My mom was my best friend and no one could ask for a better mother! She was 1 of 21 kids (an identical twin so as we all say, JJ has 2 grandmothers since he insists on calling my Aunt "MawMaw.") As you can imagine she didn't have a lot materially growing up, so she strived to make sure I had it all, and at the same time she raised me to appreciate what I was given as well. She put up with my dad and myself, many times being between what must have felt like as 2 brick walls. She was a miracle worker with her yard, a WONDERFUL cook, and took great pleasure in sewing for others (there are many things around our house touched by her hands!) There have been many times when I have tried to express in words the extent of her personality but there are no combination or words that would adequately describe her!

My mom was diagnosed the first time 5 years ago and went through radiation therapy, even missing her own father's wake, to make sure she didn't miss an appointment! She was given the all clear, went to her follow-up appointments, and had all the necessary checks and tests. She refused mammograms and instead had MRIs b/c with her first mass, even though it could be felt, the mammogram would not pick it up. Had she not been persistent in that decision, they never would have found the 2nd cancer under her chest cavity. Right after JJ was born (her 1st long awaited biological grandchild) she was diagnosed the 2nd time. This time she had to endure numerous chemotherapies, most of which left her weak and sick. Even the PET scan that she had gave her skin cancer which had to be treated daily by a nurse who would come to the house. But, she was doing good, the cancer levels had gone to the bottom of the chart, so her doctor gave her 2 months off, then an extra month off. We think this time gave the cancer an opportunity to mutate b/c after that no form of treatment would keep the numbers from rising, but the doctor was still hopeful she would still have a few years, that he would get it to a manageable level and she would go in regularly for that they call "maintenance" treatments. Unfortunately, the CAT scans did not show at any point that the cancer was spreading, only after she had a stroke and they did a full body MRI did they see to the extent that it had. My mom passed away peacefully surrounded by those of us that loved her. She was blessed in that she did not suffer, and we were blessed to have had her.

Our only hope is that we can all try to pass on to JJ just how lucky he was to have her for a grandmother! We are and will remain vigilent in finding any way possible to find a cure so others do not have to go through what my mom did, or feel the loss we now do! Many of you have had to endure silly emails about sending a duck or making a woman since the sponsers are donating to breast cancer initiatives. In a few short weeks we will be doing the Komen walk in Hunt Valley, like we did last year in New Jersey (so forgive me ahead of time for hitting you up for $.) Also, my friend has added and will continue to add information to her blog, please go through the link below to visit her site!
http://luvkids334.blogspot.com/2008/10/going-pink-and-purple.html

(and as a side note, please do not remain lax in your own breast health! My best friend was diagnosed a month after my mom's passing with inflammatory breast cancer, 1/2 way through her 2nd pregnancy. Thankfully both she and her son are happy & healthy! This really does affect us all!)