A Celebration for Mom

Through her first and this 2nd round of cancer and treatments, my mom has been so lucky to have so many people that love her and support her. Her first time with breast cancer, she luckily had lots of sick time saved up through her job with the state, but used it all up with her treatments and surgeries. So when it came back a few months ago, that is all gone and she is having to miss lots of work for her surgery and now doctors visits and treatments.

When the word got out, the town came together and had a celebration for my mom this past weekend to help her get through this tough time. It was called Spa-getty for Teddy...since my mom's name is Teddy. We knew how loved my mom was, but didn't really see it until we came in to the party. It is indescribable how amazing it was too see so much of my hometown there to support her. She is very blessed and I'm so glad she has so many wonderful friends there for her when me and my sisters can't be. Thank you to Alto and all of these great people from the bottom of our hearts!

Ringing of the Bell

We went Friday morning with my mom for her last radiation treatment! It is a tradition when you finish to ring this bell to celebrate. We were happy to be there for this milestone in mom's journey. As you can see, Lillian and Andrew were a little more excited about the candy bouquet she received too! Congratulations, Mom!

Race for the Cure 2009

My sisters, brother-in-law, and mom all came in this weekend for the 2009 Komen Race for the Cure. We participated in it last year, but it was even more special to us this year with mom fighting breast cancer this year. Mom just had a chemo treatment on Friday, so she didn't walk and my sister Katy, had a small surgery this past week and couldn't walk either, so they kept the kids and walked around to the survivor tent and to see all the other festivities while Tory, Molly, Howard, and I ran. I was pleased with my run time this year of 28 minutes at 1 second....36 seconds better than last year placing 32 in my age 25-29 division of 164 runners. Not too shabby!

We also got a lot of great freebies and it is just fun to be around all that positive energy of everyone pulling together for the cause. The kids also did great and didn't even get out of the strollers the whole time we were there. They were just happy to get all of the little free water bottles and other stuff to play with.

Mom did well this weekend after her chemo. She didn't feel great, I can tell, but enjoyed herself. We told her that she will have to run next year! :)

***I want to say a special thanks to all that supported us in our fundraising for the cure and also to Jamie for our pretty bracelets she made us for the cause as well.

A Whole New Perspective

As most of you are aware, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday. She found a lump a couple of weeks ago and went in for testing and then was told to come back in to talk to the doctor. Our fears were confirmed. She has it in 4 places in her milk ducts. They are to do a mastectomy on Monday to remove the breast. This is a terrible thing, but also a good thing because they think this should take care of it and she will not have to do radiation or chemo. Please pray for her as she goes through this tough time. She will be in the hospital at least one night and then will be home 3-4 weeks to recover.

It gives me a whole new perspective on a cause that I've been really proud to be a part of over the past year. My sisters and I ran in the Komen Race for the Cure last November and will be doing it again this year. We raised $800 last time, so it is good to know that money went to helping my mom! It really makes me think about God's plan and purpose that we would have been involved in that race out of all that we could have chosen. I'm excited to do it again this year and am even more determined to help the fight against breast cancer. And it will be so wonderful and exciting to have my mom there this year wearing a pink shirt as a survivor!

Please let me know if you would like to join our team and run or walk on November 1st! We'd be happy to have more members on our team, Pink Power!