Here are all of the Survivors that showed up at the 2013 Race for the Cure. Myself and my best bud, Lisa, are circled. I try not to miss this event and in the past 8 years have only missed one due to being on a cruise on my 5th anniversary to celebrate that milestone. Lisa and her husband, Jeff, took me on that cruise and we had an absolute blast. I don't think I would have made it through everything without Lisa. She was diagnosed a year and a half before me. She had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and is now a 10 year survivor. I had both breasts removed, chemo and radiation and have been cancer free for 8 years now. Truly a blessing and it made me a better person. When you come close to death you realize what is truly important in life. You don't sweat the small stuff and are just grateful to be alive each and everyday.

I went to get a haircut yesterday...been way over 2 months and this is the cloak thing they put around me at the Salon. Only fitting. My hair on the pink ribbon and tomorrow I do the Race for the Cure so I felt this only fitting to be posted today. The annual Race for the Cure will be emotional and inspirational as it always is and three close friends of mine will be walking with me for the first time as well as the ones that have been there with me during each walk I've participated in for the last 5 years. All 3 first timers have loved ones that have gone thru cancer, currently battling or have died from cancer. Having my hair cut and having this wrapped around me reminded me of the day I had no hair and how blessed I am to have it back and now healthy. And, so this pink ribbon and a little of my hair is dedicated to all those currently going thru chemotherapy who have lost their hair but not their strength or faith to fight. My prayers are with you all. I thank God everyday for being able to live to tell my story and to help others going thru it. Look for my new 2009 Race For the Cure gallery to be placed up soon. Love you all and thanks to all of you for your years of support here on Pbase. It means more to me than you will ever know. And, there are other survivors that are on here on Pbase and this is dedicated to them as well! May God continue to Bless you all!

This is my friend, Dawn, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. She was sweet enough to send me these pictures which I put together in a little collage. She is fighting right now and I'm there to support her in any way that I can. These pictures are before, after they cut her hair real short, getting it shaved and then with her new hair. Honey, I know exactly what was going through your head when you sat there having to endure this process. You will get through this as you are a fighter and you have God on your side. Keep your faith strong and keep Him close to your heart. You are not alone, girl and this April, you will be the one I'm running for in the Race for the Cure!!! I've also added this song by Melissa Ethridge just to let you know that all of us Survivors are running for you and so many other women as well as myself that have been diagnosed. God Bless you, Dawn, and know I'm here. Just call or email me. Love you!

Okay, I got my results today of the MRI and everything is okay and nothing strange is lurking around as far as they can tell so I go back to the doc in 6 months. Thanks for your prayers....they worked! Now, only 3 to go, I think and then go to a year.....as long as I remain cancer free. Gonna be in Houston this weekend to celebrate Claudia's birthday and for good test results. Should be fun! Take care and thanks again!

Our fellow Pbaser, Katie Chew, lost her husband this morning from cancer. This image was driven by God, whether you believe or not. I wanted to honor Beck and Katie and wanted to comfort her as well. Well, the story goes like this. I had a doctor's appointment and was a few minutes early. As I walked into the hospital I saw the Chapel sign so I went in to say a prayer for strength and comfort for Katie and her family. I said a prayer and felt the need to take the image of the alter in front of me. Then, I walked to the podium where a Bible was there and just opened it up and snapped a picture of the page. Not until I got home did I realize that it was the 23rd Psalm. I was too teared up to know what page it had come to. If that God isn't God speaking out, I don't know what is. Some may call in coincidence, I call it a belief that there IS a God and he loves us all. Whether you believe or not, these kinds of things happen to me all the time, unexplainable things, subtle to some but overpowering to me. Answered prayers and faith have led me to believe that what the Bible says is true. That it is the word of God.

Katie, this image is for you and I love you very much. I pray that God keeps watch over you and your children and keeps you safe, comforts you and gives you strength to carry on. Beck is now walking with the Lord and is in peace. One day you will walk beside him. May God truly bless you.

This is the office I walk into every six month for my blood testing and poking and prodding. I don't mind. These are the folks that have helped me battle cancer and who helped me win the fight. I always stress before the exams and do for a couple of days afterwards until I hear all the results. This time my tumor marker (blood test) came up two points. That is two points above my last count and that last count was 3 points higher from the time before. In other words, this time last year my count was a 9, then 6 months later a 12 and now a 14. The range of "normal" is 0-30. Anything above that is not good. So, they are keeping a close eye on me to make sure that they don't continue to rise. If they do, then we'll have to take corective action. Right now, the doc says probably not enough rest and not eating right is probably the cause so I'm getting better at my diet and not eating so much junk food and watching how many sodas I tend to down a day. Anything to keep it from coming back. So, at this point I'm good until February 2009 when I revisit this office and its fine doctors, nurses and of course, Prince William! LOL!

And, he's been upgraded to "Prince William" to me because he doesn't hurt me anymore when he drains my blood. He's learned and has been quite gentle. The every six month battery of testing will continue with me until mid 2010 unless something shows up.

I got my results back from my tests. I'm still cancer free! Don't have to go back for six months, thank God! For any cancer survivor, being tested often is the key to catching any cancer in its early stages if it resurfaces. I always make my appointments and want to stay healthy. The ramifications do not end with chemo and surgery. It is a daily battle to remain cancer free and is always in the back of your mind that it can always come back. Chemotherapy changes you, physically and mentally. How you choose to live with it is a personal decision. Mine is to stay positive, to never dwell on the negative and to keep my faith in God. It is working for me, even though I do get sick more often than I ever did before cancer, due to immune system being slammed. But, it does get better everyday. The doctors put me on Arimidex 3 years ago to completely shut off my hormones as my cancer was fed by hormones and the side effects, at first, were difficult to deal with. Mood swings, aches, coughing, horrible hot flashes etc... Then, I was put on anti-depressents which helped in subsiding the mood swings and the hot flashes. But, I am off of those now as my mood swings are now gone. Hot flashes are much lighter now but the cough still remains. When I get off of Arimidex, that should subside too. Only two years to go and no more meds at all if all remains good. I'm willing to put up with the side effects in order to keep the cancer from coming back. But, if it ever does, I will fight again for my life with God as my pilot. This day is a good day and thank you all for your prayers and support. Means more to me than you will ever know!

Now, everyone make sure to get regular checkups! I want all of us healthy!!

Today, I go to my 6 month battery of tests to make sure that the cancer is still gone. I lean on my faith and pray that all will be well. My prayers are not only for myself, but for others that are ill and who have no hope. My hope rests in my faith in the Lord and that has gotten me through the worst times. I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God is in control. Some people ask me how I can believe in a God who gave me cancer. God did not give me cancer. He allowed it to happen but he also allowed me to be healed to be able to help others going through it. My faith is stronger now because of everything and so I lean on Him when I am worried and know he answers my prayers. God never promised us a rose garden but gives us the strength and determination to make it through. I pray for those who have no faith and therefore have no hope. I hope that my messages here will help someone see that they are not alone in their struggle with cancer or with life's difficulties and that if they call out to God, He will listen and comfort them.

My prayer today is for a good report and that everything will go according to God's plan. He's answered my prayers, some in a miraculous way where others have said that what has happened is coincidence. I don't believe in coincidence. I believe it all in the Master's plan. I wish I could share all of those answered prayers with you but it would take too long to list them all here. However, if you do want to know I am always happy to share. The only answer that makes any sense is that there is a God and that He will be there for you as He will be here for me today and everyday of my life.

Taken about a month and a half after chemo so hair just starting to grow back in. This was taken 3 days before the final implants were done. During reconstruction you have what they call skin stretchers under the skin that they fill up gradually with saline until you have enough skin to place implants in. They are placed under the muscle and are filled up about every 3 weeks. They feel like bricks because they are hard and not comfortable. The new ones will be silicone implants that are made for reconstruction. They are safe now and are lighter than saline. Because I now have no breast tissue this makes it easier to deal with the weight and I can actually move my pecs like Arnold. And, since the nipples had to be removed, tattoos will follow six weeks after the final implants are put in. No feeling across my chest and probably it will never come back. For a woman, losing her breasts can make her feel less than a woman. I've decided not to let that happen to me although it does sit in the back of my mind. Losing your hair is also hard but it will grow back. My breasts will never be "normal" looking and there will always be the scars there (about 5 inches across each one) but I have life. That is what is important. I am living and am a Survivor. And, since I had to lose them, I decided I'd go larger. I did and have been happy with the results but I may have to have one more operation due to scar tissue build up on the right one. I may at that time go down a size or two. I found that big boobs aren't always easy to deal with! LOL! Remember to get your checkups.....everytime I look in the mirror after I shower I see the scars and they will always be there and I don't want anyone else to have to see those. So, have your checkups and support your local cancer society. We need to find a cure!

The 3Day Walk for the fight against Breast Cancer happens in just a few weeks. I will not be able to walk but will be there taking pictures and giving support to all those that are walking and to let them know how much this means to everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer. My 3 year anniversary of diagnosis is coming up on the day the walk starts....in about 3 weeks so this one is going to be even more emotional for me. My friend Connie was just diagnosed and they caught her's very early. No chemo but she will have to endure radiation which happens in just about a week. Since this cause is so dear to my heart, I am hoping that some of you will maybe contribute to the fight against breast cancer or pray for an immediate cure. Not only did I endure the pain of having cancer, I am forever scarred as I lost both my breasts to the disease. The difficulty of seeing those scars each day is a reminder of what I and my family went through, but it is also a reminder of how we should treasure life and thank God for each day he gives to us. Please, say a prayer or if you can find it in your heart to donate to a very worthy cause, I and so many others will be so thankful, after all it can happen to you or someone you love. Please see the link of last year's 3 day walk. I cried when I watched it, and am tearing up just now thinking about it.: http://www.teresamoss.net/20063day.html

Also, another good friend, Renee Allen is walking for Connie and for me. If you want to support Renee, please do so at the below link. If you can't, that is fine, just make sure to keep us all in your prayers and for those that are walking the good walk to save lives.
The link to help support the cause is: http://www.the3day.org/dallas07/reneeallen

Yesterday was a very difficult day. I found out that my friends, Tom and Melissa lost their 13 year old son, Mark, to complications from bone cancer. My heart breaks for them. Then, I found out a dear friend, Connie, was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent surgery today. I will be with Connie during her fight. We are hoping she won't have to endure chemotherapy but if she does, I know she'll make it through. Connie is a fighter and this lady walked in my honor during the Race for the Cure for the past three years. Next year, I'll be walking in her honor.

I took this shot at the Cancer Survivor's Plaza in Downtown Minneapolis. I spent a lot of time there on Sunday afternoon in the rain. I stumbled across it when I was driving through town the day before and made it a point to go back. The energy I felt there was unbelievable and I cried a lot while I was there. Happy tears that this was built for us and sad tears for those that are going through the battle or have lost it. I will be posting a few more of these signs as they had a huge impact on me. I thank the people of Minneapolis for building this park.

Here we go again....my 6 month battery of testing. I'm sure all is well....just a pain!

As I was doing housework today and some gardening, the song "Tough" by Craig Morgan came on the radio. I stopped what I was doing and listened. Had not heard this song before. It brought tears to my eyes as I relate so much. So, I stopped cleaning for a bit and took this pic. Hopefully, it will be an inspiration to everyone and touch everyone like it did me.
You can listen to the song at: http://www.craigmorgan.com/index.php?

The lyrics are below:

She's in the kitchen at the crack of dawn
Bacon's on, coffee's strong
Kids running wild, taking off their clothes
If she's a nervous wreck, well it never shows
Takes one to football and one to dance
Hits the Y for aerobics class
Drops by the bank, stops at the store
Has on a smile when I walk through the door
The last to go to bed, she'll be the first one up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus
She's strong, pushes on, can't slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

We sat there five years ago
The doctors let us know, the test showed
She'd have to fight to live, I broke down and cried
She held me and said it's gonna be alright
She wore that wig to church
Pink ribbon pinned there on her shirt
No room for fear, full of faith
Hands held high singing Amazing Grace
Never once complained, refusing to give up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus
She's strong, pushes on, can't slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

She's a gentle word, the sweetest kiss
A velvet touch against my skin
I've seen her cry, I've seen her break
But in my eyes, she'll always be strong

There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough