A Visit with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Friday - December 20

Snow!  Yes indeed.  Woke up at 4:50 am to a winter wonderland.  Do I really want to go to the gym?  I read once that no one ever got compliments for sleeping in, so I am up and out the door.  I get through the warm up and the strength portion (85# on two hang cleans with a push jerk... yahoo - my strength is starting to come back). And the snow is still falling.  Seattle traffic could be a nightmare with this white stuff so I leave early and head back home.  In an hour, we are showered, packed, dogs fed and loaded and on our way.  A quick stop at Auntie Pam's to drop off the dogs and then onto the freeway. We pass quite a few folks that attempted some off road action but make it to Seattle without mishap.  The tow trucks will be busy today.
Neil has to go to Spokane for the day to visit with a client, so I drop him off at the airport and then meet up with Judy (husband for the day) and we make our way to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.  Seven floors of doctors, patients and all kinds of treatment options.  I take a deep breath and step inside.  Breast cancer is dedicated to the third floor... So we check in and are told to have a seat in their waiting area.  There are quite a few other folks here...a husband and wife sit together closely and the woman is clutching a wad of tissue.  She looks terrified.  I remember feeling like her.  We find a couple of chairs near the window with a beautiful view of Lake Union.
Soon my name is called and we are taken back to an exam room.  This will be our home for the day.  The nice nurse takes my vitals and then I'm told to change into a gown and one of the "fellows" will be in to examine me.  A very kind East Indian woman enters and her role is to review my story, examine me, and then she will present my case to a team of doctors who will then discuss their views on the best treatment plan for me.  The Team Approach is what this place is all about.  So we review the last three months and go over my medical history.  I'm a pretty boring patient when it comes to medical history... No allergies.  No medications.  Never smoked.  No other surgeries.
Exam and interview complete, Judy and I are free to leave and get some lunch but need to return by 2pm.  It's cold and blustery outside but we make our way down to the water and enjoy a wonderful lunch.
Upon our return to our little room, I'm to put the gown back on and will now be examined by the team of doctors (a surgeon, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist). Whew!  While we wait for them, a volunteer comes in to visit.  She is a nine year survivor who had a double mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and reconstruction.  She is good to talk to and to listen from, as a person who has walked this path before me.  She tells me to not be afraid of reaching out to support groups and to embrace your network of support.  She said she got to the point of putting a cooler on her front porch for people to drop off meals or groceries.  Good food for thought (pardon the very bad pun).
There is a knock at the door and three women walk in...this is my "team".
The room suddenly feels very tiny.  The first to come forward is a very slender Caucasian woman who reminds me very much of Neil's sister, Dinah.  She is the surgeon.  Next is a Spanish woman -she is the oncologist.  Finally, a 9 month pregnant Chinese lady (in heels) meets me -she is the radiation oncologist.  They all take turns examining me both sitting up, and lying down.  You can tell by both their touch and their faces that they are each seeking something different.  It's all rather fascinating if you can disengage your sense of modesty from the situation.
They exit the room and I can finally redress.  Now each one returns, one at a time, to visit and give me their recommendations for treatment.
First to return is the surgeon.  She has the largest concern...because three of my lymph nodes were found to have cancer cells, it is their "standard of care" to do a "lymph node dissection".  I guess 3 is the magic number here... 2 or less nodes and you're good.  3 or more and they go for the dissection.  "What did Dr. Kaufman tell you about the dissection?"  Well, to be honest, this is the first I've heard of this procedure.  And I believe that Kaufman plans on letting the radiation do the trick.  She agrees that the radiation approach is also successful, but there has not been enough data to support that as the standard of care.  Her recommendation is to go back for more surgery, and she could fit me in on Monday or the 31st.  Whoa!  That's kinds quick!  I tell her thank you and that I'd like a chance to talk with my surgeon ( whom she knows).  She mentions that the surgery could also be done after chemo and before radiation and still be just as successful, but it skews their data a bit.  It's all about the research.
Next through the door is the radiation oncologist who looks like she's about to give birth any minute. Turns out, she's due on the 31st.  We discuss what Dr. Taylor had suggested and the treatments are very close.  He is 7 weeks of daily (Mon thru Fri) treatment, she is 6 1/2 weeks.  We discuss the lymph node dissection some more and she says that depending upon whether or not I decide to have the surgery would alter the areas of treatment for her.  But she is confident either way that she can get the job done.
Our final visitor is the oncologist.  This is the lady I've been the most eager to talk to... Will her treatment plans be the same as Dr. Chemo?  Turns out she agrees with him 100%!  His recommendation is the highest standard of care. 
It is now after 5pm and our day is finally over.  My head is swimming with all of the information I have received.  I'm a little nervous over the prospect of more surgery, but I am content with the knowledge that my guys in Bellingham are pretty much on the same page as this team in Seattle.  (*sigh of relief*)
I'll give Dr. Kaufman a call next week to discuss his thoughts on the lymph node dissection, but for now, I'm just going to relax with family and friends and enjoy the holidays.  All presents are on hold this year... doctors visits and medical tests have taken every spare moment I've had this month, so I've announced that I'll be celebrating Christmas in July.  But that doesn't mean I can't share a good meal and some holiday cheer.  :-)

So, hug your family and friends extra tight and let them know they are loved.  I wish all of you the most blessed of holidays.

Warrior Bracelets

A dear friend of mine is a nurse and she also makes jewelry. When I told her of my news, she wanted so much to be my 'private nurse', but since she lives far away, I asked if she could make me a bracelet to wear so that she'll always be "close by".  Her box arrived a couple of days ago and I found not one, but two beautiful bracelets.  I call them my 'warrior bracelets':

So yesterday, I put them on and I headed to my PET/CT scan appointment.  This test will tell us if the cancer has spread and decided to take up residence somewhere else - like my bones, my liver... you get the idea.  The hardest part of this test was the dude trying to get the IV in.. come on!  Don't you do this for a living?  THIRD TIME was a charm (yes, I looked like a pin cushion when I left) and they were finally able to administer some kind of radioactive (!) glucose concoction.  Then they left me to sit in a darkened lead-lined room for a half-hour.  Okay, this is interesting.  After 30 minutes or so, they came to get me and took me to this huge machine that looked like a large doughnut with a bed sticking out of it.  I lay down, and for the next half-hour I get to listen to Jimmy Buffett music while the bed moves back and forth through the doughnut hole.  A bit roomier than the MRI machine and much quieter.
The bracelets and prayers must have worked, because I got a call from one of Dr. Chemo's nurses and was told that the scan came back normal - no more tumors!  Finally!!  Good news!

We have a plan!

Well, at least we have a "Plan A".  "Plan B" will come when I go to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance next Friday to get their opinion.  If Plan B equals Plan A then at least I know I'm headed down the right path.
I'm writing this post from a beautiful villa in Temecula, California... overlooking the vineyards of the Temecula Valley.  Neil and I stole away for a couple days of sunshine and wine tasting before Cancer Battle Michele begins.  This place is unbelievable and I can't wait to begin exploring tomorrow.  But first, a look back at the week...

Monday started with a visit to the Bellingham Cancer Center and a meet and greet with Dr. Taylor - a Radiation Oncologist.  Nice guy... very much into the technology of it all.  Reminded me of one of our attendees!  Treatment with him will be Monday thru Friday for 7 to 8 weeks.  Side effects are a nice sunburn if I tend to burn easily.  Dude -- I'm Irish.  Of course I burn easily!  But both he and all of the very nice nurses tell me... see you after chemo!  oh goodie.
Tuesday night was the Past Commodore's dinner at the yacht club.  An opportunity to don our blue blazers and wish a Merry Christmas to some fellow Past Commodores.  There are many 'how are you feeling?' and quite a few hugs.. all in all, a very nice night.
Wednesday morning was the dreaded meeting with 'Dr. Chemo' - a.k.a. Dr. Kominsky.  A guy that shares my same birthday, but I think I'm about 10 years OLDER than he is.  Good grief.  At least he's easy on the eyes (:-)) because what he's saying is stuff I really do not want to hear.  The 'good news' is that my case is pretty cut-and-dried. No scratching of the head - he's seen this a thousand times before and here's the prescribed plan. A + B + C and Presto!  You're all better.
The 'bad news' is that to get to the 'Presto!' part of the equation means 5 months of chemo followed by a bit of rest to let my white blood cells recover a bit and then back to Mr. Radiation for his 8 weeks of fun, followed by 5 years of hormone treatment (take a pill every day).  Jeez-us - are you serious?  Mr. Easy-on-the-Eyes then runs down the lovely list of side effects and possible life threatening situations and then leans back and says "any questions?". Um... 'why me?'
Probably looking like a deer staring down the sights of a rifle, Neil and I both mumble 'not right now' and we're handed off to a poor lady who has the wonderful job of scheduling a bunch of tests that Dr. Chemo wants before we begin the treatment.... and an 'infusion nurse' pops in to see when I'd like to start the treatments, what day is best, what time of day?  Um... never?
We leave the Cancer Center with a laundry list of appointments for next week - a 'MUGA' test on Tuesday (to test my heart function) followed by a 'Chemo 101' class taught by the Infusion Nurse.  Wednesday is the PET/CT scan.  Thursday I meet back up with my surgeon, Dr. Kaufman to go over the proposed treatment plan, and then Friday I spend the day with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance folks.  Ai-yi-yi.  Here we go.
Neil and I enjoy a nice lunch and try to absorb all that has just happened.  It's hard.  The tears are close to the surface for both of us.  But we smile and say "we'll beat this".
I return to the office and I'm in a fog.  I put my head down and just concentrate on work.  Jeff takes me for a walk and asks about my morning.  My hands are stuffed into my pockets and they are  each clutching a wod of tissue... it is so hard to not stop walking and just cry.  The talking is good though and I even manage to laugh a bit.  That was what I needed.
I finally wrap up the day and head for home... Neil and the dogs are waiting for me and Michele and Bart are coming over.  It's easier now to relay the day's adventures and we enjoy a wonderful meal with dear friends.
Michele and Bart and Abby the Dog head for home and Neil and I clean up the kitchen.  At one point we stop what we're doing and just hug each other... and the tears and sobs begin.  For Neil, it's sadness over what I have to go thru and him wishing he could take my place.  For me, it's just fear and a 'dammit, why me?'.  The tears are cleansing though and we both head upstairs and fall into bed exhausted.

Encouragement - it comes from so many sources

Yesterday, I pretty much told the world (or at least everyone that knows me) what I'm going through.  For better or worse... no secrets here.  The emails and notes that I've been receiving since then have been amazing.  What's even more amazing are the sources of some of these prayers and good wishes.  Notes have been forwarded and I'm hearing from people that I never expected to hear from!  How cool is this?  My favorite so far is this one... it is the most honest and encouraging message of the journey to come:

Hey you

OK, no sloppy emails from me!! First, welcome to a club you never wanted to join. I've walked in your shoes 4 1/2 yrs ago with a very aggressive form of prostate cancer. And to really test my resolve, I had a stroke 15 months ago.
Today, I am 100% on both fronts and living a retired life on Hawaii. What got me thru it and what will get you thru it is how you REALLY feel......as in at 5 AM and you are lying alone with your thoughts. You can send all the positive emails you want and spend time convincing  other people that you are fine.
But when you are truly alone, you can then discuss with yourself your real thoughts. Allow yourself to have bad days. Allow yourself to ask, "why me". As long as you end those thoughts with, "fuck it, I'm not going to let this beat me regardless of what is thrown at me", then you'll come thru just fine.

I have to say -- I really like the attitude!

Cancer Journey - Nov. 28, 2013

Thanksgiving Day

On the surface, it's hard to think I'd be thankful for very much right now... But once I scrape off all the crap that's risen to the top, it's actually not that hard. Family and friends abound - I have a fabulous husband - I have a very understanding and compassionate employer - and (may as we'll be practical) I have very good health insurance!

The day starts at 5am as we load up the Durango with food and dogs and are on the road by 6.  We have a ferry to catch and many miles to travel.  We arrive at Lissa's place on Dabob Bay just after 10 and we are the first to arrive!

The rest of the family begins to gather, Steve and Judy arrive and soon there is a feast to be had!  I receive many hugs and votes of support... If nothing else, I will never be alone.

Cancer Journey - Nov. 27, 2013

It's my post-surgery follow up appointment with Dr. Kaufman today...and it's also the Tom and Jerry party at the yacht club (where Neil and I are the honorary 'Tom' and 'Gerri').  Neil is needed at the club to get things prepped, so Pam joins me at the doctor office.

Kaufman is only running a half hour behind today so we get in around 3:40 or so.  Kaufman notices my iPad and I tell him I have a list of questions, but he asks to have his say first...  afterwards, I realize that he's been thru this before and wants to set up the stage and timing of delivery according to his schedule, not mine.  That's okay.

As usual, he provides a wealth of information and a few new analogies.  Pam takes notes like a court stenographer and I mostly just sit and listen and try to understand how all of this relates to me.

We review the latest pathology report that was done after my surgery.  The lump measured 4.6cm long, which is just under the 5cm Stage 3 classification.  I'm Stage 2B.  Of the 5 lymph nodes that were removed, 3 had cancer cells present.  Not good.

 

The bottom line, is that with the discovery of cancer cells in the lymph nodes/lymphatics, I now qualify for full body treatment.  Which means chemo.  Shit.  My worst fear has been realized.  And the timing of all of this will likely begin in early January.  I tell Kaufman about my work schedule and he says that once chemo begins, I shouldn't be getting on any airplanes.  If sharing the air space with 150 passengers is a bad idea, then me hanging out with 20,000 attendees from all of the world probably isn't good either.  The reality starts to sink in that I won't be on my January 29 flight to San Francisco and I'll miss my first Photonics West conference in 17 years.

I'm told that I will be meeting with a radiologist, and a medical oncologist and they will give their opinions for treatment.  I ask about second opinions and Kaufman thinks that's always a good idea, so he faxes my pathology report to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and I'm told that they will contact me.

So, for the next 4 weeks, I am to heal, meet with a flurry of doctors and try like hell to keep my spirits up.

 

Pam and I sit down in Kaufman's waiting room for a little bit and we both share a few tears as the all of the info that Kaufman shared begins to sink in.  This is going to suck.

 

I head on to the yacht club and am soon surrounded by Neil and friends.  I am so grateful for their hugs. 

 

Finally at home, I open a card that I received from Alicia and her beautiful prose makes the tears overflow.  Neil gives me a hug and I just cry.  Sometimes it's good to just let it all out.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 23, 2013

Surgery Day + 3
Steve and Judy arrive to spend the weekend.  We enjoy an amazing duck dinner with Don and Mary, Michele and Bart and Steve and Judy.  What a special night with wonderful friends.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 22, 2013

Surgery Day + 2
Another quiet day of healing.  Jeff and Michele come over for dinner and it's great to spend time with friends.

Cancer Journey - Nov. 21, 2013

Surgery Day + 1 
I sleep well and awake feeling pretty good.  No pain, just a sore throat and a funny cough.  Must be the result of the anethesia and the tube they put down my throat.
Neil has to go to Tacoma today, so Pam and Fergus come to keep me company.  What a wonderful, lazy day. 

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 20, 2013

Surgery day.  Neil gets me to the surgery center by 7am.  I get checked in and I'm ready to go.  The nurse walks me into the OR and I'm told to lay down.  A nurse starts to prep my right side and Dr. Kaufman says hello and asks how I'm doing?  I say I'm fine, but the better question is how are you doing?  He laughs and that's the last thing I remember...

I'm awakened by a nurse in the recovery area.  It's all over.  Neil arrives and in just under an hour, I'm good enough to go home.  Nothing really hurts, but all I want to do is sleep.  And I do!  I set up camp in the guest room and Murphy leaps into bed with me.  Mambo and Mocha are on the floor at my my side.  Nothing like a bit of 'dog therapy' to help with the healing.

Neil has a yacht club thing to go to in the evening, so Michele comes over to keep me company.  My head still feels 'foggy' but I enjoy the visit.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 19, 2013

This was quite the day.  I knew something was up when Neil mentioned at dinner last night that the only time he could squeeze in a WOD was at 5:30am.  Uh huh.  And Hell just froze over.  :-)
Sure enough, when we arrived at CFX, I see pink streamers and pink balloons in the doorway.  As I walk in, I see the pull up bar apparatus wrapped in pink streamers, there is pink wrap around a barbell, pink balloons by the dumb bells and everyone that walks in is wearing pink.  And the people!  26 showed up for "Operation Pink WOD".  Unbelievable.  Shasonta was there and so was Alycia.  Aaron Lunde came wearing black tights and his sister-in-law's hot pink shorts... Jeff Kahn wore one of Heather's pink tank tops.  Bri had made a shirt that said "WODing for Michele".  To say the least, I was overwhelmed, humbled and oh so grateful.

When I got to work, my department was once again dressed in pink.

When I left for the day, Cathy presented me with cards and gift cards from folks all over the building.  Wow.  By the time I go to bed, I am literally on a high of good energy and prayer.  I  know I have this thing beat and I fall asleep thinking that with surgery, some recovery time, and a bit of radiation treatment, I'll be done.  Cancer?  Check.  Done.

 

 

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 14, 2013

Another call from Kaufman's office.  There is a short test they need to do since they will be removing a couple of my lymph nodes... A pre test to get a baseline of my lymph node function.  So I head back to Kaufman's office and they hook me up like a car battery!  The test only takes a couple of minutes, but I could feel the electric current going thru my heart.  Weird shit.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 13, 2013

Today is my MRI follow up with Kaufman as well as a pre-op... Today I learn that the cancer appears to not have spread beyond the lump in the right breast.  YIPPEE!  However, it's bigger than we had first thought, but lumpectomy is still the recommended surgery, so we are scheduled to go on the 20th.  The imagery is amazing!  Oh, and the X-Ray was nothing.  Just a required follow up to something the MRI thought it saw...

I head over to the Bellingham Surgery Center to pre-register and then get to the office.  And once again, there's the whole department dressed in pink.  Love these guys!

Neil and I end the day with a lovely dinner at The Fork.  I am suddenly exhausted...the underlying stress of the day has caught up with me. 

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 12, 2013

I get a call from Kaufman's office that the MRI results indicate I need to get an X-ray on my right clavicle.  WTF?

Ok... Off I go to get that done.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 6, 2013

MRI day.  Neil comes along with me for moral support.  It wasn't as horrible as I had dreaded, but still not terribly pleasant.  It's not painful at all -- it's just the mental thing of being stuck into a narrow, extremely noisy tube.  I get thru it and go to work, and the entire department is dressed in pink.  How cool is that?

I end my day with a massage and let Erica know... She is wonderful and says that if I ever want to come in and just have her rub my feet, she'd be happy to do that.

I am truly humbled by people's kindness.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 4, 2013

Took the day off of work to spend with mom and dad.  Great day.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 3, 2013

Alicia and I go to church in the morning and return to a house full!  Steve, Judy, and Michele have arrived for breakfast.  As we enjoy the delicious meal that Neil has prepared, Mom and Dad arrive.
Eventually, all our friends head toward home and Neil and my folks are prepping for dinner.  The time has finally come to tell them my news.  I am almost sick with worry about how mom will take it, but am so surprised when she is strong and calm.  Both she and Dad were like, "OK, sounds like you got this..."  Love them!  And then Mom has to chime in with "now, if you need any help with medical expenses...".  Once a mom, always a mom.  :-)

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 2, 2013

It's Commodore Ball night at the yacht club.  Steve and Judy come up and are staying with the Bodtke's... Skipper Dave and Alicia arrive at our house.  I head off in the morning to go get my hair done.  Jennifer and I joke that we may as well have fun with it while I have it - though secretly I pray that I won't have to go through chemo.
It's so fun to get dressed up and dance the night away.  Neil heads upstairs as soon as we get back home, but I stay up late with Skipper and Alicia drinking port and listening to Alicia sing.  So special.

 

Cancer Journey - Nov. 1, 2013

The tears feel close to the surface again today... I wonder why?

Mary Jorgensen calls me to check in and to let me know that I am in her daily prayers.  I am so lucky not to have to face this journey alone.

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 30, 2013

I get emails from Dan and Sue today.  Feeling loved.

Cancer Journey - Oct. 28, 2013

I call Kaufman's office to follow up about the MRI scheduling and talk to Lori (Kaufman's office gal).  She calls me back and gives me the following... MRI on 11/6; Kaufman visit on 11/13; possible surgery on 11/20; Kaufman visit on 11/27.  It's going to be a busy month.

I end the day by sending emails out to Tommy, Dan, Sue, Jeff, and Linda.  This is hard.

I get an email back from Tommy that brings tears to my eyes.  He is so supportive, telling me that my Arata family is pulling for me.  They do feel like family.  I am very lucky.  There's also a phone message from Linda.

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 27, 2013

I decide to go to church with Jeff, Bri, and Jon, and so meet up with them at Cornwall Church for their 9am service.  Whoa - this is nothing at all like a Catholic service, but I enjoy the fellowship and just sharing the time with friends.  I think I'll come again.

Cancer Journey - Oct. 25, 2013

I WOD in the morning and once again it feels good to push myself physically.

There's a small gift on my desk when I get to the office... it's a blank journal from Diane.  Looks like other folks think it's a good idea to chronicle this.

I walk with Jeff and feel close to tears.  Must be another ladybug nearby.  We agree to meet at Kulshan Brewery after my appt.

Kaufman runs 90 minutes behind schedule... But, he then spends 90 minutes with Neil and I.  He is kind, thorough, and a teacher at heart.  I find out that my cancer is a hard one to detect, so it's no wonder that it got missed on my last mammogram.  Think of ivy growing on a picket fence.  Instead of growing as it's own object, it instead grows on existing structures.  So it just appeared as a thicker structure instead of something new.

I'm mentally drained by the time I leave, so meeting up with friends for a beer is a welcome distraction.  We head to Kulshan and meet up with Jeff.  Mike Hampton is there and so is Drew and his wife, Rachel with their new little girl. I do fine until I try to tell Drew and Rachel what's going on and then I choke up.  I just can't say the words, "I have cancer".  So I make Jeff tell them instead.

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 24, 2013

One more day closer to my appointment.  The tears are close to the surface today for no real reason at all.
Pamela told me that I'll be tough and strong and then I'll see a ladybug on the sidewalk and suddenly burst into tears.  All part of the journey I suppose.

I read the literature sent to me from Dr Kaufman's office and only succeed in scaring myself.  We'll put that away for now...

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 23, 2013

CrossFit kicks my ass this morning.  Holy!  But again, it feels good to be a bit in control, even just a little bit.

No response yet from SCCA but I do write to Neil's sister, Julie, and let her know.  (Julie went thru all of this prior to me knowing Neil and I think she'll be a good person to have as a resource)

This waiting feels very lonely and from the ladies who've been where I am, they agree that the waiting is the worst.

Tonight is Ladies Night at CFX and we've been told to wear pink.  Why do I think I'm becoming the CFX Breast Cancer poster child?  Ha!

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 22, 2013

I go to CrossFit this morning.  The WOD is a doozy but when I start thinking I can't do anymore, I realize that I need to learn how to dig a little deeper.  Push a little harder.  Got it done!

As soon as I get to the office, I cancel the Mt Vernon appt.  I think this is the right thing to do.  Looking forward to Friday, but wondering if I should call the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to just get an appt on the books?

I think about my parents all the time.  How am I going to tell them this?  Dear God, I need some help here.

I decide to email the SCCA and request an appointment.  I figure I can always cancel if needed and better to have something on the books now.

I get home and there is the most beautiful bouquet of pink flowers on the island... From Veronica!  Then it's off to get my hair done and I let Jennifer in on things.

 

Cancer Journey - Oct. 21, 2013

Neil and I meet with Sarah in the HR Dept. and I fill her in and ask some Aetna questions. Later she brings down a packet on Family Leave benefits. This still doesn't seem real.

I send an email to Aetna and ask about getting second opinions in case I decide to check out Seattle.

Neil and I talk in the evening and decide that I will cancel the appt with the Mt Vernon doc... His bio says he's a general surgeon. Nothing about breast cancer, so I'm not going to waste my time or resources.

My brother sends me a text with the name of Amy's doc in Seattle...so there's someone to call if needed.

Cancer Journey - Oct. 20, 2013

An all day BYC Board retreat at Don and Mary Jorgensen's. Neil and Michele are tied up all day in their meeting, so I enjoy the day just hanging out with Don and Mary and watching all the dogs romp around the farm.
When it's finally just us, I let Don and Mary know my news. They are sad, but very supportive and tell me of a friend of theirs that has been thru this. It seems everyone knows of someone that has been through this before... and the good news is that they are all 'survivor stories'. I plan on adding my 'survivor story' to the list.

Next was a visit to Dave and Missy Steffen and to let them in on this.. This story never gets any easier in its telling.