On a Serious Note,,,,,,

Several of you know already, but some don't. On April 13th, 2010 I will become a six (6) month survivor of breast cancer.

It has been a rough battle at times, fighting this insidious disease, which creeps up from behind and hits you when you are not looking.

I am no longer ashamed of the fact that I had a mastectomy of my right breast in October of 2009. And I am looking forward to the day when I can have my body somewhat back to normal, after reconstruction.

I have come to terms with my mortality and accepted the fact that I am no where near as "bullet proof" as I thought I was this time last year. Nothing like those three little words "You have cancer" to bring you down to earth quickly, sort of like a slap in the face.

I have made it a personal goal to watch over my friends and harp on them to get their mammograms done when needed and to do their monthly breast exams. I ask all of my lady friends who are reading this to take care of themselves. get your mammograms and do your monthly self exams. I found my first lump because my right arm brushed across my breast in an unusual way and I felt a lump. Tests later revealed a second lump. It had been 5 months since I had last done a self exam. The lump I found was about 1/2 inch across, not very small, maybe the size of a small pecan my surgeon said.

I am one of the lucky ones who did not have to have chemo. It would have only increased my chances of being cancer free in 10 years by 2% and the drawbacks were the hair loss, the puking and a risk of heart damage. Since I had the mastectomy and the cancer had not yet spread to my lymph nodes radiation treatments would do me no good. So, I am taking one pill each day, Tamoxifen. It gives me hot flashes from hell and makes it almost impossible to lose weight. But it beats the alternative.

I intend to go sailing in the Bahamas again with Richard. I intend to be there when I become a grandmother and I want to be there to teach my grandchildren the wonderful feeling of racing along at 8 knots under the power of the wind alone and to show them the beautiful places the wind and a good diesel engine can take you.