Tomorrow is October, breast cancer awareness month here in the US. I am turning my blog pink for the month. Up at the bottom of my banner on the right hand side is a tab that you can click on and make a donation to Susan G Komen. Last October I raised over $1500 for the race for the cure, and $1200 for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This year I am not doing the race but thought this might be a good way for me to raise money for a really great cause.
For my new readers I am a 1 1/2 year breast cancer survivor. I was diagnosed at the age of 41 after a routine surgery for benign cysts in both of my breasts (My Story is here). During my surgery the doctor found a tumor under the benign cyst on my left side and removed most of it. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer a rather invasive type of the disease. Three weeks after my diagnosis I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. During my surgery the found that the cancer was not in one spot but I had three tumors and it had spread to one lymph node under my left arm. Three weeks after my mastectomy, I went in for my third surgery and had 12 lymph nodes removed and a port put into my chest to make chemo easier. The cancer did not spread past that one lymph node. I dodged a huge bullet. All my doctors said that If they had not found the cancer when they did it would have been too late. I went through 8 rounds of dose dence chemotherapy. I lost all of my hair 11 days after my first chemo treatment.
October is about celebrating life for me, a birthday of sorts. Join my celebration of life after breast cancer and make a donation to my page. Susan G. Koman does so many wonderful things in breast cancer research, and they are on the ground at the community level helping breast cancer patients every day. Recently our local hospital received a very large grant form Susan G. Komen and any breast cancer survivor that lives in my county is eligible for FREE services. Yoga, acupuncture, healing touch, counseling and many many more things. Your dollars do work to help us survivors. Every penny counts! I know these are lean times, but there are so many of us in need of a cure!
I donated a dollar a day for the month of october (31 bucks). Sorry it wasn't more.
I'm happy that your blogging this....I had no idea what the Komen foundation did exactly! Thanks....your blogging sista...Tami
Posted by: PA Wild Woman | September 30, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Are things going okay? I was surprised to read that you're not walking it this year.
Posted by: Virginia | September 30, 2009 at 02:51 PM
I came to you by way of Killer Boob's site. When I was recovering from my bilateral mastectomy in April I read through your entire blog. Viewing all of the beautiful photos of your farm and being treated to all the pictures of the delightful desserts and comfort foods you regularly prepare, I felt as though I was recuperating at my own special restorative health spa. Thank you so much for your continued hospitality! Good health to us!!!
Posted by: Elle M | September 30, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Happy life-month to you! I'm so glad you won the fight.
I donated to SGK just two weeks ago. Only $20, but I figure every little bit counts.
Elle
Posted by: Elle Bee | October 01, 2009 at 12:28 AM
Hi, I'm new here. You know how one blog leads a person to another blog, and here I am. I am 40 and scheduled my first ever mammogram for next month, the day after my 41st birthday. Reading your story is a pretty stern reminder as to how important those check-ups are. The new horse is beautiful. hugs from Hundewanderer.
Posted by: Hundewanderer | October 01, 2009 at 02:46 AM
Sarah, Thank you for sharing this and raising awareness. You are proof that fighting cancer and finding a cure is how we face reality!
Posted by: DVMsWife | October 01, 2009 at 09:03 AM
Waaaaay to GO! I've done two of the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Days...one in San Francisco and one in Seattle. My little feet raised $6000!
I love pink!
Posted by: drivingrein | October 01, 2009 at 04:06 PM