Get Ready-Get Set-Fight! FINAL DAY!

Don't let your Mammogram pass you by this 2018!

UPDATE: We made it to the final day here in the Infusion Room in Chandler. We've made friends along the way in this cancer journey here and have waited patiently through the pains, the neuropathy, the losses, but today is the day we get to ring the bell as we exit this room for the final time...we hope! These RN's have been absolutely fabulous, kind, tender, and super sweet, even though at times they have been dealing with a packed house, they continue to smile and give their best. To them, we salute!

We’ve had so many Lucy & Ethel moments-too many to count that would have made some great material for those 60’s shows!

Here we are though, a New Year, with a new challenge, a new journey, just another escapade I’d like to think-“don’t cry-don’t cry, don’t cry.” Oh, but I do-she is my sister from another mother-as they say-but, if we met when we were just 8-9 years old, we could have become real blood sisters, well…maybe, since I hate the sight of blood, it would have had to of been a really tiny poke for me! Of course, she knows this, after-all, she is the bravest!

The test-results are in-it’s definitely cancer, she says. I stand still-she can’t see me-she’s on the other end of this dreaded call. My knees buckle, my throat tightens, and I take a deep breath-and say, “ok, we know now-what do we do?” She cries, and I cheer, “Get ready, Get Set, and Fight!”

Once you get the diagnosis-then all the other junk has to be done, oh and ever so quickly. The experts are quick-the Primary Doctor, who gets the Oncologist on the phone within minutes, both by the way-most positive from the get-go. They see it every day-they set the tone like this:

GF:                    But there’s no history of Breast Cancer in my family, and I feel just fine.

Oncologist:       It’s just the luck of the draw! You did nothing wrong.

GF:                      Doctor, you are making me give up the two things I enjoy most, eating and my hair!

Dr.:                     Au contraire-Bon Faire! Eat as you like, except for the sugar, the hair it will come back, and think of the fun you will have trying on those wigs, and trying new styles, and at the end of it all-I’ll give you two new breasts!

Before we walk into the clinic for chemo-boot camp, she gives forewarning, “don’t get scared.” I respond, “Scared of what?” “There’s sick people in here,” she says. Then it hit me in the stomach-pow! My dearest friend really has cancer.

We walked in a bit solemn, and left way more upbeat than we expected. The RN spent an hour with us, explaining the A-Z of this beast, and no question went unanswered. As we were leaving-she turned to us and said, “Don’t Google.” Ah-ha moment! Dr. Google after-all knows not the heart and will of my friend. Good advice, and well taken.

Across the way we go with all of our first-hand knowledge to the “Beauty Boutique” where we try on wigs and new head-scarves. Again, outstanding positivity flowing like a water-fall. Turns out the Doc was right-we had fun and walked away with a big bag of new hair, and scarves-all free to boot! Thanks to the generous donors and others that have walked this path. We plan to give it all back by the way-

The stylist, also shared with us a very simple yet poignant statement-that sort of summed up all our years as women, “Embrace the change. Be proactive and get comfortable with your new self.”

We so remember those prepubescent years when we were so awkward about those two protruding “things” coming out of our chest. Seems now looking back 45 years or so ago-they just appeared one day, and then another day came-and you were told by whomever felt the need to say it, “cover those up.” Then came the day of reckoning, that would last a lifetime-they were there to stay…and sometimes not.

Just like this breast cancer, comes in the dark, somewhere in between the Mamo’s, one day you don’t have it, the next day you do.

For all you women out there, who awoke to a new day in a new year to a new “thing” I say to you-Get Ready, Get Set, and Fight! For all you exceptional, positive healthcare workers, I say, “Thank you!”