Pride

For the first time since my diagnosis, I felt such pride wearing the word SURVIVOR on my back ... on my cheek ... and around my neck ...

Ready for the final 20 miles ... full of excitement!

 It's all about collecting bling!

It is difficult to explain this past weekend.  It is nearly impossible to put it into words.  It was one of the most AMAZING experiences of my life.

First and foremost, I MUST thank my incredible Princess Warrior team as well as my wonderful family and friends.  I am so blessed to have each of you in my life and am so thankful to have had the opportunity to share my 3-Day experience with you all!

Secondly, I would like to thank God for such a beautiful weekend!  Not only was the weather absolutely perfect, but the people were inspiring and uplifting ... obviously a gift ... and one not soon forgotten!

Finally, I would like to thank Susan G. Komen for the Cure for their continued commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer.  And, for providing a weekend that allowed me to sport my SURVIVOR status with PRIDE ...

Princess Warriors

I am so amazingly blessed to be a part of such an incredible team.  Over the past 10 months, Team Princess Warriors has been raising money, hosting fundraisers, and training for what will likely be one of THE most memorable weekends EVER ...

Our team consists of 15 wonderful women, all of whom have worked VERY hard and accomplished SO very much.  As a team, we have raised $36,524 ... in hopes of helping find a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.  And, in just a few short days, we will set out to walk 60 miles in just three days ... I simply CANNOT wait!

Here's to Team Princess Warriors ...

Second Guessing

Yesterday, I received the BEST card in the mail!  It reads ...

Tough Cookie

1.  Someone with just the right mix of sweetness and strength.

2.  One who doesn't crumble under pressure.

3.  A fighter who's too busy kicking butt to sit down and cry, but know it's okay to do both.

4.  A person who doesn't always ask for support, but has lots of friends who would do anything to help.

Hang in there, 

Tough Cookie

And for the handwritten note ...

Jill, 

Wishing you lots of luck & energy this weekend for the 3-Day walk!  Just icing on the cake to prove you came through the past 12 months with flying colors.  No more "second guessing" - you won!

Congratulations & love,

Troy & Jan

I have written about Jan in the past.  She is a nine year breast cancer survivor and the mother of one of my best childhood friends.  She has been an amazing support for me throughout this journey.  And, her timing is always impeccable ...

As you can imagine, I am often "second guessing" ... praying that I did, in fact, win.  There are many days that the fear of a recurrence is overwhelming.  And, unfortunately, that has been the case in recent weeks.  So, as usual, this card came at the PERECT time ... it almost took my breath away.

Whether it was because Jan "gets it" or because God is working behind the scenes in my life ... I will never know ...

Either way, I feel so very blessed to have them both in my life ... 

Living Life to the Fullest

One year ago today, I began the fight of my life.  On September 29, 2011, I received my first infusion at Winship Cancer Center.  And, although it was one of the most difficult days of my life, I look back on it with gratitude ... feeling thankful for the guidance I was given by God and the many blessings I have experienced since ...

One of those blessings came in an extremely large package, weighing in at approximately 220,000 tons ...

Allure of the Seas

Earlier this month, my family and I had the pleasure of spending seven days aboard the most amazing cruise ship in the world ... Allure of the Seas.  Of course, I could go on and on about the seventeen decks of magnificence, the beautiful places we visited, and the FUN we had ... but what matters most is this ...

Us

Maddie & Andrew

We had the opportunity to spend a wonderful week together ... making memories!  And, as every cancer survivor knows, there is just nothing more important than living life to the fullest and sharing it with the ones we love the most ...

So, here's to September 29, 2012 ... a year later and LOVING every minute ...

Survivor Circle

Almost a year ago, I stood at the Closing Ceremonies of the Atlanta 3-Day and took this picture ...

And, in my "The Power of Pink" post last October, I wrote this ...

"Next year, at this time, I will walk ... I will stand on that podium ... and I will begin my life as a SURVIVOR!"

Well, this afternoon, I received an email with an invitation to be a part of Opening and Closing Ceremonies.  Of course, feeling amazingly honored, I accepted ...

So, in just a few short weeks, my wonderful Princess Warrior team and I will embark on a journey unlike anything we have ever experienced.  We will walk 60 miles in three days ... among thousands of other men and women.  And, I will have the opportunity to represent my incredible family, my amazing team, and the millions of breast cancer survivors as I carry the "Commitment" flag into Survivor Circle ... symbolizing our determination to finding a cure in our lifetime ...

What an honor ... need I say more?

Bald & Beautiful

No matter who you are, a breast cancer diagnosis is amazingly difficult.  The only way to make it through is with the love and support of family and friends ...

This afternoon, I was brought to tears by this photograph ...

Summer Holt Miller & Kellie Pickler

Kellie Picker's dear friend, Summer Holt Miller, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of only 36.  Summer will endure her first round of chemotherapy tomorrow.  In an amazing display of friendship, Kellie joined Summer in preparing for her inevitable hair loss ... together they shaved their heads ...

Honestly, I can't think of anything more amazing ... 

Here's to Kellie Pickler ...

Summer Holt Miller's Online Journal

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/summermiller/journal

Stand

As I move further and further away from my diagnosis, I can't help but find myself living in fear ... wondering if I'll be alright.  It is in those moments that this song brings me back ... reminding me that, even when times are tough, I am strong ... 

Rascal Flatts - Stand

Someday, I hope to be able to put this experience behind me ... for good!  For now, I must find the emotional strength to stand in hope, rather than to crumble in fear.  I must remind myself, each and every day, that the odds are in MY favor and that God has absolutely brought me through this ... 

Tug & Pull

Although I have been feeling like a burden to my family and friends lately, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This afternoon, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Woods for the first time since surgery.  He removed my drains and the waterproof bandages that were placed over my incisions.  The tug and pull of the drains was rather unpleasant, but I feel SO much better ...

Now, I am instructed to carry on with life ... at least the everyday things.  For the next couple of weeks, while I begin taking back some of the domestic responsibility around the house, I do have to take it easy.  No heavy lifting.  No push ups.  No dips.  I can handle that ...

As always, I would like to thank everyone for the continued support.  For the continued prayers.  For making me feel like the luckiest girl in world ... cancer and all ...

Lacey Bras & Dangling Drains

Today, I am looking better than EVER ... complete with THE most gorgeous bra and a pair of drains that dangle everywhere ...

All joking aside, I am THRILLED to be on the other side of surgery.  Yesterday went VERY well, for the most part.  We arrived at Piedmont Hospital just a little after 6:00 in the morning.  I was quickly taken back and prepped for surgery.  Dr. Woods made his marks and I was out!  Afterward, while in recovery, the nausea set in.  For whatever reason, I couldn't shake it and felt terrible for the rest of the day.  

Today, though, I feel MUCH better.  The nausea is completely gone and the pain is manageable.  There is no question, this round is easier than the first ... thank goodness!

I am so very thankful to God for seeing me through another milestone in this journey to health ... I have finally reached the finish line and could not be happier!  

Now, I have to go see what I've got under that sexy bra ... 

Soft & Supple

Tomorrow, I will FINALLY have the opportunity to put an end to the lengthy, uncomfortable process of breast reconstruction.  For over five months, my body has been invaded by tissue expanders.  While they have served their purpose, I am TRILLED to be getting rid of them ... FOREVER!

My surgery is scheduled for 8:00 in the morning at Piedmont Hospital.  Assuming everything goes as planned, I should be headed home around lunch time.  Of course, while I am looking very forward to soft and supple, I am not trilled to be bringing home drains. At least I have my trusty pouch and shoelace to help make me a little more comfortable ...

     The pouch carries the drains so they don't dangle out of my clothing ... gross!  

The shoelace makes showering SO much easier ... pin them on and carry on!

It's crazy to think about how far I have come over the past year.  It's crazy to finally be at the end of this horrific experience.  It might be even crazier to think about coming home with boobs ... bigger and better than they have ever been ...

Here's to the end of this nightmare ... and to soft and supple boobs ...