Arizona 2010 Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk - Survivor's Circle at Closing Ceremonies

Leaving the stage at the end of ceremonies. That is me just to the left of the flag pole.

All of the other survivors joined us on the stage - hugging and dancing at the end of the closing ceremonies. We didn't even have to talk, we just looked each other in the eye and started crying. All of us had heard the word's "it is cancer" and all of us had to tell our loved ones of the diagnosis. It is this shared experience that made all of us have to walk. We are all committed to doing all we can to make sure that someday no one else will ever have to go through what we have gone through. Lots of tears and lots of love.

There were eight of us in the Survivor's Circle. It was a huge honor to be asked to participate.

"A World Without Breast Cancer" is what the flag says.

That's me just to the left of the flag pole

Walking in with our flags - I carried the "commitment" flag

Looking up at the center flag "A World Without Breast Cancer"

Being part of the Survivor's Circle is definately one of the top five highlights of my life. It was emotional in so many ways. I was proud to be there as a survivor. I was honored to represent those who are no longer with us. I was amazed at the dedication of the other walkers and crew members. I was tickled pink to be a member of Team Grand Canyon. I was just so thankful that my parents were able to experience it with me. I was hopeful for my future as a survivor. I was and will continue to be committed to ending breast cancer.

Click Here for a picture of me from the 3 Day web site. While you are there feel free to donate to Team Grand Canyon. We hope to raise $30,000 this year so every little bit helps! So, far we have only raised $10 so we have a ways to go. Glad we have eleven months!

I'll have some more walk photos posted soon.

Surgery Date Is Set

January 20th it is. Back when it first came up January seemed a long time away. Now it is less than four weeks. I can't believe it is two and a half years since my diagnosis and the fall out continues. I saw my oncologist a couple of weeks ago and he was please I was having my uterus and last ovary removed. He said I will have a better chance of not having a recurrance. So, there is some good news. He said after the surgery we will discuss whether I will continue to take tamoxifen or will start taking something else. Since I am no longer having any problems with tamoxifen other than the issues the surgery will take care of, he said that he thinks I will stay on it. My doctor who is doing the surgery says that with my previous endometrial surgery and ovary removal she is pretty sure that she will have to complete the surgery adominally which means a longer hospital stay and longer recovery time. With the first surgery I was in the hospital three days I believe and there were staples involved. Staples!! I didn't even know that was possible. I am already psyching myself up for it this time - see picture above. I was a bit worried about how I was going to manage for the couple of weeks or so that I will be down and out but of course my wonderful parents said they will come up and take care of me. I have no idea what I would do with out them. I am also working on losing some of the weight I have gained since the diagnosis. I was doing pretty well and had lost 20 pounds before my birthday last week and Christmas this week. I'd like to lose another 10 before the surgery so am back on the diet tomorrow. I still plan on putting up pictures from the 3 Day Walk. Check back in the next week or so for some good ones. The pic above is actually from the walk - it was one of my favorite signs!