FAMILY!

Family is EVERYTHING!

October 19th was a busy, fun day for us! I already shared about Paint Gwinnett Pink 5k, which was a great way to start the day.

After the 5k, we headed home to change and wait for our girl, Alex, to arrive from Knoxville. We didn't have to wait long because she pulled up about 30 minutes after we got here! 

Ray and I were so happy to see Alex, and this little guy was excited, too! This was Alex's first visit since moving from Sioux Falls, SD, to Knoxville, TN, a few months ago.

We spent some time just hanging out at the house and talking before heading to our favorite local restaurant, Philanthropy, for a late lunch. 

After lunch, we returned home, and after chatting a bit more, Alex and I watched a couple of scary movies. Scary shows and movies have always been something we have done together, and I had really missed it!

Later in the evening, there was another favorite....Mexican food and margaritas!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

After dinner, we were all tired, so the 3 of us just watched a couple of movies before going to bed.

On Sunday, we headed to Cumming, GA to meet up with Conor for lunch. He had to be at work at 5pm, so we went a bit early so we would have time to hang out for awhile.

Our visit was too short, but it was great being with these two! We are making plans to get together again for a few days during Thanksgiving!

SCAN RESULTS AND BREAST CANCER 5K

In my previous post, I discussed the CT and Nuclear Medicine Bone Scans scheduled for the first week of October. I was feeling anxious about the scans being on October 2. 

October 2 and October 3 are very emotional dates for me. On October 2, 2016, I spent the day filled with fear and sadness as I waited for my appointment with the breast specialist the following day to learn the results of my biopsy.

Scan Day

Every time I go for scans of any kind, I feel a little stressed due to my claustrophobia and other fears. However, this time, I felt even more anxious than usual. 

To add to my stress, as soon as I checked in at the hospital's front desk, I was called into the financial office and asked to pay $2,000 on the spot. They said I owed $8,000, which was a shock since I had never been billed.

After talking to two different people (one who was very uncaring and rude) and waiting while one of them consulted with her boss, I had to pay $800 and set up a monthly payment plan because they said I couldn't get the scans otherwise. I left in tears to go wait for my scans because I was made to feel like a criminal trying to get away with something. It's just so wrong. As if dealing with Metastatic Breast Cancer isn't enough.

Eventually, even though I was pretty late getting started due to the visit with the financial people, I was called back to start the four-hour process, which began with the usual trying to get the darn needle in my arm nightmare.

The second person who tried to get the IV in was successful without inflicting too much pain, and she kept saying how sorry she was that I had to deal with the unpleasantness of the financial people earlier. She was so kind and caring.

Scan Results

I was expecting to wait for days, maybe even a week, for the results. But to my surprise, they were on the patient portal the next day, October 3rd. It was exactly 8 years since my first diagnosis. I was so scared to check the results.

Thankfully, the results were good! The CT scan and bone scan showed no sign of metastatic disease, which is a huge relief. There were some minor issues, some due to residual side effects from my cancer treatments, and the others, my doctor said, were primarily due to my "old age." He didn't use those exact words, but that was what he meant!

So, even though I was first diagnosed on October 3, 2016, and then again in October 2020, I believe I can stop feeling like October is a cursed month for me and start enjoying it again!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is almost over. I will admit that some days, I haven't felt like participating in all the "pink" activities. But overall, I'm glad to see the support and know that many women with breast cancer are feeling loved and many others are reminded to schedule their mammograms. 

Feel The Love-Paint Gwinnett Pink 5k

This past Saturday was the Paint Gwinnett Pink 5k. This is an event we've been participating in for the past few years. Once again, I had a team called "Pam's Pink Posse."

Me and Ray before the 5k

The Paint Gwinnett Pink event is a 5k walk and run that supports breast cancer research and celebrates survivors. This event is an incredibly uplifting and emotional experience. 

Along with the 5k, there are various activities, including a heartfelt breakfast for survivors and a pink carpet leading to the survivors' stage. There, physicians from the Cancer Center, inspiring speakers, and talented musicians honor us as survivors.

Suburban Hematology-Oncology Doctors Lined up on Survivor's Stage

Our team, consisting of Ray, myself, Ray, and Ray's friend and co-worker, Amos, may have been small this year, but it was still inspiring as always. We received generous donations from friends online and messages filled with love and support.

One of the highlights of my morning was running into Patience! She used to work at my Cancer Center but has recently transferred to a different location. I was devastated when I learned that she was leaving. She is truly the best at her job and one of the kindest, most compassionate, and caring people I have ever met.

Patience and I shed a few tears together after I walked on the pink carpet and across the survivors' stage.

Here are a few more photos from the morning.

                                                                                                       

My Oncologist-Dr. Saker looks fab wearing his lei! 

This was a beautiful way to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the good news about my scans!

But wait...there was more to come! Our girl Alex was on her way to visit us from Knoxville and would arrive soon after we arrived home from Coolray Field!

More on that in my next post!