7 Days 'til the Race for the Cure

If you've been reading my blog for long, you know how much I appreciate Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This foundation filled such a need in our lives. Denver's Race for the Cure will be on October 4, so this is the last week for fund-raising connected to that event. Many of you have donated to this cause on my behalf and helped me reach my initial fundraising goal. I set a new goal of $1000.00 and that has almost been reach too! If you are interested in donating, click on this link (http://www.komendenver.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1639263&pg=personal&fr_id=1090) to make a donation.

I could not find an electronic copy of the 5280 Magazine's article to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I've scanned a copy here. If you click on the picture of the page with text, it should enlarge so that you can read it. Here's the link to my page on the Susan G. Komen Denver affiliate's website.
http://www.komendenver.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1639263&pg=personal&fr_id=1090

Monday I went to see the oncologist for a follow-up on the enlarged lymph node I found the week after radiation was finished. It has not gone away, and the oncologist found a second swollen lymph node in the same general area. She is scheduling tests to help determine what is going on. This has been a challenging week, to say the least. I dread starting this whole process over again, and I hope these lymph nodes turn out to be benign. Many times over the last few days I have looked at the stencil a friend put on my bedroom wall - "Be still and know that I am God." That probably sounds kind of ambiguous to some, but our recent experiences have given me opportunities to learn what kind of God I have, and I have every reason to be still and trust Him.

Meet Amy Caldwell Bixby

Click here (Meet Amy Caldwell Bixby) to see the short version of the interview for 9News. I haven't seen the finished version yet, but hope to get a link up to that later.

Photo by Sandy Puc for 9News


If you're interested in reading my story on Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure site and donating to this foundation that has given so much to us, click here http://www.komendenver.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1639263&pg=personal&fr_id=1090

The Race for the Cure

I wrote before about how Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been an amazing financial help. Immediately upon my diagnosis last October, this foundation offered me a grant that covered all of my medical costs. They have also provided us with an additional grant to help offset other expenses due to my cancer. We will always be grateful for Komen's generosity and work on my behalf.

Gilead and I have become part of the advertising campaign to raise funds for breast cancer research, diagnosis and treatment through Denver's Race for the Cure that will be held on Sunday, October 4, 2009. Although I will not be running, I have registered and am asking all of you to consider donating funds to the Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Click on the link to my race page (http://www.komendenver.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1639263&pg=personal&fr_id=1090) if you're interested in giving. Donations are tax-deductible and greatly appreciated by folks like me.

This is one of the pictures taken for Komen's fundraising.

Ellen Jaskol holds the rights to this picture.

It's Not Over

When I finished radiation almost two weeks ago, I had no idea that one of the most uncomfortable stretches of treatment was still ahead. My skin was red from the radiation, and my arm felt a little tight, but I wasn't experiencing any pain. The radiation oncologist commented that my skin had held up remarkably well during this process, but warned that it would get worse for the next ten days or so before it began getting better.

I'm glad she warned me or I would have been very worried. By the following Tuesday my skin was blistering, peeling, and very painful. The pain spread to my muscles and deep inside the tissues. I've taken more Advil over the past ten days than I did after either the mastectomy or the c-section. Of course, I haven't been in bed recovering from the radiation like I was after the surgeries, and I'm sure my constant activity has only aggravated the radiated area. Just yesterday, I finally began to experience some relief.

Less than a week after the radiation was finished, I found another enlarged lymph node just below my collar bone. The oncologist had me come in right away, but she didn't have any definite answers. She hopes I am just reacting to the radiation, but can't promise that's the case. My next appointment is near the end of September, and we'll be making some decisions about more biopsies and tests.

I've been struggling with fear that the cancer is making a come-back already. But it's been strengthening to constantly remind myself that life on earth is temporary even in the best of health, and that God has already proven Himself loving and trustworthy.