Living the dream, so I thought!!
Married for 7 years, 3year old daughter a corporate executive at the age of 43 and everything seemed like it was going where it should. I rolled over in bed one morning and had been experiencing a pain in my underarm, when I felt the area while lying on my side I found a lump. Called my doctor and she said she would see me that day. We had trouble finding the lump again but my doctor had suggested we take no chances and have another mammogram...I had one just a year ago because of the same pain, same area. The mammogram results showed something that required further testing, ultrasound and biopsy were ordered, again no worries all was considered hopeful. A week later I received the news while my daughter was colouring pictures in the waiting room, I had breast cancer. Apparently the good news was it was stage one and a lumpectomy surgery was all I need and radiation to the area....this would be sufficient.
See I don't like the word "sufficient", I chose to have a masectomy and an MRI of the other breast a week later, and the surgery was performed within 4 weeks. When I woke from surgery I saw the tubes that ran from my side and for the first time I cried. I knew what the tubes meant, it had spread past my auxillary node into my lymph nodes. The surgeon arrived a little later to tell me that I had a 5cm tumor that was resting on my rib cage and confirmed it had spread to my lymph nodes.
At this point and going forward I know that I shut down, at least from the information and the ongoing need to discuss the disease. I took notes at appointments and followed everything they told me to do....just like a "TO DO list". Full rounds of chemo and full rounds of Radiation have now ended , I am 7 months past this experience. What I realized when I looked at my notes that I had two different descriptions of my staging and diagnosis. I realized I needed to own this and I had to start absorbing the information. I now have a new oncologist and we meet in the next week to ensure there have been no mis-steps in my diagnosis and treatment options.
Through this I had made a "pinky promise" to my daugther, Dakota. I promised to eat better, be in the best shape possible and pick her up again in my arms. In September after Dakota's 4th birthday and 6months after treatment I ran my first half marathon, lost 15 pounds and can carry Dakota up to her bedroom each night for books.
I recently met with MJ and Alison after visiting their rethinkbreastcancer site to discuss a business opportunity. See I am on a mission now that I can control, which is the food that my family chooses to eat. I made that pinky promise and now I have decided to go a step farther, and share my story and tips on a new TV show that I have co-produced called "marlene's meal makeovers". The show speaks about my journey and how we need to stop disguising the good food from our kids and making sure they are part of food preparation and back to eating wholesome food. The tag for the show is "Cook once, produce twice". Idea of cooking one meal and providing for 2 additional meals in the making will mean less time in the kitchen in a week.
I will post my website when it is complete to help share the tips and ideas/recipes we have.
I am certain of one question now through this journey, the question is..."what is the purpose of life?" The answer, "to live a life of purpose!"
Cannot believe it took me this long to get this, count my blessing everyday and remind myself of the "pinky promise"
Best Health
Marlene
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