Mema's Clan
One in every eight women either has or will have breast cancer in her lifetime. Yes, you read that right, one in every eight. This is such a scary statistic for all of us. A little over two years ago my mom was diagnosed and we were shocked as it doesn't run in our family. Come to find out over 70% of diagnosed woman do not have a genetic history. However if you do have a first degree relative (mom, sister, or daughter) your chance doubles. If you have relatives on both sides of the family it is even higher. That is not a pretty statistic for my girls and that is VERY troubling to me. Frank's Aunt lost her battle to breast cancer years ago when she was very young. So, why am I writing all this?? One to hope you'll be more aware of how common this awful disease is, and two because I hope you will do monthly exams for early detection.
When my mom was diagnosed I was heartbroken. I dove into every breast cancer article, book, magazine, to learn everything I could about this awful disease. I wanted to know everything my mom was reading to try and understand how she was feeling or would feel if she read what I was. My mom is my hero. She was amazing and still is. She finished 14 months of treatment last December. She fought, she won and she is now a survivor.
I am so proud of you mom! And I am so blessed to have a mom that I can look up to and admire. I would be so lucky if my kids would see in me, what I see in you.
After my mom was diagnosed I felt helpless and wanted to do something to help. Something to help me feel like I was helping because I felt like I couldn't do enough for my mom. So I signed up for my first Komen race. The Susan G. Koman Organization is an incredible organization and if you are every wanting to support an organization this is a great one to support. It is awesome. Frank and the kids and my dear friend April did it with me my first year. Then last year my mom was well enough to do it with us. This year, yesterday...we did it for the third year and my two sisters and Dad joined us. What an incredible event it is. All the survivors wear pink shirts, and most of the walkers/runners wear shirts with paper on the back saying who they are celebrating or walking in memory of. It is heart wrenching and heart warming at the same time. So sad to see all the people who are affected with breast cancer, but so amazing to see all the people who support and are helping find a cure! Hopefully someday they will. Here are a few pictures from our big day yesterday.