Breast Cancer - My Family's Journey

Giving Thanks 2010...

This year has certainly been one for the record books for the DeMarchis household. Through everything bad that has happened, there have been so many more blessings. 

Here is my top ten list of 2010 (through Thanksgiving):

10. We FINALLY got a new computer...Dan got in line at 6am Friday to get a great deal.  (that will never happen again I am sure).

9. Bought a new washer & dryer yesterday. YEAH!!!

8. Since we have been on a purchasing kick...our new windows are being installed before Christmas.

7. We moved into our fabulous new home.

6B.  Dan's parents moved to Fort Wayne...we can walk to their house!

6A. My whole family is coming to my house to celebrate Christmas this year...some of them haven't been to my house since I got married 7 1/2 years ago.

5. My circle of friends has expanded much farther that I could ever have imagined  - all because of a little thing called breast cancer.

4. December 1st is my LAST chemotherapy treatment. 

3. Michael potty trained this summer.

2. Our 2nd son Andrew was born...he just turned 10 months old on Thanksgiving Day.

1. My baby saved my life. If he hadn't stopped breast feeding, we might not have found my cancer until it was much much worse. and for that I am most thankful.

There are soooo many more things that I can add to the list, and I realize that #'s 10-7 are all materialistic, but I am truly grateful for these things.

If you know my husband - you know that we do not buy things on a whim. They take LOTS of thought before we sign on the dotted line. so this year year was definitely one of firsts. 

but I don't want to bore you too much, so I'll close with this...

 

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
~Charles Dickens

 

A Wish...

someone gave me this the other day. 

thought I would pass it along...

 

This is my wish for you:                           

                comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

                rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

                sunsets to warm your heart,

hugs when spirits sag,    

                beauty for your eyes to see,

friendships to brighten your being,

                faith so that you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

                courage to know yourself,

patience to accept the truth,

                love to complete your life.

~anonymous

Val...

I met Val at a Matilda Jane party in June.

It was two days after I found out that I had cancer.

I didn't know why at the time, but I couldn't stop staring at her. There was just something about her.  We started a conversation, mainly about our kids and MJC.  I adored her immediately.  That night I told Dan about this really cool girl that I met that I felt really connected to her. 

A few weeks later when I started my blog I got my answer. 

Val had posted a comment.

 Chelsa, We met at the MJC event(s). My husband is fighting stage 4 cancer and when I found out that you were diagnosed ... omg. I just want to hug you. So wish I was closer to help you with your sweet babies. I know that there is a reason we met last weekend. I liked you immediately and adore your family. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers and I will be following your journey, okay? I am going to put your blog link on mine, just so everyone can follow along, too. XO. Val.

I am telling you all this now because Val's husband Wayne needs to be lifted up in prayer now more than ever.  I know that they have oodles of support from their large circle of family and friends.

But I hope that together with the collective power of the prayer warriors that are out their praying for me and the miracle of modern medicine that maybe, if we all focus our prayers on them,

just maybe,

Val and Wayne might have a chance to beat their war with cancer.

I hope that you all will watch this you tube video that a friend of theirs posted. It brought Dan and I both to tears. Mile 45

Also please visit her blog. In the Moment 

You will laugh and cry,

mostly cry.

More importantly,

You will all fall in love with her - and her family.

She truly is an amazing wife,

Amazing mother,

Amazing woman.

Courage...

My posts are getting a lot of time between them.

because...

Life is Good.

Yes, Life is Good.

Last Wednesday was a good day.

I got to go to Indianapolis with Dan, my Mom, and two of my three sisters - Mary and Deirdre. We went to see the genetic councilor at IU Med Center. The councilors that we met with gave us all the probabilities of my family having a genetic mutation and whether they thought it was a good idea to have testing done.  My results should be back this week.

Why genetic testing? well, I am only 34 for one thing. and there is a family history - although not a large history - of ovarian cancer. those two things together could add up to a genetic inheritance, which puts all of my sisters and their daughters (and my sons) at a higher risk for developing breast or ovarian cancer.

It's a lot deal with...so we are all anxiously waiting for the results.

 

on another note...

today was chemo treatment #9       

            only 3 more to go before surgery.

I have a tiny bit hair growing on my head - it's very dark -

Michael is almost as excited as I am.  Almost.

 

I met three lovely women today at treatment.

The first gal is only 32 and has stage1breast cancer. She has the most beautiful, long black hair that I think I've ever seen.

                    She asked me about being bald.

I told her the truth. it hard and depressive to lose your hair. But once it's gone you feel empowered.

The conversation reminded me of Debra. The bald woman I met when I was first diagnosed. That woman changed me. I hope that I was able to pass some of that courage onto the gal I met today.

The 2nd and 3rd ladies are sisters. The younger one came up to me and thanked me for telling them where to by a wig two weeks ago. (they were admiring mine in the waiting room).

                FYI - if you know anyone that needs a wig she can go anywhere but the key is to get it cut by a stylist - it really makes all the difference.

She also asked how old I was because her sister thought she was the youngest one there.

She is 38. 

She is stage 4.  She thought she beat breast cancer two years ago. It is now in her bones and her liver.

She asked what stage I am and I told her stage 3. Her sister asked "how do you stay so positive?"

I said "by the grace of God. I don't know any other way to be."

Her sister - the one with cancer - said "I think I understand that."

That conversation reminded me of a book that was given to me when I was diagnosed.

                            "There's No Place Like HOPE" by Vickie Girard.

It - among other books- has helped to bring me peace and I will give it to my new friend next week.

I hope, no, I know that it will help her too.

 

a quote from Vickie Girard...

"There is something good in every single day that we are given; sometimes we just have to look a little harder."