Oh my goodness...it's April!

I can't believe that tomorrow is Easter.  It makes me happy...such a great time of year.  A refreshing time with Spring here and summer around the corner.  A time to feel reborn in a way...I just really love this time of year.  Perhaps for all of us it goes all the way back to our school days when we knew that summer vacation was right around the corner.  Whatever the reason, I'm very happy to see the snow melt and feel the warmer breezes!

This is also the time of year that I reflect...on April 25 it will be 2 years that I was diagnosed with stage IV Advanced Breast Cancer.  Wow!  Some days it seems like I've had this stupid disease forever...and then of course sometimes not.  I have to say friends...it doesn't get any easier!  However, I have learned a tremendous amount in two years, so if you'll indulge me (as if you have a choice) :-) I'd like to share some of my newly acquired knowledge with you.
* contrary to popular belief, breast cancer deaths are NOT decreasing!  This is a myth!  I urge you to check out www.metavivor.net to see true statistics...you will be amazed.

* likewise, Susan G. Komen does NOT put money towards finding a cure!  They have helped get the word out over the years that women must get mammograms.  That's a very good thing...but I ask you, is there really anyone  out there in the USA (which is predominately the area Komen serves) that isn't aware of mammo's and their importance?

* If you have someone you know who is fighting cancer, and this is for early stage I-III, I understand it's very tempting to share your...mother, brother, sister, uncles, etc story with them.  It's also our first response to say " please don't worry, that's easily treated now...etc etc" or something like that.  I can tell you...prior to cancer, I'm sure I did it too...we do it with the best of intentions!  However, everyone's experience is different.  Someone's uncle may have had a horrid time with radiation...but you might not.  And believe me...when you are the person diagnosed with cancer, whether it's stage 0 or stage III it's terrifying!  The last thing the patient really wants to hear is that it's no big deal, it's easily treatable...because at that moment it's catastrophic to them.  Eventually it will get easier, but they will need to work through that themselves or with their Dr.

* On a very personal note...as a Stage IV patient I hear some very different comments.  In the past two years I've learned that for the most part people just don't know what to say, and have the kindest of hearts and want to say something helpful!  It's difficult...i totally get that!  Therefore not much riles     Me.  The only thing that's difficult for me...and other Stage IV patients have expressed this to me is when people will tell us that ...
1. We could all die at any time...heck we could get hit by a bus!  Ok yes...but have you been told you'll be hit by a bus?  Because I have.
2. The other thing that's difficult is when people insist that we'll be cured.  Sadly, what I have isn't curable.  Now having said that doesn't mean that I've given up!  There are a lot of meds for me to take...and new ones on the horizon.  So keeping me stable is a very good thing, and hopefully I will get many more years at stable :-).

I thank you all for letting me share those thoughts.  I speak with a number of cancer patients on a regular basis, and these are topics that have come up that I wanted to share.

I'm very excited today...Michael and Jenny are coming up later today to spend the weekend with us!  We love having them here!!!  Tomorrow my sister Barb, BIL Tom, their kids Aimee & Jack and my MIL will join us for Easter dinner.  So wonderful to have a houseful of family!

Next week we leave for several days to fulfill another bucket list item...we're heading to The Black Hills/Mt Rushmore.  I'm very excited about it as this is something I've wanted to do for many many years!  Don's made me promise to rest, rest, rest prior to our trip so I'll have as much energy as possible!

I wish each of you a blessed Easter.  Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers...they are deeply appreciated!

Love...Kathy xoxo