June 28, 2024: Quick Update

Yesterday morning, I had my monthly visit with Dr. Vandermolen to get the results of my recent MRI, all was clear, thank goodness and which was to be expected (this MRI was of my tailbone and spine to see why my leg has been going numb when I fly - more to come once I see a back doctor next week).  

When I had told my parents the good news (they were of course happy too), my dad then told me that a family friend had passed away yesterday morning from cancer.  I grew up watching him play hockey with my dad and I remember his big smile, his friendly disposition and that he was always cursing!  He was very religious and his cancer was terminal and he knew it, so praying was really important to him.  When I got sick he’d message me all the time, telling me how proud he was of me, that I was doing great and that when I was done with treatment we’d get together and pray. I was supposed to go visit him with my dad a couple weeks ago, as his doctor had moved him to hospice because his treatments had stopped working. Unfortunately I got sick and could not go, but my dad was able to visit him and send a hug from me and to thank him for always praying for me. My dad told him how well I’ve been doing and he cried tears of joy; he knew his time was coming to an end but he was happy for our family and me that I was doing so well.  

Days like yesterday remind me how this disease can be full of so much sadness but then also so much joy.  I’m sad that life can be taken from you in the blink of an eye (even if you don’t have cancer), that cancer is one hell of a disease and that we lost a good guy yesterday. But, while I let the sadness settle, I also live in the happiness. Happy my MRI was clear, that my tumor marker continues to remain normal and that I am alive.  Mark’s cancer was very different than mine, but cancer is cancer, no matter what kind you have and it was a day full of highs and lows with this thing called 'cancer' that I’m just grateful to be in a good place.

Drink some beers, play some hockey and laugh a lot, Mark. Thank you for always cheering me on.

MRI 6.24.2024 - my hair is getting so long!

June 2, 2024 - National Cancer Survivors Day & Latest Updates

It’s been a minute since we have posted any updates here, mostly been sharing and updating on all the various organizations that have been so kind to share our story and my journey.  But, today is National Cancer Survivors Day so it felt fitting to provide some updates.  

We celebrated two years from my diagnosis day on April 7th.  Chris and I spent the day together doing the things we love the most – riding our bikes, spending time with family and enjoying life. I’ve tried very hard to turn all the bad days into good days and see the other side of the days that changed our world.  A few tears are always shed but I accept them and then work towards finding joy in the fact that I am alive!  We also celebrated my 40^th birthday 3 days later.  Chris and my sister threw me a surprise party at one of our favorite restaurants and it was so fun to see family & friends come together to celebrate another year.  All I wanted for my birthday was a trip to our favorite place, Maui (which we took a few weeks later) but this surprise party was so fun and just made my heart so full.  Apparently, I had told my sister a while back that I wanted a surprise party one day, so I got my wish.  Maui was perfect and exactly what we needed after a busy month of celebrations.  We took a trip to our house in Coeur d’Alene over Memorial Day weekend and got to enjoy the house, the weather and our neighbors – that place is really special and we love being there.

Our last night in Maui, until next time!

Morimoto Night

Near the lake by our house in CDA, Tubbs Hill.

April 7, 2024 - Bike Ride - 2 years from diagnosis day.

A really big change is coming July 12^th and I am so excited (of course a little nervous) but it just feels so right.  I have resigned from the company I have been at for 16 years.  I am so grateful, honored and proud of everything I was able to accomplish there, from Intern to Chief Merchandising Officer, there are a lot of memories and a lot of accomplishments that I will take with me forever.  Cancer changed me and everything I thought was important in a career just isn’t there anymore – my drive and motivation are very different now than what they were before cancer.  I hear this happens a lot with those that go through a life changing event like cancer and it did just that for me.  I am not sure what I am going to do next, but I know that to figure it out, I need to spend some time just living life a little.  

My health has been great.  Every month I go to see Dr. Vandermolen and get a blood draw (we always try to make him laugh – he’s very stoic so it’s like a game every time we go) and he tells me I’m doing great and my tumor marker looks good.  Our appointments are quick but those 5-10 minutes of seeing him each month give us great peace of mind and reassurance.  I saw my plastic surgeon in March and my breast surgeon in April – both were pleased with my progress and remind me of all the progress I’ve made the past 2 years.  Dr. Vandermolen has ordered for me to have an MRI the end of this month as the past 2 times we have flown I have experienced some numbness in my left leg – he does not think it is anything but I appreciate that he doesn’t ignore the things I bring up to him.  I am still in physical therapy and go once a week, I have made such huge progress and am so thankful to our trainer and my therapist – the combination of working with them has gotten me back to pre-surgery capabilities.

Visiting Dr. Vandermolen on May 30th.  My hair is finally in a ponytail again - with lots of bobby pins.

We are celebrating Chris’s birthday on Tuesday.  It’s weird to think back 2 years ago, it feels so long ago, that we were home and had a private chef over because I was in treatment to celebrate his 40^th.  We have another trip planned for July to Coeur d’ Alene and are just excited for all the things to come.  

As mentioned in the beginning of this post, today is National Cancer Survivors Day.  This is a BIG day.  To me this day has 3 meanings.

1. I was diagnosed with a disease that changed the meaning of life for me.  It is precious, it is a privilege, and it is my most prized possession.
2.  Chris and I are quite a team.  We’ve gone through tough events, but this takes the cake, and we came out of it stronger than ever.  We really both survived cancer, in very different ways and I will never forget that and will always remind people that he is a survivor too.
3. I now have an unwavering desire to educate, empower and give others a glimmer of hope when they are faced with a cancer diagnosis.   This is what I am trying to figure out how to continue to push forward over the coming months and years – more to come!

Ultimately being a survivor comes with fear but when those thoughts come up I let them simmer and then return my focus back to the above 3 meanings because that is what it means to me to be a survivor and it is one of my greatest titles.  

Hope everyone has a wonderful Summer!

 

XO,

Lauren