Hot Rod Cowgirl

January 26th 2006 was not the usual normal day for WB or me as it was time for my six month mammogram…it was a toss up…would I be clear or would there be another suspicious spot. I had 8 suspicious high risk breast biopsies in the five years before and because of that I had sought out a specialist in breast cancer at OHSU in Portland.

That crisp cold morning we left home in the dark not knowing how the day would go. We stopped for coffee and pastry about an hour into the drive in a place called Boardman…we both needed caffeine and sugar…and when we climbed back in the car the sun came out with blue skies.

Nervous? Yeah I was…it was possible that I would be diagnosed with what if this or what if that…”if” was a huge word in 2006…what we would do and how we would choose?

I knew without a doubt that my husband would be ok with me no matter what. I was me…a cowgirl…WB’s wife…a daughter…a mother…friend and sister…I was young. Our life was just beginning to take shape and we had so much yet to do.

10 hours later we found ourselves in a weird kind of shock…when your breath goes in and does not come out and you can’t breathe. There was a large area that the head of radiology told us that was highly suspicious…he was certain it was cancer. We saw my Dr. immediately after the mammogram and he agreed…he wanted to do a biopsy as soon as possible a few days later and on February 9th I was called and told that yes it was cancer.

Three weeks later we were at the Portland Roadster Show with three customer vehicles we had restored…we were signed up to go before the cancer diagnosis and no we will keep going and live our life…we brought home three Best Of Class Trophies…yeah baby!

 My oncologist explained what we could do to treat my cancer and how we had three choices…we chose to be very proactive as it was best for my survival…and it was the right one.

Do I look like a push over folks?  Cancer smancer…Fran Dresher said it right on! The key with life is no matter what we are dealt with, we gotta keep a going with the attitude that it will be ok. Smile and know that you will kick whatever it is…do not ever give up ever! Everrr!

Tonight I am celebrating life…hang on Minnie!

January 26th will always be a sort of birthday to me…the war of life that was won by faith…a new life fought hard for…and I am here!

Where ever you are tonight…where ever your heart is and your life is…celebrate your life and know…you have a purpose…you are needed and always keep the faith in tomorrow!

No matter how dark it may get…keep going knowing that you can do this…it will get better or will be a new normal that is even better than the old normal!

Watch out I may be taking your picture…Hot Rod Cowgirl on the move!

Over and out:)