October is breast cancer awareness month. In honor of this I would like to recognize the caretakers of not only those of us with breast cancer but of those who are caretakers to anyone with a dibilitating disease.
My husband has been my rock during this entire journey. He has been supportive and has been there when I need him. This breast cancer thing threw us for a loop. We had not planned on this nope we had not. In fact we planned on retiring in 2.5 years, purchasing a motorhome and going on the road full time.
After I was diganosed I took an FMLA (leave of abscense that work places are required to give by law). Once the FMLA ran out I received a letter stating that I needed to return to work or they were going to fill my position. I was, at that time, in the middle of my chemotherapy regime and was in no way able to return to my high stress job of taking care of vulnerable people when I was not able to fully care for myself. SO, we have been a one income family for a bit now. This of course certainly throws your 'plans' for a loop. My husband however has not once made me feel badly for having lost my job. He in fact says that it will work out, we will do what we need to do.
Well what we are going to do (the plan for now anyhow as you never know what life may throw you tomorrow) is to for-go the motorhome, spend our summers at our cabin and perhaps our winters in Mexico or some other warm place where our kids might be (look out kids here we come!)
This has been a life changing diagnosis not only for me but for my husband and our relationship. We have been one of the lucky ones, it has made our relationship stronger. I dont know what I can say or do to 'recognize' him fully so I guess I will just say that I love you husband and am so very thankful that you are in my life.
To my female friends-you need to know that anyone can get breast cancer, even those that are very young. Get to know your body, do self exams. Prior to my diagnosis I did not do self exams, never wanted to know I guess. I was lucky, we caught my cancer in it's early stages via an annual mamogram. After I had my initial mastectomy and prior to the propylatic mastectomy of the other breast I DID self exam during EVERY shower! And remember to get your annual mamograms.

Changing the subject totally...imagine that huh? I have a friend with a birthday. Happy birthday to you dear friend. She is the blonde one. Hey in fact she is still blonde by golly!Yeah I know, the pic was a long time ago, what a crew huh?????