Hold the Sweets

Hi all,
As you can imagine Sheila and Jason are reading up on anti-cancer diets and they are trying to be as wise as they can be regarding smart food choices at this time. That said, they’re trying their best to stay away from refined sugars. Not an easy feat for a chocoholic (or ANY of us for that matter). So---while all the goodies are SO appreciated please hold off from send any more sweets (in FOOD form). Emails, text messages, cards, and most of all positive thoughts, energy, and prayers are more than welcome. Thanks for your understanding as the last thing they want to do is sound unappreciative of your wonderful intentions.

Merci & Champagne

The lovebirds thank the kind people who sent champagne to their wedding dinner at Palisade last night BUT they were not able to get to dinner afterall! There was apparently a car accident that closed down the bridge and all other routes were blocked. They got word from a neighbor that the champagne was ordered. Naturally, they are touched but unsure of whom to thank for the thoughtful gesture!

More Good News

This just in from Sheila~!

Just a quick update: got blood tests back from the geneticist. I tested negative for the two known breast cancer genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2). You may remember Christina Applegate’s decision to have a double mastectomy when she got breast cancer. She tested positive for the BRCA1 gene. Having these gene mutations increases your risk greatly of getting breast cancer in the other breast. It also means one has a greater chance of having ovarian cancer.

So, I do not carry these mutations. One less thing to worry about!

WE'RE THRILLED, SHEILA!!! Hope day one of married life is grand!

Wedding Day

a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words.....

Congratulations Jason, Sheila, & Oliver! We love you!

Cute (but serious)

Sent from Sheila's close friend, Val

Dear God,

I pray for the cure of breast Cancer.

Amen

All you are asked to do is keep this circulating.

Even if it's to one more person.

In memory of anyone you know that has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it.

A Candle Loses Nothing by Lighting Another Candle.

Surgery Update and then a brief break from MEDICAL speak as it's wedding time!

Here's the latest regarding Monday's surgery from our brave, much loved Sheila.

Surgery is officially set for Monday. I am having a full mastectomy of the right breast with removal of the lymph nodes under the right arm. The nodes will be sent to a lab for dissection. Depending on how many are affected, I may follow up the chemotherapy with several weeks of radiation.

I check into Swedish at 11 a.m. The surgery, whenever it starts, should take a couple hours. I’ll probably be groggy until early evening. I’d like to request no visitors – I’ll only be there for one night and I am going to try and take advantage of the forced relaxation. I’d love visitors sometime after I get back home – I’ll be sure to let you know when that is.

A couple people have asked about recovery. The doctor said I will be quite sore for awhile, and unable to use the arm for a few days. I should have good range of motion within a week; about that time I should be able to drive as well. I’m being set up in the ACTIVE Program at Swedish – a physical therapy program for cancer patients. It should help get me moving again. I asked the nurse when I could start spinning classes again. I think she thought I was crazy.

So tomorrow, before the wedding, I am going to go buy a SOFTEE prosthetic camisole for use after the surgery. Ah, so romantic!

S & J (and little O) may you get lost in the beautiful moments of tomorrow (and one another)!

The Weekly Rap- UPDATED

Just an FYI--it's been updated.

I will update that button regularly (striving for Weekly thus the name) so check in on it. I will not send reminder posts here on out (unless requested!)

Thanks, Wendy~