Introducing Chandler Mae

Wow!  So much has happened since my last posting!  The last time I posted I was sharing the good news that I was pregnant!  This was something that my husband and I wanted greatly.  We had accepted that we might not be able to have more children, so when we found out we were expecting, we were thrilled!  We had especially wanted to give our oldest daughter, Charley, a sibling.  On August 27th, Chandler Mae Wasson was born into this world.  She has been such a blessing to our family.  Every time I look at her, I am reminded of how truly blessed I am to have been able to bring her into this world.

So now, nearly 3 1/2 years after breast cancer, I have two beautiful daughter's and life is in full swing.  When I found out I had breast cancer, Charley was just two weeks shy of her second birthday.  Now that she is five years old, we often talk about "Mommy's breast cancer" and she remembers bits and pieces of that journey.  What she remembers and knows most is that Mommy was sick.  I always want Charley to see me as a fighter.  Being that my breast cancer was genetic and I am a carrier for the BRCA 1 genetic mutation, I realize that both my girls have a 50% chance of carrying the gene as well.  With that in mind, I can think of no greater impact than making sure my girls are well informed of their risks and the decisions that will lay before them should they test positive for the BRCA mutation.

I am so thankful for my life.  I am blessed beyond belief with a wonderful, hard-working husband, two beautiful girls, a loving God, and my health.  What more could a girl ask for?

 Everyday women are being told they have breast cancer.  Some of these women are young like I was, with their whole life ahead of them.  When you hear the words, "You have breast cancer,"  your initial reaction is to reach out and search for women like yourself that have fought and won the battle.  You are looking for hope in the midst of despair.  It is my ongoing prayer that women who come across my blog will be encouraged and find that hope by reading about my journey.  I am no doubt "Blessed to be a Blessing" believing that the "Best is Yet to Come."

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not harm you.  Plans to bring you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Big News!!!!!

Hello World!  I feel so horrible for neglecting my blog for so long!  I cannot tell you the number of times I have attempted to update my blog and something else has prevented that from happening.  When I am working on a new post, I really like to be in the right mind-set.  Knowing that so many are reading my blog, makes each posting so much more meaningful.  So, here it is.....one of the most exciting post I have probably ever written.  I really hope that the women reading this, especially the young women, will feel encouraged by what I am about to announce.  I think the picture below says it all!

Meet Apple (This is what my daughter has named the baby!  No worries.....it will not be named Apple.)

That's right!  I am pregnant!  2 1/2 years after finding out that I had breast cancer and might never be able to have more children, a miracle occurred.  My husband and I are expecting our second child in early September.  Before I was diagnosed, we always knew that we wanted two children.  In fact, we were planning on trying to get pregnant around the same time I was diagnosed, so our plans for more children were derailed.  Our mentality slowly turned from wanting more children, to feeling so blessed that we already had a beautiful daughter and if no more children were a possibility, we would be OK with that.  The doctors had all warned me that my fertility might be affected by the chemotherapy and part of what they said was true.  Shortly after my first treatment, my menstrual cycles ended for 9 months.  On June 12th, 2009, exactly one year from my diagnosis, my menstrual cycle returned and my husband and I knew that more children might very well be a possibility for us in the future. 

I do think it is important to note that we did not decide to start trying for more children until I was given the OK from my oncologist.  In fact, there was a time when my oncologist encouraged us to wait and we did just that.  It is also important for those of you reading this to know that my breast cancer was Triple Negative.....meaning it was negative for all hormones.  The only treatment available for this type of breast cancer is surgery, chemo, and radiation.  With triple negative, I did not have to take any type of hormone therapy after the completion of my treatment.  If you are a young woman who has been diagnosed with breast cancer and are worried about not being able to have children or perhaps add to your family, know that it is possible.  Do not give up hope.  However, listen to your doctor's.  Every woman's situation is different and every woman must make decisions based on their individual circumstances.

This blog has been such an incredible tool in reaching women from all over the world who have been affected by breast cancer.  My prayer is that women will continue to be encouraged and find strength and hope in reading about my journey with breast cancer.......and now my new little miracle.

God Bless!

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you, not harm you; plans to bring you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11