Exactly one month ago today on June 17, 2009 I had the fateful double mastectomy (with immediate reconstruction) on the advisement of multiple Dr’s. This unanimous decision was primarily due to the fact that this cancer was caused by the high gamma-ray direct radiation treatment I received to my neck and chest at 19 years of age.

That aside, the healing has been tremendous! I give credit to my youth, taking it easy, avoiding jumping jacks, and my already-existing great health (all things considering). I also give credit to my exceptional core team of providers and caretakers whom have been so diligent in helping me make the right decisions.

Playing the well-known sport of “Air Tennis”:

So where are we today? Well here’s the skinny. I have made a personal decision to preserve something very precious to me that I learned has a 60% chance of being permanently destroyed as a result of chemo. I have been given an opportunity to preserve this and have received the guidance and approval of my Oncologist. That was #1. In addition, I have found an organization that can help me financially with this decision. That was #2.

With both obstacles now out of way (thanks to fax machines, cell phones and email!), I am thankfully being given the opportunity to pursue this route and will henceforth begin my chemo treatments in mid-August. This mysterious organization? www.FertileHope.org.

So here I was alll worried that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the summer of 2009. Well @#$! that! It’s all about enjoying life right now and “living in the NOW” and appreciating what each day has to offer. Not to sound like corn, but it’s true! I am more positive and optimistic in my life right now than in recent memory. Needless to say I’m looking forward to flying past this, put this behind me soon and be done with it. The treatements will last 4.5 months and should be done by Thanksgiving or the week after (depending on an Aug 13th or 20th start).

You learn things about yourself when you are faced with challenges. The way I look at it is that you can CHOOSE your reaction. In my case, there’s no way in hell I’m going to let this be a “downer” and jade my inner core strength and power of the mind. I believe that the body, mind and spirit work as one. We each have the power to be our own healing vortex.

Sending “thankful” energy into the Universe, living in the NOW and never giving up on yourself are just some examples of the best tools to use in this situation. When you have self love and want to live fully, you may surprise yourself by discovering that your thoughts may default into the best mindset that they could possibly have. Imagine the possibilities.

So! Onto other things… With the help of friends I have been able to enjoy a camping trip, one of my many favorite things! This time I took it easy and didn’t lift many things or make use of my upper arm strength. Here are some pics taken from this past weekend at the “Hecla Junction” campsite near Salida, Colorado:

Playing by the campfire:

The coolest thing to do when camping. Sit by said campfire:

Friends Krystal and April came down the following day. That’s the “Arkansas River” next to our campsite:

We enjoyed a hike along the Colorado Trail near Mt. Princeton – one of Colorado’s esteemed “fourteeners”:

“YMCA!”:

A great crew of peeps:

And finally… for grins here’s what I could look like in 6 weeks. Yes, I’ve been goofing on the possibilities. And yes, that’s my hand on the left.

Until next time, stay tuned for “Elana tries to hold onto her long hair for as long as possible!”

Love,
ER