My Dear Angela

Ok, so emotional rollercoaster ride # 3 or more: BE PREPARED TO CRY, AS I AM SURE I WILL...

As many of you may know my cousin Angela was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer in 2007 (around this time in 2007).... at the time she was 8 months pregnant!!!! So completely beside herself (not to mention what our family went threw with her... plus we had other health issues happening in my family at the time) , she pulled herself together and stayed strong - she began her therapy.... first: she had a completely healthy, beautiful baby boy named Luke while being on low-dose chemo to keep the cancer in check, and after he was born; her full-blown chemo and radiation began thereafter.

She was cancer free for about 6 months...

She found out recently that her Breast cancer had returned.... but now her Breast Cancer metastasized (spread) to her lung.... which is a a great hiding place if you're a tumor. So.... since she was not pregnant this time.... they went to a different chemo regimen and decided to hold off on radiation until they had the CT scan of her lung and axillary lymph nodes. The doctors thought they were gonna get this sucker this time.... and Angela, still strong and still positive.... ventured on.

Well, on Friday (me: yesterday) we found out the Angela's lung tumor did not respond to the chemo.... the tumor did not shrink, but increased slightly in size. So, naturally to say, we are completely devastated. We have no idea how to feel..... angry that the chemo didnt work..... tired of going thru this shit.... hopeful that the next thing will do it....... but we are still being positive and optimistic, for Angela's sake. At this point, surgery is not an option for her lung tumor... and so the doctor's need to come up with another solution, they said.

So... instead of COMPLETELY losing it.... I decided that I would help Angela in my own little way. Her body has been threw SO much trauma.... so I decided to put mine thru some trauma as well.... I have signed up for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Sacramento, on May 10th. Now, I am not a runner.... AT ALL... and am not in shape (but slowly trying).... but goddamnit I will suffer whatever I need to do in this Race for my dear cousin Angela..... I will post my effort link. Now, I know what you're thinking..... there is no way in hell I would survive like a 26 mile run... it's a short run, but goddamnit I will run the entire time.... that is my goal, while it may be a small goal for some, it is not quite so small for me. So, please.... do this not just because you are a friend if mine if you are reading this, but because you probably know someone who has suffered from a cancer as well. Please share your story with me for some support. Thanks ~