I've probably said this before...but every day I'm so amazed by the kindness of all of you. I never in all my life thought I would have this incredible circle of friends! My family has been there for 31 years, like it or not! And obviously they are awesome too!
I know how it feels to be on your end...sitting there wishing there was something I could do to help. I know you are all worried about my girls, and that is my biggest concern of all. So here's the plan so far...you know me...I like a plan!
Because I have to be in Greenville at 6:15 on Wednesday morning, the girls are going to stay with Banks and Lisa Tuesday night. They did that one time before and loved it and they can't wait to do it again! They love their Bubba Bewskibanewski and their LiLi. I feel sooo much better because they are looking forward to it. I feel like it's more of a treat for them than anything else.
Wednesday, Reed and my mom will go with me. I'll be coming home that afternoon (crazy) and my mom is going to "move in" for a little while. I'm not too sure about Reed's "care giving" skills with something like this so Cindy Loo Hoo is taking charge. Reed can handle the girls easily, but me...not so sure!
So...here's where you all come in. Elizabeth Robbins called today and said, "Michelle, you have to let people do something!" She has offered to coordinate meals, which would really be helpful. Even though Reed is not afraid of the kitchen and neither is my mom, Reed's going to have his hands full with the girls and my mom will have her hands full with me. Her number is 423-0614 and she's ready anytime.
Also...I've had a lot of people say that they wanted to call but didn't want to bother me. I hope you all know that it's no bother at all. It's encouraging and wonderful to see how big people's hearts are. So don't ever be afraid to call or stop by. I did have a bad week last week dealing with all of this but, now that they've upped my Lexapro:), I'm much better. As hard as it is to believe, I'm at peace with it all. I am so thrilled that the doctor is moving quickly and aggressively. I would worry if he wasn't. And I'm not saying that I'm not going to have some down times...it sucks...big time...but I can deal with it. There's no other option.
Once again thank you all for all the love and support! There's a special place in Heaven for all of you!

So today didn't go so well. The MRI actually showed two other spots. They chose to biopsy the one farthest from the original tumor. That one was the same aggressive cancer as the original spot so they can only assume that the third one is cancer as well. The "new" ones are, however, much smaller than the first one. So...one week from tomorrow...Wed, Feb 3rd...I will go to sleep with boobs and wake up without them. Although there is no sign of cancer in the left breast and there is no medical reason at this point to remove it, I have chosen to have it removed as well...so I can sleep at night. During this same surgery they will check my lymph nodes and I will know when I wake up...boobless...if it is in my lymph nodes or not. I think they will also be able to tell me what stage my cancer is. After that, I'll start chemo. If there is no need for radiation I can have reconstructive surgery right after chemo. If they decide that I do need radiation, then I'll have to wait two years before they will even consider any kind of reconstructive surgery.
Funny thing is...just like when I was told I have cancer...and I thought I had prepared myself for the worst, but the worst is much worse than I ever imagined. On January 13th I went into the doctor's office prepared for bad news...like precancerous cells, preventative meds, keep an eye on it. Instead I got "aggressive form of breast cancer." Today I was prepared for the second spot being cancer and maybe a partial mastectomy. But instead I got "radical mastectomy", ASAP. Good news is that I was prepared to ultimately have a double mastectomy...I just wasn't ready for it to be next week. But, I guess, the sooner it's over, the sooner I can move on and get back to everyday life without cancer.
All of you, even though you feel like your just sitting on your bums feeling like you are doing nothing, are doing so much just by being there. I'm so blessed to have such a huge support system and such incredible friends and family. I can't imagine going through something like this without the love and support of all of you.

Everyone is so awesome!!! I'm so amazed everyday by all the kind words coming my way from so many different people. Well...here's the first update. Went to Greenville today for an ultrasound guided core needle biopsy. Not fun...but really not that bad (now that it's over!) Go back tomorrow for the results and to schedule the surgery to test my lymph nodes. So check back tomorrow night to find out if this second spot is cancer or not...if I have to wait then so do you!!!
Also, for all of you worried about my child care situation...my inlaws are here through tomorrow so all the bases are covered this week. Thanks for all the offers and I'll be taking advantage of all of you sooner or later!

OK...this whole blog thing is new to me...so please be patient as I figure it all out.
I've started this to keep everyone out there posted on my journey with breast cancer. I'm sure most of you know that I was diagnosed on January 13th with breast cancer. Everyone has been so incredibly supportive, kind, compassionate and helpful over the last couple of weeks. My dad said it best. His words were, "If I ever have to get sick I want it to be in Dare County." I had no idea that so many people cared about me. It is so overwhelming!!! I'm not really an emotional person, but that has really made me one. So...for those of you at preschool Thursday that had to witness my breakdowns...sorry. Everyone has just been so nice and it just hit me. I know that's not going to be the last of my "moments" so hold on everybody!
So here's my first update. I had the MRI done on Tuesday and was scheduled to go back next Tuesday for the results. Instead, I got a phone call late yesterday afternoon. The MRI showed another spot that they want to biopsy. So...I'll be heading to Greenville for an ultrasound guided needle biopsy and then back on Tuesday afternoon for the results. Then I'll know when I'll be having the next surgery to check my lymph nodes and have more tissue from the original spot removed.
Thanks again to everyone for everything you have done, all your kind words, your wisdom and your prayers.