Your test results came back positive, you have Breast Cancer. These are the words that make your heart sink and your life flash before your eyes. And, the words I heard back in 2009 at 39 years of age. I had only been married two (2) years when I found this out and one of the things that I first thought of (other than my life flashing before my eyes) was how is Rob, my husband going to respond? I had dated someone once who told me he be broke up with an ex at one point because she got sick and he was not the person to be with another who was seriously ill. So, I had to call Rob and tell him my doctor told me I had Breast Cancer with that in my mind. At the time I was going to call him and tell him I had already made up my mind I was strong and can do this myself if he left me because I got sick. I was determined not to be bothered by him leaving (if he was going to) because I had enough to take care of now. At the end of that day, he stayed – literally by my bedside and at times would sit behind me in bed while I rested up against him so I could sleep.
Look ma – no hair!
I say all this to tell you that yes, I did my mammograms at that time (medically necessary for me at an early age) but it did not matter. My Breast Cancer was only found because my OBGYN thought I should get it done early. When I went for the mammogram there were lots of spaghetti/stringy images inside that gave off no lump or sign – only this image gave it away. Thank goodness for my OBGYN because had she not talked me into getting a mammogram done early my stage would have been a lot worse. At this point in time, it was determined to be a Stage 2 Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma – not good news. It was very serious and on the move so something had to be done immediately. I went on to start within a couple of weeks to have many surgeries (including a double mastectomy) and chemotherapy. You heard me – chemotherapy. And what’s the one thing we think of when you hear “chemotherapy” = hair loss. When I started my chemotherapy Rob and I shaved my head – he shaved his too. I made the choice to take my long curly dark hair myself. I was not going to give Cancer the joy of taking my hair – I was going to take it on my own terms. I am now 10 years out and couldn’t be happier.
Back in 2009-2010, the research for Breast Cancer was slow going especially when you think of how far we’ve come. In today’s time, 2021, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at https://www.bcrf.org/ and https://www.bcrf.org/progress states as to the below in regards to origins, genetics, and lifestyle:
“We have discovered that breast cancer is not one but many diseases.
It was BCRF researchers who found that breast cancer is, in fact, several diseases, each of which develops, progresses and responds to therapies differently. Our scientists are now learning that the major subtypes—Luminal A, Luminal B, HERand 2-positive and triple-negative—can be further classified into sub-categories with distinct patterns of progression and response to therapies, opening the door to more individualized treatment plans.
We are uncovering the role genetics plays in breast cancer.
BCRF has supported key players in advancing our understanding of the inheritable risk of breast cancer,from discoveries about BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations to the creation of the world’s most comprehensive database of breast cancer genes. This new wealth of knowledge allows scientists to identify other gene mutations that may influence a person’s risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer. Our researchers have also made critical headway in understanding ancestry’s relationship to breast cancer by determining certain populations who are at greater risk and discovering novel inherited causes.
We’ve deepened our understanding of how lifestyle influences breast cancer risk.
Our researchers have demonstrated that certain lifestyle choices can influence incidence and recurrence. Thanks to their work, we have begun to understand how diet and exercise are linked to breast cancer risk and survival, how inflammation from obesity may trigger breast cancer development, and how a low-fat diet and weight loss can reduce the risk of recurrence. These important advances are helping people take command of their lives in ways that minimize their chances of getting not just breast cancer but other diseases as well.”
The article is a great read and is comforting to know how far we have come as it pertains to Breast Cancer. I recommend reading it to get a better understanding of how far we’ve come and the influences that can be linked to Breast Cancer. Back in 2009-2010, Rob had done his own research as far as the effects of diet and exercise and Breast Cancer because the doctors were of no help or assistance in that area. He was fantastic in his care of me and our new eating habits. We still to this day follow a regimen of eating healthy and exercising daily.
In closing, go get that check-up and check yourself for any abnormalities. Both women and men are susceptible to Breast Cancer so have your husband, father, brother, etc. check themselves as you never know.
“In 1963, Hawking contracted motor neurone disease and was given two years to live. Yet he went on to Cambridge to become a brilliant researcher and Professorial Fellow at Gonville and Caius College. From 1979 to 2009 he held the post of Lucasian Professor at Cambridge, the chair held by Isaac Newton in 1663. Professor Hawking has over a dozen honorary degrees and was awarded the CBE in 1982. He is a fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the US National Academy of Science. Stephen Hawking is regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein.”
Mr. Hawking also wrote children’s books like the one below:
Per Mr. Hawking: “In my latest book for children, “George and the Blue Moon”, George and Annie, set out to solve a mystery set on one of the cosmic waterworlds of space. Is there life under the icy crust? Where did those robots come from and who is controlling them? Meanwhile, my two young heroes win places on a Mars training programme which has a dangerous and unexpected twist. Suddenly, the best friends find themselves fighting for survival in what feels like the Hunger Games set on the red planet. Packed with space facts and essays from leading scientists, it is my most unpredictable thriller so far!”
Stephen Hawking was never expected to live as long as he did, another 50 years, but he had other plans and proved everyone wrong. Mr. Hawking gave the world so much in his lifetime that we are all humbled by him and sad for his passing. Below is a list of his achievements:
– January 8 1942 – Born at Oxford, England
– 1952-1959 – Educated at St Albans School
– 1959-1962 – Scholar in Natural Science at University College, Oxford
– 1962 – Final Honour School in Natural Science, Physics, First Class
– 1965 – Became research Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
– 1966 – Won Cambridge University’s prestigious Adams Prize for Essay Singularities and the Geometry of Space-time
– 1969 – Became fellow for Distinction in Science, Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge
– January 8 1972 – Turned 30.
– 1972 – Became a research assistant in the Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge
– 1974 – Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
– 1977 – Appointed professor of Gravitational Physics, University of Cambridge
– 1977 – Made honorary Fellow, University College, Oxford
– 1978 – Awarded honorary Doctorate of Science, University of Oxford
– 1979 – Awarded the Albert Einstein Medal, Berne, Switzerland
– 1979 – Published General Relativity: An Einstein Centenary Survey (edited with W Israel), Cambridge University Press
– 1982 – Made Commander of the British Empire (CBE)
– 1982 – Honorary Doctor of Science at Notre Dame University, Princeton University, New York University and Leicester University
– 1988 – Publishes A Brief History Of Time
– 1989 – Made Companion of Honour (CH)
– 2006 – Awarded the Copley Medal, the Royal Society’s oldest and most prestigious award
– 2009 – Presidential Medal of Freedom
– 2012 – Appeared at the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, London
– 2017 – Honorary Freedom of the City of London
What other books you ask… let’s see:
Books
Professor Hawking has published many books tackling the fundamental questions about the universe and our existence. Stephen has also published many scientific papers and lecture notes.
My Brief History
My Brief History recounts Stephen Hawking’s improbable journey, from his post-war London boyhood to his years of international acclaim and celebrity. Illustrated with rarely seen photographs, this concise, witty and candid account introduces readers to the inquisitive schoolboy whose classmates nicknamed him ‘Einstein’; the jokester who once placed a bet with a colleague over the existence of a black hole; and the young husband and father striving to gain a foothold in the world of academia. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
The Grand Design
When and how did the universe begin? Why are we here? What is the nature of reality? Is the apparent ‘grand design’ of our universe evidence for a benevolent creator who set things in motion? Or does science offer another explanation? In The Grand Design, the most recent scientific thinking about the mysteries of the universe is presented in language marked by both brilliance and simplicity. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
A Brief History of Time
Was there a beginning of time? Could time run backwards? Is the universe infinite or does it have boundaries? These are just some of the questions considered in an internationally acclaimed masterpiece by one of the world’s greatest thinkers. It begins by reviewing the great theories of the cosmos from Newton to Einstein, before delving into the secrets which still lie at the heart of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, via spiral galaxies and strong theory. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
A Briefer History of Time
Although “briefer,” this book is much more than a mere explanation of Hawking’s earlier work.
A Briefer History of Time both clarifies and expands on the great subjects of the original, and records the latest developments in the field—from string theory to the search for a unified theory of all the forces of physics.
Thirty-seven full-color illustrations enhance the text and make A Briefer History of Time an exhilarating and must-have addition in its own right to the great literature of science and ideas. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
Black Holes: The Reith lectures
George and the Blue Moon
“It is said that fact is sometimes stranger than fiction, and nowhere is that more true than in the case of black holes. Black holes are stranger than anything dreamed up by science fiction writers.”
In 2016 Professor Stephen Hawking delivered the BBC Reith Lectures on a subject that has fascinated him for decades – black holes. In these flagship lectures the legendary physicist argues that if we could only understand black holes and how they challenge the very nature of space and time, we could unlock the secrets of the universe.
In my latest book for children, “George and the Blue Moon”, George and Annie, set out to solve a mystery set on one of the cosmic waterworlds of space. Is there life under the icy crust? Where did those robots come from and who is controlling them? Meanwhile, my two young heroes win places on a Mars training programme which has a dangerous and unexpected twist. Suddenly, the best friends find themselves fighting for survival in what feels like the Hunger Games set on the red planet. Packed with space facts and essays from leading scientists, it is my most unpredictable thriller so far!
George and the Unbreakable Code
George and the Big Bang
Stephen and Lucy Hawking’s fourth book about the adventures of George and Annie.
Just as thrilling a book as all the ones before it, George and the Unbreakable Code also delves deeper and covers topics and ideas that the intended readers might not normally think about.
Overall, a brilliant book as always brought from the fabulous Hawking duo. See a review, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
The third book in the series, with a full colour set of photographs, illustrating the wonder of the cosmos, George and the Big Bang, follows George’s adventures in the universe. You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk
George’s Cosmic Treasure Hunt
The second in the series of children’s books written by Stephen and Lucy Hawking. George and Annie, the middle-school cosmologists, return in this sequel to George’s Secret Key to the Universe. You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
George’s Secret Key to the Universe
The first in a series of children’s books that melds cosmology and adventure, co-authored by Professor Hawking and his daughter Lucy.
George’s best friend Annie needs help. Her scientist father, Eric, is working on a space project – and it’s all going wrong. A robot has landed on Mars, but is behaving very oddly. And now Annie has discovered something weird on her dad’s super-computer… You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
The Universe in a Nutshell
In 200 highly illustrated pages, Hawking is pushing the frontiers of popular physics beyond relativity and quantum theory, past superstring theory and imaginary time, into a dizzying new world of M-theory and branes. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
Black Holes and Baby Universes
In his first collection of essays and other pieces – on subjects that range from warmly personal to the wholly scientific- Stephen Hawking is revealed variously as the scientist, the man, the concerned world citizen, and – as always – the rigorous and imaginative thinker. You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
On the Shoulders of Giants
On the Shoulders of Giants tells a compelling story, using original papers from Einstein, Copernicus, Galilei, Kepler and Newton. Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking explains how these works changed the course of science, ushering astronomy and physics out of the Middle Ages and into the modern world. Read more, or you can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
The Large Scale Structure of Space-time
A textbook for Physicists, this 1973 book explores two predictions of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity: first, that the ultimate destiny of many massive stars is to undergo gravitational collapse and to disappear from view, leaving behind a ‘black hole’ in space; and secondly, that there will exist singularities in space-time itself. You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
God created the Integers
God Created The Integersis Stephen Hawking’s personal choice of the greatest mathematical works in history. The book includes landmark discoveries spanning 2500 years and representing the work of mathematicians such as Euclid, Georg Cantor, Kurt Godel, Augustin Cauchy, Bernard Riemann and Alan Turing. You can order your copy at amazon.com or amazon.co.uk.
I belive this says it all about all of us my Angels! 8) Never doubt that you are an Angel both with your inner beauty and outer beauty that you share with others. Always with Light & Love each my Angels.
As you know, my baby Caesar passed away a month ago on Septenber 29th. I can hardly believe it and my heart still aches. But, our other baby, Jerry, needs playmates so Rob and I have been looking and – we found these bundles of happiness who will be 3 months on October 9th. We do not have names yet, so if anyone has any ideas, please feel free to let me know… we have one boy and two girls. We were originally going to take two, but being siblings, I couldn’t leave one…
Aren’t they the sweetest!!!
Always with LIFE, LIGHT, POSITIVITY, STRENGTH, BEING THE WARRIOR WITHIN, GUIDANCE, and LOVE
This song was shared by an Angel today and I just had to share it with you all. I had to share it because it is a fight song for all of us who need that extra oomph to get out there, hold your head high and fight! Fight for your life, for your family, for your health, for you! This song is about strength and taking back yours! Listen, really listen and believe that anything is possible.
Always with Light, Love, Strength, Guidance, and Our Warrior Within.
Keep the girl with a Big Heart (Sometimes Too Big It Hurts);
Keep the girl who Takes Care of Others Before Herself;
Keep the girl who Forgives Even When She Has Been Hurt;
Keep the girl who Always Sees The Best In People;
Keep the girl who is Positive about Life;
Keep the girl who Let’s Bugs Go;
Keep the girl who is A Fighter of Cancer;
Keep the girl who Loves the Ocean, Rivers and Streams;
Keep the girl who Doesn’t Care What Other People Think;
Keep the girl who Stands Tall and Has Unwavering Strength;
Keep the girl who Expects To Be First In Your Life Because You Are First In Hers;
Keep the girl who Loves Family and Friends With Her Whole Heart;
Keep the girl with Has An Amazing Love and Deep Affection for ALL Pets/Animals;
Keep the girl who Loves To Be In Nature;
Keep the girl who Loves the Stars and Moon at Night;
Keep the girl who Stands Beside You No Matter What;
Keep the girl who Is Not Afraid to Say What’s on Her Mind;
Keep the girl who Has No Regrets;
Keep the girl who Sees Deep Into Your Soul;
Keep this girl, keep this Angel – for if you don’t keep the girl who makes you whole you will wake up one day asking where is that girl who lived for it all and what lucky man calls her his.
I used to get my nails done before all this. I really enjoyed that one little thing I could do for myself, but as I stared down at my nails I was reminded that as it turned out, it would not be good for me as a Cancer patient to have them done any longer. It just was not safe and I could not take any chances with my health. So, on September 29, 2009, I had a nail appointment to take off the Gel nails that I had on. They were my real nails underneath, but I needed the Gel soaked off
before surgery and chemo because I cannot take the risk of being around any area like a nail salon
due to health reasons. The following day we had plans for dinner with the family at Olive Garden
across town. As we all walked in we were escorted to a table in the back of the restaurant. It was
nice to have everyone together, almost everyone. My younger brother, Jay, lived in CT and so far away. Jay and I were so close growing up, but as we got older and he had a family we kind of grew apart. I remember sitting there in the chair surrounded by my family and missing him at the same time. As I leaned over to say something to my younger niece, Brittany, I happen to look up and see this guy walking this way across the restaurant. It was Jay! I was so excited I could not believe it. Jay flew in to surprise me in order to be here with me for my procedure. I was so surprised and was so very happy to see him that I started to cry at seeing him there at the restaurant. For him to fly all this way and be here for me at the time of my surgery made my heart complete.
October 2, 2009 is here and as I wake up this morning I tend to move slowly. I feel a little outside of myself and am not really effected yet by the impending surgery to remove both my breasts and reconstruction at the same time. Surgery is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today, so I need to be at the hospital at 11:00 a.m. to check my system with regard to the radiation injection that was given to me the day before. After I checked in, I was taken upstairs to the second floor where I was prepped for surgery. I was so nervous and just knew that I would wake up sometime soon and this would all be a dream. Still reeling through my head is the saying “Is this really happening and am I really going to have my two breasts removed because of Cancer?” I was so nervous that Rob & I had our Wills prepared by Eric S. Mashburn, P.A. on September 28, 2009. I knew it was not my time, but you never know. I was not ready to go, but I was prepared, had no regrets and everyone knew I loved them. After I was in a gown, in bed and an IV inserted to relax me, Rob came back and stayed with me and then my family came in to visit one last time before I went in. When mom came in she started crying, which made me cry and then Jay cry who came in after her. Dr. Bosshardt and Dr. Boardman came in to see me and make sure everything was ready to go. It was nice to see them. The nurses were very nice and attentive and so was the anesthesiologist who reminded me of my cousin Kimmie in Maryland. All the way down to her mannerisms. That made me feel good as she was the last face I saw before I went under and she said that “I will be right here taking care of you.” Ah, I feel peace. I gave Rob a kiss goodbye while crying at the same time that I was being rolled down the hallway toward surgery. At that moment, I did realize that I was scarred of not coming out of surgery. When I jumped out of a perfectly good plane, I was not scared of not making it to the ground in one piece. But with this, I was scarred of not waking up. Is that strange or what?
One of the nurses stopped to get me a warm blanket, which is when I proceeded to converse with a
fellow patient who I saw in another bed. I said “Hi” and so did he. Nervousness again, but being
friendly to others. As I was wheeled into surgery, everyone was talking about food and I had not
eaten since the night before so I made a joke about them discussing food in front of me. Ha!
Other than the face of the anesthesiologist, that is the last thing I remember.
I stayed two nights in the hospital (and so did Rob). He slept in the chair right beside me. I was so surprised that he really did that. He said he was going to, but I did not think he would. That made me feel so much better knowing that I was not alone in the hospital. The two days went by without incident. I had a lot of pain what with the drains on each side, a new port on my upper left side of my chest and a pain pump attached as well for the pain in my chest. It was all something else. I could
not do a thing without Rob there to help me. He was there for me the whole entire time with the moving, restroom needs, and feeding me. Family and friends came in and out to visit me and make sure I was doing well. Randy and Cheryl had brought my nieces, Heather and Brittany up to visit me. Brittany helped feed me after she was assured that I was ok. I had her come up onto the bed with me so that she could see I was in fact alright. God love her!! She is so sweet that she did not want to hurt me.
