Slideshow of the Race for the Cure weekend: http://ambersfamily.blogspot.com/mbersfamily.blogspot.com/
Race for the Cure website: http://rfctu.convio.net/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=1040
JILL UPDATE
Jill received her last chemo treatment this past Friday, 9/21/07. The oncologist could barely find the lump during this latest visit. Is that good news or what?! Also, she found a plastic surgeon she likes, and if all goes well, she will have the mastectomy in the middle of October. At that time, she'll have expanders inserted, and about 4 months later, those will be removed and implants inserted (fake boobs, a.k.a., foobs, as they are called by those in the know). She won't be able to lift anything >5 lbs. for 4 - 6 weeks after the first surgery, so she won't be able to handle Lainey during that time. Should be an interesting challenge to coordinate that!!
AMBER UPDATE
My ovarian ultrasound came back good. Next step is to get a CA-125 test that measures certain markers for ovarian cancer. I'll have a breast MRI next to create a baseline for future tests. I still don't know what I'm going to do but am getting these prelimiary tests to help make the decision. Hoping and praying that my aunts and cousins come up negative for the BRCA1 gene!
RACE FOR THE CURE
Right off the bat, we want to thank everyone sooooo much for participating and/or donating to the Race for the Cure held last weekend. In the beginning, we didn't expect much... maybe Jill's and Jerry's co-workers walking and a few donations from friends, but the end result was much more than expected! The Jogging for Jill team had >66 team members with a whopping $3375 in donations. The team finished 8th in overall team donations in all of Tulsa. There were over 9000 people who participated in Tulsa's event, so that's quite a testament to Jill's base of supporters. You feelin' the love, Jill? ;o) She and her team captain (Mandi Rivers) and spouses recently attended an award ceremony where the team was awarded a nice trophy for 'Largest New Team with the Highest Average Donation'.
We've known all along that family and friends were behind Jill and the fight against breast cancer but had no idea just how much. For a lot of us, I know crossing the finish line with 'her people' made us well up with emotion with the realization that so many people care about her and our entire family. Just emphasizes that we are all part of the same team... The team of people who hope and pray for Jill to whip cancer and who want to contribute to the research that will whip it for everyone else who gets it.
SPECIAL THANKS
** A very special thanks to Mandi Rivers who coordinated Jill's Race team. You and the Angus Valley staff really came through for her. Thank you.
** Top three fund raisers for the team are 1) Donna Dundee, $690, 2) Jill Stanfill, $530, and 3) Karen Cunningham, $260 (thanks for your efforts with the ice cream social). You guys are great!
** Also, a special thanks goes out to our Arizona family, including Aunt Mary, Cousin Jennifer and sons Conor and Finbar, who flew in for the Race and came bearing very thoughtful gifts that I know Jill has already used!
** Mom and Dad: You are the greatest as always, but thanks for getting the Jogging for Jill t-shirts for the team at such a low cost. We love you!
Love to all,
Amber
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PICS (There are so many good ones. Here are just a few. Please see the slideshow in the link above for more.)
Jill's Angus Family
Daughter Supporting Mom (Peyton and Jill)
Jill, Peyton, and Jerry
Lainey Supporting Mom with her Pink Ribbon Bow
Jill and Sis Amber "Ber"
