Help Denise raise money

Dear Wickline's Warriors teammates,

Thank you for joining my team in my quest to raise necessary funding for women's cancers at Magee.

I'm a breast cancer survivor going on 2 years.  

I didn't choose to have this.  It was totally unexpected.  I went in for my normal annual mammogram and my life went upside down.  I had to come back in for another mammogram and ultrasound.  I thought I was done and I was clear.  Not the case.  I then had to go back for a biopsy in three locations.  The was not pleasant at all.  Almost passed out.  But you have to do these things in order to get a good diagnosis. I get it. Then, five days later I get the call that I......have......breast......cancer.  I was stunned and destroyed.  

I was diagnosed with early-stage ductal carcinoma in situ. I was ER+ and HER2+.  I never thought those words would ever come out of my mouth.  I cried with my mom for a bit.  Then I stopped, looked at her and said "I'm done crying.  Let's fight this".  And we did.  I learned my fight mode from Cousin Kathy, a 6-year breast cancer survivor.  You fight every day to get through this. There is no "poor me"....feeling sorry for yourself.  You do that, your journey becomes difficult, and you have enough to deal with.

I spent the next 15 months in treatment that included 4 surgeries, portal placement, 12 rounds of chemo (taxol), 15 rounds of radiation, 17 doses of herceptin, many appointments, numerous blood work ups, bone scans, echocardiograms.  There is probably more, but you get the picture.  And I worked full time and took care of my mom.  I lost my beautiful hair, but that's OK. It grew back.  I had so many people send me all kinds of hats that I wore all of them. Even to bed.  Your head gets very sensitive when you lose your hair. The hats helped my head from irritation from my pillow, believe it or not.  

But I had such a great support system.  Anyone with cancer needs that.  I'm very independent.  I rarely ask for help.  But this time, I welcomed it.  Kathy went to every chemo session and appointments. I couldn't have gotten through that without her.  You all know her humor.  She kept my spirts up all the time and I will never forget it. My mom and Wayne and his family, just so supportive.  My close friends through the years, amazing.  My boss Janice and my co-workers always cheering me on.  No one should go through cancer treatment alone.  I hurt for anyone who has to do that.

Finally, my doctors and the staff at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. I can't thank enough.  They are the most compassionate people.  It takes a special person to be able to work with a cancer patient day after day.  It is truly a commitment to their career and they nail it every day.

My cancer was not as severe as those whom I saw at the Women's Cancer Center.  Some were just so frail.  It broke my heart and I pray for them all every day.  

Your participation is very much appreciated, and I can't thank you enough.  I'll see you on September 3 at North Park.  

MAGEE SAVED MY LIFE