MK Update 6/28/2013

Good morning, Army!! Sorry I didn't get this update out yesterday, but I had some type of allergic reaction in my right arm during my procedure yesterday; so, they pushed a ton of Benadryl through my IV and I literally slept all day and night. But this morning I am wide awake and feeling GREAT!! Thanks so much to each of you for the prayers! We received the most amazing news yesterday! Dr. Kamat found NO other cancer cells in my bladder and said that the initial tumor was basically like a wart that had been removed and there was NOTHING remaining...as a result I do NOT have to do the BCG treatments!! I just have to see him every three months to check for recurrence...and if another tumor appears he will just go in and remove that as well. What a change from four weeks ago!! I sat in his office four weeks ago and listened to him tell me that from the report he had from my initial surgery where the tumor was removed it didn't look very good. He said that bladder tumors ranged from something similar to a wart that is easy to treat and not likely to return all the way up to a tumor that has pushed through the lining of the bladder and into the muscle or outside of the bladder. He guessed that mine was somewhere in the middle of all of that but said that it could be worse in which case I would be looking at 14 months or less to live. So, the last four weeks, I have been prayerful and hopeful that the tumor would be contained to the wall and at worst would have minimal invasion of the muscle and I was preparing myself for the three year regimen of BCG treatments he said I would start six weeks after surgery. When I woke up from surgery, Brucie told me what Dr. Kamat found and I literally did not believe what he was telling me. I asked him over and over, "are you lying to me?". I usually ask, "what time is it" over and over after a surgery, but yesterday that was replaced with "are you lying to me"...and I asked him that at least 25 times. Contained to the bladder...NO BCG treatments...just a wart-like tumor...this is all a direct result of each of you and your constant prayers for me, for my family, for my Brucie, and for the doctors and nurses here at MD Anderson!! After my experience at the waterfall Wednesday night, a had a peace in my heart and in my soul like I just cannot describe in words. I slept so well Wednesday night and was not anxious at all...not one little ounce...before surgery yesterday. I didn't know what I was going to hear when I woke up, but I was okay knowing that I was in God's hands...and was surrounded by each of you...and I was at peace...and that darkness was gone!! WE beat down that darkness BEFORE my surgery!! Today I awake looking forward to closing out this chapter and starting a new chapter working diligently to carry out His plan for me. We will remain diligent and watchful, so if a tumor does return we can stomp it out quickly. I will continue to update you as I have appointments and follow-ups. I just can't thank each of you enough for all you have done for me and for my family, especially my Brucie, during all of this!! I am blessed beyond measure to have such an amazing Army of Angels, both earthly and heavenly, that have literally raised up my arms during battle when I was too weary to do it on my own. Today WE celebrate this victory and WE give all Glory to our Heavenly Father for his grace and his healing touch! I love you and thank you for all you have done (and will continue to do) for me!! God bless each of you!! Love you much!!! Big hugs, big tears, lots of smiles!!! MK Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see. AMEN!!!

MK Update 6/26/2013

Hello Army!! Hope you are all well!! Tomorrow is the big day!! I have to be there at 7:00 and assume my surgery will start around 9:00. I want to thank each of you for your continued prayers, support, and love. The past few weeks have at times seemed to drag along but at times have flown by...for the most part, I have had much less anxiety and fear...and that is a direct result of your prayers!! Yesterday was an extremely uplifting and inspiring day!! Brucie's Jr. Lady Southerners had t-shirts made that say "MK's Warriors" (in navy blue and vegas gold, of course)...and all my co-workers and several of their kids had the shirts on yesterday. Then, the MKSA staff and all the kids gathered in the front of our building and I got tons of hugs and an awesome basket full of gift and an awesome binder full of scriptures, inspirational quotes and songs, and messages from members of this Army. Yes, yesterday was wonderful!!

And today has been good. We had no travel problems and made it to Houston...where it is very HOT...with no troubles. We ate at The Cheesecake Factory (compliments of my dear friend Courtney and my mom). I ate fried mac and cheese and chicken and biscuits...I'm pretty sure about half way through the meal I slipped into a food coma!! We both got a piece of cheesecake to bring back with us to our hotel. I am going to eat it at 11:59 tonight...sure hope I don't get sick after surgery tomorrow...that would not be pretty!!! We got back to the hotel and Brucie was in need of a Mountain Dew. Let me just tell you, Coke has corned the market in the Texas Medical Park!! We started walking all around looking for a Mountain Dew. We walked and we walked and we walked...and no Mountain Dew...but we did a good job of working off the fried mac and cheese! We finally found ONE Mountain Dew in the snack shop of a Marriot Hotel several blocks from our hotel. We started back to our hotel and again we walked and we walked and we walked...and we had no idea where we were. The entire time we walked, I was quietly singing in my mind "Here I Am Lord". I just could not get that song out of my head. I was trying to talk to Brucie, but I just continued to hear that song. And we just continued to walk...and in my head I am hearing "Hear I am Lord, Is it I Lord...I have heard you calling in the night..." over and over. And then I just started singing it...and singing it loudly...and I don't sing well...but I was singing...and Brucie started singing with me. And then we rounded a corner and on the backside of the main hospital at MD Anderson was the most glorious waterfall and fountain. It had tons of water, pouring over a wall and it had beautiful lights with giant sprays of water. I walked up to that fountain and the water was spraying all over me...and it was glorious!! It was God and he was saying, "yes, you hear me this night...because I am here...I have been here...and I will continue to be here!" And I cried...cried because once again God showed me his awesome power and amazing grace! He used that Mountain Dew...that $3.00, 20 ounce Mountain Dew to get me to where I needed to be. All the time walking, He was trying to talk to me and I just kept trying to push Him out and trudge on...but He wasn't going to let that happen this night!! He reminded me in a very bold and grand way, that He has a plan for me...and though I don't always know or understand the plan, it's the plan He has for me! I feel such peace tonight! I have no idea what we will find out tomorrow. But I am ready. I am ready to know what we are dealing with and what our plan of attack will be. Selfishly, I have lots of plans for myself…plans with my family and friends. But tonight I was reminded that no matter what…I’m going to be okay…because “Here I am, Lord...it IS I Lord...and I have heard you calling”!! I ask that each of you enlist as many people as you can to join my Army and pray for us tomorrow morning. My only fear is that Brucie will have to hear and then give me bad news. This will be my first surgery without my mom and/or dad with us...Brucie's first time to do this all alone. I know this will be difficult for him...so please say extra prayers for my Brucie!! I thank each of you for the prayer support!! I will update you guys as soon as we know something...which could be several days. Much love to you all!! Big hugs, big tears, lots of smiles!! MK Hebrews 11:1 Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see.

MK Update 6/6/2013

Hello Army!! Just wanted to pass along a quick update. I want to thank each of you for sharing my blog and enlisting so many new members of my Army. I also want to thank you for the prayers, the calls, the gifts, the flowers, the text messages, the inbox messages, the e-mails, and the love!!! Sunday was a difficult day. It was my first time out "in public" after I requested help from my Army. Church was hard and I felt very anxious. I went home and crawled in the bed and didn't want to get out of my "safe place". But Brucie wasn't going to let me fall all the way back into the darkness. He got me up and we went to the zoo. It was nice to get out, but I still just didn't want to talk to anyone...not even my family. I got up Monday with a new attitude and was excited to get back to work and our normal routine. I made it through Monday without crying. Each time I felt like the darkness was coming, a member of this Army would step in and pull me out of the darkness. I had so many messages and texts from people telling me that God had placed me on their heart. I'm so thankful that they listened to His message and helped at least keep my head out of the darkness. Each day this week has been better and better, and I have gone from feeling as though I am slowly but surely trudging out of the darkness to feeling like I might actually be jogging out of the darkness. My friend Leslie Bragg-Gitz has sent me a message or video every night at around 8:00. Wednesday night I found myself not looking at the clock and dreading 8:00 but excited to see what Leslie would be sending me. And for the past two nights I have gone to bed without taking a pill to help me sleep...which is a big victory!! Last night, I had strawberry shortcake at the Bulldog in Bald Knob with three dear friends and that was a nice "escape" from the reality of this cancer. But the best news came today!! I received a call today from MD Anderson with the pathology results from the tumor that was removed in Batesville on May 9th. The results show a low-grade tumor that is contained to the bladder!!!!! I was so shocked to hear him say "low grade" that I made him repeat the results. I said "this is good news, right?" He said, "yes, it means we do not have to remove your bladder." Wow!!! I'd say that is beyond good news...and has everything to do with the fact that this Army, this amazing Army of family, friends, and total strangers, stepped up to my literal scream for help...and low-grade, contained to the bladder is the result! Today I cried...but tears of joy and relief and praise and thanksgiving!! The darkness is still there, but today WE punched it in the mouth and in the gut and man it felt great!! Today, I am running out of that darkness!! But the darkness is relentless and it will give a good chase. It's going to run after me until June 27th when I have that surgery. I'm still cautious...concerned about what Dr. Kamat will find during the surgery...that there are "roots" hanging around...or other "plants" in the "soil"...but today I am going to rejoice...and I'm going to enjoy this "win"...and I'm going to start preparing for the next "game"...because this is going to be a long "season"...and though I might not go undefeated, I will have many more wins because I have each of you on my team!! David was right...I don't internalize things well...and I need my Army. I'm thankful that I finally realized there was no way I was going to get out of the darkness by myself and the help of my family and a few close friends. Please continue to pray for my peace of mind...pray that Dr. Kamat won't find any additional "plants" in the "soil"...pray for my Brucie that he can continue to bear the brunt of my emotions. This has been a good week and Sunday is going to be a wonderful day!! DD and Evans will be baptized and our families will be there to celebrate...and that darkness won't stand a chance!!! I love each of you and thank you for what you have done and what you will continue to do for me and my family!! Big hugs, big tears, lots of smiles!! MK Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

MK Update 5/31/2013 - here I am again...

Hello Army! Well here I am once again to enlist the help of my Army of Angels. I apologize for the length of this message, but there is a lot I need to tell you! I need to give you some history to catch you up to this date so you will understand fully my needs. In January, my oncologist explained that in August I will have taken the Tamoxifen for five years. Tamoxifen is the medication that helps keep my hormones in check since my breast cancer was basically hormone fed. She said that I had two options…I could have a hysterectomy and oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) and continue taking the Tamoxifen for another five years, or I could get to August and stop the Tamoxifen and wait and see if the cancer ever returns. So, I chose the first option because you guys know me well and I have never been a “wait and see” kind of person. So, on April 17, Dr. Carlton performed the surgery…and all went well…except…while she was doing the surgery she decided to check inside my bladder to make sure everything looked ok…and she saw something that “looked funny” to her. She referred me to an urologist. I went to the urologist on May 1, and he looked in my bladder and said the “something funny” was a cancer tumor. He said that he thought it was minor and likely contained to the bladder and we could just have surgery and remove it and that would be the end of it other than watching me closely for recurrence. I was MAD…and I mean fighting mad. I wanted to beat someone or something up…I was MAD. And then I was embarrassed…I mean who in the world gets two different kinds of cancer before the age of 40…and in my bladder…really?? So, I scheduled the surgery and told only my family and a few of my closest friends and made them all promise not to tell. I just didn’t want to hear “oh I’m so sorry” and “bless your heart” and every other negative, pitiful thing that would in all probability come out of the majority of people’s mouths. I had the surgery on May 9 and it was simple and I was able to get through that with no problems. But, the urologist called me on May 15 to tell me that the pathology report was back and although the cancer was contained to my bladder it was larger than expected and growing at a rapid pace so I would need BCG treatments once a week for six weeks. By this time, I was exhausted. Exhausted from keeping the secret, exhausted from being mad, exhausted from trying to figure out why this was happening to me again…just downright mentally spent. So, like an idiot I went home that night and after we got the kids in bed I started researching bladder cancer on the internet…big mistake…huge…I basically had the meltdown to end all meltdowns and I took it all out on my precious Brucie. And boy did I ever…I screamed at him and yelled at him. I told him things like “you just need to find a better wife and mother for you and our kids” and “I’m not going to be here much longer and you won’t have to put up with my craziness” and truthfully those were probably the nicest two things I said. Then I made him leave me alone locked in our bathroom. I sent a text to my parents that honestly had to be one of the worst things they have ever read. And I called my older brother and don’t even know what I said. It was ugly…UGLY!! Within about fifteen minutes, my brother was at my house I had not asked him to come, but because he has always been my Superman there he was to rescue me AGAIN. And he coached me up…and he coached me hard…and he told me the ugly things I needed to hear…and it hurt…and it hurt down deep…but he knew it was what I needed to hear. And after that, like always, he started helping me come up with a plan. And I promised him that no matter how good or how bad or how ugly things got, I would fight and fight hard…for him and for everyone else. The only thing I would not agree to do was to enlist the help of my Army. He said that a big part of my problem was trying to keep this a secret and to internalize all of this mess…and I’m obviously not good at that. But I still just didn’t want the pity. So, I contacted my oncologist and asked my best friend, Katherine, to contact her dad who is a very well-respected doctor. They both said it was time for me to go to MD Anderson in Houston for an evaluation. The referral was made and Brucie and I traveled there for appointments this week. MD Anderson is AMAZING! The people are so nice and professional. They all try to make you feel comfortable. There was a lady playing the harp in the CT scan waiting room…I mean this place is world class. Tuesday, I had an appointment with Dr. Kamat who is one of the top bladder cancer doctors in the world. There was some confusion in getting my records from my surgery. He needed the actual tumor slides and the hospital had not sent those, so rather than get more solid answers, I just received more speculation. Dr. Kamat said that he wants to do another surgery and look at my bladder. But first he wants to get the slides and give me six weeks to heal from the first surgery before he goes in to check. He also ordered a more in depth CT scan of my bladder, kidneys and surrounding organs. He said that it would not be good if it had spread but if it is contained to the bladder I would need to do the BCG treatments for the next three years. BCG is basically an immune-booster that would be injected directly into my bladder and would work to boost the good cells so they can fight off the cancer cells. There are very minimal side effects. It’s not like taking chemo…which is good. Tuesday was a long, hard day. We decided to go out for a nice dinner and then do some shopping. Dinner was great and we laughed a lot. We went to a huge mall and found The Cheesecake Factory…so of course we had to have some dessert. We were sitting very close to a young couple. We could hear everything they were saying and they were having a major discussion about developing a plan to move out of one place and in to another. The young wife was very concerned about cleaning one of the places and a major discussion ensued between them. Suddenly, said dude stands up, yells “excuse me” to her, throws his napkin down in his chair, and storms out of the restaurant. And all I could do was burst out laughing. And I could not stop, and Brucie was laughing…and the poor young wife was crying…and there the three of us sat….and then said dude returned and he said, “Honey, I am your husband and when you talk to me like that it is disrespectful” and I just totally lost it…I almost peed in my pants laughing. I just wanted to grab said dude by the shoulders and scream at him, “Just clean your freaking apartment and enjoy each other. Throw bleach on your clothes and ENJOY cleaning the toilet. Soak up every second and love each other. Chase your dreams and don’t look back. And give some respect if you expect to get some in return.” But all I did was laugh. And it felt so good. But of course 8:00 came and all the laugher was gone. We had some appointments on Wednesday and then came home. I was so glad to be home! I got the preliminary results of my CT scan Thursday and it was good…nothing had spread outside of the bladder. Dr. Kamat now just needs to do the surgery to see what is going on in my bladder. He described the tumor that was removed as a plant…and the urologist removed the plant, but Dr. Kamat needs to see if the urologist got the roots and what remains in the surround soil. He will do that with some kind of special blue light. That surgery is scheduled for June 27. So here we are again. And again I need your help. The past six weeks have been terrible. I had a hysterectomy on Wednesday and was back to work the following Monday. I had a secret bladder surgery on Thursday and was back at work on the following Monday. I have gotten up every morning and slapped (and I mean slapped) on my happy face and gone to work and church and meetings and social functions and had on my happy face. I get home every evening and Brucie and I take care of the kids and the dogs until they are all in bed at 8:00…and then I fall apart. And again, my precious Brucie has had to endure six weeks of me falling apart every night at 8:00. This time is so different. With the breast cancer I honestly never thought that it would shorten my life in any way. I always just knew I was going to beat that cancer. But this time I have not felt like that….maybe because it was such a shock. I have always been afraid that I would end up with leukemia from the chemo but a totally new cancer in a completely different area of my body…well that thought never entered my mind. And for the first time ever in my life, I let myself say “why me” and “this isn’t fair”…and the darkness just sucked me right in…and it hasn’t let me out. I’ve spent way too much time in that dark hole of ugly the past six weeks. It’s a terrible, terrible place. It wraps you up and it won’t let you go…and it’s mean, oh so very mean. It steals your peace of mind. It steals your happy. It steals your faith. It steals your heart. It just steals. And I’ve tried so hard to get out of the darkness…but the harder I try the further down in the hole I go. But, Tuesday night after our first day at MD Anderson, I just let all of the darkness out…laying there in the bed wrapped up in Brucie’s arms I just poured it out. I just told him the terrible feelings and thoughts that were consuming every second of my life and I cried…cried like I have never cried in my life…and there he was to hold me and say all the right things…and to pray with me. And right there I made a promise to myself that I was going to fight hard to get out of the darkness and I was going to win. My first goal was to make it through Wednesday without crying. Well, that got shot to snot when Brucie prayed at breakfast, but those tears were of a joyful and faithful nature…so I gave myself a pass. But once again at 8:00 last night while in the shower, I lost it again. And again, Brucie was there. Each day is getting better. I read something Wednesday morning that said you can let a mess define you or refine you. For the past six weeks my mess has been defining me, but now I am determined to be refined by this and to have faith and hope. I don’t know what God’s plan is for me in all of this. I don’t know how long I have left on this earth. I don’t know how ugly this is going to get. I just don’t know. But I do know that God has a plan and in that plan I’m going to be okay. And really that’s all I need to know. But I told Brucie today that I wasn’t going to get out of the darkness without the help of my Army. And I have exhausted my family and close friends and it’s time to get them some help too! So here I am…once again asking for your prayers…and for each of you to enlist others to join my Army of Angels. And to know that I need positive energy surrounding me…and I DO NOT NEED PITY!! I will keep you posted…but probably won’t know much until after my surgery in late June. I love you guys and feel so thankful to have such an amazing Army that I can call upon in my time of need. Please also pray for my Brucie, my family, and my close friends. They have seen a very scary side of me the past six weeks…and I know it has been hard on them…but man they have been AMAZING!! I already feel so much better just getting this out…it’s 9:28 and I haven’t fallen apart…and I think I might just make it the rest of the night with no tears!! And that, dear friends, is going to be a great feeling! I thank you now for all you will do for me as we continue on this journey!! Big hugs, big tears, lots of love!!! MK “In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.” Psalm 34:6-7

MK update 3/15/2010

Hello Army!! I know I have not sent out an update since August, but man have I been busy!! So much has happened since August!! First, I had my 6-month scans in February and they showed NO cancer!! I continue to take the tamoxifen daily, but with little side effects. Overall, I have felt great since August. I would like to update each of you on what has kept me so busy. First, in November I joined my best friend from college (Shelly Decker--she has been a huge part of this Army) and two other business partners and opened Miracle Kids Success Academy. It is a day treatment facility for birth to six year olds with developmental delays. We have a clinic in Batesville and one in Jonesboro. It has been very scary but very exciting!! I absolutely love going to work each day!! I have the opportunity to work with some amazing people and some wonderful kids!! Next, my wonderful husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary in December. So, for a combination anniversary and Christmas gift I got us tickets to a Duke basketball game--a Duke game at Cameron Indoor Stadium!!!! Oh wow is about all I can say about that trip!! For those of you that follow me on Facebook, you can follow our fun through the pictures I posted. I will try and post those on my blog as well (http://mkupdates.blogspot.com). We had an absolutely amazing trip. It was everything I ever thought it would be and more. We arrived in Durham on a Wednesday and North Carolina happened to have a home game against Florida State. So, we got tickets and busted into the Dean Dome wearing our Duke shirts!! It was GREAT!! UNC lost and everyone sitting around us clapped when we got up to leave!! So FUN!! The next night we watched Duke play Tulsa. I spent most of the night watching Coach K--it is amazing to me that someone so small can have such intensity at a ballgame!! I also really liked Tulsa's head coach--Doug Wojcik. I think I like head coaches with funny last names!! Anyway, I really liked the way he coached his team. When the game was over, we were hanging around Cameron taking pictures, etc. and he walked past us. He was wearing a pink ribbon pin on his lapel--I knew I liked him! Anyway, our trip was great and we will be going back--next time hopefully with my entire family!! Then, Highland hosted the 4A state basketball tournament. Oh wow--they did a fantastic job!! I certainly enjoyed watching some great basketball in a spectacular new gym--the A.L. Hutson Memorial Center. I know Mr. Hutson would have enjoyed every minute of those games and would have been so proud of the job that the school and community did putting that event together. But, the biggest news I have to share and by far the most exciting is the arrival of my newest nephew, James Hoover Brogdon!!!!!! He arrived January 22nd and life has just been giddy since then!! Oh he is so perfect!! He is Jay and Erin's first and hopefully the first of many!! It has been 9 years since we have had a baby in the Brogdon family--so we are all very excited!! I have pictures posted on my Facebook!!! I think I have only taken roughly 300+ pictures since his arrival!! I love nothing more than to be surrounded by my nephews!! Oh the fun the four of us are going to have in the years to come!!! My little Jayhoov is such a blessing in so many ways. Now, January will always be a joyous month!! I will no longer think of January as The Month when my breast cancer was discovered!! In fact, this year January 4th came and went and I never even thought about January 4, 2008!! At some point on January 5th, I realized that I had gone through the entire previous day and never once thought about it being the anniversary of my diagnosis!! YIPPEE!!! I call that progress!! Now, I will have my Jayhoov's birthday to celebrate in January!! He was born at Baptist hospital where I had my surgeries, etc. I told Mom while we were there for his birth that it was just awesome to be in that hospital for something so blessed instead of for something related to cancer!! Doesn't God work in some really amazing ways?!? So, as you can see the past 7 months have been most blessed and most exciting!! I cannot express to each of you that I would not be enjoying these blessed times if it were not for each of you!! You guys literally carried me through some of the darkest days of my life.

I do have a few prayer requests for you. I occasionally will get a phone call or e-mail asking me to have my Army pray for them. It is amazing that you guys are such a powerful group!! My requests are:

1. Beth Huff - Mrs. Huff has been a faithful member of this Army. She sent me cards and packages. Having experienced chemo treatments, she was a source of much comfort for me. Mrs. Huff is again battling cancer. She is currently taking treatments. Please pray diligently for Mrs. Huff and her family.

The next three prayer requests are for 3 young women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heart hurts for them but is also very excited for them. I know that sounds very strange, but cancer has provided me with so much that I would have never experienced without that diagnosis--mainly a spiritual growth that is beyond words. Please pray for each of them continuously so that they may feel that same feeling of God's warmth and comfort carrying them through this journey.
1. Chrissy Stewart - I went to high school with Chrissy. She is a working mother and is currently taking chemo treatments. She will start radiation soon. She continues to work daily and has a very positive attitude.

2. Tammie French - Tammie is also a Highland graduate. She has recently started her chemo treatments. She too is a working mom and trying to balance treatments with work and family.

3. Robin Williams - Prior to her cancer diagnosis, I did not know Robin. About a month ago, one of my dearest friends, Angie, told me about one of her dear friends and her recent breast cancer diagnosis. Since then, I have come to know Robin through text messages and phone calls. I finally got to meet Robin this weekend. Since my diagnosis, I have had the opportunity to talk to some women recently diagnosed with breast cancer, but really only providing them with basic information. Robin has been much different. I see so much of myself in Robin. The questions, the fear, the anxiety--it is like looking at myself in a mirror--the self I could not see when I was so deeply immersed in my fight with cancer. Emotionally I have gone back to places I never thought I would go again. I know this is God helping me to see how far I have come since January 4, 2008. And I know that soon Robin too will feel this feeling. But, Robin doesn't know that yet. She is very afraid and anxious. She has yet to realize just how strong she is and that even in her weakest, darkest moments He is there to hold her and carry her--to protect her in a way that only our Creator could. Today while texting her I told her that I would enlist my Army to begin praying for her. Her immediate response was, "Fabulous!!! Tell them to pray HARD!!!" And that is what I am doing tonight. I am asking you to pray hard for Robin, Tammie, Chrissy, and Mrs. Huff. I am eternally thankful for each of you and feel so blessed to have such an awesome Army to carry not only me, but others in need through the dark days. You are all amazing and I LOVE YOU!! God bless you all!! MK

MK Update 8/11/2009 FW:Race for the Cure

Hello Army!! Hope this e-mail finds you all enjoying the last of summer. Everything is great with me. This e-mail is less of an Update and more of an Invitation! The e-mail below is from my sister-in-law, Erin (you guys know her as Erin Claus)!! She is a Race for the Cure team captain and is organizing our team. Her goal is to have the largest team participating in the Race this year and with your help we certainly can make that happen. Please consider participating in the Race this year. Last year was my first year to participate and it was AMAZING!! I walked that route with my family, closest friends, and co-workers and it was a feeling like no other!! I would love nothing more than to share that experience with each of you this year. It would be like a symbolic journey. I have been so blessed to have each of you walk this journey with me, so to have each of you literally walk with me would just be a blessing beyond words!! I would also like to encourage you to invite others to join the team. And, if you know any breast cancer survivors, please let them know about our team. I would love for our team to have the most survivors as well!! I believe the t-shirts are going to have a Charlie's Angels theme--the shirt Erin described to me sounded awesome. She is so creative. When she asked me if she could lead a team named Army of Angels I was very honored and excited but my uncreative mind just assumed the shirts would be camo!! But I loved watching Charlie's Angels so I was very excited when she described her idea to me. I also think it is cool since one of the Angels, Jacklyn Smith, is a breast cancer survivor. And all this is for men as well. One of the coolest things about the race was all of the men that lined the entire route cheering for us. I mean it was so cool!! Some of the men handed out pink flowers to the survivors--I got one and it was so neat! There was a group of bikers and they had a huge banner that read, "Stop the war in my rack"!! I clearly loved that banner!! So you men need to sign up too, help raise some money, and then line that route wearing our team t-shirt!! Remember to e-mail Erin so she can add you to the maililng list and keep you updated on the team plans. Please come join us for fun and fellowship and CELEBRATION!! Remember, the money you raise WILL help find a cure for breast cancer and one day we will all participate in a Race of Celebration!! I hope to see ALL of you October 17th!! Much love to each of you!!!!!!! MK


Erin's e-mail:


Hey, everyone! It's that time of year again. Race For The Cure is just around the corner. How exciting!

The 2009 Race date is October 17th, 2009!

I am the co-captain of the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ team, along with Terri Cobb. We want each of you to join in having the largest team at the Race. I know this is a big goal, but with your help we can do it!

This is your opportunity to help with a great cause. All of us know someone who has been effected by breast cancer, and by signing up or making a donation to our team you are making a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

To sign-up: Go to www.komenarkansas.org, and go to the "Race for the Cure" page. Once you are there click on "Register" on the right hand side, then click "Join a team" on the left hand side. It will ask you for a team name. Our team is Sylvan Hills Church of Christ and we are in the Church category. Then click "Search for a Team". In the search results click on the Team Name Sylvan Hills Church of Christ (Army of Angels) [my name should be there as captain]. This should take you to our team page. If you scroll to the bottom there is a link that says "Join Team" in a gray box next to the team name. Then follow the steps to register as a participant. If you plan to walk with us on race day then select the first option.

If you have any problems or questions, please email me at erin.brogdon@gmail.com. If you want me to register you or want me to mail in your registration then email me or call me at 580-5919 and I'll get your info.

I know we are registered as the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, but we want participants from all over the community, county and state to join our team. We are going to have a blast! We have some fun race-related events planned, so stay tuned for details.

We will also have team t-shirts for sale. Once you register, please email me your shirt size so we can get a count of how many to order. I'll get the price to you in the coming weeks.

Since my inspiration to be involved in this cause is Mary-Katherine Hardin, my sister-in-law (the best one in the world!), we are calling ourselves the Army of Angels. Mary-Katherine (or MK) uses this phrase to describe the people who encourage her and prayed for her during her battle with breast cancer. If you want to read about her journey go to mkupdates.blogspot.com

We hope each of you will join our team (men and women), and we challenge each of you to invite at least one friend to participate (more would be fantastic!). Feel free to forward to anyone you think would be interested.

Keep the deadlines below in mind so you don't miss out. Sign up today!!
Deadlines:
Offline team postmark date September 17, 2009
Mail-In individual postmark date September 30, 2009
Last date to register online and receive
your t-shirt and bib by mail September 30, 2009
Last date to register online October 14, 2009
Dates for Race space October 6-October 16, 2009

I will send additional emails to this distribution list as we get closer to the Race date. If you received this email from a friend and you want to be on our team, please email me directly so I can add you to the list. (Also, if you want to be removed from this list, please let me know.)

I'll be in touch soon with more information. Thank you all!!


Erin

MK Update 7/7/2009

Hello Army!! I hope this e-mail finds you all enjoying summer! This has been a great summer for my family. We have had tons of fun times already and have many more adventures planned! The entire family is going to Branson next week for 7 days of fun and adventure. But the most exciting news is that Jay and Erin are expecting a baby in late January!! YIPPEE!! It's been over 9 years since we have had a baby in our family and oh January just can't get here fast enough!!! Yes, this summer has been much more exciting than last summer!! I send you this update on a BIG day for me--today marks one year since my last chemo treatment!! HOORAY!!!! Oh what a difference a year makes!!! It is hard for me to believe that one year ago I rang that bell signifying the end of those six treatments. I still remember the day I had my first chemo treatment when I learned about the famous "end of chemo bell ringing". I so remember thinking the day was never going to arrive when I would get to ring that bell. And I still remember that glorious feeling of victory I felt when I rang that bell. I can still see Sharon (my favorite chemo nurse) standing there with tears streaming down her face while I rang that bell. Man that was a feeling I will never forget! I never expected to get that feeling again today--but I woke up this morning and that feeling was overwhelming!!! I just can't put into words that feeling--but man it is wonderful!! Today was also a day of reflection. I spent a lot of time today thinking about the last 18 months. I could have never imagined when I heard those words "you have breast cancer" that so much good would follow. And although there have been some really yucky days, I can say without doubt there were and continue to be far more glorious days!! I have so much to be thankful for and so today I also spent a lot of time in prayer thanking God for my many blessings. I am thankful to my Army of Angels for being with me throughout this journey and for the comfort you provide as I continue on this journey. There are too many of you to name individually, but I am thankful for each of you more than you will ever know!! There are a few people that I do want to give special thanks. I am thankful for my parents (Ronnie & Kay Brogdon) for instilling so many qualities in me that I utilized throughout this battle like strength, courage, persistence, optimism, humor, compassion, patience, and of course FAITH! And for being there with me the last 18 months. I will never know what you must have felt when I called you both in an absolute panic after that ultrasound. Thanks for being my strength during those horrifying first few days and for cheering me on not just the past 18 months but the last 34 years--everything I am and have achieved is because of you! Thanks, Mom and Dad, you are amazing!! I am thankful for my brothers (David & Jay) and the constant support and friendship they provide. No matter what, these two are always there for me!! I still remember calling David in those first few hours--in my panic after that initial diagnosis--and even in all of that panic he just took over and within minutes (not hours) had me scheduled to see the best doctors faster than what my local doctor could get scheduled!! And then calling Jay and trying so hard not to cry and sound afraid when I called him because I am the big sister and I didn't want him to be worried--but I couldn't do that and it was okay--he was there with one of those famous Jay pep talks and prayer and just calm. Thanks, David and Jay, for making me the luckiest sister in the world!! I am thankful for my niece and nephews (Amanda, Zac, and Alex) who literally spent all of 2008 providing me with endless laughter and ensuring that any "yucky day" was always made better just by hanging out with me and providing me with a love like no one else in the world could give me. I am thankful to my sister-in-law (Erin) for being my "everything that I was needing at the time" person and for being "Erin Claus"!! I am thankful because through this we are even closer than we were--which I didn't think was possible but certainly love!! And, I am thankful for my husband (Chris Hardin aka Brucie-pooh). I really don't even know how to describe my thankfulness for Bruce. He has taken every last step of this journey with me--oftentimes carrying me when I didn't think I could make it another step--and has done so without complaint. He has loved me more than I ever knew I could be loved by someone that chooses to love me. He has held my hand when I was scared and wiped my face when I was sick. He has provided a constant calm even during the most uncertain times. He has made me feel like the most beautiful woman on earth even on days when I felt far from beautiful. He is famous at the chemo suite and doctor's offices for being "the sweetest husband on earth" and I am thankful that "I just call him mine"!!!!! Bruce--thank you for every single thing you have done for me and continue to do for and with me. I love you with a love I didn't know was possible!! Finally, I am most thankful to the One who has carried me through this journey like no other--knowing my fears and anxieties, my sadness and pain, my moments of strength and my moments of weakness, my times of faith and my times of little faith--knowing every thought and emotion like no one on earth could ever know and yet still carrying me even when I did not make it easy. What a victory we have in Jesus!!! That is the true victory--a victory we can all experience with or without cancer!! I know this cancer was a "calling" and I listened--even when it was so very hard to hear the message--I listened. And today as I was enjoying my very small victory over this cancer, I realized that when God does call me Home that feeling that I have relished today will seem like nothing compared to that glorious feeling I will get when I look upon the face of God!! Can you imagine--how amazing is that?!?!? Yes, today has been wonderful and I wanted to share with you this great day!! And I am looking forward to many, many more great days!! I will have my 6-month scans at the end of this month and I will let you know those results. I ask that you continue to pray for me specifically that I will continue to listen to that call and have faith in His plan for me. Please know that I love each of you and am oftentimes overwhelmed by the love you have shown for me. Thank you for loving me and joining me on this journey. God bless you all!!!!!! MK