2019 Paint the Paper Pink

Page 50 2019 Paint the Paper Pink Lincoln Daily News October 2019 presentable in her clothing, but that could be accomplished without surgery. Michelle also noted how important it was that her dad be supportive. “I was proud of my father for being so genuine in his support.” Michelle said that after the surgery she stayed with her parents for the first couple of nights. She said it wasn’t about their need to receive help as much as it was about her need to give help. “She provided for me my whole life, and there was an opportunity for me to give back that was important to her.” For Mary, there was no family history of breast cancer, but for Michelle and her daughters, as well as Michael’s daughters Adalynn and Kennedy, there is a family history now. Michelle said that when she goes for her annual mammograms she does have to check that box, but the box she checks notes that her mom was older than 60 when she was diagnosed. Mary said she discussed the genetic testing for Michelle and the four girls with her doctors. Because Mary was older when diagnosed, and the only history for the second and third generations, doctors didn’t feel that testing is necessary. Michelle said that she personally isn’t sure she would want the testing anyway. She notes that her type ‘A’ personality demands that she be in control of her own situations. If a test came back with a positive indication, then it would be out of her hands. She wouldn’t be able to decide when and where, or even if, but would just have to wait and see. Michelle said for herself, she’s much better off to continue her self exams, and have her annual mammograms. Michelle did note that one frustrating part of the scenario was that in spite of her mom’s diagnoses and the newly established “history,” she still had to wait until she was 40 to have insurance cover her mammograms. Mary went through five months of chemotherapy, but did not have to have radiation treatments. Mary said other than losing her hair, she really did not suffer much with the chemotherapy. She was given medications to assist with the side effects. One big issue was that she found she reacted in reverse to the Benadryl. Instead of the medication making her drowsy, it made her hyperactive, but it otherwise helped so she would take her dosages and fidget through it. For the family, life after surgery was as near normal as it could be, and during her chemo in a break between treatments the entire family took a vacation trip to Florida. Mary throughout her treatments never wore wigs. She didn’t care for them and didn’t find it necessary to hide who she was. She did wear caps from time to time, but just because she wanted to. Mary and Michelle recalled the trip to Florida. The trip was a big family affair with Michelle’s in-laws and other extended family joining in. She noted that her husband Todd’s sister’s mother-in-law was on the trip too and also battling breast cancer. Mary remembered a ride they took on a boat at Disneyland. Mary had a hat with her, but had taken it off. She said on the boat a little boy was staring at Mary’s bald head. Alaina Continued n