Knott's for the Cure 2016!

It's that time of year again!

Knott's Berry Farm is teaming up with Susan G. Komen Orange County

to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research!

"Pink Tickets" are on sale now and limited edition T-shirts!

75% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen are used

to provide local services throughout Orange County:

- Breast cancer detection and treatment education

-Information and support for breast cancer survivors and families

-Funding for free mammograms for uninsured and underserved women

25% of the funds raised for Susan G. Komen

support national research to discover the cure for breast cancer.

Two years ago I attended the kickoff to the very first Knott's for the Cure!

Little did I know that I would be diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer just a few weeks later.

 Last year I attended the second annual Knott's for the Cure

as a survivor and key speaker about my battle with breast cancer.

I truly came full circle from being there as a supporter, through cancer,

and back to stand and support with my fellow breast cancer survivors!

 Susan G. Komen was founded by one sister supporting another 

through her fight with breast cancer, 

and I was honored, humbled and blessed to be able to stand

 with my fellow breast cancer sisters 

to celebrate our victories and raise money to prevent 

and fight breast cancer for all the women in Orange County!

Come enjoy the park and support this important cause 

by purchasing your "Pink Tickets" now through April 1, 2016!

This special price of $40 is almost half off regular admission 

and a portion of the proceeds go to such a great cause.

All of us have been or will be affected by a loved one's battle with cancer.

I am so thankful for the chance I had to fight 

and the opportunity I have to be here with my family.

Get your "Pink Tickets" and fight with us today!

Follow Knott's Berry Farm on social media and share who you're fighting for with the hashtag #KnottsPink!

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The opinions in this article are my own. I do not work for, or with, any brand mentioned in this article, 

nor do I have any official relationship with them.  I have a relationship with GigaSavvy, for whom I create original editorial content.

Life After Stage 4 Cancer...My New Normal

September 11 took on a new meaning for me last year.

As the country remembered the horrific events and fallen heroes from 2001,

I was given the most exciting news...I was cancer free!

My oncologist was cautious, as she always is, but I was elated!

No evidence of disease, or NED.

It's as close to remission as a stage 4 patient will ever get.

Although, they can't detect any cancer in me with all their tests and scans,

there could still be microparticles too small to see.

Because of this, I will always be in treatment, but no more chemo for now!

I will receive the drug Herceptin by IV every 3 weeks.

The hardest part is finding a vein.

It is extremely painful, despite my best efforts 

to stay hydrated and pump up my veins before infusion.

I have become very good at NOT screaming.

I kind of have a reputation.

But I can take a few minutes of pain, as I have no side effects from this drug!

I get an echocardiogram every 3 months 

to make sure my heart is not damaged from the Herceptin treatment.

They will also scan my body every year 

and do blood work every 3 months to check for growth.

I also take an oral drug daily, and receive a shot in my belly once a month.

The needle is HUGE!

Every time they stick it in my belly, I think I'm going to spring a leak!

These keep me in chemically induced menopause.

Hooray for no periods, but boohoo on the hot flashes!

My cancer is estrogen fed, and so every effort is made to suppress it.

The side effects from these have been mild too; so blessed!

In October we took the trip of a lifetime to Hawaii!

I researched for months and made a list of everything I wanted to do and taste!

We had never been, and it was a dream come true to be in that beautiful place.

We swam with sea turtles, saw countless rainbows, and ate amazing food!

I want to go back every day!

We are so appreciative of all the wonderful bloggers 

who contributed money to make our trip extra special!

We are the luckiest!

As I approach the second anniversary of diagnosis,

and the year mark of the regrowth,

I am super, super excited to begin this year with no cancer!

This will be the first year since 2013 

that I will be able to celebrate my birthday without chemo 

and eat all the berries without food restrictions!

My 40th celebration will be epic!!!

I have a new appreciation for a whole, well body.

I still marvel when I do my hair without clumps falling out.

I can climb the stairs again without aching legs, well, one flight anyway.

I have been blessed with a doctor who meticulously walks the tightrope of treatment, 

carefully evaluating what will be the most effective and least harmful.

I do not take for granted the miracle of survival.

I know the fragility of life and the blessing of each day.

It is a new normal, but still so wonderful.

XO

Jaime

It Never Ends... Mastectomy and Chemo Take 3

The last few months have been a blur of chemo, 

doctor appointments, scans and surgery!

My breast lumps responded well to the chemo cocktail of Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta

 and shrunk so fast that I was ready for surgery in no time!

Surgery was scheduled for 4 weeks after chemo ended.

The decision was made to do a unilateral mastectomy and reconstruction,

which means they would only remove one breast, the right one.

The left breast could be done later, since it didn't have cancer.

Every surgery carries risk, and since my body was immunocompromised from a year of chemo,

they thought it would be too risky to do both.

If I got an infection, the implant would have to be removed and could not be replaced.

I don't remember going to sleep before surgery and before I knew it, 

I was waking up in a completely different hospital gown in the recovery room!

I had a 2 inch incision in my armpit from the lymph node biopsy

and 3 drains coming out of incisions on the side of my breast.

There was also the breast incision that spanned the bottom of my breast.

The drains had to be emptied 3 times a day 

and the fluids measured to make sure there wasn't too much leakage. 

As soon as the draining became minimal, the drains could be removed.

It took over a week and was miserable.

The drains would get tugged on and hurt as they were sewn into my skin.

The biopsy incision itchy and uncomfortable.

No deodorant was allowed for several weeks as everything healed and it smelled weird.

The recovery was longer than I expected and tested my patience and good humor.

At last I was able to go without pain pills and was able to return to work!

I was so happy to be back in the wonderful environment of my school,

surrounded by the love and support of the kids, parents and teachers!

And then I saw my oncologist.

Although my scans showed no cancer, they can't detect everything.

She was starting me on chemo again.

I was so sad.

I was ready to be strong and healthy and have an amazing summer 

and another surgery so my breasts would match!

I was not ready to lose my hair and break out in chemo acne and ache and be tired!

I came home from that appointment and sat down and cried.

And cried.

My husband found me sitting on the toilet bawling.

Pretty pathetic.

And then that night as I lay awake, I received a message from my Heavenly Father.

He told me that this was an answer to my prayers.

I wanted a summer to have fun with my kids and this chemo would give it to me.

This chemo would prevent me from having surgery and having more recovery time!

This was the mild chemo that I worked through in the spring, and I could drive!

This chemo would allow me to have a summer so different from the last one.

I began to feel better about the whole thing.

But as I write this, I feel awful.

I'm nauseous and tired.

And I still resent the chemo.

I forget just how lucky I really am!

My chemo is working!

Not everyone's cancer responds well to their treatment 

and they have to undergo so much more than I do.

Although never ending, my treatments are always effective.

I am alive.

And that's all that matters.

Be brave.

Be kind.

Life is beautiful.

And we are blessed.

XOXO

Jaime

Breast Cancer Round Two

Sometimes I wish I could see into the future,

to know what waits for me around every corner.

But God in His infinite wisdom knows I have to learn to live by faith,

trusting that come what may, He will care for me and my family.

One year ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer metastatic to my liver.

The chemo treatments were harsh and there was a lot of pain and narcotics and bed rest.

But I beat it!!!

The cancer miraculously shrunk and disappeared.

I continued medications that were supposed to keep the cancer at bay,

since stage 4 cancer is never cured, only controlled.

And then in December I began to feel that the cancer in my breast was growing again.

The oncologist had me scanned and said it was smaller than the year before.

But I wondered, is it smaller than after I finished chemo?

Another scan 2 months later confirmed my suspicions,

the cancer had returned to my breast.

I started chemo again 5 days later.

This time the chemo would be milder she said.

But I was afraid.

I have a job now that I love.

Would I be able to do it every day?

Would my hair fall out again?

Would I have to go on narcotics for the pain 

and go through the terrible process of weaning myself off?

This chemo was every week, instead of every 3 weeks.

My husband had a hard time taking that much work off so I got friends to go.

I had a great time getting to know more about these wonderful women 

as they were stuck beside me for several hours in the chemo chair!

The weeks went by and the pain was minimal.

I didn't need the narcotics!

I could drive!

I could go to my job at my kids' school every day!

It has been such a blessing to be there,

to have somewhere to go to get my mind off cancer

and be surrounded by the love of those wonderful children, staff and parents!

I found the hardest part this time was my physical appearance.

Last year I shaved off my hair with no problem, but I was so sad to lose it again.

My face has broken out into a hundred pimples from the treatments,

and I feel like wearing a bag over my head and hiding in bed.

Again my job has saved me from staying home and feeling sorry for myself

and I am so grateful.

The chemo has done its job and the cancer has shrunk again!

I was so blessed that it did not return to my liver.

And this time we are taking it out!

Surgery is scheduled in a few weeks.

Single mastectomy with reconstruction, with the other breast to follow soon.

The surgeon feels that my body has been through so much this past year.

She doesn't want to risk infection by doing a double mastectomy.

I respect her cautious decision, but don't look forward to being lopsided for swimsuit season!

I can't say yet that I am grateful for cancer.

But my world is so much bigger than it was before!

My faith has grown.

My perspective has broadened.

And I have come to know so many amazing people 

that would not have been in my path without this cancer journey.

I had the opportunity to speak in church on Easter.

I spoke about hope and faith and trusting in the path God has for each one of us.

Faith is a choice.

Happiness is a choice.

They become habits as we choose them over and over again.

The hard things in our life can overtake us or be just a small part depending on what we choose.

My life is bigger than cancer.

I am grateful for the beautiful life I lead.

I am still the luckiest girl ever!

XO

Jaime

Knott's for the Cure 2015 - An Amazing Experience!

This past weekend I had one of the most amazing days of my life.

I was asked to speak at the kickoff breakfast for Knott's for the Cure,

a partnership between Knott's Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County,

to raise money for breast cancer research and prevention.

This opportunity was so important to me, as I had been at this event last year...

two weeks before I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

This year was infinitely more meaningful to me, 

as I knew exactly what cancer meant to the survivors in the audience.

The ballroom was decorated all in pink, with the most delicious food!

Knott's always puts on a great party.

Before I knew it, I was on the stage, looking out over a huge audience.

Family, friends, cancer survivors and supporters from Knott's and Komen.

I was practically jumping up and down, I was so excited!

I love this amazing village I have!

I have received a few requests to read my speech, so here it is!

One year ago I sat in this room listening to the stories 

of brave, amazing women who had overcome breast cancer. 

I was in awe of what they had accomplished, and felt far removed from their experience. 

Who gets cancer anyway?

Two weeks later I felt the lumps in my own breast and I knew. 

Multiple tests and weeks later I was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer metastatic to the liver. 

It was quite a shock to everyone, as I was under 40, with no family history, and a healthy lifestyle.

 But as we know, cancer can affect anyone. One in 8 women will have breast cancer.

The treatment was hard. Much harder than I had imagined. 

I began to understand why people cried when they heard my diagnosis. 

But I was so blessed to have an amazingly supportive husband and family by my side, 

as well as my church community, my neighborhood, and the sisterhood of bloggers here today. 

Gifts poured in along with support in the way of rides 

to and from school for my children, meals, and housecleaning.

Whether I was full of joy or feeling down, I was never alone. 

I know that God was with me, sending me help from angels above and here on earth. 

I know that He expects me to travel my path with joy 

and find the blessings every day that He has given me. 

When I choose to be positive and acknowlege each blessing, 

I become more aware of just how lucky I am.

Stage 4 cancer is never cured, only controlled. 

Each day is a gift, and a chance to choose to do good. 

I am so thankful for the time I have been given with my family. 

I am thankful that the treatments I receive to control my cancer have minimal side effects, 

so I can be a normal mom. 

I am thankful for amazing medical care. 

I am thankful to live in a part of the country where beautiful days abound and heal my soul. 

I am thankful for amazing support from friends like you,

 without which I would find it difficult to smile every day.

Thank you.

After the breakfast we were invited to take a photo all together.

What a blessing it was to meet all those amazing women,

truly one of my favorite parts of the whole day!

Strong women, brave women, women who had overcome something as big as cancer.

For the first time since my wedding day, people were lined up to hug me!

And hugging is my favorite!

We all got on Jaguar and rode it together with our arms up,

excited to conquer it and celebrate!

Photo Credit: SoCal Kids Outdoor Adventures 

I remember watching the survivors riding together last year.

It was an honor to ride with them this year.

I loved coming off the ride and being greeted by my family 

who have been my greatest support and inspiration!

I am so thankful to Knott's for this day of love, laughter, and inspiration.

I smiled so much my cheeks hurt!

Truly one of the best days of my life!!

You can read more about it and see some great pictures from the OC Register!
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/knott-647768-pink-park.html

Bring your families to Knott's and celebrate with them too!

Celebrate life and love and all the precious gifts we have been given!

When you visit Knott's Berry Farm from now until March 27, 2015,

go online to purchase your "Pink Tickets"

and 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Komen Orange County

for local breast cancer prevention services and treatment.

No woman should ever have to go without cancer treatment 

because they can't afford it or don't know where to go to get well.

I feel so fortunate to be receiving such great medical care,

and want that for all my breast cancer sisters!

In addition to the "Pink Ticket," you can also purchase memorabilia at Knott's

to benefit Komen Orange County and honor the remarkable women battling breast cancer.

Knott's raised $100,000 last year and I think we can double it in 2015!

The park is beautiful all dressed up in pink and you will love all the special touches

and seeing Knott's all lit up PINK as the sun goes down!

Hope to see you soon at Knott's Berry Farm!

XO

Jaime

Christmas with Cancer

This Christmas is different.

This Christmas I am more thankful for my life.

I am grabbing every opportunity to celebrate and find the joys of the season with my family.

I am aware with perfect clarity that we don't know when those opportunities will be gone.

The image above shows the lumps that remain in my breast.

I was scheduled for a mastectomy this week against my doctor's advice.

I just wanted to remove those lumps and feel like I had done everything I could.

But the latest studies show that the mastectomy does not improve my chances.

Those who receive it and those who don't live just as long.

The weekend after I had this ultrasound done was very hard for me.

The fear crept in and paralyzed me.

I lay in my bed and thought about dying and leaving my children.

I couldn't shake the feeling, and I was miserable.

That Sunday I went to church and my inspired leader spoke about fear.

He spoke about the blessings that the Lord has for us 

when we put aside our fear and have faith in Him.

And I need all the blessings I can get!

And so I decided to trust my oncologist, who has taken remarkable care of me.

And have faith that the Lord will take care of my children, 

with or without me here to raise them.

I have been blessed with the gift of optimism, 

but I have to tell you that facing death tests my ability to remain joyful.

My greatest desire is to remain here on earth with my family.

And so I will fight!

I will not give up.

I will keep the faith.
And I will build a legacy of faith for my children, not fear!

I am stage 4.

My diagnosis is different.

The cancer spread out into my body.

I will never be in remission; 

my treatments will not end until I die.

My cancer will never be cured, only controlled.

But I am extremely blessed that the infusions and medication I receive don't make me sick!

The side effects are minimal and allow me to live a normal, busy mom life.

I have recently received the job of my dreams, 

librarian at my kids' school, and could not be more happy!

I have always wanted to do something important, to be someone important.

The cancer is helping me to make a difference.

Not only do I reach out with greater enthusiasm and love, but others do too.

I hear stories of people who have renewed their faith in God.

People who have begun praying.

People who hug more and love more.

And that makes me know that it's worth it, all that I have suffered and will suffer.

It has made the world a better place.

Smile with your whole face, teeth and all!

Never miss a chance to tell someone how important they are.

Share what you have, it was just on loan from God.

Forgive and be gentle with others and yourself, we are all doing our best.

I love you.

XO

Jaime