2014 Summer Update

Cancer has put its hand on my family again this year but we are not allowing it to hold us down. Mary Jo continues with her regular oncology checkups and is doing fine but my youngest brother Jim received the news that nobody wants to hear after having a suspicious mole removed from his back. Melanoma skin cancer. Jim is fighting back. He has endured the surgeries and already completed phase one of his chemo therapy (chemo for 5 days a week for the first month) Jim has just started phase two on Monday (chemo 3 days a week for 11 months). Jim has a great attitude and he says he feels pretty good and considering the long list of negative side effects that patience can typically experience while going through this chemo treatment. I am so proud of Jim for his courage to take on this most aggressive treatment option, doing everything modern science has to offer in the battle so that he can here for his family years from now verses just leaving it to chance.



my brother Jim receiving his chemo treatment

My cousin Kim Petroska wrote on her Face Book page on July 6th.

Thank You to everybody who wished me a "Happy Birthday"! This year on my 47th Birthday I decided to give myself a Special GIFT...a gift to a new life! Since Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer run in my family with my sister and aunt both having and Survived Breast Cancer. I took a blood test for the BRAC1 gene and my results came back Positive.
I was at high risk for developing both and wanted to be Pro Active! I underwent a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy and bilateral saplingo-oophorectomy. I had tissue expanders put in and will have the final implants completed in a few months. I feel great! The 3 Doctors were Amazing! And I am looking forward to being there for my family and friends!
So please...
GET TESTED
BE PRO ACTIVE
AND CARRY ON!

But most importantly... Let's Find a Cure for Cancer!

  Paulo (Kim's husband) and my cousin Kim