I am a second timer. Diagnosed the first time in 2011 and then again in September 2013. This time around has been so much harder. A bi-lateral mastectomy and placement of tissue expanders in November. It was a horrible recovery - bad reaction to pain meds. Without my family I don't know how I would have gotten through it. They did everything for me - my husband is awesome and my kids when they were home for Thanksgiving break did whatever was asked of them. The Chemo started - I've been hospitalized after each treatment with neutropenic fever. During my second time inpatient my husband was taking our daughter back to Denver for school and our son sat with me in the hospital everyday and then took care of me once I got home. This is a 24 year old young man - I can't imagine it was very fun, but he came every single day and watched TV with me in that boring hospital room. I've since had another surgery to remove the tissue expanders due to infection and my chemo is on hold for until mid-February. My family has been there to help everystep of the way - whether it be enemas (yuck!), washing my hair (what's left of it) or just sitting with me and keeping me company. My work family has been great too - bringing cards, gift cards for food, just coming to visit and catch me up on what's happening. I know that many people are having a much harder time than I am - but it's not easy and having so many people love and pray for you and be there for anything you need has been awesome. I am blessed!

Mary Dilworth
Overland Park, KS