Next Monday, November 2nd marks an important day in the Horne household. My wife, Charlotte, will have her final reconstructive surgery to complete her recovery from breast cancer. She is now cancer free! This has been a long 14 month surgery, but one that she has handled with dignity and grace. Her positive spirit has truly been an inspiration to so many and the model on how to cope with such devastating news.
Charlotte was diagnosed in August, 2008 with triple negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive types. We were told that we had to hope we caught it early enough that it had not spread to her lymph nodes. A few days later, Dr. John Cox performed her surgery only to find a day later that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. As you can imagine, our hearts sunk and our family was devastated. But, as only Charlotte could do, she comforted the rest of the family. Her faith and spirit lifted the rest of us through a difficult time.
A second surgery was performed to remove lymph nodes, followed by extensive chemotherapy and weeks of radiation. It was a long journey, but each day, she faced the challenge with an amazing attitude. There were days when I was tired and just did not feel I could exercise, but each day, no matter how much chemo had been pumped through her veins, she got up and jogged on the treadmill or rode on her bike. I knew then that her incredible will to live would lead to her survival.
Now, 14 months later through all the hardships and different wigs we bought, her spirit remains the same. Her short haircut looks adorable and her smile is as infectious as ever. She talks to cancer patients each week, lifting their spirits and letting them know that it is not the end of the world. It helps and she knows it!
We are blessed to have Dr. John Cox in our life. His skin saving, nipple saving breast cancer procedure should be spread all over the world. He is a genius and a doctor who cares. If you know of anyone facing this horrible disease, you owe it to yourself to tell them to seek him out. We will never forget him. How fitting is it that as we wrap up breast cancer awareness month we are able to close the chapter on this long journey? I only hope that other victims of this disease can be just as lucky.
Charlotte was diagnosed in August, 2008 with triple negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive types. We were told that we had to hope we caught it early enough that it had not spread to her lymph nodes. A few days later, Dr. John Cox performed her surgery only to find a day later that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. As you can imagine, our hearts sunk and our family was devastated. But, as only Charlotte could do, she comforted the rest of the family. Her faith and spirit lifted the rest of us through a difficult time.
A second surgery was performed to remove lymph nodes, followed by extensive chemotherapy and weeks of radiation. It was a long journey, but each day, she faced the challenge with an amazing attitude. There were days when I was tired and just did not feel I could exercise, but each day, no matter how much chemo had been pumped through her veins, she got up and jogged on the treadmill or rode on her bike. I knew then that her incredible will to live would lead to her survival.
Now, 14 months later through all the hardships and different wigs we bought, her spirit remains the same. Her short haircut looks adorable and her smile is as infectious as ever. She talks to cancer patients each week, lifting their spirits and letting them know that it is not the end of the world. It helps and she knows it!
We are blessed to have Dr. John Cox in our life. His skin saving, nipple saving breast cancer procedure should be spread all over the world. He is a genius and a doctor who cares. If you know of anyone facing this horrible disease, you owe it to yourself to tell them to seek him out. We will never forget him. How fitting is it that as we wrap up breast cancer awareness month we are able to close the chapter on this long journey? I only hope that other victims of this disease can be just as lucky.
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