Happy Birthday, Charlie!

My baby boy is THREE today! I truly cannot believe how fast times flies. I found out I was pregnant on July 11, 2009. I took two pregnancy tests because I didn't believe the first one, then spent the day at Siesta Key. I was on cloud nine with excitement!

On April 2, 2010 at 10:32pm after 27 hours of labor, the most beautiful baby boy I've ever laid eyes on was placed in my arms. My life was forever changed. Gone were the nights of sleep and rest, making plans on my terms and putting myself first. My world revolved (and still does) around Charlie. Since Charlie was born I've had a handful of decent nights sleep. I know all of the words to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Special Agent Oso. I spend my days playing with trains and puzzles, making chocolate milk and going on bear hunts. Such simplicity can bring children so much happiness.

I owe Charlie thanks for bringing meaning into my life and helping me appreciate the finer things. Charlie is such a delight to anyone who meets him (except maybe the young couple in the booth behind us who are trying to enioy a nice dinner but have a toddler staring them down and carrying on about Oso). He is funny and smart, clever and creative, shy and personable. He's my baby and as his mama I hope to make him proud.

I made a video for his birthday, but you can only view it on a computer (sorry, I'm stikk new to YouTube). Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rT04eRZMc

Happy birthday, Charlie Ryan! Mommy and Daddy love you SO much!

Xoxo

My Television Debut

Today was my big television debut! Two days before my prophylactic mastectomy I interviewed with Linda Hurtado from ABC news in Tampa. I told her and her cameraman all about my family's history of breast cancer,  my fears of getting breast cancer and why I chose to have remove my breasts to see to it that I dont get breast cancer. It's a very personal story, so I was stepping out of my comfort zone to try to help other women facing these same fears.

Check out my news story on ABC news!

The news story asks, "Is removing a healthy breast taking control of your destiny?" When a doctor tells you that you carry a genetic mutation that brings with it an 87% chance of developing breast cancer, but you can drastically reduce that risk to less than 1% if you have a preventative mastectomy, then YES I took control of my destiny. Of course you can never be 100% certain that there isnt residual breast tissue left that may develop breast cancer, but it's highly unlikely.

I'd like to share this link below. It's absolutely beautiful, yet heartbreaking. A husband documented is wife's battle, and defeat, with breast cancer through a series of pictures.
http://mywifesfightwithbreastcancer.com/

Some may say that my decision was "drastic" or "unnecessary."  I think dying from this dreadful disease is "drastic" and "unnecessary." I did what I could to help ensure that breast cancer doesn't steal me away from my family. I would go through the anxiety, surgery, drains, fills, shooting pains in my back and arms, emotional roller coaster of seeing my body be so foreign to me and another surgery for my "real" implants again and again if it means that I won't see the same fate as my Aunt Rainy and millions of other women.

If I can help just one woman traveling on the same journey as me, then I will be satisfied.

Xoxo

P.S. shout out to my Hags who were shown at the end of the news story. Love you ladies!