It's very hard to relive this almost 3 years after diagnosis. It's not hard because of how scary it was...it's hard to remember what it was all like when we first heard the news. That's probably a good thing. I know there was a general heaviness to life at that point...as if the world was carrying on...but we were not. Life stopped on a dime. I remember thinking of the REM song, "The End of the World as We Know It," except we did NOT feel fine. We felt like sh*t. I have never been so scared in all my life.
Oh...the brief part. Laura was 37 years old, fit as can be, never did anything reckless, ate well and was the best mom I've ever seen. Out of nowhere she notices something different. She goes to see her doctor...and the wheels start turning. Biopsies...results...scans...results...reassuring words more hopeful than accurate. More scans...more results...each time the news gets worse. "It's stage II." Crap. That's scary...but we can manage. "Sorry...it's stage iv." Oh my god...
Treatments, recurrence...more treatments...mastectomy...recurrence to brain...whole brain radiation...more treatments with different drugs...a holding pattern...recurrence to brain...new spots on liver and lungs...and here we are.
That's our story. Living a life in the cancer world. It blows a lot of the time...but not all the time...thanks to Laura. She is an incredible woman. Those that know her personally are in awe of her refusal to let cancer define her. She is a private woman who just wants her kids to grow up the kids should grow up. She is in pain much of the time...doesn't feel so hot the other times...but still finds a way to send "Get Well Soon" cards to people who have the flu.
This is very brief...and I don't mean to diminish the hardships that she's been through. If you really want to see what this is about go to her Caring Bridge. www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurakoehn. Start at the beginning...and you can walk along with us through today.
Thanks for even caring enough to read this far.
We are pleased to announce that our little hero, Chip, has teamed up with the Milwaukee Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 
