It's taken me a few days to get to this post. I'm still star struck and
trying to kick my chemo side effects. So I thought I would tell you
all the whole story behind my once in a life time opportunity of meeting
the musician I have loved and adored for many, many years.
To fill you in on a little background, last Sunday I was getting ready
and unfortunately found another lump in my armpit near the bottom of my
incision on the same side as my first lump. I tried not to freak out
immediately, but way easier said than done with all that I have been
through. I screamed for my husband to come check it out since he is my
professional lump finder and he reassured me that it was probably
something from my surgery. Our assumptions were that it was probably a
swollen lymph node from my cold or some scar tissue from my incision.
Regardless, I was worried sick and needed a doctor's opinion. I already
had an appointment with Dr. Medgesy on Monday morning at 10:00am for my
chemo check, so I knew it would happen sooner than later.
On Monday, I went to school like normal and didn't psych myself out
until I was needing to tell some people who were covering me for my
appointment. After sharing what I thought was fine, I called my sister
and lost it. I wasn't fine about the lump. In fact, I was mortified by
it and scared to death. Brent continued to come in and calm me down,
as did my sister on the phone, so I was able to make it through the morning with my
students, no problem.
We finally left for my appointment and I knew that I would get to see my
partner in crime, as she had chemo that day. This always puts a smile
on my face. We went to my appointment first.
Dr. Medgesy was incredibly calm which is what I love about her. I
mentioned the lump before she even got a chance to hug me. Worried...to
say the least! I hopped up on the medical bed and she thoroughly
checked me over. She didn't think the lump was anything to worry about,
but she wanted an ultrasound done to make sure. At this point, my hopes had
dropped and again worry was setting in super quick. It was wonderful to know that she wasn't overly concerned because we had such
good margins during my surgery.
Before I left the office, I popped in to see my friend and gave her a
hug. I let her know about the ultrasound and she had the same reaction
as me. Lets just say, I wasn't expecting it, but was a little happy to
know exactly what was going on.
Fast forward two days and it is Wednesday...Ultrasound Day/Chemo Day!
We had my ultrasound early in the morning and I was a little more
insistent about having my husband with me in the room this time around. Don't test this lady! It's a really good thing
because I was super scared about what we might find out. Funny thing was that my nurse was the same gal that took care of Brent when he had his splenectomy, ten years ago and she totally remembered us! They did the
ultrasound on my lump to find a mass that was 8mm by 5mm, but the good
thing was that it was liquid filled...this is a good sign in the cancer
part of the world, I guess. It ended with Dr. Jean asking for a biopsy on the lump
to get a definitive answer on what exactly had formed in my armpit. At
this point, I had super mixed feelings. I also wanted to know exactly
what it was, but the biopsy is what lead to my diagnosis of cancer last
time and that realization was terrifying. She left the room and I
sobbed in my husband's arms. All I want is to be healthy and I am so
close. That's all that kept going through my head. What I would give
to have "normal" back again...I would never take that for granted. We
proceeded with the biopsy and again my husband got to sit through the
whole thing. He says it was cool...those are NOT the words that were
going through my head. It was quick and we knew we would get the
results by Friday. Thank goodness...the waiting game might be the most
nerve racking part of cancer.
After my biopsy, we headed over for a blood draw, lunch, and then my
chemo session. When I got to chemo, I was surprised by my teammates who
had come over during lunch to cheer me on...they made my day! I needed
those hugs and laughter after everything I had been through that
morning. Chemo started off with a snap...literally! My favorite nurse
Kathy, was trying to get a heating pad started and it blew up on her.
I'm so thankful that she was alright. I finished chemo and got to pick
up my littles. Those two babies do it for this lady. I don't think
there's anything better than hugs and kisses and conversations with your own
kids.
The day had finally come for me to go to the concert I had been waiting
for since before my diagnosis. I had moved my chemo treatment, thanks to
my husband insisting that I wouldn't feel good if I didn't. Boy was he
right! Brent knows me so well...it's kinda scary sometimes! At 8:05am, the phone rang and it was the Cancer Center....talk about knots in your stomach. They told me it was non-cancerous and that they would just monitor it. I hung up, hugged Brent and the water works began again...I know...so emotional. After composing ourselves, Brent and Payton went down in the basement to "work" on something,
so I headed down to check it out...until I was stopped by my 7-year old
insisting that it was a surprise and that I couldn't see it yet. I
turned around and headed back up the stairs. A little while later,
Payton came running upstairs beaming from ear to ear holding a sign they
had made and colored. It read, "take my wife on stage-cancer survivor"
with two pink ribbons on each side. Touched by her, is an
understatement. I am surrounded with the most loving three people I
could ever be so lucky to have.
Later on, we jumped in the car, Keith Urban bound. I was feeling pretty
good since I was on day three after chemo. We checked into our hotel
room and waited to meet up with our friends, Brian and Stacie. Later, we
went out to dinner and then headed up to Red Rocks. The traffic was
atrocious and needless to say, I was driving. I'm not much of a risk
taker when it comes to traffic. About an hour and a half later we found
ourselves making the hike up to the concert. However, I was on day
three and knew that the hike might very well use up the last ounces of
energy I had left...so what do you do, but hop a cab to the top of
course! Best idea ever..thanks Brent! About five minutes later we were at the top and
getting frisked by the security guards.
We made it to our seats and
were welcomed by the freedom to smoke pot in our state
immediately. Let me just say for the record, I didn't vote that one
in. Completely annoyed and beyond pissed off, I decided I wasn't going
to let it ruin my night...that I had waited so long for.
Keith started
the show by walking on stage nonchalantly by himself ever so cool and
relaxed, like he is and then his band followed. I stood there swaying in
Brent's arms to the music loving every minute of it. This was probably
our tenth Keith concert, so we had a pretty good idea of how it would
all go. I always love his sign check. He does this every time so that
people aren't holding up signs and blocking the views of other fans.
This time he got out a huge spotlight and shined it into the crowd. He
was searching and landed on our sign that Brent was waving, it's good that he's 6'3! Keith said, "Take my wife on stage".
He paused, "Well, where is your wife?" I popped up in front
of the sign and he said, "well, come on down here baby!" He can call me
baby anytime. I made my way through the crowd and received a couple
hundred hugs, high fives, OMGs, and I, myself, was just trying to keep
from falling down the stairs.
As I headed up on stage, I remember
thinking to myself, just breathe. Don't cry...even though this is a
dream come true...just breathe and take every moment in. I entered the
stage and hopped, jumped, maybe even skipped over to him. I COULD
NOT believe what was happening. Keith put his arm around me and I was
speechless, laughing, smiling uncontrollably, and trying to keep it
cool. He asked me where my husband was and I pointed to where our seats
were. Little did I know, Brent had nearly crowd-surfed his way
down to the front row and pretty much beat me to the bottom. I saw him
in the front and pointed him out. Keith said, "if this is your husband,
then who's up there?" Brent quickly replied, "Her boyfriend!" That's
our typical response. Keith invited Brent on stage and I couldn't stop
hugging Brent. It was UNREAL I tell you. Then Keith asked us our
names, which we replied appropriately, but I was lucky to get anything
out. I was so overjoyed I couldn't really talk. He asked me where we
were from, in which I replied, "Fort Collins". Then Brent took his
chance and yelled, "Go Rams!" in the microphone. I had to cheer because
it's the Rams...must cheer. That was followed with a few boos, but we
were nearly in Boulder, so it was to be expected. After that, Keith took
our picture with the crowd and then asked us what the sign said. Brent
proudly held it up and read it to him. I don't think until that moment
he had realized that I was a cancer patient. I look that good,
people....ha!
I had made a deal with Brent that if I got on stage, I
would take my wig off....well, I did it. You never break a promise with
my husband. When I took off my wig, Keith dropped to his knees. I
don't think he could believe what he was seeing. The crowd at this
point went absolutely crazy. I have to say I wasn't expecting a reaction quite
like it happened. I truly did it because I made a promise and if my
hubs made this dream come true, I certainly owed it to him to follow
through on my part. Brent snapped a picture of my bald head and Keith
Urban. Keith gave me a few smooches one on my bald head. A moment I will never forget. After that craziness, Brent and I
headed off the stage and went back to our seats.
It wasn't until we
got back to our seats that all of the excitement hit me...I started
crying tears of joy, excitement, thankfulness for all of the amazing
things that have occurred in my life, and most of all, I felt so
incredibly lucky to have gotten that opportunity. A few minutes later,
we were interrupted by a gentleman who was giving us his front row
tickets. He took us down to the front and we stood in the front row, center stage for
the rest of the concert, dancing, singing our hearts out, and living in a
surreal moment. There is nothing better than singing and dancing in
the arms of the one you love.
After the concert, we continued to get celebratory high fives, hugs,
gifts, and comments about what had happened, even when we got back to the hotel. I have to say that this
night was a reminder of how much of an impact one simple act can have on
so many people. Something I hadn't necessarily realized. Although
cancer can sometimes be a cuss word, it really has shown me the beauty
of life and love of all things simple. I have learned so much from this
journey, but most of all I have learned to love out loud.
After this amazing night, I spent the next two days in bed sleeping away
my chemo...nearly 24 hours in two days. Sounds crazy and a bit far-fetched, but totally real. I was one tired pup. I have received many
people reaching out to me through my facebook page, my blog, email,
texts, and even on Keith Urban's facebook page. In the meantime, my
husband has been on a frenzy, impersonating me so that others can get
their questions answered, while I slept the day away. Thanks, sug!
On a final note, I wanted to let you all know that I am going to be a
team captain for the Race for the Cure down in Denver on Sunday,
September 29th. It is the largest 5K for Breast Cancer in the nation. I
will include registration information in the column to the right, if you might be interested
in joining my team: "Amy's Road to Awesome". We are doing the 8:00 walk/jog!
