My support team

How could anyone go through this experience alone?  People with cancer need a lot of emotional support. Thank goodness there are community support groups that are in place to help people who need some extra help.  After diagnosis, the UVRMedical Center sent out a lot of information from the breast care nurse specialist along with information about various support groups that are available to help women through this experience.  So far, I haven't felt the need to call about these groups because I have my own support team.  And what a support team they are!  I'd like to introduce them to you.  

My dear and strong husband.  My rock and my best friend.

My sweet family.  Our four children, their wonderful spouses and our six little grandchildren.

My Mom (who had faced this trial herself) and my four sisters
 Janet, Lee, Ann (Carol is missing from this picture.)

Andy and his sweet girlfriend Chelsea.  They have gone above and beyond the call to help me.

My in-laws Pat and Vern who have been so supportive, helpful and encouraging.

Our kids all went in together and bought me one of these lovely items!  An iPad! I think Claire was behind this idea and she helped get it all set up and loaded with lots of very interesting reading material with all my interests.  It has been so helpful to have a little handheld computer to use in my bedroom to keep track of work email, stay in touch with people, watch Netflix, read the newspaper and generally stay in touch with the world while I convalesce.  The part I love the best is the ability I now have to do FaceTime & Skype with our kids in an instant.  I LOVE IT!

Jordan had the great idea to put together a book with notes and cards that people have sent me.  She sent out an email to our extended family and to my good friends and ask them to contribute uplifting and encouraging words.  They were all so kind to write me the sweetest notes. I just cried when I read them all. I've already read through them several times now and I know that they will be a huge comfort and support to me as I go through my treatments.
I also have my dear friends, my ward family, my Relief Society sisters, my YW girls and leaders, my neighbors, my work associates, Rick's work associates and my extended family members.  Thank you to one and all who contributed to the book or helped me in any way.  You don't know how much your positive and loving words mean to me.  I couldn't do this without you ALL.  I have felt your love and emotional support.