6th Annual Ten Mile Breast Cancer Awareness Walk~Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010

Walk registration is now open on our website. Save a stamp and save time, REGISTER ONLINE!

www.jointhejourney.us 

Educational Opportunities Women’s Cancer Resource Room, Mayo Clinic Gonda 10

May 2010~Join the Journey’s Creative Support Sessions:
Creative Clay Pots with Nancy Gross
Tuesdays: 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Making items of beauty and function can enhance our sense of calm and purpose during times of stress. Join us in creating unique pots for planting herbs or small plants.

Please feel welcome to attend any of these sessions. All sessions are free of charge. The resource room is available to all patients and interested individuals who would like information on women’s cancers.

Join the Journey supports The BOOKER MINI FOUNDATION-please join us..

Boomers-Saturday, June 12^th

6:30 to 10:30 pm  Outdoors!!!

In conjunction with:

Valley Thunder Motor Cycle Ride

All proceeds go to the Booker Mini Foundation

                                                 www.bookermini.org

Booker Mini Band provides the great music every year at our Annual Ten Mile Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, coming up Sunday,Sept. 19th! 

SAVE THE DATE, Sunday August 1st

Join the Journey has reserved Sunday, August 1st for the Rochester Honkers Community Partners Day. This home game is scheduled for 1:05pm vs Brainerd. 

Faces of Join the Journey

Are You TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK?

Money raised from the Rochester event will go to Join the Journey, a local nonprofit community organization that supports a range of programs from chemo care to education and healing programs. The group hopes to raise $2,000 for the organization.

"It's a great group in Rochester," Mickelson said. "They promote breast cancer awareness in the community and provide support to the individual who is on a breast cancer journey."

What: Tough Enough to Wear Pink and Bull Riding Challenge

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Where: Graham Arena in the Olmsted County Fairgrounds

Contacts: Call Pam Mickelson at 289-7078.

Heartstrings - Words of Hope, Healing and Humor By Melanie Wegge

As a 35-year-old mother to a three-year-old, wife and full-time employee, the last thing on my mind was breast cancer. I still remember that fateful day in November of 2008. I was sitting at home on the couch with my daughter on my lap. All of a sudden she threw herself against me with her head hitting my chest. I said, "Ouch" and proceeded to rub the area she had hit. That's when I found the lump. At first I tried not to jump to conclusions as to what I was feeling, but I am a logical person and I "just knew." Because it was November and Thanksgiving was approaching, followed by Christmas, and then my birthday in January, I decided to hold off making a doctor's appointment until February. But I was always very conscious of the lump.

After ultrasounds, a series of mammograms, MRI and a biopsy on Valentine’s Day, it was revealed that I had Stage 1 breast cancer. Within three weeks of my diagnosis I had a mastectomy.

I had never had major surgery before so I didn’t know what to expect. The first few days were much worse than I had envisioned. I couldn’t believe how much energy it took to take a shower or walk across a room. Three days after surgery we took a family trip to Target. I did not have the energy to walk all over the store and I ended up riding one of those scooters. It was a little embarrassing, yet necessary. Thanks to my husband there is a picture of me on that scooter so I won’t ever forget – “Thanks honey.” Also, how was I supposed to be a mom to an active three-year-old? I couldn’t pick up my daughter and hold her against me or play with her like I wanted, but it was amazing how quickly she learned to sit next to me and rest her head against my arm. She’d bring toys to me so we could play or a book so we could read. She frequently asked if my "owie" hurt. I’d smile and tell her, “Just a little.”

 

Two months after surgery came chemotherapy. I was very fortunate to have tolerated chemo without major issues. It was no fun losing my hair or eyebrows, but at least I didn't have to shave. I didn't enjoy the metallic taste or the sores I had in my mouth, but I enjoyed treating myself to Starbucks after an appointment. I think the worst part for me was how tired I would get. I worked full-time other than leaving for chemo appointments, but sometimes after I got home it was tough to get off the couch to play with my daughter or make supper. It was very frustrating because I was usually on the go and, being in my mid-thirties, these things shouldn't be an issue. It made me feel like a cancer patient. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the sunshine, and the last thing I was about to do was have a pity party. My positive attitude and stubbornness helped me power through because I knew that this would pass.

 

It's been a year-and-a-half since I finished chemo and my energy level is back up to par. Of course I have my hair again, which has been many colors and fun styles. I surprisingly have better skin with fewer blemishes, and I sweat less. Whoever knew you could give kudos to chemo? I also give kudos to my wonderful family and friends who’ve helped and supported me, and to great employers for all their help and understanding.

 

If it wasn't for cancer I wouldn't have found Join the Journey. Through this organization, I've met the most amazing group of women whom I now call friends. We are survivors, we are supporters, and we have a lot of fun together. Through Join the Journey I have walked for the cause, through JTJ Making Waves Dragon Boating I have raced for the cause, and I plan to continue to participate as much as I can even though I have moved out of the area.

 

Most days it is still very surreal to me that I had cancer. I went from being a healthy woman to a “cancer patient” with no hair, scars, and too many doctor visits to count. But I still have my smile and laughter. I still have family, friends and fun. I still love life. It’s ALL part of the journey and attitude is everything!

Today, March 7, 2010, as I sit and type, I just realized that it is my two-year anniversary since surgery. I am still a mother, wife and full-time employee, but I am also a survivor!