Running with The Pink Horses: 2017

It has been a while since we posted anything. So we have a lot to cover.
With the inspiration of today being the day Amanda was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer exactly three years ago. How time flies.

When you are in the middle of it, time moves at a snail's pace. Some days seem like you are walking through quicksand. But the world continues to move forward and if you are lucky enough, you can look at all the hospital visits, needles, shots and scars as just one of life's challenging experiences.

Never underestimating and under appreciating those who battle cancer or any other disease.
Celebrating their true courage and grace as they share their journey with those who choose to be involved.

I probably have said this before, as all I ever wanted to be in life was a cowboy because I thought they were the toughest and most courageous, riding wild bulls and broncs. Gathering stray calves in a late winter storm in the middle of night.

But I am here to tell you, that when I grow up, I want to have the courage and fortitude of the lady getting chemo at the cancer center no matter her diagnosis who smiles at everyone with a twinkle in her eye. Who dares to fight no matter the outlook and empowers those who are struggling. I have laid witness to this over and over again. The strength of the human being, the true gladiators. Not the football player or the the mixed martial artist, but those who are given an unexpected battle for their life and never waver. These are my heroes, the epitome of what is best of all of us.

Amanda was diagnosed three years ago, with a very negative prognosis. I am happy to say she has been cancer free for about two and a half years.
For breast cancer patients, the ride can have many ups and downs. There can be chemo, radiation, a mastectomy.

In Amanda's case, after her first breast reconstruction she had gotten a blod clot in her leg. It is hard to evaluate pain with everything she has been through, but the blood clot may have been worse than all the prior surgeries.
May 26th, 2016 she ended up having to get three stents placed in her abdomen to help with blood flow. The leg is now fine and she is currently on plavix and will be for another six months.

On October 17th, 2016, Amanda had a total hysterectomy/bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and cervix) due to being BRCA1. This choice did not come without many tough discussions as we had played with the idea of having a third child, but thought it was more important for her to be around for the two beautiful children we already have.

Her amazing friend Angel, who is actually a real angel, came into town and stayed with her in a hotel room for a few days so she could recover while I became Mr. Mom.

I won't go into detail, but it can be a trying time when your wife goes into early menopause, but I have to say it hasn't changed her one bit. She is just as mean as she was before. Just kidding. She has worked extra hard to not let it affect her as a mother and a wife.

December 6th, 2016 was the second reconstruction surgery to replace the breast tissue expanders with implants. Everything seemed to go fine until she had to go back into the hospital on December 9th for lack of blood supply to her left breast (where she had the flap procedure done) and a possible infection. This was scary after getting so far. Amanda's plastic surgeon, Dr. Kurkjian was cautious and wanted her to stay in the hospital to make sure everything was ok. Thank you Dr. Kurkjian for taking such great care of Amanda. I am proud to say she has two new healthy breasts.

I have to say that it has been a little weird the last two months not worrying or planning for another surgery. We have just been proud to be living the day-to-day life of getting kids to school, working every day, being able to focus on the normalities of life.

We had a milestone the last few weeks. Amanda helped me and rode horses almost every day. Helping me train and inspiring us to continue our beautiful journey helping people with horses.

To say how proud I am of her wouldn't even touch the way I feel about her. She continually shows her unconditional love for her family and animals and life. Never feeling sorry for herself.

I would like to say we are celebrating three years today, but I would rather say that we are celebrating all of those we have been blessed to meet who are fighting the good fight, to those we have lost who made us better people just knowing them and to those that keep putting one foot in front of the other no matter the cost. To all the nurses, doctors, and friends that get up and do what they do every day.
We are celebrating the gift of knowing all of them.

On December 16, 2016, a dear friend of Amanda's passed away.
Amanda wanted to share the story of their friendship and how much Wendi Taylor means to her-

"Throughout our lives we are blessed to meet people who make imprints on our souls. Wendi Taylor was one of those people for me.
I was going through chemo in the summer of 2014. Overall, I handled chemo pretty well and tried to be very positive through the process. But one thing that would really rattle me was when my counts were too low to get a treatment. The first time that happened was especially hard on me. It took everything in me not to completely break down.
At one point I noticed another patient was looking at me.
She gave me her reassuring smile and nod, communicating with her eyes that everything would be ok.
As we left, I was so filled with emotion. More than I had maybe felt in my entire life. I had heard that she was battling stage 4 triple negative breast cancer.
She radiated so much love and light and was so nurturing in just a single gesture. It blew me away that she would be so giving and open to me, even going through what she was going through.
The true beauty of the human spirit.
I saw it in Wendi that day.
I have never looked at people or the world the same since. We would become friends and she was always so supportive, no matter what trials she was facing. I am changed forever from knowing Wendi.
Love and being there for each other. That is what life is all about. Thank you Wendi Taylor for the gifts you have given to me and so many others.
Throughout her time during treatments, she lived her life to the fullest and was an inspiration to all who were blessed to meet her. I love you Wendi, always and forever"