In the last week, I have gone from being a single woman with breast cancer to a married woman that is officially cancer free! To say it has been the biggest week of my life would be an understatement.
Luke and I got engaged Labor Day weekend last year and we began planning our wedding right away. Shortly after the planning began, we started building our dream home as well. Everyone said we were nuts but it was all so much fun. Then, on April 1, just weeks before our wedding and weeks after a suspicious mammogram, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
My diagnosis was ductal carcinoma in situ, called DCIS, stage 0. It is the earliest possible catch you can make for breast cancer. The first course of action was a routine lumpectomy, a surgery where they attempt to remove the cancerous cells. That first attempt was not successful so we tried a second time and again, they could not achieve clean margins. After two attempts that exposed a cancer that was more involved than the doctors thought, Luke and I made the decision to put off our honeymoon and I underwent a double mastectomy this week, the Tuesday after our wedding.
Over the last couple months, Luke and I have received love and encouragement from every corner of our lives along with many questions regarding how we caught this, how the surgeries have gone, my genetic testing, family history, my decision to have the double mastectomy and more. I feel called to answer those questions and to share my story because it is finding the personal stories of other women that has provided me so much comfort throughout this journey. Additionally, it was my own fortitude and determination, coupled with the backing of my partner, that helped me make this early catch and I am hopeful that hearing my story can help other young women do the same.
So with that, welcome to the Best of Bugsy. I look forward to sharing my story with you and encourage questions, comments and feedback either on these posts or via email at kate@thebestofbugsycom.
SO proud of your strength you have inside and your courage to share your story to help other woman get through the scary and life changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Lucky to be your sister. I LOVE YOU
Women*
BFFL xoxoxo
Oh man, you are unbelievable! I remember talking to you about all the women to have cancer, YOU would be the one to take it on full force! YOU would be the best one to not take it laying down! YOU would be the loudest spokeswoman for genetic testing! YOU would be the perfect woman to be an advocate in ones own health! Yup, YOU are incredible, Katie Bugs! Love you to pieces. ADeb 💞
Thank you, Aunt Deb. I love you.
Your story is eye opening. Please know our prayers have been with you since we heard of your diagnosis and will continue as you recover. You are an inspiration to many. Thank you for sharing..
Thank you so much, Meliss!
This is going to touch so many people Kate! You’re such an inspiration to me, and I’m so lucky to call you a friend! Love you so much!
And I am lucky to call YOU a friend. Love you!
Spread the news. Knowledge is power. Inspirational Kate. Xoxo
xoxoxo
You are amazing Kate! Sending healing vibes. 💕
Thank you, Mary. I love watching the twins grow via Facebook!
Katie Bugs,
So thankful you followed your ‘gut’ even when it was an inconvenience to do so. Your health was a priority and because of that you are now cancer free. What if you just were ‘too busy’ to take family history seriously? You have always been an inspiration to so many and now you will continue to be even more. Full of pride for you. Mom
I learned from the best. Love you so much.
Creating a blog four days post op mastectomy, on your one week wedding anniversary, AMAZING! Your generous enthusiasm to share along with your talent to communicate is a gift to your readers. You are a role model for personal accountability in caring for oneself, courage in the face of adversity, optimism in recovery, thinking beyond yourself for the greater good…and SO MUCH MORE! Luke deserves the HUSBAND OF THE WEEK award. Thank you for creating this wonderful blog.
Luke definitely deserves an award. Aunt Candy you have been such a rock for us through this challenge and it means so much. Thank you for all that you do, I could not be more thankful to have you close.
We are all so proud of you, Kate! Your positive attitude is the key to facing this disease we call cancer. Thank you for sharing with all of us your amazing, courageous, tearful story. Love and prayers continue from Massachusetts!
Love you Aunt Sue! It is role models like you that have come before me that show me how to hold my head high and make something good come out of this challenge.
Hi Kate! I am your Aunt Candy’s good friend and college roommate. I have been hearing about your life through her for several years and was excited to hear of your engagement and shocked and saddened to hear of your diagnosis so close to your wedding day. I was relieved to hear that all went well on your most recent surgery. I applaud what must have been such a difficult decision and wish you continued good health. Congratulations to you and Luke! I look forward to your future blogs. Best wishes, Kathy Zink💞
Thank you so much for the love and support from afar, Kathy. I am sure it comes as no surprise that Aunt Candy has been an integral part of my support and recovery. We are SO thankful to have her close. The timing could not be better.
Hi I am Kylie’s mother In law Judy, you are a brave woman!Be strong and look into holistic supplements and organic foods to stay strong.You are in my prayers and not to be a pessimistic just look outside the box! Do what you have to do to live your life stronger!I will pray you stay strong and healthy!🙏🏻❤️Judy LaJoieEveryday is a gift, and pray.
Thank you for the prayers. Your continued health is in my prayers as well.
Truly an inspiration, Kate. We love you, support you, and thank you for being you!
Thank you for all the love and support, we love you guys.
You gots this!!We got this!!
Oh yeah!
You are an incredible woman, and I hope to some day meet you.Kara (Lisa and David’s neighbor)
Thank you so much, I hope to one day meet you too!
Kate – what a gift you are giving all of us by sharing your journey! You are an amazing woman! Sending you love and healing prayers. xoxoxoxo
xoxo
Thank you, dear friend!
Miss you already, Catherine!