3 DAY Supporters

Just a short note to 3 DAY Supporters. Marge, Cheri and I have received enough donations ($2200 minimum from each of us) to qualify for participation in the 3 day walk - September 12, 13, & 14. We have a lot of people to thank - our friends and family members who contributed, both in money and in other types of support - helping us fundraise, walking with us and cheering us on our way. This includes our "Pink for Patty" team namesake - Patty. The actual event will be a real celebration and you are all invited to join the pink crowds in Seattle. Just in case you are interested, the 3 DAY people offer this supporters' link: http://www.the3day.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SE_Supporter

Pink for Patty Team at Work

It's been a while since we have updated you on our team activities. Here is our most recent photo. We're keeping up with training and getting stronger.


As of this writing, Marge is $50 from her goal! YEA!!!! Cheri, Pat and I still have a ways to go. We've written our letters to let family and friends know what we are doing. Now, we start stage two - letting the general public have an opportunity to donate to the Breast Cancer 3-DAY. On June 13,14,15, and 22, at least one of us will be in front of the Lacey Wal-Mart distributing breast cancer awareness information, accepting donations in our big pink donation jar and selling "pink ribbon" items. So far we have car magnets, pink rubber duckies, bookmarks and "pink ribbon" charms. Aren't our duckies cute?? You too can own one for $1.50. Buy 2 - they're cheap. Perhaps you would like to sell some for us. Let us know and we'll get some to you as soon as possible.
Also, Leanne Stewart, a friend of Diane Dietzman, will be running a fundraiser on her website - http://www.infinitetreasures.biz/ . She will donate profits from the sale of her gift cards ($10, $25, and $50) from now to just before the walk. People can purchase and redeem the cards on the website for all sorts of things. You may want to check it out. If you like what you see, pass this information along.

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement!
Dottie

Pink for Patty

See my new shoes???

On September 12-14, 2008 I will tie up my shoelaces and head off on a 3-Day, 60-mile hike in the city of Seattle - all in an effort to do something bold in the fight for a cure for breast cancer, because no woman - not Patty - not any of the women and girls we care about - should have to deal with the fear, the diagnosis, or treatment of breast cancer.

Please consider helping by donating $$ (every penny counts) and/or helping in my fundraising effort by: (1) donating items for our garage sale, (2) buying a "Pink for Patty" T-shirt (coming soon), (3) forwarding our story and donation website to everyone you know, and of course (4) letting me know of any other creative fundraising ideas you have.

I am required to raise at least $2200 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust (my personal goal is $3,000). You can "Donate to Dottie" directly on my fundraising website or by calling 800.996.3DAY. My participant number is 1586312.

Cheri and Pat (and possibly others) are considering joining and once they sign on the dotted line we will become a team of walkers (each needing to raise the $2,200 minimum). Please help support us.

Let's all think "Pink for Patty"!

Pathology Report

Patty, and I met with the surgeon today for surgery follow-up and to go over the pathology report. Patty is healing from the surgery nicely and needs pain pills less and less.

The pathology report, however, was not as bright as we had hoped. The tumor was 4 cm. It was not detected earlier because was more like a soft mass than a hard nodule. Without the MRI biopsy, a new technology, we would still be blissfully unaware of its existence. As this cancer is slow-growing, we have no idea how long it had been there. Had Patty been able to receive an MRI on her left breast eight years ago when we dealt with this on her right side, would we be dealing with this now? At this point we don’t know.

We had hoped that metastatic disease found in the sentinel lymph node would be contained within the lymph nodes. While we don’t know the answer to this question, it now seems highly unlikely. The pathology report showed that nine out of the ten nodes removed have been affected.

If the cancer has spread, it will most likely be found in the spine, a CT scan and a bone scan will determine this. We will find out more at Patty’s first visit with the oncologist on January 21st.

In order to more closely chronicle Patty's treatment and to provide a forum to champion early breast cancer detection via the use of MRIs, we have created a personal blog. The blog is located here: http://patandpattydrew.blogspot.com/. Please share this blog site with anyone who you feel can benefit from it.

Patty and I believe that God has a plan in all of this. Whether it is to strengthen our faith or to help save lives by lobbying for the use of MRI scans in early detection, we don’t know. But there is a plan. We just want to be part of it.

Thank you for your prayers during this challenging time.

We love you all,

Pat and Patty

To my Dad on his (54th) birthday

We don't always see eye to eye
arguments and sometimes harsh words
are felt with the heart, and not always heard
as god is my witness here i stand
to tell you i love you and not to demand
if i had a choice on what father to have
no better than you and that makes me glad
there comes a time when no words be said
and all anger is put to bed
the future before us sunny and bright
lead by Gods shining light
i felt it was time to speak my mind
what better way than in a birthday rhyme
billie says hi with love sent your way
hope you have a great birthday




love you dad happy birthday
Devonne

Patty's Grandchildren, Emi and Kati

Emi is wearing the party's Piñata as a spring hat and Kati decided to tend to her driving skills in her tike mobil. You go girls!