My Message on the “Bright Run” Wall of Hope, 9/10/11
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The last few months, since about the second week of March when I found a very large lump in my breast, have been a blur.
It happened right after attending a professionally exhilarating Catersource 2011 Conference and Trade Show where I enjoyed presenting as a panelist speaker and judging in several prestigious categories at the International Caterers’ Associations’ “CATIE AWARDS” gala.
So, after a great week of education, networking and inspiration, I was pumped and ready to make some changes. I HAD NO IDEA!!
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on April 8, 2011. My mother was in Las Vegas on April 11th and the “Amazing Race” was on for tests and more tests. As we met with doctors under my insurance plan and then doctors I really wanted who were not, I got the whole scary picture of what I was up against and I was more afraid of the costs than the disease!
Still being a citizen of Canada, my husband, my parents and I made the very hard but wise decision that only I would return to do all my treatments in my home town at the amazing Juravinski Cancer Center in Hamilton, Ontario with an incredible health team. I returned to Canada just before Easter and began chemotherapy immediately which was completed in August. I am so blessed to have come through that ordeal with great results and, not too worse for the wear, thank G-d.
I write this post on the eve of my surgery. Radiation to follow and then another IV drug treatment for a year after (that would be $100K alone in the USA but covered in FULL in Canada)!
I won’t get into THAT argument here now or anytime, but I will say that, for financial and logistical reasons, “coming home” to enjoy the benefits of Canadian citizenship was the best decision I ever made for my survival and well being.
I will be here in Canada for an extended period of time and taking an extended leave of absence from my business and from planning weddings and events in Las Vegas. I’m taking one step and day at a time and I know that I will be a SURVIVOR!
One thing I will make an argument for is this; LOSE THE WEIGHT (if you have to) or maintain a healthy one, exercise, go to the doctor, get MAMMOGRAMS or other important medical tests when (if) you are due. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF because you only have this one life and this one body to live it in. I know that sounds hokey. Oh well, it’s true! If my story can be of service to anyone, it is that I would have never found the lump if I had not lost the weight!! Losing weight SAVED MY LIFE! I reversed the self-imposed curse of Type 2 onset Diabetes and, in the nick of time, gave myself a shot at hopefully many more years to enjoy life with those I love and do great things for others in whatever way I may choose in the event world or beyond that.
To ALL the venues, creative wedding partners and my wedding planner colleagues who are doing an amazing job of stepping up to take over the weddings that I could not continue planning this year; Jeannie Ward of Wedding Jeannie and Veronica Medrano of Summit Events Catering in California, Juliet Douglas, Angelica McDonnell of Green Orchid Events and Dennis Silknitter at the Four Seasons Resort, Las Vegas….THANK YOU!
To Danielle and Terry, Theresa and Dave, Allison and Ron, Natalia and Rhett; being part of planning your weddings this year was/is a great thrill and honor. Although I couldn’t be there for you in person, I was and will be celebrating every moment with you on your day and thrilled for you! I know you will make every moment count and I WANT PICTURES!!
Please contact my Las Vegas Wedding Planning colleagues if you are looking for assistance in planning your wedding celebration. Whomever you choose from this list, you will be well taken care of by all wonderfully talented, passionate, professional, creative and professional women I am proud to call my friends.
www.GreenOrchidEvents.com-Contact Owner Juliet Douglas
www.EppolitoEvents.com-Contact Owner Andrea Eppolito
www.CLMWeddings.com-Contact Owner Christie McCoy-Hjelm
www.SchemeEvents.com-Partners Rissa Merkley-Gunderson, Traci McMaster, Tara Cox, Jacqueline Butler
www.SimplyWeddings.com-Contact Owner Brit Bertino
www.PriscillaDrozd.com-Contact Owner Priscilla Drozd.
Thank you and, for now, wishing you happy planning for your wedding or special event Celebrated with LOVE, LIFE and STYLE!!!
Fondly,
Tracey Kumer-Moore