In October 2007 I went in and had my annual Mammogram, something I had promised my Doctor that I would do every year because of family history.
The following week I got a letter in the mail telling me that they had found a mass in my left breast and would like to schedule an appointment for a mammogram. I was a little nervous about it but not too concerned, until the results of the second mammogram came back. There was definitely a mass there. Now they wanted to do a guided biopsy, I knew before the biopsy what the answer would be. I knew because my Grandma D, my Mom, my Aunt and two of my Cousins had all been diagnosed with breast cancer in their left breast.
So I went through the tests, met with the cancer Doctor, and then was time for the ultrasound that would mark the way to the mass for surgery. So as I lay there looking at the puzzled look on Dr. Conmey's face I got scared all I could imagine was him saying it has grown in size or it has changed shape or something. Instead he said, "It is a sneaky little thing, it is alluding us." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "Well I can not find it and I don't understand." I said, "I do, I believe in the power of prayer and believe me I have a LOT of people praying for me." He looked at me with tears in his eyes, patted me on the shoulder and walked out.
We had just sold our house in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and were staying with my Daughter Heidi and her family, in Verndale (the town where I was raised). We had been building our new house on some land that we bought from my Dad...yes to be back home again. On CHRISTmas Eve Heidi brought the phone in to my bedroom and said it was Dr. Conmey, my heart hit the very pit of my stomach. When I answered the phone he said, "I wanted to give you your first Christmas present, are you sitting down?" So I sat on the edge of the bed and cried as I heard the words "it is official, there is NO cancer." Of coarse I told my husband Larry and the kids as they were all sitting in the living room holding their breath. Then I called my Mom and daughter Jamie and the rest of the family. I cried more happy tears the next couple of days than I had when I was sure it was cancer.
I knew that GOD had given me a second chance and I knew I had to do something very special with it. So I sat down with Heidi and told her what I thought. She said okay so we need to combine our two passions and do something with that. So was born "Saddle Up For The Cure."
The first year we just rode in a couple area Parades and held a large Trail Ride. We had 30 people signed up and enough food to feed an army. We had 6 horses and riders, and 8 helpers show up. But it was the most perfect trail ride yet. Somehow that day a bunch of strangers got together and bonded into a family, Today we are inseparable. The second summer we rode in 17 Parades in 10 weeks, and had our annual trail ride at Shell City with 18 riders. The third year we have done craft shows, bake sales, 11 Parades, and our Fall Trail Ride at Shell City. This year we were Blessed to be able to have my Mom come up and speak at our Fall Trail Ride.
Each year we have more people who need help than we have money to be able to help. So we knew we had to come up with an idea to raise more money. So was born "Trail Ride Across Minnesota". We will be starting out at the Fargo/Moorhead State Line and ending about 250 miles later South of Duluth at the Minnesota Wisconsin State Line.
So far we have been able to help out with A benefit for a wonderful lady named Ruby. (Find her story on our "Prayers and Praise" tab.) We have been able to help by a form (or prosthesis) for a gal who had a full mastectomy and her insurance would not pay for it. We were also very honored to be asked to be Honorary Paul Bearers for one of our group members and very dear friend Patty Greenwood, who battled breast cancer and stood strong till the end. What an amazing lady, and inspiration. We Love and miss you everyday Patty. Please read her story on our "In Memory" tab. We also go in and help cook, clean, or grocery shop when the person is too weak or ill to do it. We help get them to Dr. appointments or treatments, or just lend an ear or shoulder when they need. We also send up a LOT of prayers for ANYONE who asks for them. We have also been able to help a couple people buy their medicine when the insurance would not cover all of it.
I would also like to say Praise you LORD for choosing my daughter and I to be able to do this and to be able to meet so many wonderful people. And thank you for a wonderful, helpful, and understanding husband like Larry.
The following week I got a letter in the mail telling me that they had found a mass in my left breast and would like to schedule an appointment for a mammogram. I was a little nervous about it but not too concerned, until the results of the second mammogram came back. There was definitely a mass there. Now they wanted to do a guided biopsy, I knew before the biopsy what the answer would be. I knew because my Grandma D, my Mom, my Aunt and two of my Cousins had all been diagnosed with breast cancer in their left breast.
So I went through the tests, met with the cancer Doctor, and then was time for the ultrasound that would mark the way to the mass for surgery. So as I lay there looking at the puzzled look on Dr. Conmey's face I got scared all I could imagine was him saying it has grown in size or it has changed shape or something. Instead he said, "It is a sneaky little thing, it is alluding us." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "Well I can not find it and I don't understand." I said, "I do, I believe in the power of prayer and believe me I have a LOT of people praying for me." He looked at me with tears in his eyes, patted me on the shoulder and walked out.
We had just sold our house in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and were staying with my Daughter Heidi and her family, in Verndale (the town where I was raised). We had been building our new house on some land that we bought from my Dad...yes to be back home again. On CHRISTmas Eve Heidi brought the phone in to my bedroom and said it was Dr. Conmey, my heart hit the very pit of my stomach. When I answered the phone he said, "I wanted to give you your first Christmas present, are you sitting down?" So I sat on the edge of the bed and cried as I heard the words "it is official, there is NO cancer." Of coarse I told my husband Larry and the kids as they were all sitting in the living room holding their breath. Then I called my Mom and daughter Jamie and the rest of the family. I cried more happy tears the next couple of days than I had when I was sure it was cancer.
I knew that GOD had given me a second chance and I knew I had to do something very special with it. So I sat down with Heidi and told her what I thought. She said okay so we need to combine our two passions and do something with that. So was born "Saddle Up For The Cure."
The first year we just rode in a couple area Parades and held a large Trail Ride. We had 30 people signed up and enough food to feed an army. We had 6 horses and riders, and 8 helpers show up. But it was the most perfect trail ride yet. Somehow that day a bunch of strangers got together and bonded into a family, Today we are inseparable. The second summer we rode in 17 Parades in 10 weeks, and had our annual trail ride at Shell City with 18 riders. The third year we have done craft shows, bake sales, 11 Parades, and our Fall Trail Ride at Shell City. This year we were Blessed to be able to have my Mom come up and speak at our Fall Trail Ride.
Each year we have more people who need help than we have money to be able to help. So we knew we had to come up with an idea to raise more money. So was born "Trail Ride Across Minnesota". We will be starting out at the Fargo/Moorhead State Line and ending about 250 miles later South of Duluth at the Minnesota Wisconsin State Line.
So far we have been able to help out with A benefit for a wonderful lady named Ruby. (Find her story on our "Prayers and Praise" tab.) We have been able to help by a form (or prosthesis) for a gal who had a full mastectomy and her insurance would not pay for it. We were also very honored to be asked to be Honorary Paul Bearers for one of our group members and very dear friend Patty Greenwood, who battled breast cancer and stood strong till the end. What an amazing lady, and inspiration. We Love and miss you everyday Patty. Please read her story on our "In Memory" tab. We also go in and help cook, clean, or grocery shop when the person is too weak or ill to do it. We help get them to Dr. appointments or treatments, or just lend an ear or shoulder when they need. We also send up a LOT of prayers for ANYONE who asks for them. We have also been able to help a couple people buy their medicine when the insurance would not cover all of it.
I would also like to say Praise you LORD for choosing my daughter and I to be able to do this and to be able to meet so many wonderful people. And thank you for a wonderful, helpful, and understanding husband like Larry.