The Telephone Call

August 17, 2007 was a Friday and I was off from work. I had gotten the kids off to school and decided to lay down and rest a while longer because I felt so tired.

At 10:12 a.m. the telephone rang and I ran to answer it. I said "Hello." The person on the other end of the phone said "May I speak to Tara, please." I said "Speaking." He said "This is David Holl with Mary Kay. Do you have a few minutes?" I replied "Yes." He started talking about seminar and shared with me that he had announced my pink scarf project on seminar stage. He said when he spoke about the project he didn't know the name of the consultant who was responsible for the it and but he had hoped that person would be in the audience to be recognized publicly. I told him that I started the pink scarf project but didn't attend this year due to my mom's death and my own cancer diagnosis. He commended me for the work that I was doing and we continued visiting about my health.

This phone call confirmed once again that I was working with the best company in the world. There are so many consultants/directors in Mary Kay and I knew I must be someone special when Mr. Holl chose to call and talk with me. Wow!

A Very Special Friend

I had met a very special person at the Relay for Life in June - Scott Wild. We were both getting things out of our cars for the Relay. He was parked behind me and he said "Do you want to see a lady in a pink scarf?" I said "Sure." So I walk back to his car and he had a picture of me on his computer. He told me that I would have a copy of the picture by the end of the evening. I couldn't believe his generosity. We continued to talk and I shared that I was trying to get a website for my project. He said "done." He would take care of everything! I stood in disbelief. Why would someone do this? Well, I soon learned that Scott was just that kind of person. He's always willing to help and use his talent for whomever is in need. Later that evening Scott came to my tent and handed me a framed picture of the "pink scarf lady". I was so touched!

Scott designed a website for my project and had it up and running in August.

Thank you, Scott, for all that you've done for me. I value you and your friendship more than you know!

Seminar 2007

Each year there's a big celebration in Dallas, Texas for Mary Kay and it's usually at the end of July or begining of August. This year I chose not to go because of my mom's death and my health warranted that I stay home. However, I learned from my director when she returned that my project was mentioned on seminar stage in Dallas, TX, by Mr. David Holl. I was speechless!

July 6, 2007

I was admitted to the hospital to receive radioactive iodine. The radioactive iodine was given to absorb any residual tissue that may have been in my body following surgery.

I spent three days in isolation which meant that the most time that any one person could spend in my room was 20 minutes. I thought I was going to be really lonely because I enjoy being around people. But this time was really nice because it gave me time to think and process what had gone on during the last three months.

The nurses call time in isolation a "vacation." I would agree with that after being there. The staff took great care of me!

A Celebration...

Today, June 25, 2007, is my daughter's 6th birthday. I knew this day was going to be hard to get through and I knew I had to do it for my daughter and my family.

My husband arranged a wonderful birthday party. Our families came to our home to celebrate. My dad, my brothers, and I found it very difficult to smile, to be happy, and we simply didn't feel like celebrating. My daughter didn't know that we were hurting. We made it very apparent we were there to celebrate her special day.

At the end of the evening before my daughter went to bed she said she had wished grandma could have been at her party. I told her she was. I explained to her that grandma was in heaven looking down and grandma wished her a happy birthday.

A Birthday Party???

My mom's funeral was in four days and somehow I needed to get ready for a funeral and plan a birthday party. I'll be honest, I sure didn't feel like celebrating. I also knew I couldn't and shouldn't put my family aside but I was emotionally drained. I asked my husband if he would be willing to put together a birthday party with the family to celebrate our daughter's birthday. He agreed and I felt so relieved.

Mom, I love you!

Over the last several months my mom’s health was very precarious but I remained upbeat and trusted she would get better. In May, however, she was admitted to a nursing home. I would visit her every day, sometimes twice a day. We would sit and visit or watch The Price is Right. Sometimes she was resting when I came so I would sit next to her bed until she woke up. The time I spent with her was so precious and I valued every minute.
One evening when I came to visit her at the nursing home I learned she had a low grade fever most of the day and she was sleeping a lot. The next day they took her to the doctor and was immediately admitted to the hospital. I visited every day and tried my best to keep her company. One night when I came she seemed unusually quiet. I asked what was wrong and she said ”nothing.” She proceeded to say that she didn’t want me to ask her any questions or talk to her that evening. She just wanted to watch television while I was there. I respected her wishes and sat by her side holding her hand until it was time for me to go home.
Within several days, her prognosis wasn’t good. I learned she had acquired a staph infection and it took over her body.

My mom died on June 23, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. with her husband by her side. She was 75. Mom, thanks for being the special person you were. I think of you often and miss you so much!

Another surgery.......

On June 6, 2007 I had surgery to remove the left lobe of my thyroid. My doctor suspected it would have some cancer in it and it did - one nodule.

June 1, 2007 was life changing!

On June 1, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. I had an appointment with the surgeon as a follow-up to my May 16th surgery (right lobe of my thyroid was removed). I figured the doctor would look at the incision and that would be it. Instead, the doctor walked in and asked if anyone had told me the results of the biopsy. I told him no. He apologized and proceeded to share with me that I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer by the doctors at the Mayo Clinic and they found three cancerous nodules. He also said that a second opinion was obtained just to make sure and that confirmed the diagnosis. I sat there in disbelief. I thought I came in for a follow-up visit. I had no idea I was going to be told I had CANCER. The doctor recommended that I set up an appointment to have the other lobe removed because three nodules were found in the right lobe. I made that appointment and left the office.

Four hours after my diagnosis, I was on the podium at the Relay for Life Annual Survivor’s Banquet continuing my pink scarf campaign. I shared with them that I had a speech prepared but I decided to change it somewhat. I said “I joined your family today. I was diagnosed with cancer four hours ago.” The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. I proceeded with my pink scarf story and told them that anyone who had not received a pink scarf needed to stop by before they left for the evening and pick one up. I left the podium with a heart-felt standing ovation. Shortly thereafter, the survivor’s committee presented me with one of my own pink scarves. I knew I was passionate about this project when I started. However, I never imagined that I would become a member of the pink scarf family but I can say I’m a much better person because of it. I know from personal experience what it means to receive such a special gift.

One test, two tests, and then what?

My endocrinologist recommended that I have an ultrasound to confirm the suspicion of what he thought was an enlarged thyroid. I went to the test knowing what to expect and wasn't worried about the procedure. The procedure took quite a while. If fact, it seemed like it took forever. I started to worry because I knew an ultrasound usually doesn't take that long. After the gal was done with the procedure I asked "Didn't that take longer than usual?" She promptly replied "Yes." I shrugged it off and decided to wait for the test results from my doctor.

The test results came back confirming that the right lobe of my thyroid was enlarged. My doctor then recommended having a biopsy done and I made the necessary arrangements. I went to that appointment with some nervousness. I really didn't know what to expect. However, once I was in the room, the procedure went fairly quickly. It was painful at times but I knew that it would be over soon and I would be on my merry way.

The results of my biopsy were inconclusive. I looked at my doctor with disbelief. I said what happens now? He suggested that I have the right lobe of my thyroid removed. I had surgery on May 16, 2007.

Until next time........

A Surprise at the Doctor's Office

March, 2007 - I went to see my ob/gyn for my annual exam. After the exam was finished, I visited with my doctor and expressed concern about the difficulty I was having losing weight. He suggested that I meet with a dietician to ensure that I was eating the right foods, eating the right amount, and exercising. I met with the dietician and was assured that everything I had been doing was correct. She suggested that we meet weekly to monitor my progress and I did.

April, 2007 - After several weeks of not seeing any weight loss, the dietician suggested that I see an endocrinologist. I made my appointment and visited with the endocrinologist. He had me drink some water as he felt my throat and he said that he suspected that the right lobe of my thyroid was enlarged and suggested further testing.

The diagnosis really didn't affect me that day. I had more important things on my mind. My mom's health was very precarious so I focused all my time and energy on her.

More to come.......

The Evolution of the Pink Scarf

In October of 2006 Mary Kay had a promotion where the hostess of a Mary Kay party was given a pink wrap to help generate awareness of breast cancer. A portion of the company's proceeds from the promotional sales went to the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, which funnels money to women affected by cancer or domestic violence. I decided to give them not only to my hostesses, also, to women who were recently diagnosed with cancer, or were survivors of cancer. The first pink wrap went to Bismarck Police Chief Deb Ness, a breast cancer. The Mary Kay promotion soon came to an end and I knew I wasn't ready to stop. I had watched three women in my family fight and beat cancer and I wanted to do something to help others get through it so I decided to knit pink scarves and donate each one to someone special.

Until next time......