Barbara Cook

      Most of you know me as fun loving always smiling and full of laughter. I'm a tough single mom who's always striving for a better calmer life for me and Hunter. Life has not always been so easy, because before I was adopted I went through all kinds of abuse as a very young child untill my last foster mom adopted me at age 11. I've been through all kinds of life's seasons  with marriage, having my son Hunter and moving from place to place along with divorce and starting over. I am so grateful for all the experiences and friends along the way!
The last thing you want as a woman is to think one day that you might have felt something unusual while doing a self exam. Mom and I talked over the phone about the fact that there was a sensitivity and hardness in my right breast and arm pit. My girlfriends agreed and told me it would be a good idea to have it checked. So I made a OBGYN appointment Monday Dec. 11th and at that point, I was advised to go to the Jane Brattain Cancer Center in St Louis Park, MN.  After the mammogram on Monday Dec. 18th and it was decided that a breast biopsy was needed. The breast biopsy/ lymph nodes was scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 20th.  The Nurse called on Friday Dec 22nd and indicated that the breast biopsy was positive for breast cancer.  She then scheduled me for my first appointment to the Frauenshuh Cancer Center to go over options and therapy ideas with my new oncologist.  He was thinking that the cancer was at Stage II or  maybe III.  He ordered an ECHO, MRI, PET Scan, Bone biopsy.   From there two possible types of treatment plans (chemo) with a possible double mastectomy if the tests showed the cancer still isolated to the original areas.
       My ECHO showed that I have a good heart!!   The MRI showed multiple areas involved.  The PET scan showed bone metastatic through my right arm, chest bone, left lung, neck lymph nodes, and hip bone along with test showing positive PR and ER.  During my consultation on Friday Jan 12th, my Dr reviewed that the tests that had been performed all indicated Stage IV.  I know that this hits all of you to the core and I want to let you all know that this is just another season of learning for me and taking one day at a time.
     There are things that I will need help with: emotional support, grocery shopping, and friends visiting (No sickies...lol).  There is a personal fundraiser link here with a purple $ sign, which leads to my go fund me page for those of you who may have the ability to help me with bills and other things that I will need assistance with.  I'll have hand sanitizer for any of you fun visitors!!  

Also, help with pre cooked meals, gift cards to places like Cub Food, Target, CVS, and Kohls (I will be on a great weight loss med....LOL) colorful hats, leggings (I'm between a 1L/2XL)or cozy colorful sox. Cards,  Visa, MasterCard and Amazon gift cards are needed for all the fun knick knacks I might need in the house to combat chemo brain. 

I really enjoy: Lillys, Orchids and roses, Art, sketching, drawing, and painting. Comedy is a biggy and documentaries of all sorts especially movies. Oh yeah along with chocolates and hand written letters (please see my FB or text me for my address)! 😳😵I know right that's crazy talk... who does that now a days!!! Haha. So I hope to have healthy visitors from you couch potatoes out there... not kidding! Since this girls going to be resting and taking it easy a ton more than I ever wanted to! My mind and body are having it out on remembering that it's the battle of a life time.  If this were the movie Rocky be game on! Ha ha 

All of you supporting me have been so wonderful through the years.  I have so many lovely memories that make me smile throughout the day. I admire and cherish all of you. Keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming. 
Love an peace,
Barbie