Betsy Daub

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We’ve always been good at having a somewhat complicated life. And - we’re at it again. In the midst of a global pandemic, we: decided to sell our home; buy a 150 year-old home in New Mexico that needs restoration; quit Betsy’s job; move part of the family to New Mexico while Susanna and Henry lease an apartment in St. Paul for her to finish the school year; move Susanna and Henry to New Mexico when school went virtual; move Susanna and Henry back to St. Paul when school went unvirtual again; and move Mattie and boyfriend Ezra back to St. Paul for Mattie to take a new job. And then - Betsy got breast cancer.

So now the whole family, minus Max the dog who is still in NM (!), is in Minnesota and Betsy is preparing for cancer surgery. Of course, the apartment is too damned small for our whole circus - and so Betsy and Susanna are temporarily house sitting for friends who are out of town and who so generously offered it for our use. 

Betsy’s cancer was found in a routine mammogram about 10 days ago (mid-January). In the last few days, she had additional imaging and a biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis. Good news: it is small and considered early stage. Not so good news: further imaging shows some other areas of concern. So now she is having additional imaging and biopsies this week - which will help determine if we do a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation or a mastectomy. 

Three months ago, we could never imagine we’d now be away from our New Mexico mountains, away from our beloved Max the dog, facing cancer surgery and living in someone else’s house! But we are so blessed with our amazing network of friends here and across the country - from Nancy who is caring for Max, to Cathy and Michael who have opened their home, to so many family and friends praying and offering support and food and love. We know we are so lucky. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

And…did you know when you get cancer, they give you a tote bag?!