 Hi! I'm Tommi Simcox, the founder of Here's To A Sweet Recovery. I am thrilled that you are visiting our site! Here's the Reader's Digest version of my story and how this all began...
I turned 30 years old on August 13, 2006 and on August 28, 2006, my life was changed forever. I discovered a golf ball size lump in my left breast. I went and had it checked out immediately and had to wait a while since Labor Day weekend was right there. On Sept 9, I was diagnosed with IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma), Grade 3. It turned my world upside down. The doctors wanted to treat it very aggressively with my age and by the end of the month and a whole bunch of tests later, I began my chemotherapy. They didn't want to do surgery first because they wanted to shrink my 5 centimeter tumor and kill off any floating cancer that was in my body. After 6 chemo treatments, ending on Jan 16, 2007, we got the terrific news that my tumor had shrunk to 4 millimeters! Unfortunately, I still had to make a decision about radical surgery since I had tested positive in Dec for the BRCA 1 gene. This meant my chances of a new breast cancer, a reoccurence of my cancer and ovarian cancers were much higher than the normal person. I opted to have EVERYTHING removed. So, on February 28, I had a bilateral mastectomy and complete hysterectomy. The physical recovery wasn't as bad as I imagined but the emotional part was way harder than I ever thought possible. I thought I wanted to wait to have my reconstruction in the summer time so I could get the 35 pounds that I gained during chemo off but I couldn't wait that long. Everyday I had to look in the mirror without a chest, the sadder I got. I had to take action fast. I did lots of research on the internet and finally opted for the DIEP procedure. It was perfect for me. I had my Stage 1 reconstruction on April 11, 2007 in New Orleans, LA. So far, I am extremely pleased with my results. I was supposed to go for Stage 2 on August 16 but I had a HUGE curveball thrown at me.
At the end of July 2007, I began to have headaches, dizziness and just an overall drunk feeling and knew something wasn't quite right. On July 31, 2007, I was diagnosed with metastic breast cancer in my brain stem. We immediately did the Gamma Knife procedure since the tumor is in an inoperable location then followed it up with 15 treatments of the controversial whole brain radiation. I finished those on September 24, and it was absolutely horrible. I had to take 8mg of Decadron steroids daily to control the swelling in my brain. It swelled me up like a tick, made me mean, have sleepless nights, and made my hair fall out again.
Since then, we've simply been playing the waiting game. The tumor had shrunk significantly but now it's swelling again and we're not sure why. We're praying it's still dying off and that the dead tissue is causing the problems and NOT that the tumor is active and growing again. Last results were on Valentines Day, so stay tuned for more results as we learn them.
Over this last year and a half, I have learned so much and have a new outlook on life. This nonprofit idea is just one thing I plan to do with my life now. I know God took me on this journey to share my story of healing and faith and I pray that I get do just that through Here's To A Sweet Recovery.
How Did This All Come To Be? Well, about week or so after my Feb. 28, 2007 surgery, I received this big box in the mail. I opened it and it was the most delicious strawberry cheesecake I've ever had in my life. That was fabulous but the note I received with the cheesecake has changed the course of my life. It was from Jessica Hubbard, a friend of a friend. The note inside said, "You are my hero. Here's to a sweet recovery." I was completely blown away and moved by the kindness of a stranger that took the time to send this to me and encourage me. I had no idea she was following my progress everyday through my Caringbridge journal. I couldn't get the phrase out of my head and couldn't get over how touched I was by the gesture in general. So....after my April 11, 2007 surgery when I was cooped up in my hotel in New Orleans recovering and couldn't sleep, the phrase "Here's To A Sweet Recovery" would not leave my head. It was as if God was speaking to me and this grand idea to send Cheesecakes to women who have just been through breast cancer surgery wouldn't go away. I shared it with my Mom the next morning and she LOVED the idea and insisted that I follow up with it once I got home. I talked to lots of people and did some research and got a tremendously positive response for the idea but the one thing that I heard over and over is that cheesecake is expensive and not everyone likes it. So, now it's chocolate chip cookies. Everybody likes those and the cost is much less, therefore we can help more women.
When I consulted an attorney about it, he said the idea was great and noble but it had to be more than just lifting spirits for the IRS to approve it as a 501 c 3. He said it needed to educate women somehow. So, after lots of soul searching and talking to other folks, I decided that I wanted to make the "homework" for reconstruction simpler. Most people only know about 2 options: implants and TRAM. There are several more out there that people are unaware of and don't even know where to start to find out what options will be best. I want to make a brochure/pamphlet that gives a starting point and also other resources through this website.
In Conclusion: Here's To A Sweet Recovery's mission is to brighten the day of a woman who is going through a very tough and life changing surgery and to educate her on the options to bring her body as close to back to normal as possible! We are in the beginning stages so please check back often and watch us grow!! We truly believe this organization will be nationwide one day and bring smiles to many, many women when they need it most!! If you want to read my entire journey, please visit www.TommiSimcox.com .
Any and all donations are accepted and greatly appreciated while we get this off the ground!! Make sure you check out our upcoming events! 
Email Us
|
