Unionville couple goes big and pink in fight against breast cancer

Charley Gaebel’s attention-getting approach — a giant pink dump truck — is intended to inspire others

By Kim Chiomento, Staff Writer, The Times

Now cancer free, Unionville’s Denise Gaebel stands in front of her husband’s new pink dump truck — one he colored pink as a tribute to his wife’s brave battle against the disease.

EAST MARLBOROUGH — In March 2007, when Charley & Denise Gaebel started their family business, Trio Excavating, little did they know they the grueling journey the next six years would hold.  In October of that year, just seven months after the business opened, Denise received the terrifying diagnosis of breast cancer.

At the age of 39, Denise diligently scheduled her base-line mammogram which yielded typical results.  She had no family history of breast cancer, and does not fall into any high-risk factor categories; so she “checked-off that box” and quickly moved on with her busy life; raising three daughters and working as a sales representative for the gift industry.

When Denise returned for a subsequent mammogram at the age of 43, she was shocked when the test results showed 8 centimeters of cancer, as she describes, “zig-zagged” throughout her breast.  “I couldn’t believe it,” says Denise.  She explains, “I am so thankful that I scheduled that mammogram. Doctors told me it would have been nearly impossible to feel a lump or breast tissue change with this type of cancer.  I am very lucky.”

Denise and Charley Gaebel and the big pink truck — already a difficult to miss symbol of hope and the fight against breast cancer, seen on roadways in and around the Unionville and Kennett areas.

Due to her cancer’s erratic and invasive pattern, a lumpectomy was simply not an option.  Denise underwent a mastectomy.  Following surgery, doctors also found a tumor in her breast; resulting in chemotherapy along with a year of Herceptine infusions (a drug that helps reduce the rate of cancer reoccurrence.) In addition, Denise learned that her type of cancer was estrogen driven.  Based on this revelation, she was also placed on a rigorous protocol of Tamoxifen, (a well known, and commonly used, anti-estrogen therapy); another successful tool in helping to prevent additional cancer from developing.

Following her mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, Denise was under close observation, faithfully keeping-up with doctor’s appointments every three months.  In 2012, when she found a lump in her reconstructed breast, she didn’t panic.  Denise believed it was likely just a fatty tissue deposit, which can be quite common, especially when reconstructive surgery uses tissue from other parts of your body

A lumpectomy revealed that it was not fatty tissue but, to her horror, another cancerous mass; a relatively rare condition in a reconstructed breast.  Once again, the Gaebels geared-up for an exhausting fight and leaned on their strong faith to guide them.

Denise says, “As a mom of three daughters, I have chosen to never hide my cancer and want to share our journey.  My message to them, and everyone, is to walk through it; whatever challenge you may be handed in life, walk on–keep going, and most importantly you must trust in God.”

The message — like the truck itself — isn’t subtle, but is a rolling reminder of breast cancer awareness, the need for early testing and research.

Walk-on they did.  Today, following a hysterectomy, lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation Denise is cancer free and is proudly here to enjoy and share the story of the pink truck’s panache.

“It was ALL Charley’s idea!” says Denise, “When he told me it was time to invest in a new truck a few months ago, he mentioned he had some thoughts, but I had no clue what he was really thinking.”

As their purchase got closer and details began to take shape, Charley shared his unique concept with Denise including incorporating his own breast cancer awareness mantra: “Big and Small, Save Them All!”

Denise laughed and loved it.

“The only involvement I had was helping select the final shade of pink and I did suggest the inspirational messages on the sides of the truck: ‘Pray for a Cure’ and ‘Hope, Faith and Love’  as having strong faith was the most powerful weapon in my fight to overcome this often deadly disease.”

When you are out and about, be on the lookout for the eye-popping-pink Trio Excavating truck with its humorous and inspiring messages; it is certain to make you smile.  The Gaebels simply hope that that this iconic truck, will in some small way, inspire you and your loved ones to “walk through” and stay strong in the face of all of life’s challenges.

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