fighting breast cancer

update

2012-05-14T17:14:00.000-04:00

I had Cat scan and it is normal. I am cancer free. I am having port taking out Monday. I am so happy. I can't wait.

Last herceptin

2011-12-06T18:17:00.000-05:00

Friday was last dose. I'm sad but glad. I will miss the nurses and other wonderful ladies. I want miss the dose and the meds. Glad that part is done finally it's been a long journey.
I did first tatoo and may not continue. I got very dizzy later on that night in shower. i felt light headed and sick. It passed after 5-10 mins. Jeff got me a coke and worried about me. I thought it might be antibotic but didn't feel that way again so can't be that. Hard to decide.

My out spoken, grumpy, hateful,and well the not nice word attitude is a good thing but bad. I am learning to keep it under control but It will take sometime. I ain't gonna take meds cause I love my new attitude. Some people will just have to get over it cause this is the new me.

God Bless everyone!!!!!!

Susan G Komen Walk

2011-10-28T18:56:00.000-04:00

It was great. We got there about 7:30 am. I got to sign t-shirt and got a pink hat with a pink ribbon to put on it. I got to set with other survivors. Jeff & kids took pictures of me with the group. We walked around to many tents. Got a few free gifts like scarf, pens, and more. We bought bracelets and Carl got a hat.
We did the Family walk which started at 9 am. Ronald Mcdonal started the race. We walked a mile. I loved it. Over 13,000 people were at the walk/run this year. It was tear breaking to see just how many are touched by this desease. At the end the survivors go to one side were we are greeted by Mike Witcher from channel 10 news and mens basketball team who gave out pink carnations.
It was a great adventure. Im glad my family was there with me. It was special to me and meant more to me than anyone could ever know. I thank God for my husband and kids.
I do want to thank all those who continue to pray from me and my family. Your prayers are felt daily. Thanks for all your support.

Get Ready......Race Oct 22nd

2011-10-01T20:10:00.000-04:00

I am getting ready for walk. I am trying to walk in our back yard everyday for 20-40 mins.
I hope to see you at the race. Thanks!

Progress

2011-10-01T20:09:00.004-04:00

Had herceptin Friday. Got to see Doctor too. He said everything looks great. I only have three more treatments left. I am glad. I had diarrhea friday night. I felt rough. I felt great today. Just part of it. I am starting megace for hot flashes again. I hope it helps. I started new pill for five years back in Aug. The hot flashes aren't as bad as before. I have gained 15 pounds since I started this new journey. My knees hurt more often now too. May be the weight. I am sleeping better at night without pills. Yeah!! I am not pleased with boobs yet. Dr gotta do more work on it. Tattooing starts in a month or so. He may have to graph more skin to add for nipple.I just want it to be done.

I have joined the Race, Now it's your turn.....

2011-08-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

I wanted to join the Susan G. Komen Race last yr but due to treatments didn't. I have joined this year and want my friends and family to join me. Below is my team name and the link to click to join the race. You can walk with me, my husband Jeff, Vanessa and Carl. We would love to see you there. Thanks!

Thanks for all your support and wonderful felt prayers!

Team Name Laughter & Faith Wins!

http://komenknoxville.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&eventID=508&participantID=25117

final stage of reconstruction

2011-08-16T15:52:00.000-04:00

I had surgery on Aug 10th. I had ovaries removed. Then plastic surgeon took fat from belly to add to left breast. He made a nipple. He cut on right breast to give it better shape and moved nipple. I really struggled with this but figured what the heck. Let him do what he does best. I look at it now its ugly. I have a nipple that looks partially black and no feelin. The other one is bruised and yellow but I feel it. This is hard to look at but the end result will be great. I just Thank God for letting this journey be an easy one for me. I have learned alot about myself and others.
God has taught me to be myself more don't hold myself back. I need to do what I like doing and not let others stop me. I want to help people and love Gods people better. I just want to serve him and make this a better place to live for all of us.
I have great support from family and friends. Some of them have went beyond what I thought of them. Thanks! I have made new friends and gain a closer relationship with one friend.
It has been great. I look forward to my future.

Thanking God for new life

2011-06-05T09:44:00.000-04:00

I had my surgery wed June1. I now have gel implants in both breast. I look a little more normal now. I am thrilled about about. I was a sore Thursday and some Friday. This weekend I feel great like nothing happened.
I thank God daily for all he has done and all he will do for me and my love ones. I pray that all of you will be blessed and see Gods wonderful gifts. He teaches me daily and I am trying to learn how I should walk with him and teach others about his wonderful loving spirit.
My sister has exspanders in and is finally getting her new breast process started. She has been going through it since 09. Mom and Sis came up this wkend. She is doing good.

Have a great week. God bless you all.

Just update on how things are going.

2011-04-19T15:55:00.000-04:00

I am enjoying the short hair cut. I still prefer longer hair but this is cool for now. I am working on getting hot flashes under control. Gyn. visit went great. Trying to decide if I want ovaries taken out. I think I will. Go see Gyn Tuesday.

My surgery is June 2.I will have expander taken out and implant put in on left side. On the right side, He will cut muscle and insert implant. I decided to do it at one time. He said he could do it that way or two different surgeries. I will have another surgery to get fat to make nipple. No rush though. I look forward to moving own with my life.

It has been a journey but God has been there every step. I have voiced that to everyone I meet. I want to be a witness for Christ. I have a great story of how worry can be stopped and hope and faith can concur all.
Thanks for the prayers. God has definitely answered them.

Doing Great

2011-03-21T11:22:00.000-04:00

Well, I am done with treatments except Herceptin every three weeks. I am back at work and loving it. I got brave last Thursday and didn't wear my wig. My hair is one inch long and grayish. I decided that there are more imporant things in life than my looks. What God gives us every day is so much bigger than me. I have realized how important my life is and being a witness for God is more important than anything else. I must help my family and friends see what great things God has done for my family and me. If they need help in their life, God can help them through anything. He has been so great to me. My husband and children have been great and God has been there for them too.
I used to hate for anyone to touch my hair and almost beat Jeff a few times for touching it. I no longer think that way. I am doing better on focusing on what is really important and that is God. I will do what God wants me to do to the best of my abilities which God continues to improve my abilities and me in general. He can shape us and make us better if we just let him. We are trying to grow as Christians and do better for our family.
Thanks for all the prayers. I continue to pray for all of you and everyone that has cancer and/or knows someone with cancer. May you all grow closer to God and if you don't know him please contact me or a friend. Each day is very precious so don't wait.

I will let you know when surgery will be; I will have two of them.

God answers prayers

2011-02-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

God has been so good to me and my family through all of this so far. He has made the way. I never got really sick. I will take last radiation Thursday. I didn't realize the scare had to be treated differently so I have a few extra days. He is giving me 7 treatments on it which the first one was Wed so this Thursday will be the last one. My skin is a little pink but not bad. I have had worse sun burns. I have plenty of energy most of the time. I have maintained my weight all the way through this. My nails are fixin to break off but I am trying to keep polish on them to help hold them on. I wear colors like blue, purple and teal. I never did before. I am thinking outside the box now.
The really great thing is I am going back to work tomorrow in the classroom I was in when I quit work. I never thought I would get it back but God made things work out for everyone so I could return. I am so amazed by the great work God continues to do in my life. I prayed that he would show me where he wanted me to go. I thought maybe I needed to go back to college or try to find something else but he wants me to go back where I was before. He knows what is best. I only worried for two days then turned it completely over to him and forgot about it. I am trying to stop worry and let God help me through things. He will guide me and show me what I need to do and where I need to go. I am so thankful for his power, love and everything he is.

We must hold on for one more day because he will make a way. It's when we fully give it to him that things fall into place.

Back in swing of things

2011-02-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

Well this week has been going pretty good. Tuesday was a crazy day. I got to go at 9am my usually radiation time. So I made the comment that I am getting back in the routine of things. Well, opening my mouth jinks myself. I lay on this big table that moves sideways, up and down. They have to move it three times for treatments. I had two done and they were fixing to do the third. The table wouldn't go down. I was stuck up high. The Physic people, a man & woman, came in so I had to cover up. They tried some stuff but nothing worked. After 10 mins. they were able to get a crank to manually lower the table. I got dressed and headed out. I stopped to talk to a lady(her husband has throat cancer & is getting treatments) that I have became friends with while at radiation. Any ways, while I was talking to her they asked me to come back to the room and they would try to give me my last treatment for the day. I got to get it but had to wait 10 mins for machine to reboot. Then once positioned the radiation zapper didn't want to work after the third try it finally worked. What a Day!
Wed and Thursday(today) went well. I think things are getting better but can't say until Monday.
Just pray that God continues to guide me in the right direction and helps us make good choices. God answers prayers and he has been great to me and to my family. I try to leave things with God and let him lead the way. He makes doors open up and helps me see he is still with me.

I get down some days but God helps me back up. I just have to open my eyes and ears. He never leaves us even if we feel alone he is still there. I just have to refocus on him and everything falls in place. I thank God for my husband, my kids, my friends, and my family. I thank God for my health and my family's health. I thank him for all he has given to me and to my family. I am glad I know God and I am his child forever!

Long Week

2011-01-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

Well I went to radiation on Monday. He said to take this week off and get my plastic surgeon to take some fluid out of expander. So I went on Wed. to get 100cc taken out. I returned to radiation on Thursday to do another Cat scan of my breast. The doctor will look it over and redo position for radiation. I will go on Monday to get remarked for radiation and get 15th radiation treatment. I have a total of 30 treatments so I should have last one on Feb. 21 Presidents' Day. If weather permits I should be done by then.
I will get 100cc put back in after radiation is complete. I have appointment 4 weeks to return to Plastic surgeon. Then six weeks later I should be ready for reconstruction surgery. I hope.
This week has been long but it is finally over.

About radiation..

2011-01-13T09:49:00.000-05:00

Dr said that I have to be very careful now about cuts and watch for arm swelling now. Some people get arm swelling due to rad in the lymph node areas. Also, getting cuts or small scratches could cause an infection. So I can't play with the cat any more and be careful with our dog too. I have to wear gloves if I do gardening. When I cook I have to be careful about getting burns or using a knife. I got a new knife and when I use it I use the chopping board so I don't cut my self.
I plan on talking to him some more about this cause I worry about getting cuts and scratches. I haven't be able to go all week but I hope to go tomorrow. I want be able to talk to the Dr until Monday. I will talk to someone tomorrow though. I must get more info on this. My sister had trouble with swelling but she had more lymph nodes taken out.
I will be asking more questions.

Tired of Snow...

2011-01-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

Please! I love the snow but for three days I have had to miss Rad. I hope I can go tomorrow. The roads are slick today but Jeff made it out. I was so worried. I was very relieved once he called.
I am so upset about missing my appointments this week. I just wanted to get this behind me but I guess all things come in time.
I know God is always right on time but it's really hard to be patient. I am trying to be.

One very important note: Beltz and Foust called yesterday. My eco came back good 64%. One new thing, they have a new program which can tell how hard the heart has to push the blood out. The people who read it aren't sure if mine is normal because they never tested anyone that has been on chemo and herceptin. So Foust said the heart Dr recommend more eco's which he was already going to do anyways. So, for now we don't need to worry.

Kids had a blast in the snow. They made a snow fort. It is over 5 ft tall. It's cool.

This is what helps me everyday.............Faith......

2011-01-08T10:26:00.000-05:00

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Faith is God's antidote to fear
by Rick Warren

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Numbers 13:30 NIV)

" Faith is what allows us to declare in confidence that God is with us no matter what happens."

The way to overcome our fears is to follow Jesus in faith. Our faith is what allows us to enter the future -- not with a question mark -- but with an exclamation point!
Faith is what allows us to declare in confidence that God is with us no matter what happens. We are certain God is for us and certain he has our best interests at heart.
Through faith, we know that God is working all things out for our good -- if we love God and are following the commands of Jesus (Romans 8:28). If you are a believer, the Bible says all things are working together for good -- not that all things are good -- but working together for your good and the Glory of God.
There is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, or disaster in the life of a believer that God can’t ultimately get some good out of – so what is there to fear, as we enter this Decade of Destiny?
When you face the future, what do you see? Do you look at it with eyes of doubt? With eyes of cynicism? With eyes of expecting the worse?
You have two choices about the future –

You can either face the future as a cynic, a doubter, with negative thoughts, expecting the worse, or …

You can face the future expecting God to be with you and that His goodness and His mercy will follow you all the days of your life.

If like this then you can sign up and receive them daily by using the link below:

http://profile.purposedriven.com/managesubscriptionssimple.aspx

I know that all things are possible through Christ our Savior. I am not worried about my health cause I know he is in control and I just have to try to listen and do what he says is best. I know that sometimes it's hard to know what he wants me to do but with prayer and help from my husband we are making the best choices we can. No matter the out come God will prevail. We must hold on to our faith.

Radaition update..

2011-01-03T18:50:00.000-05:00

Well, Dr. explained things better today. He want be getting rad too close to throat but it could be close enough to cause scratchy throat. If it does cause problems they can adjust it a little.

Today was weird. Well first of all, We were setting there at hospital fixin to get my egco done when my phone rang. It was rad. The machine that does rad was tore up and it would be 1-2 hrs before tech could get there to fix it. Well I had to change to 2pm instead of my 9am. When I got done and was on my way home I remebered I need to have tires rotated. So I called Jeff and said that I would go get that done this morning. Guess what???? Their machine was tore up too. I called him back and told him that someone is telling me to go home. So I did.

I did go to Walmart and to rad after lunch today. Things went well.

Strange day.

Confussed..........

2010-12-31T08:33:00.000-05:00

I am so confused. I went for rad treatment and now he is treating lymph but he is treating the ones up above my breast close to my neck too. The other Dr said he wouldn't treat this area. But my concern is that since my one lymph was letting the cancer out of the capsule then we should treat it. My oncologist said he would probably treat it because cancer from the breast can travel up to those lymph nodes but he said let the rad Drs help us decide.
So do I treat all of it and deal with damage to my throat and swelling of the arm and infections if I get cut or scratched along with the damage it does to muscles and lungs.
I just don't want it to come back later in life. But even though I go through all of this it could come back any ways. So what to do. I pray that God will help us make the right chooses. I just want this to be gone and get on with my life.
I am trying to talk to people who have been through this and might be able to shine some light on this better for us.
******
Good news
My herceptin went great. No side effects and I feel great today. So it should be a breeze. I did get sleepy due to benadral but I ate taco and bean burrito on the way home. I can taste food and I am loving it. That was my Christmas wish and I got it. I thank God for letting me taste food again. I enjoyed sweets again.

Thrird day........

2010-12-29T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well, the computers were down today so they were 30 min behind. They were going to send us home but computers came up. I got to go back around 9:15am. I asked to see dr. Jeff & I talk about the rad and we thought it would be best to get lymph nodes too. So I talked to Dr. He was iffy about it but said we would have to be careful with swelling of the arm and infections. I can't get any scratches on my left arm. It would get infected really bad. That would be better than taking a chance of it coming back later somewhere else and taking my life.

Any ways, I will be late tomorrow for hercept. due to readjusting the rad site. They are calling them and letting them know I will be 30 mins late. I'm just glad Jeff will be with me.

Second day of Rad......

2010-12-28T14:08:00.000-05:00

I had my second treatment of radiation. So far no pain or redness. Doctor checked me out and said everything looked great. He did say that my skin looked thin. I might have to have fluid taken out of expander. I hope not but we will have to keep a close eye on it. If it starts filling tight then I will have too. I am so ready to be done with all of this.
My hair is trying to come back. It looks like an old mans head. With the peach fuzz on top and ring of hair on the bottom. I am just glad it's coming back. I can't wait to have it back.

Thanks to everyone who makes me smile cause that helps more than anything. It great to have friends and family to make me laugh.

Radiation begins....

2010-12-23T16:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I went last week and this Wed. to get marked for radiation. I have three big x marks one under each arm and one on the breast. I have first treatment next Monday. It seems like an easy thing to do. I lay down on my back and hold on to some handles. They make shore I am centered on the machine. Then this huge thing will go over top and send radiation to that area.
I also go for first, Hercepton. I was going to get it last week but due to ice on the roads, we didn't make it. I go next Thursday. I am very nervous about the Hercept. I am sure it will go well.

God has been Great!!! He has helped me through this. I have not had many side affects so far. I hope things continue to go well which I am sure they will. Thanks for all the prayers cause they really do help. Jeff and the kids are doing well.
Merry Christmas to everyone. May God bless everyone who reads my blog cause many of you have blessed me already. Thanks!!!
God is the reason!!!!!!!!!!

Sad about Elizabeth Edwards.......

2010-12-08T08:09:00.000-05:00

I heard the news this morning. She passed away yesterday. She was a strong women. Her life full of great challenges and yet she kept going. God be with her family.

Just because life isn't going great and bad things happen doesn't mean we have to quit. I want to quit sometimes but then I realize I must go on because their is so much left to do. I have my husband and my children and my family and my great friends. God has a plan for each of us and we must turn to him for everything. He will guide us in the right direction and help us get through any trail we must face. I am thankful for everything I am and for everything I have.

I want to pray for everyone who is facing cancer and for their families. May God be with them and help them get through it. I pray for all my love ones and that they know God is there for them in what ever they may be facing or will face soon. Amen.

Update

2010-12-01T08:49:00.000-05:00

I am feeling great. I have redness and sore feet again. I have a rash on both arms and Dr has given me meds for it. My nails look like some may fall off. I have white or clear places on my nails which means it may not be connected to my skin underneath. I fear they will come off, but I am being careful and putting strengthener on them.
I still can't taste thing well yet but maybe soon.

After Thanksgiving......

2010-11-26T09:02:00.000-05:00

My daughter and I made a great Thanksgiving lunch. She was such a great helper. We made a turkey, home made dressing, home made chocolate pies (2), devil eggs and potatoes salad. I enjoyed cooking. I spaced it out so I could sit and rest. I got hot and we opened up a window. I did get dizzy once. But over all it was great.
We had a great day. Jeff and our son cut and split wood while we cooked.
I am so thankful for my husband, our daughter, our son, my friends, and my family. I am so thankful that I am getting my cancer treated and I am still moving forward with my treatments. I am thankful that I did well with chemo. I am so thankful for all the love and support everyone has given to me, cause I never knew so many people cared about me.
I am so thankful for my husband who has done a great job of being here for me. It has been hard but we are making in through the hard times. Our love prevails through all things.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

LAST CHEMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-23T08:47:00.000-05:00

Well that's it. I am done with chemo.I dose a little then once home I ate. I finally took a 1-2 hour nap. I went to bed around 9:30pm but couldn't sleep because belly was hurting. I finally did go to sleep about11. Then by 1am I was awake. Bladder was full. Then hot slashes, heart burn and belly hurting until about 5am. Then at 6am got up and got dressed. So not much sleep last night.

Today is shot day. Last one of those too.
Next step is Herceptin on Dec 16th then every three weeks. They said they would give me benydrel do to side effects.

Still have watery eyes, dry skin, hands peeling, finger tips sore, hands swell some, hot flashes and night sweats. Other than that things are good.

Just ready to go back to work cause I am bored and I broke my sewing machine. So now I can make nothing else. I had great plans for it too. I made a vest and purse. I was going to make other cool things but now that is on hold. I may try to sew by hand but finger tips may not let me do much.

I can do plastic canvas and maybe some knitting but have to do it in small intervals.

Well hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.
I am going to try to cook a lunch then go to his sister in laws' for supper. I hope I am up for it.