Yesterday was my "cancer-versary". As I stood at my kitchen window yesterday morning I thanked God for always being with me on my life's journey. Yes, a tear rolled down my cheek not for sadness but gratefulness. In some ways this year seems like the longest in my life and at other times it seems like it has flown by. Life does that!
I am doing well both mentally and physically. My counts are back to what they were a year ago. Some of my bloodwork has always been weird but the doctors have decided that is my normal. (Weirdness is normal for me!) I can never say I will forget that I have/had cancer. My body has constant reminders. Some of them are painful but I am a survivor.
It has been a long winter. I am looking forward to spring and the life that season brings. There were so many things I missed last spring and I can't wait to enjoy them this year. I can't wait to sit on my deck and enjoy God's work.
I no longer have the fog in my life. One year later and I can see clearly. Thanks be to God!
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Enjoying life!
I have started this year by telling myself to slow down and enjoy something out of every day. So far I am happy to say I am accomplishing this. Even the "polar vortex" that happened last week was no problem for me. I stayed inside and continued my obsession with simplifying my life. This was good since the flu is running rampant!
Today was my appointment with my oncologist. My blood work looked good. Although he was disappointed that the lab messed up and did not do a tumor marker test. Therefore I will keep my port (bummer) until he gets two more normal readings. I will have them done in Feb. and March and return to see him the beginning of April. I enjoyed visiting with the infusion nurses and not having to be "stuck"!
I continue to feel good. Some days are a little rough with the bone pain and numbness in my arms but I seem to be able to work through all of it. Fatigue creeps in every so often and I blame it on chemo but in reality I just am lazy some days! I had extreme pain in my shoulder the other day and began to freak out. My mind played games and I envisioned everything from lung cancer to bone cancer. I took an Aleve and miraculously the next day it was gone. I think the manufacturers of Aleve need to look at it as a cancer treatment drug:)
My family and friends continue to give me joy. I love the fact that conversations no longer revolve around "breast cancer". As I said I am loving life. My life has been forever changed by this disease but I will not allow it to control me. I thank God every day for allowing me to continue living this life. I pray that each of you enjoy your life!
Thursday, January 2, 2014
It IS a New Year!
Happy 2014 to all of you! None of us know what the year has in store for us but I pray for health and happiness for each of you.
I am beginning the new year with peace in my heart. Only God knows what this year's journey will be and I will take it one day at a time. Therefore I do not have any new year resolutions. What happens will happen.
But I am beginning the year with thoughts of trying to be more organized. For the last few days I have been in the basement office cleaning and throwing away. I mean like 5 large trash bags of stuff. And I am only partially done! It is a slow process but I am trying to really streamline our crap! Do we really need all of this and when was the last time we used it! This may take me all year but I will get through all of it.
Right now we have no plans for any trips. I see the oncologist on the 14th so will see what the next plan of action will be. I am hoping to get this port out soon. It still bugs me! After that visit we may decide to head to some warm weather. Rick does have a golfing vacation planned in late February to Arizona.
For now everything is good. So much of the past year is all ready a blur to me. I have some constant reminders of what the journey was but I can live with them.
My wish is that each of you take time to slow down and enjoy the life God has given to you.
I am beginning the new year with peace in my heart. Only God knows what this year's journey will be and I will take it one day at a time. Therefore I do not have any new year resolutions. What happens will happen.
But I am beginning the year with thoughts of trying to be more organized. For the last few days I have been in the basement office cleaning and throwing away. I mean like 5 large trash bags of stuff. And I am only partially done! It is a slow process but I am trying to really streamline our crap! Do we really need all of this and when was the last time we used it! This may take me all year but I will get through all of it.
Right now we have no plans for any trips. I see the oncologist on the 14th so will see what the next plan of action will be. I am hoping to get this port out soon. It still bugs me! After that visit we may decide to head to some warm weather. Rick does have a golfing vacation planned in late February to Arizona.
For now everything is good. So much of the past year is all ready a blur to me. I have some constant reminders of what the journey was but I can live with them.
My wish is that each of you take time to slow down and enjoy the life God has given to you.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Blessed Christmas!
The title of today's post is in memory of my mom and all the past Christmas's with my family. If you have read my previous posts you will remember my mother used the phrase "Blessed (whatever holiday)". As I sit here in the quiet of the house (not a creature is stirring not even a mouse) with only the light of the Christmas tree peace fills my heart. Today is the greatest love story of all. I end the year of my journey knowing God's love and hope and thank Him for always being with me.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Tis the Season
I have had some really high days and some extremely low days these last few weeks.
The trip to Florida was definitely a high for me. We had a relaxing and peaceful trip. It was not crowded and the weather was beautiful. I could listen to the ocean for hours on end. More than anything I took the time to enjoy God's lovely handiwork and thank Him for the opportunity to absorb His presence.
Thanksgiving was also a high for me. I was surrounded by my immediate family and my nieces and nephew. Since my sister passed away in 2000 I get limited time to see her kids. But we always make sure we get together at Thanksgiving. I am thankful to still be a part of their lives. My brother-in-law also came for dessert. As you all know family is the most important thing to me.
With that being said I realize I am now "back in the circuit" as Grandma. We brought the girls home with us from Thanksgiving and they spent two nights with us. I loved every minute. Then this last weekend we kept the boys overnight so Karlene and Adam could have a date night. It was Emerson's first overnight visit with Mimi and Papa. Once again I loved every minute.
On the low side my aunt passed away while we were in Florida. She was my mom's twin sister and the last living aunt on my mom's side. We were able to attend the memorial service on our way back to KC. I have very fond memories of Aunt Dorothy and was glad to be able to listen to my cousin, Bro, speak about her at the service. Another chapter in my life book closed.
I also learned that a teacher in the district where I worked lost her short battle with lung cancer this last week. She received treatments at the same cancer center I go to so it has been hard to understand why God felt her journey here on earth was done. I know I am not to question and I know God has a plan but my heart has been heavy. Just FYI...cancer sucks!
Now I move to "tis the season". I have had some mixed emotions about the upcoming holiday. I am trying very hard to remember the reason for the season and not get so commercially involved with it this year. It has been a long year and I want to celebrate Jesus's birth because without Him my journey would not make sense.
Please take time to enjoy this season. Seriously you never know what lies ahead so take time to find peace in this holiday season.
The trip to Florida was definitely a high for me. We had a relaxing and peaceful trip. It was not crowded and the weather was beautiful. I could listen to the ocean for hours on end. More than anything I took the time to enjoy God's lovely handiwork and thank Him for the opportunity to absorb His presence.
Thanksgiving was also a high for me. I was surrounded by my immediate family and my nieces and nephew. Since my sister passed away in 2000 I get limited time to see her kids. But we always make sure we get together at Thanksgiving. I am thankful to still be a part of their lives. My brother-in-law also came for dessert. As you all know family is the most important thing to me.
With that being said I realize I am now "back in the circuit" as Grandma. We brought the girls home with us from Thanksgiving and they spent two nights with us. I loved every minute. Then this last weekend we kept the boys overnight so Karlene and Adam could have a date night. It was Emerson's first overnight visit with Mimi and Papa. Once again I loved every minute.
On the low side my aunt passed away while we were in Florida. She was my mom's twin sister and the last living aunt on my mom's side. We were able to attend the memorial service on our way back to KC. I have very fond memories of Aunt Dorothy and was glad to be able to listen to my cousin, Bro, speak about her at the service. Another chapter in my life book closed.
I also learned that a teacher in the district where I worked lost her short battle with lung cancer this last week. She received treatments at the same cancer center I go to so it has been hard to understand why God felt her journey here on earth was done. I know I am not to question and I know God has a plan but my heart has been heavy. Just FYI...cancer sucks!
Now I move to "tis the season". I have had some mixed emotions about the upcoming holiday. I am trying very hard to remember the reason for the season and not get so commercially involved with it this year. It has been a long year and I want to celebrate Jesus's birth because without Him my journey would not make sense.
Please take time to enjoy this season. Seriously you never know what lies ahead so take time to find peace in this holiday season.
The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Forecast is for clear skies!
Finally....results! Today I met with the oncologist before I had blood work. I did not realize he had ordered a tumor marker test on my last blood work. I am happy to report that it was within normal range! I will start taking the estrogen hormone blocker pill and will take it every day for 5 years. Tomorrow begins the rest of my life! I did not even stay for blood work results today. The infusion nurses persuaded me I needed to "get a life" and not worry about blood work numbers. This was very difficult for me but I know in my heart I need to let go and let God. Today is the start of this new journey.
I write this blog tonight with a heavy heart. Today I visited with a dear friend (the person I job shared with) who lost her husband yesterday from lung cancer. His battle was very short. As I have said before and told her no matter what way cancer takes us we win. He won his battle and is at home with God.
For today I am writing I am cancer free. We are leaving Thursday for our trip to Florida (even though it will be raining when we arrive) and I am so excited. This will be my last post for awhile. I do not see the Dr. until Jan. I thank all of you who have followed me on this journey. You are awesome friends and family members. If you want check the blog occasionally as I may post some random thought! In the meantime God bless all of you.
I write this blog tonight with a heavy heart. Today I visited with a dear friend (the person I job shared with) who lost her husband yesterday from lung cancer. His battle was very short. As I have said before and told her no matter what way cancer takes us we win. He won his battle and is at home with God.
For today I am writing I am cancer free. We are leaving Thursday for our trip to Florida (even though it will be raining when we arrive) and I am so excited. This will be my last post for awhile. I do not see the Dr. until Jan. I thank all of you who have followed me on this journey. You are awesome friends and family members. If you want check the blog occasionally as I may post some random thought! In the meantime God bless all of you.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Counts Going Up!
My white blood cell count continues to go up! In fact it is higher than when I started chemo. I am so excited to see the blood work get back into normal range.
Life has been good. We went to Washington on Sunday to see Annie's piano/guitar recital. It was so good to see Karmen's family and enjoy some time with them. We spent the night at the Ameristar Hotel in St. Charles. (If you are ever in the area this is a very nice property.) Of course we are such big gamblers. We started with $20 each and I walked away with $20.16 and Rick walked away with $20.21! But we had fun just getting away.
Next week I meet with my oncologist on Tuesday. I am sure I will begin the hormone blocker drug that I will have to take for 5 years. After this meeting we will be heading to Florida on Thursday. I am not anticipating any reason for a delay in this trip.
In the meantime I continue to feel good. My hair is growing but not fast enough! I now understand why men wear hats in the winter!
Enjoy the fall weather!
Life has been good. We went to Washington on Sunday to see Annie's piano/guitar recital. It was so good to see Karmen's family and enjoy some time with them. We spent the night at the Ameristar Hotel in St. Charles. (If you are ever in the area this is a very nice property.) Of course we are such big gamblers. We started with $20 each and I walked away with $20.16 and Rick walked away with $20.21! But we had fun just getting away.
Next week I meet with my oncologist on Tuesday. I am sure I will begin the hormone blocker drug that I will have to take for 5 years. After this meeting we will be heading to Florida on Thursday. I am not anticipating any reason for a delay in this trip.
In the meantime I continue to feel good. My hair is growing but not fast enough! I now understand why men wear hats in the winter!
Enjoy the fall weather!
God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect."
2 Samuel 22:33
2 Samuel 22:33
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