Flashback

It is hard to imagine that a year ago my journey began.  Nov 28, I had my annual mammogram. Dec 1, went in for the diagnostic, ultrasound, and biopsy.  The diagnosis was confirmed Dec 7. Where did 2012 go? Better yet, where was I in 2012...

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It's Only Hair - Part 3

Check out the first installment of  It's Only Hair and It's Only Hair Part II This morning I was losing lots of hair so I decided to get it cut. I grabbed a scarf  on my way out the door and got in touch with Kristen, the cosmetology teacher, as soon as I got to school. I told her I had a "teachable moment" for her students and wondered if they would cut my hair. She was happy to do this for me and we arranged to get together at 1:00. When I got to my classroom I realized I didn't have a camera. So I called...

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Chemo Brain

Evidence of 'chemo brain' verified by researchersBy Loren GrushPublished November 27, 2012FoxNews.com For many cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, memory problems and a general mental haziness often plague them during and after treatment. The condition – known as‘chemo brain’ – has only been a reported phenomenon, without ever having been fully verified through scientific measures – until now.Thanks to new research utilizing positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT), researchers have identified...

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It's Only Hair - Part 2

So, this morning my hair started falling out! I know! Right? Not all at once, just a few strands at a time. When I got to school I looked up from my desk and saw this sign I have in my classroom: I decided that I shouldn't be pouting about losing my hair. I'm lucky because it will grow back and be even more beautiful like Carol's.  I heard from many of you today, received extra hugs because I needed them and again I counted my blessings. At a meeting this evening my friends suggested that I try out the scarves before...

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It's Only Hair

Yesterday, Doc Esther asked me if I got my wig yet. I told her I wasn't going to wear one. I thought I should try to be like all the other club members, many who have told me that having no hair was liberating. Thanksgiving - Day 6 after chemo. Felt bad but hair looked good It's been 11 days since my first chemo and I still have hair. I think it's getting thinner but I'm not finding clumps anywhere. I have to be honest with you...the hair loss....it scares me the most. I have been obsessed with my hair for my whole life. Just ask...

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My Doc is a Rock Star

When Doc Esther stepped into my suite during my first chemo I picked up a little notebook and pen, handed it to her and said, "Can I have your autograph? You must be a rock star because when I mention your name everyone knows you!" She laughed and said, "that's a new one", as she scribbled her name. Case in point: This morning I had an appointment with a doctor (about acid reflux) and when he asked who my other doctors were I opened my binder to the first page and said, "This is my team." He was impressed that I had an actual list...

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The Windex Theory

Photo by Rosina Huber This evening, as I was trying to think of a brilliant new post, my son came to me complaining that we didn't have any Windex in the house. "How do you people clean glass around here?", he asked.  It reminded me of the Windex Theory that I share with my students when they are contemplating some big issues in their lives and need to see the big picture. Sometimes the window through which we view our lives becomes cloudy. We can get lost and distracted while trying to find our way. Then life throws us some...

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A Blur

OMG! I can't believe it's been a week since my first chemo! Seven days - a blur. I started getting a cold the day after and I'm still coughing.  In addition to this cold I was nauseous and had to take meds that made me groggy. Today is the first day I haven't felt like barfing. Going to work on Monday was out of the question. I planned on going Tuesday and made several attempts - got a shower, rested. Got dressed - rested. Ate a bite of toast - rested. Got back into pj's - rested. Richard took me to work on...

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Herceptin #16

Guess what I forgot to do? Put numbing cream on my port! Geez, I did that one other time and swore that I would never forget to do that again!  Oh well .... chemo brain.  Nurse Karen is an expert and I dealt with it easily.  After the numerous tests and pokes this past year, what's a little pinch in the arm?The parking lot was bare as the only ones in the building were the chemo nurses.  I felt bad that they didn't have the day after Thanksgiving off like most folks.  Bless them! Today was my next-to-the-last-one...

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Thanksgiving Day

Me & CaseyThanksgiving is a special day to thank our Lord for the blessings we have and for the relationships that are deep within our hearts.Casey & ChristieI am so grateful for family. Katie & Casey My niece is the youngest in our family unit.  She is a wonderful young lady and my only niece.  May our Lord Jesus Christ comfort you, guide you and bring you peace every day ~...

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T'was The Day Before Thanksgiving ....

I'm getting excited about Wednesday night!  We are having a pj and movie nite at Christie's.  We've picked out movies and bought junk food and Casey & I plan to invade their space tomorrow afternoon.  Once we get up the next day, we will help prepare the Thanksgiving meal :)It seems our clan has decreased in size.  Two nephews live out of state and my youngest is MIA.  Life never stays the same.I came across this photo from Christmas 2010.  Christie had made us matching aprons.  It is nostalgia...

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Automated Breast Ultrasound System

My annual mammogram is scheduled for mid-December.  I cannot for the life of me think about how painful this is going to be.  Came across this video and article.  (There has to be a better way!)Does anyone know about Automated Breast Ultrasound System?   Newsletter #239 Lee Euler, Editor Web Version | Subscribe | Back Issues | Resource Center | Feedback About Cancer Defeated! The Beginning of the End for Mammographyand Other Invasive TreatmentsBy Mindy Tyson McHorse, Contributing EditorRecent progress...

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All Kinds of Celebration!

 Sunday Celebration!  Our church celebrated 13 years today.  It was wonderful seeing how much each of the "original" congregation meant to the pastor and his family.  We could tell how happy they all were today.  Matt and I have only been going there since the summer.  They have been very loving to us. Casey had the opportunity to join us for fellowship and a celebration luncheon afterwards.  Glad she got to meet folks and see where we are now.We got home about 2:00 and I laid down for a "quick" nap. ...

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Bitter-Sweet

How can so many different emotions exist in me at one time?  Well, it feels like all at once, but it is more like one right after the other and around again full circle.I've been putting some overtime in order to take off early today.  Two reasons: Christie's 1st chemo and Casey's arrival at the airport.   Sort of like "bitter-sweet"Sis's appointment was 1:00 and I was able to take off work at that time and arrived at the clinic as the party was getting started.  I wasn't going to miss it come hell or high water. ...

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Pole Dancing

Today was my first chemo treatment. We got home around 4:30 and I don't feel bad at all - yet. The anti-nausea meds make me walk and talk like I've had a beer or two (I'm such a light-weight) and the red chemo drug turned my pee orange! Before chemo treatment At noon I slathered Lidocaine on the port site and Richard put plastic wrap around my arm so it wouldn't rub off. Then we went to the drug store in search of the perfect thermometer. I have to take my temperature every evening at 8:00 pm. If it ever reaches 100.5 I have to call...

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A Little Inspiration

  &nbs...

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Let's Get This Party Started

I got the call! I will start my first chemo on Friday, November 16th at 1:00 pm. I will have more details tomorrow. All of my labs, scans, and tests have come back clean. The pathology report found that it's HER2-negative, which is a good thing. The plan is that I will have 4 cycles (3 weeks apart) of one drug, then 4 cycles of another. Then surgery in the spring, followed by radiation. Photo by Bent Objects I am still trying to wrap my head around this! It's only been 15 days. I know I can do this. I'm one tough cookie...

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Sisterhood

There seems to be some backlash against "pink".  I understand fully about awareness versus a cure.  I get it.  I want a cure!A few days ago, I was in a crowded room and saw a pink hat bedazzled and worn by a kindred spirit. When I finally reached her, she looked at me and I just pointed to my pink ribbon lapel pin. "Blessings to you my sister. I know what you are going through." She smiled with sadness in her eyes.We are part of a sisterhood.  Not a community that any of us elected, but a community nonetheless. ...

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Hurry Up and Wait

It seems like I've been doing a lot of this during the past 14 days. Making it to appointments, filling out paper work, waiting. Changing into a gown, shaped like a sheet with holes in it for arms; waiting. Waiting while they set up, waiting while they perform the tests, waiting to be released. Then waiting for results, waiting for that phone call, waiting on the edge of my seat. But I'm okay with waiting because I know that the medical staff is part of team-Christie, working on my behalf, to develop the best plan of action to conquer this cancer. I had the Echo on Monday morning and the liver MRI Tuesday. I want...

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Comparing Our Girls

Christie & Carol bc (before cancer) My sister, Carol,  stopped by after work the day of my biopsy. I was still in shock and really scared. She has been through this journey herself and will finish chemo in mid-December. We sat on the couch going over the events and  I asked if she wanted to see my wounds. Now, we hadn't seen each other's chests since 1965 so this was an odd moment. But I lifted my shirt, tugged on my Genie Bra and proved to myself that this was not a dream (nightmare!). She winced at the...

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Visitors are Welcome

Visitors are ALWAYS welcome!  Saturday, we had a nice surprise when our cousin, Debbie, came into town to visit.  I was to wake up early to make it to the high school craft show to hang out with Christie.  I made it from the bed to the couch. My darling husband whispered .... wake up, you don't want to regret not going, you can sleep afterwards .... and about 12:30, I finally sat up.  I sent a text to Christie to see if she was still roaming the halls and she said "I'm walking around with Debbie" Well, I got ready...

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Euphuisms for Breasts

So, our baby sister in the Carolina's sent this message, lol:Angel Cakes, Bazookas, Bazooms, Beacons, Beanbags, Bebops, Betty Boops,Big Boppers, Bikini Stuffers, Billibongs, Blinkers, Bombers, Bombshells,Bon Bons, Bongos, Bonkers, Boobers, Boobies, Boobs, Boops, Bops, Bosom,Boulders, Bouncers, Bra Buddies, Bra Stuffers, Breasts, Bronskis, Bubbas,Bubbies, Buds, Bulbs, Bulges, Bullets, Bumpers, Bumps, Bust, Busters,Busties, Butterballs, Buttons, Caboodles, Cams, Cannon Balls, Cantaloupes,Carumbas, Cha-chas, Charlies, Chihuahuas, Chimichongas, Chiquitas, Coconuts, Congas, Corkers, Cream Pies, Creamers, Cuhuangas, Cupcakes,...

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Feel Your Best at Working During Chemo

 These strategies will help you keep up with your job demands during chemo treatment.By Rita RossA cancer diagnosis may upend your life, but working through your treatment can help you maintain a semblance of normalcy. Balancing a career and chemotherapy can be difficult; fortunately, the workplace is more accommodating than ever. In a recent survey, 85% of employers allowed breast cancer patients to reduce their work hours and 79% okayed a flexible schedule, according to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans in Brookfield, WI. As a result, about 80% of patients work through their treatment, according...

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Christie's Prep

This morning, Christie went to her Chemo Class.  Even though we are not quite sure what her cocktail will be, it was a time to receive all kinds of information, including terminology.  She came with me and my husband for my chemo class.  I know that since Richard (her husband) hasn't experienced this part of the process, it will be beneficial for him.After that, she received her "port".  When I talked to her this afternoon, she was laying on the couch resting.  My power injectable port experience was...

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Introduction to Breast Cancer

Learning that you have breast cancer can, quite literally, stop you in your tracks. You may feel frozen in time, replaying over and over again in your mind the moment your doctor told you the news. It's normal to feel a wide range of emotions—fear, shock, depression, anger and even guilt. Slow down, take a moment and breathe. The emotions you are feeling are completely understandable. And if you are feeling nothing, that's OK, too. Oftentimes, when a woman hears the diagnosis "breast cancer," she goes temporarily numb. Take comfort, though, in knowing that, as of 2010, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors...

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Blog Your Way to Better Health | Health Monitor

Blog Your Way to Better Health | Health Monit...

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It's All About Christie

Ok, now to collect all my thoughts and my notes.  (I'm a horrible note-taker)Christie is going to be fineShe has a tough road ahead, but she is also a tough cookie, just like her sister.They are waiting for the HER2/neu test results (hopefully before the week is out). This will identify which type of treatments will be needed. HER2/neu protein is found on some types of cancer cells. This test shows whether the tissue either has too much HER2/neu protein or too many copies of its gene. If the breast tumor has too much HER2/neu,...

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Spiritual Reality Check

Nothing happens in your life that is beyond God's control.When you go through a hard time, God is never caught off guard. The truth is He wants to use it to take you to a new level in your relationship with Him. That's when your challenge becomes a "test" that can actually strengthen your faith and trust in God. So resist the urge to panic and instead praise God for the good thing He's doing in your life while He's bringing you through the storm.Remember what the Word says:He who began a good work in you will continue...developing...and...

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Waiting is a pain in the butt!

Today's oncology appointment with Christie has been post-poned until Wednesday at 3:00.  Doc had a death in the family.  As much as we understand, it is difficult to wait. Christie has another MRI today and then I guess we will wait.My opinion is that Doc Esther has 5 other colleagues in her office and if it was "urgent" enough, she would have set Christie up with one of them.  As with anything, the fear of the unknown is what can mess with your mind.We can't let it.Christie / Heather / CarolRemember, you are never alone....

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Not again!

The last few days have been shocking.  My sister has been such an angel during my illness, taking such good care of me and always lending a hand or a shoulder.  How did the tide suddenly turn? Her annual mammogram came out fine the beginning of the year.  She started to notice changes and even went to her doctor who had the balls to say that she was having sympathy pains for her sister (me). I'd like to kick him in the balls and tell him that is just sympathy pains for the jerks in this world.Ladies, we are here to remind...

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