Motherhood

I had my first hair cut today! Ashley did a great job of shaping it so I don't look so scruffy.  She is expecting a baby in about a month and it must be hard to be on her feet all day.  I told her my "baby" turned 26 today!  Thinking of pregnancy, I began to think about the whole experience.  I don't ever want to forget. 

Baby dropped and is position - 26 years ago

I do wish I would have done some things differently as a mother.  But I sure do love 'em ~

Birth. Death. The world keeps spinning. Life goes on. What are you doing each day you have breathe? Are you loving deeply? Are you making a difference? Do you have joy? What about peace? Count your blessings .... I'm sure you have many.

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MRI Results on my Back

The doctor came flying in the room (as usual) and said "No Cancer!!"  I just stared at her as my mind tried to register what she was talking about. Not once did I think of the word when I was getting the MRI on my back.  But to think, she was .... it's true, everything that gets tested will always have an underlying alert.

So, what are the results?

Trouble in the L4-L5 S1 area.

A pinched nerve, herniated disk, nerve roots, spinal stenosis.  I think I have some studying to do.  Treatment: steroids and some serious exercise for the back.  Sis, I need to blow up the ball.

At least I'm not crazy .... well, that's still debatable.

I will survive this too ~



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Two More Additions

This morning we got up for church and I got a "jump" start to my day.  I pulled the shower curtain aside and to my shock (and horror) there were two wolf spiders side by side.

The size of camels ... I mean half dollars

 

Matt! I know you don't like spiders any more than I do, but bring your big shoes and get 'em!  Trust me, I was looking EVERYWHERE all morning getting ready.  Now, how DO they get in the house?  Beats me ~

 

The weekend went by fast again.  I'm getting ready for a short nap, but wanted to post some happenings.

 

Remember the little ones that were born in our garage?  Well, husband has been feeding them, petting them, naming them

 

So, you know what I'm going to say next ....

 

Yep, they are in the tub right now getting bathed.  Say hello to

 

Blue





Muffin (as in Rag-a-muffin)




Here's the momma

If you read the tab "All About Me", you will see our motley crew.  We are a sucker for strays.....

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Dem Bones

The hip bone's connected to the back bone
The back bone's connected to the neck bone,
The neck bone's connected to the head bone,
Now shake dem skeleton bones!
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones.....

For some reason, I had this song going around in my head as I waited for the results of my bone density test. 

After chemo this morning, I made my way to Doc Esther to get the results of the bone test and the echo.  Echo is fine enough..... my back is another story. There were a lot of numbers running across the screen, but the bottom line, it is time to look into it deeper but not time for extra meds to offset some of the Arimidex (Anastrozole) effects. 

Osteopenia

 

 

Osteopenia refers to bone mineral density (BMD) that is lower than normal peak BMD but not low enough to be classified as osteoporosis.

All I can tell you is that I can't stand for more than 5 minutes without excrutiating pain. 

Nope, I haven't mentioned this yet ... you had to listen to just the canzer stuff, why zing you with another issue?

Anyway, MRI w/contrast is scheduled for early tomorrow morning. After work, I picked up the recommended dosage of Calcium 600 mg / Vit D 400 iu / Magnesium 400 iu (Caltrate).  She also wants me to do some strength training. 

 

If I had the strength, I would be doing it!

A friend of my sister, Jackie, gave me a gift called the pure fitness ball.  She uses it all the time so I'm gonna do it too.  I can't wait to meet her to get all the tips she has learned during her own journey.

(just need to get it blown up)

My friend, Sally, gave me a wonderful gift that I keep at work.  It is THE BEST thing in the world. It's funny to see expressions from people as they get closer to my desk ... a small humming sound that you just can't pinpoint! Besides massage, it heats....

Nurse Rose took care of me today with the Herceptin.  I sat right next to the machine that holds all those wonderful heated blankets.  Plus, I had my blue afghan that Jane made!

 

I've gained 3 pounds :(  My blood pressure was a little high.  Doc wants me to get a flu shot this year.

 

Did you know I'm in my 10th month of treatment?

 

 

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Bikers for Boobs

Bikers for Boobs of Akron Ridin' & Stridin' Poker Run

I got an unexpected and fabulous gift today from Debbie!  This weekend was the 3rd annual poker run for our area to raise awareness and donations for breast cancer. 

 

 

 

Sorry, folks, not modeling this one! But, you may see me sporting it around town....maybe.... well ok, sure why not?!

Thank you, Debbie!!!!!

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Hot Air Balloons

I had such a good time this weekend with Megen.  I was thrilled to see a launching of hot air balloons (a new experience for me) and she agreed to pick me up and join me.  It was a thrill! 

She started the visit with home-made apple crisp and a beautiful glass flower.

Gorgeous

Dainty

 

Sure were a lot of people .... kids' rides, carnival food, blankets, canvas chairs and beautiful sky.  The air was cool in the shade and we moved up a couple of times to get out of the long reach of the branches.  I should have worn a heavier coat!

 

Working on the full album for Shutterfly .... here are a few selections:

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

We had a wonderful meal afterwards and girlie talk ....

 

Megen, thank you for sharing time with me! AND, I really do think that you should continue your blog. After all, you have 120 members! (look how many I have), so come on!!

 

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Bras for a Cause

Check this out Bras for a Cause: Donate Now for Breast Cancer Awareness


A donation drive began Aug. 1 and runs through the end of September. Look for drop off locations and display areas in Summit, Cuyahoga, Portage and Stark Counties.

• ByAmanda Harnocz
• Email the author
• August 28, 2012

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Meet Julie Nawrocky Reis

The link below is a story about Julie, a wonderful survivor from the Cancer Support Group at Stewart's Caring Place here in Akron, Ohio. Please be aware of the symptoms associated with Ovarian Cancer as mentioned in this article --- and tell all your friends too. Take care!!!
http://stow.patch.com/articles/turn-this-town-teal-with-a-stow-ovarian-cancer-survivor

 This is a story about a young Stow woman turning a negative into a positive.

In February, 33-year-old wife and mother of two Julie Nawrocky Reis was working out and felt something in her abdomen that "just felt wrong."

A few visits to the doctor later and experts said Reis had a large 16-inch by 18-centimeter tumor on her ovary. She had surgery to remove the stage 1B cancerous tumor about two weeks after she went to the doctor all because she knew something just didn't feel right.

"It's a good thing I went," said Reis, who is now cancer free after surgery and six rounds of chemotherapy. "It sucks overall but, cancer doesn't have to be a death sentence anymore ... but early detection is key. The problem is it isn't easy to detect the warning signs."

Take a look at a list of possible symptoms and signs including:

• Pelvic and/or abdominal swelling, bloating and/or feeling of fullness
• Ongoing unusual fatigue
• Menstrual changes
• Pain during sex

Because the signs are so hard to recognize most of the time, Reis said she is vowing to turn her negative situation into a positive by bringing awareness to the community about ovarian cancer.
Reis will be out in Stow Saturday — going door-to-door and stopping at places like grocery stores — handing out cards about the silent symptoms and asking residents to tie a teal ribbon to something on their property to show their support for finding a cure.

The effort is part of a national initiative called Turn the Towns Teal.

"I just wanted something good to come out of all this in addition to my recovery," Reis said about her involvement in Turn the Towns Teal. "I blog and I really get a lot from sharing with people what my experience was. Maybe I can help save a life."

Interesting in helping turn Stow teal? Email Julie Nawrocky Reis to request a ribbon and a symptom card.

The ribbons will remain up for the month of September — ovarian cancer month.

 

 

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Teach2Blog

Isn’t my sister awesome! Brilliant! Creative! I think I will interview her and ask how many blogs she has .... wanna guess? Come on, dare ya :)

http://www.teach2blog.com/

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Update on Bone Density Test

Today, I received a call from the oncologist office requesting to see me next week. 

"Oh...why?"
"We received your bone density test and she wants to discuss it with you," she said.
"Is it bad?" I asked.
"No, just early detection of bone loss."

I know better than to ask more specific questions of the staff, as they are "not supposed to" answer medical diagnosis.

Since I have my Herceptin drip next Thursday 9/20, I made it for right after.  It will be a long morning as I'm sure I was squeezed into the schedule book. 

Forgot to mention that they did my height measurement for the test as well and all this time I thought I was 5'5" .... that has now changed to 5' 4-1/2" !!

Nothing to panic about

I'm as cool as a cucumber ~

On day two of wearing a Pedometer ~ the overall goal is to walk 10,000 steps a day (at least that is what we all SHOULD do).  I set my for 5,000 as I know I will need to gradually get into this.

I wheel my office chair to the printer

Day one: 2547 strides (started tracking late in the morning)
Day two: 5027 strides (took it off once I settled in at home and have the laptop on my lap)

Sis and I walked a bit around her beautiful neighborhood today.  First, we took mom out to dinner....

Baby steps ~

************
Came across this video of one of my favorite songs.  In a place called Kumarakom by a local potter

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