One Year Anniversary

I'm sorry it has been so long since I've updated my blog.  No news is good news however.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer December 1, 2010...... ONE YEAR AGO!!!!  In some ways it seems like yesterday and in some ways it seems like a life time ago.  Unbelievable.

I am doing wonderful and feeling well.  I had my 3 month check up last month and all my blood work is normal... Praise God.  I have to admit that a recurrence is always in the back of my mind but I don't obsess about it.  I'm thankful for today and that's all that matters.

Check out my hair :)  It came back snow white and curly.  I've decided to leave the color natural ..... it's growing on me.  I recently got a haircut and the curls are gone.  I'm sad about that, I really liked the ringlets.  It's great to have hair again, although the hair on my legs could have stayed away forever...hahaha. 

I'd like to wish each of you a very blessed Christmas and happy and HEALTHY 2012.

With Love,
Connie

Race for the Cure 2011

Yesterday I walked in the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure".  What a renewed hope, faith and thankfulness this day gave me.  It's unbelievable how many lives this ugly disease touches.  Megan, Cora and Georgia.... I walked in celebration of you, as well as my sister, Samantha, and wore all your names proudly. 

The day started at 6:30 am with the survivors breakfast.  Women of all ages that have survived breast cancer from months to 30+ years.  It was awesome.  I received hugs, smiles and encouragement from total strangers the whole time.  There were people as far as you could see.... tens of thousands of people......  We had over 40 people (47 to be exact) that walked for our team.  Our team raised over $1,600 for the cure, WOW. 

I made a picture collage of some picture from the walk.  Be sure to look at the collage in full screen mode and click on each picture to enlarge it.  Praying for a cure.............  Love to all.

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d6a517a4f544d774e546b3d0d0a&blogview=true

I Have SURVIVED !!!!!!!

I know it's been a little while since I've updated my blog....sorry.  Chemo is a thing of the past (deep sigh).  It sounds so good to say that.  I still feel fatigued easily but getting stronger every day.  I will see the doctor every 3 months for the first year and have blood work done to watch my liver counts and cancer marker numbers. 

This Saturday is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  I am so proud of our little school (ECC team) who has raised over $1,500 for the cure.  My friends have designed a T-shirt honoring myself and a fellow co-worker and co-survivor, Eva.  I think our team has over 35 people at last count.  We are going to have so much fun, I'm so excited and honored.   I'm not brave enough to attempt the 5K, still too soon for that.... I'll be walking the 1 mile family fun walk.  Pray the rain holds off until after the race.

We had a wonderful Easter.  Spent the weekend with family in Tulsa.  Our 3 year old grandson had such a good time and is so stinkin cute, he loves hanging out with Mimi and Pappy. I have to admit that he wore me smack out though, lol.  If I could have 1/100th of his energy I would be good.  I will have him for a week in June so I better be working on my strength or I'll never make it.

I will try and update my blog occasionally and check in with everyone.  I will be working on losing some weight and building my stamina, walking and bike riding.  Wishing each of you health and happiness.  Until next time, may God bless and watch over you.

The End's In Sight....

Hello to all family and friends.  It's been almost a week since my last treatment and I'm finally feeling almost human again.  Boy this Taxol is some really mean stuff.  It beats you to the ground and then backs over you with a semi truck.  I don't know how someone that's really elderly and frail could tolerate going through this treatment, my heart really goes out to them. 

Now the good news..... only ONE MORE treatment.  Mark your calendars..... "Wednesday, April 13th"... everyone say a little prayer thanking God for getting me through this nightmare.  The really crazy thing is, although I'm very excited about being through with chemo, I'm also very nervous and uneasy at the same time.  That sounds nuts, I know.  While this "poison" makes me sick, at least I feel protected knowing it's killing the cancer.  I can't seem to shake the feeling that this evil stuff is going to come back.  I guess that's normal and will get better with time, but I'm so nervous......and for those that know me, I'm not the nervous-nellie type.  I really even had second thoughts about writing about these feelings but they're there and are real.  I'm going to work extra hard at cherishing my accomplishments and many blessings.  Please pray God rains peace over me. 

I'm not sure what the plans are after chemo is over, I guess we'll discuss that at my last treatment.  I have been advised to keep my infusion port for at least 6 months, "just in case".  That kind of makes your heart sink but I'll take their advice and keep it.  I'm looking forward to warm weather, bike riding, motorcycle riding, long walks, gardening, fishing and HAIR, lol. 

I hope this finds all of you happy and healthy.  Love to all and until next time God bless.

No Pain, No Gain........

Well it's Friday afternoon, two days after treatment and I made it through the work day :)  The bone pain started this morning and got worse as the day went on but I made it!!!!  Now I'm ready for my yummy narcotic, heating pad and a Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, lol.  Taxol may cause pain but I'm not nauseated AT ALL, praise the Lord.  I've gained 10 lbs since starting chemotherapy, good grief.  I feel a diet coming on after this is all over. 

I feel so blessed today.  I have so many people who truly care about me.  I have the best work family who look after me and encourage me every day.  They mean the world to me. 

Only 2 more treatments to go, I can't believe it.  Wow, this has been such a life changing event and not in a bad way.  I've met so many wonderful people as a result of my cancer and have a complete different appreciation of life, family and friends.  So, a little bone pain will NOT get me down...... No pain, no gain...and I have a lot to gain.  I have already won this battle, I'm claiming it right now!!!!

Wishing everyone a wonderful, restful weekend.  I'm looking forward to Spring Break next week and a few days in Hot Springs with great friends.  Life is GREAT, thank you Jesus.

Calm Before the Storm

Sitting here dreading chemo tomorrow.  It's so hard to do something you know is going to make you feel so bad, but yet you know it will save your life so you go with a smile on your face.....okay maybe the smile is a stretch.

I wanted to have some pictures of me during this season of life.  My sister never took a picture of herself, bald, while going through chemo.  I want to document my fight and victory, so Bryan and I had some pictures made.  Here is the scrapbook I made so I can look back on this time and smile.

Tomorrow is chemo day, say a prayer that it goes well and that I don't have much pain afterwards.

Love to all...... Connie

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d6a4d314d7a67794e7a6b3d0d0a&blogview=true

Back to the World of the Living.......

Thank you for the concerned e-mails I've received.  I know it's been a while since I've posted, this last chemo treatment has really kicked my butt.

I had my first treatment with the new drug (poison) Taxol.  I was so nervous to receive this drug because it has a high rate of allergic reactions.  When I say allergic reactions, I mean allergic reactions.... swelling, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, cardiac arrest.  They pumped me full of medications (Benadryl, steriods, anti-nausea med, Pepsid) before hand to hopefully avoid any reactions.  I was so drunk from the Benadryl I could hardly see straight, the room was spinning.  Well, it worked....I didn't have an allergic reaction, praise God.

Although nausea is less common with this drug, it causes bone/muscle pain and peripheral neuropathy.  By the time I got home from work on Friday I was so fatigued I could hardly move.  I actually had to sit in my car for a few minutes when I got home just to get enough strength to get out and walk into the house.  I've been short of breath with the slightest activity.  Then the bone/muscle pain came.  It felt like I had been hit by a truck, hurt to move at all.  I finally gave in (at the insistence of my husband) and took a pain pill on Saturday.  I'm trying to keep my head up but it's hard some days, it's getting very depressing.  It feels like all this poison is killing me.  It makes it so hard to walk into the cancer treatment center for my next treatment, knowing what it's going to make me feel like afterwards.  Pray that this cancer does not recur because I truly don't know if I could go through all this again.

The good news is, today is Monday and I feel much better.  I haven't had any peripheral neuropathy yet and pray that I don't.  I don't know how I will be able to work if I can't feel my fingers....  It's true what they say, "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".  Don't worry, I'm not slipping into the depths of depression....just tired of chemo and ready for it to be over.  Pray that my next treatment goes smoothly, without allergic reaction, and that the pain is minimal.  I appreciate all your prayers and caring messages.