PLEASE PRAY FOR MY FRIEND ANDEE

This is my friend, Andee, with her fiance, Karl.  Andee is fighting ovarian cancer and this photo was taken at a spaghetti fundraiser dinner Saturday night.... the night before she left to see a new doctor in Ohio.  The doctors in Indiana have told Andee that there is no more they can do for her.  But, Andee is not giving up!  She is seeking answers from other doctors.  First and foremost, will you please pray for Andee and her family.  She also has a small child and a very supportive family who love her very much.

I am having a fundraiser Thirty One party for Andee to help her with her medical expenses.  I am a Thirty One Consultant and am giving my 25% commission to Andee from any sales I get for her party.  If you would like to help, you can place an order on my website at www.mythirtyone.com/bags4you   Click on the link at the top "Place An Order" and then find Andee's Cancer Fight in the list and place your order under that party to help me help Andee. 

The special this month is any purse at half price with a $31 order.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  This is my way of trying to help Andee in a physical way.

Thank you for any help you can give and especially thank you for prayers for Andee.  I met Andee last year and she has such a sweet spirit and is such a fighter.  She wants to live for her little girl.  Her little girl needs her.  It breaks my heart to see her have to fight this nasty disease at such a young age.  But, in spite of it all, she's so strong and such an inspiration. 

The day I met Andee and Karl and their precious daughter.

I met Andee through what I call one of my "God moments".  Please lift them all up in your prayers.  Thank you.

ANOTHER SPINAL INJECTION

Well, I went for my second spinal injection.  All went well...again.  But, I must admit that I hurt when I left....and didn't really feel bad when I went.  I guess he woke up some nerves in there!  The first injection really helped, but after about two weeks of being pain free, the pain began to creep back in.  I had a check up with the Orthopedic Surgeon who ordered the first injection and he said we could try it again, since it was helping.  He totally left it up to me.  I told him if it wouldn't hurt me and might possibly help me....let's do it!  So, I did it again and today I started feeling better again.  I really, really hope it lasts longer this time!  I wouldn't mind going every few months for one if it means I'll feel better, but I don't particular want to do it this often.  And it would be wonderful if this took care of the pain FOREVER!

I feel like a woman....LOL!

My sister, Sheila, and I went bra shopping at the Fig Leaf in the Hospital again last week. Nothing can make you feel like a woman like bra shopping does...lol!  Did you realize that most insurance companies allow bras as a covered expense after a masectomy?  Me either until I had this done!   All that is required is a prescription from your doctor!  Imagine that...a prescription for a bra...lol...that just hits my funny bone!  I think I'm getting more and more used to my new foobs.  There's a few things I don't like about them, but most days I feel more "normal" with them.  The main thing, I guess, is that they look normal in my clothing and I think they do....no one would really be able to tell.  One is higher than the other and that has caused a problem here and there when I tried on clothes in the store....but I just didn't buy that top.  Hopefully it will still drop.  Mostly they look natural in my clothing and I'm happy I had the reconstruction done.  There are some days when they just feel too tight and uncomfortable though.  I enjoy the bra shopping.  I can't really explain it, other than to say that it makes me feel "feminine" to try on some pretty lacy bras. I never got fitted for bras before and as big as I was, I just got what I called "boulder holders".  LOL!  So, trying on these pretty, smaller bras is kind of fun.  I guess after going through this you try to enjoy what you can.  I will be going this month to get my areolas tattooed.  That sounds weird to me!  But, before I get those tattoos, I will be getting my pretty pink ribbon tattoo this Saturday.

ONE YEAR AGO......

Last year at this time I was going through mammograms and ultrasounds and waiting on the results of all of these tests.  The results were delivered to me via phone on April 7, 2011.  "We have the results of your tests and are sorry to say there is a malignancy.  Dr. Zusan would like for you to come in the morning at 8 am for a consultation."  I didn't even cry...I already knew.  Yes, even before that phone call, I already knew in my gut that it was malignant and had prepared myself for that news.  I could tell by the way they reacted while doing the tests and the fact that they also ultrasounded my lymph nodes.  I knew they would not do that if they didn't heavily suspect cancer.

Scared?  I guess I was....mostly of the unknown. I had so many questions racing through my mind and could not wait to meet with the doctor the next morning to get the answers.  By this time, I had watched my mom and sister being diagnosed the year before and even watched my sister have a bilateral masectomy.  Because of their diagnosis, I had done a lot of research and I knew the different elements of breast cancer and that it could be different kinds of cancer and the biggest questions in my mind were...."what kind do I have?" and "how early have we caught it" and "what kind of treatments will I have and what will be my prognosis".  Those were the questions that gave me the most fear.  My sister, Sheila, had been diagnosed with a rarer type of breast cancer....Triple Negative.  Triple Negative is harder to treat, although it can respond well to chemotherapy.  But, it is unknown what feeds it, so there is no pill to cut your chances of reoccurence, as with breast cancer fed by hormones.  Therefore, the reoccurence rate with Triple Negative is higher.  That weighed heavily on my mind....do I also have Triple Negative?  Before Sheila was diagnosed with it, I had no idea what it even was....but now as I waited to get the particulars of my own cancer, I did know about it and it was probably the one question that haunted me the most...along with how early I had caught it.  I had been feeling something about that particular breast for several years....a swelling from time to time.....but no doctors ever found anything.  The feeling was hard to describe....it wasn't particularly painful, but it felt "different"...... I wasn't surprised that my breast cancer was on that side.  Now that weighed heavily on my mind, wondering how long it had been there and maybe not detected.  

But, I also had a "peace" and knew God would be by my side and I had no choice than to be strong.  I never realized how life changing the journey would be for me though.  I never realized the blessings that awaited me through the journey and the emotional healing that awaited me after a very difficult year, following the passing of my mother. 

So, this Saturday, April 7, 2012, I will be celebrating ONE YEAR SURVIVAL....I will celebrate by getting a special pink ribbon tattoo.  Painful....maybe....but not nearly as painful, I'm sure, as what I have already been through. 

I will also be celebrating on Saturday, April 21, as I walk in the Susan G Komen Race in Indianapolis. 

I have a lot to celebrate!

Until next time...what do you have to celebrate?  Give thanks and celebrate whatever God has brought you through.

Cindy



SUSAN G KOMEN RACE FOR THE CURE IN EVANSVILLE, INDIANA

Pam and I got up bright and early on Saturday morning to go to our first Komen Race for the Cure.  Actually, I don't think it was so bright since it was around 5 AM when we got up!  Now anyone who knows me, knows I'm so NOT a morning person, so this was quite a feat for me! 

Now, get the Rockey theme song in your head and picture me getting ready so early in the morning!  I snapped this pic in the bedroom as I was dressing and keep in mind that Evansville is an hour behind us....so, it was actually 5:25 am!  Yawn....sure glad I went to bed early!

We headed downtown and found the Old National Bank parkng garage where they had special Survivor parking and then made our way into the bank.  Right off the bat Pam saw women she knew.  Of course I didn't know anyone, but it doesn't take me long to find new friends in the "sea of pink"!  We all connect as we understand what each of us are going through and we find encouragement from each other.

One of the first people we saw that morning was Pam's friend, Kathy, who was just diagnosed recently and has just finished up 4 rounds of chemo and is preparing for surgery.  I had actually "met" Kathy on the phone when Pam connected us and on the internet, but not in person.  I knew she was going to be at the race, along with thousands of others, and I was sooooo hoping to meet her in person.  God knows the desires of our heart.....I met her right off the bat, plus stood with her during the opening ceremonies (unplanned...He must have put us together!)

Next I met Donna, another friend of Pam's.  Pam, correct me if I get any names wrong.....I'm usually so bad with names and this is all from memory.  Also, if my memory serves me correct, I believe she said she was an 18 year survivor.  Yay Donna!!! 

As I entered the bank, some young ladies handed me a pretty beaded bracelet from a Sorority.  There were free handouts everywhere....even Hoosier Lottery tickets (I won $15!!!  LOL).   Anyway, later I saw this table of young women actually making the bracelets and asked if I could snap their pic.  It takes a lot of volunteers to make things happen and I thank each and every one of them! 

Pam and I walked down one street that was booth after booth of "giveaways" and that was cool!  Everyone likes freebies!  :=)  We got all kind of goodies!

And these freebies were particulary yummy!  I'm not a big cookie person, but I must say these cookies were delish!  They had an area set up for what was called Palooza and it was for survivors and 1 guest.  That's where we found these cookies, a scarf hand out, and drinks and fruit.

SURVIVOR WALK

I gave Pam my camera and went and lined up for the Survivor Walk.  I hoped she'd snap pics of anything happening and she did a great job!  It was such a rainy morning and umbrellas were everywhere, but they asked us to put the umbrellas down when we heard the music begin because they spooked the horses.  Wow, we get horses!!!  I had no idea!  And I was so glad Pam was able to snap a pic of them as they came down the chute to lead the parade of survivors.  

Angie, if you're reading this, I know you will love this pic! 

Now, silly me.   I lined up with the spectators on the other side of the rope THINKING I was in the survivor line ready to walk and I saw this first group of survivors coming down the way after the horses and they were carrying a sign that said "Less than 1 year".  I'm like...."uh, I think I should be with them-not here!"  And I immediately went under the rope and joined them.  LOL!  Do you see me?  Hey, it was my first Komen Race....I'll be smarter next year!  :=)

As we reached the stage, we made our way up some very wide tiered steps, which put us in the back row of the survivors.  What I didn't realize is that when we turned around to watch the ceremonies on stage that we were actually going to be in the front row for all of the activities.  How cool....Pam was able to get great pictures of us since we were in the front row!  And look who ended up right by me in that front row....Karen who I had just met earlier!  Pam got some great shots of us together during this time of honoring survivors!

This lady was awesome!  She and another woman sang and they both were very, very good!  I loved the songs....I Feel Like A Woman, Fight Like A Girl, I'm Going to Love You Through It, We Are Family, Amazing Grace....and others that were so inspirational!  We all danced and sang along being in the front row, we even had the microphone put to our face to sing ito it.  LOL!   Do you see me in this picture?  I couldn't spot myself at first because I didn't realize I had that much hair on the back of my head.  LOL!

Pam said I was singing here.  I love to sing but can't...LOL...and I always figured it was the voice that scared people.  But, now I think it's the singing face that scares them more!  Of course cute little Karen just gives off a sweet smile to make me look even worse.  LOL!

Amazing grace....what more can I say?

We have a lot to clap about....we're surviving cancer!  I chatted with the gal next to me and she was Teresa from Tennesee......

There's my singing face again!  LOL!  Hey, I was having a good time and you've gotta be able to laugh at yourself...right? 

Pam cracks me up!  She was at the side of us at first, so I had to keep looking over there for her to get a shot of me....instead of the back of my head.  Then she found a spot to stand so she was kind of behind the stage looking straight on at us...perfect!

Well, it was perfect until these guys stood right in front of her.  LOL!  They were waiting to go on stage and just as we were smiling for a pic and Pam was all ready to take it.....they lined up right in front of Pam.  Me and Kathy were cracking up and then saw Pam actually tell them to move because she was taking a pic.  LOL...I was cracking up when I saw this big tough guy actually squat down so she could take the pic.  That's my sister....nothing shy about her.  LOL!

All 3 of us....Kathy, me, and Teresa.  I may never see or hear from Teresa again, but I will be praying for her.  And who knows.....God works in amazing ways!  I do believe I'll see Kathy again and I do have her email and phone #, so plan to keep in touch and updated on how she is doing.  My life has been enriched by the people I have met on this journey.

That pretty well wrapped up the ceremonies.  They were great and very inspiring!  And it rained clear up to the Survivor Walk and ceremonies and then quit....then started up again after the ceremonies were over.  Coincidence???  I think NOT!  The rain stopped at the key moments!  Thank you Lord for the rain...and thank you Lord for the moments of no rain!  :=)  Pam liked to think of the rain as God showering us with His blessings.  I like that!  :=)

Pam and I made our way in to the bank to dry off and rest and sat down at a table with this lady and her daughter.

I hate it that I can't remember her name, but I do know she was from Kentucky and worked at Deaconess Hospital. 

FAMILY FUN 1 MILE WALK

Now, you surely didn't think Pam and I ran the 5K (3.1 miles), did you?  LOL!  I would love to do that someday, but don't know if my knees will ever let me.  But, maybe with some training on my treadmill.....  Never say never!  :=)

Pam's back....

My back.....

Now, since Pam and I were there alone, there was no one to take our picture as we walked, so we got the shot of our backs before we began and then just took shots of what we saw along the way!

Something as simple as this ribbon hanging in the tree can make you smile.  Thanks to whomever put it out there!

Same with this flag!  I'd like to have one of these, so might have to search the internet and see if I can find one.

These cute young cheerleaders were cheering for us along the way.  Loved their socks and their enthusiasm!

And then we had these Zumba dancers.  Wow, what energy!  It looked like such fun...I would love to do this someday!

~Real men wear pink!~

But this man might have gone a little overboard....LOL! 

If you dress like this and I have a camera....you gotta expect a pic!  LOL!   Hey, it's all for a good cause and I thank him for his support.  And he was a good sport to pose for me!

And there I am....I walked my mile and am heading down the survivor chute!  They announced our name as we crossed the finish line.  And they made us feel so special!

We had a great time and I felt so inspired.  Thank you Evansville, for such a great Komen Race.  You did a fantastic job and it was an awesome experience that I plan to do again next year!   The organization was fantastic and even though there were thousands there, it was spread out enough that we didn't ever feel a bit crowded.  Many thanks to the many volunteers who made this happen!   Pam and I want to make it an annual event and hopefully get Sheila to join us, as well as some other family members.  We are thinking we'll do the Spring one in Indianapolis and the Fall one in Evansville and make it a new annual tradition until the day breast cancer is whipped!

Back home at Pam's we dried out and both crashed for an afternoon nap.  LOL...hey, remember, we got up at 5 AM!!!  AND walked a mile!  Actually we walked more than that, but only a mile was "official".

I want you to meet Harley, Pam's sweet spoiled little dog.  She has pink ribbons in her hair.  You can't tell in the picture that they were pink....but they were.  She was so sweet and loved attention.  If I quit petting her, she would let me know she wanted more by lifting her paw toward me.  LOL...she is so spoiled!  I fell in love with her!  :=)

Later that day Pam had to head to work and Larry showed up to pick me up to head home.  Thanks again, Pam, for such a great time!  We'll do it again!!!

And, on the way home, Larry and I decided to stop about half way home and stay overnight at French Lick, Indiana.  We have been wanting to visit there....never been before....so this seemed to be the perfect opportunity!

Be sure to come back tomorrow and I'll tell you all about our French Lick experience!  And our gambling experience, which is sure to make you laugh.  We are so NOT gamblers!  LOL!

I'm exhausted and it will take me a few days of "downtime" to recuperate from all of this fun! 

Until next time.....go have some fun!  You can rest later....LOL!

Cindy