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



MEETING ANOTHER CANCER SISTER!

Last night I got the opportunity to meet another "cancer sister" I have met on this journey!  We were connected on facebook, but this is the first time I got to actually meet her in person!  I was soooo excited and looking forward to it!  My buddy, Linda, went with me!

This is Andee Pagel from Greenwood, Indiana....just about 50 miles from me.  You might recall that Greenwood is where my doctors and hospital are, plus my favorite shopping spots....so it's become a "second home" to me!  My car just drives itself up there now...lol!  Isn't she just the cutest little thing?  Andee is young enough to be my own child...29....and has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  She did the chemo but it came back this year.  I loved her positive, fighting spirit and we just "connected" in a way that those with cancer do.  It's not a "family" you want to be a part of, but there is quite a "sisterhood" when you meet...you just connect.  We actually sat at that table at Outback Steakhouse chatting up a storm with each other in "our own little world".  It was sooo good!

I was thrilled to finally get to meet Andee in person.  I got connected with her in the strangest way....a wrong phone number text (long story).  I like to call these kind of things a "God thing".

I also got to meet her little family, consisting of Karl and their beautiful little girl, Kayliann!

What an awesome, supportive fiance Karl was.  I was so happy I also got to meet him!  I just loved seeing all of the support that Andee obviously has on her journey.  I got to meet the rest of her family too....her mom, two sisters, aunt, and neice.  It was such a blessing to meet them all!

Our waitress took this awesome group shot of us and I'm so glad she did! It was an awesome evening and Linda and I were truly blessed to meet this great family!  As a mother myself, I can't imagine watching your child have to go through this...especially at such a young age.  But, Andee's spirit is just so inspiring and I know she gives such positive hope to her own family.  Will you please add Andee to your prayer list....thank you so much!

My new shoes....

Aren't these awesome?  LOL!  I had first seen them down in Evansville when I set up at the Chico's store....one of the sales girls was wearing them!  I thought, "Oh man, I need some of those"!  Well, little did I realize that a foot doctor just down the street from me sells them...I saw them advertised in the newspaper during October and was so surprised that they were right down the street!  So, I popped in and ouch...the price tag put me in shock!  LOL!  NO WAY do I spend that much money on shoes...never have!  I just can't justify that.....but, darn I want them!  Ever feel that way?  lol!  Well, a lightbulb lit up in my head and I asked if they did layaway, thinking that would be easier for me to justify paying $25.00 every other week until they were paid for!  Yep, they let me do that....so that wasn't so painful!  Funny how doing it that way makes it "feel" like they were cheaper.  :=)  And I have to tell you, I love, love, love them!  They are clogs, but have a back to them and they are so incredibly comfortable.....real good arch and support.  So, I will justify the purchase by knowing they are good for my feet!  That works!  :=)  And they are patent leather.....super shiny!  Dr. Venkatesh noticed them right off when I went to visit with him and remarked on how shiny my shoes were...said I could see my reflection in them!  LOL!  That's what I love about him....he's so personable.  How many other doctors would have even commented?

My newspaper/picture collage

I finally got it done!  When our newspaper article came out, my daughter Jennifer laminated it for me.  I was thrilled and told her I'd frame it!  Isn't it awesome?

I had to take the picture at an angle, as the flash just made a glare straight on.

I had to find a rather large frame because it was so long, but there was lots of space around the sides, so I decided to just add some photos of some of my "supporters" from my journey.  I really like the way it turned out!  I have another frame that I will be putting more pictures in....another day!  Way too many special memories and special people from this year to be able to include them in just one frame.  Just looking through these pictures of this past year brought warm memories of each person who helped me through this and I smile every time I see this hanging on the wall.  It makes me feel so blessed to see how far I've come.  The battle is behind me now, but I don't want to ever forget it and the blessings that came in the midst of it.  God truly walked beside me the whole way.

Until next time, watch for those blessings that God brings us every day.  Sometimes we get too busy to recognize them, but they are there.  And, just a reminder....GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM!!!!  :=)

GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

This post today isn't about me and my progress....it is about a young woman who is fighting ovarian cancer.  I have asked God to use me and He brought Andee Pagel into my life in such an awesome way!  God indeed works in mysterious ways!

Now, let me tell you the story of how I "met" Andee and heard about her fight.  I received a text message on my phone about a week ago....telling me about someone's sister's cancer returning and the doctor's telling them they could do no more for her.  My heart sunk and I had no idea who it was texting me.  I did not recognize the phone number, so I called it to see who it was.  I could not ignore this text, but I could not figure out who it was from!  As it turned out, the woman on the other end apologized and said her cousin used to have the number that I now have!  So, the text wasn't even meant for me....it was meant for her cousin.

Now, she had no idea that I have been fighting cancer myself all summer and that I have a desire to be here for others.  We had a great conversation and she filled me in on her sister, Andee. 

 Andee is a very young mom of one small child.  She's been battling ovarian cancer and it is back for the 3rd time and this time the doctors have told her they can do no more.  That is just heartbreaking, but she is not done fighting for her life!  She is looking into some treatment centers and is waiting to hear from Penn  State right now to see if she will qualify for treatment with them.

I asked Kelli (Andee's sister) what I could do to help and she said they are trying to raise money for the expenses Andee is facing with travelling in search of a cure.  They are selling these bracelets for $3.00 each and I told her I'd try to help them sell them.  Every little bit can help. 

So, if you would be interested in buying any of the bracelets to help out, please email me and let me know.  I can mail them to you first class (no additional cost, but only in the USA because of shipping costs to other countries, sorry).

Now, I do want to assure you that I do not plan to turn my blog into a fundraising blog, but I feel lead by God to try to help out this family who are heartbroken and fighting for their loved one.  If you feel lead to help in any way, please do so.  Prayers are so appreciated too. 

Until next time....thank you so much....Cindy