MY LAST SURGERY!!!

This should be my LAST surgery!!!  Yay!!!! 

I had to arrive at the Schneck Memorial Hospital at 10 am yesterday for my 11 am surgery....here I am waiting in anticipation of getting my beautiful gown!  My photographer, Sheila, was with me.  :=) This wasn't a BIG surgery, so I didn't think it was one Larry needed to take off work for.

Oh yay!  I got my lovely gown!!! lol!

And here I am coming back to my room after the surgery!  All done!!!  I actually walked into the operating room.......first time for that...and walked back!  I knew I was getting a "local" for this surgery instead of a "general", which in my mind meant I would be in a "lighter sleep" (like during my colonoscopy) rather than the "deep sleep".  When I was taken to a room when I arrived and it only had a chair instead of my normal bed.....I knew things weren't the same and learned that I wasn't going to be put to sleep at all and would just walk into the operating room!  Now, that was a first for me and quite interesting!  I got to see everything they do after they put me to sleep......the paper blanket things they lay over me, strapping my arms and legs down, the "tent" they put over my face.....and hearing the chitter chatter between the doctor and nurse....lol!  I even chit chatted as they did the procedure....lol!  The "local" part was shots of numbing medicine around the area they would be working on and I didn't even feel that because I'm still already numb from the masectomy.  As Dr. Jackson said..."in this case it's good to still be numb"....oh yes!  It was a pretty simple procedure that took maybe an hour.  And now I have nipples....Dr. Jackson said it would be the most unique Christmas present I'll ever get...lol! 

I went back into one of those lovely surgical bras that actually are very comfortable! I will stay in it and bandaged up for 48 hours and then I can unwrap myself and take a look and have to dab peroxide on it and an ointment.  I actually felt the soreness by last night, which I wasn't expecting.  I figured since I stay numb in that area that I wouldn't be sore....wrong!  It doesn't hurt a bit to touch it...but when I move my arm it stretches the area and hurts.  But,nothing I can't deal with!   So, I should have all of my surgeries done now and the next and last thing will be the tattooing in 3 months (unless he sees some revisions like fat grafting that he needs to make on my next visit). I'm feeling really good about all of it now and am glad I did this!

And as always, after we got done with all of this, Sheila and I were hungry, so we went to Pizza Hut to see our favorite server there!

Randi is the best and takes good care of us every time we eat there!

Last night my granddaughter, Jenna, spent the night and she helped me do another blanket.  This one is for my granddaughter, Abby, who loves peace signs (she's 8).  Jenna is really FAST tying, which was awesome! She's with me today and I'm going to get her to help me with another one. I've got 3 more to get done before Christmas...yikes!!!!

This one is for Abby.

And this one is Luke's...I did it by myself one night. Luke plays soccer and his favorite color is green!  He's only 4, so I made his a big smaller.

These are very relaxing to make while watching tv and make great gifts! I don't know why I didn't jump on this bandwagon years ago when they first came on the scene.  They are very easy...and very warm!  If you want to know how to do them, just let me know!

Until next time.....only one more shopping day left after today...I hope you're about done and can relax and enjoy getting ready for your family on Christmas Day.  I still need to go out today and get a couple more gifts and groceries and deliver a couple of things.  Enjoy your last minute preparations and try not to get too stressed! 

Blessings....Cindy

SPREADING SOME CHRISTMAS CHEER!

Today was my day to spread the Christmas Cheer!  I received such good and compassionate care this year from my doctors and nurses and wanted to remember them at Christmas and let them know how much they were appreciated.  So, last night I made up some pans of Apple Dumplings to take to them....thought that would be something different than candy and cookies and they might enjoy them.

Hey, check out my Skinny Jeans!  I just love the sounds of that...skinny jeans, skinny jeans, skinny jeans.  lol! 

I even dressed up like Mrs. Claus for them...lol!  They seemed to enjoy that and it was fun!

 

First I stopped at the Community South Hospital and delivered a pan to the nursing staff there.

    Sheila was with me and we really enjoyed spreading the cheer.  Everyone seemed to really enjoy our unexpected visit...and we enjoyed it as much as them!  They were so appreciative and we left there with our hearts full, knowing we had brought some cheer into a normal day at work. 

Next we headed to Dr. Venkatesh's Office.  I was hoping he would be "in" and he was!  My sister told Kim, one of the office staff gals, that he would be surprised when he came out and saw me and Kim said, "Ummm, with her...I don't think so!"  lol!  They've learned to expect the unexpected with me!

 Dr. Venkatesh (oncologist) walked out and had a big smile on his face when he saw me and I got him out there for a picture!  The whole office staff was "into" this and made it fun!  As busy as he is, he took time to accept my gift and get the picture...that's what I love about him..he's so personable!  Plus, knowledgable about treating cancer with chemo!  I feel like I owe my doctors so much!  They were such a big part of this year in my life and were so positive and encouraging.  So was their staff!  You just can't imagine how much that helps!

Next, we headed to Dr. Zusan's office (my surgeon).  She was busy with a patient, so two of her wonderful office staff gals came out to receive my gift.

Whew, all of that delivering made us hungry...so we headed over to our favorite restaurant...Olive Garden!  The fun continued there!

Sheila was trying to get a picture of me by their Christmas Tree and then I was going to get a picture of her and look who just popped into my picture out of nowhere.  lol!  We loved it!  We've been there so much this year with all of the doctor trips when we had to eat afterwards (lol), that the staff there is even getting to know us.  This is Ricky...I didn't know his name until today.  It seems everywhere we go we make new friends!  :=)

Then Ricky took a pic of me and Sheila!  Then we saw our server and waved him over and he got in on the act.

I'm not sure what his name was...darn it, I forget!  Such a nice picture, right?  The thing is...Ricky took the picture and unexpectedly, he kept snapping...

...and kept snapping.....

.....until we all just got real tickled not knowing whether to stay posed or just walk away.  lol!  What a stinker!

Then we spotted Max!  Max had been our waiter this summer when we went to eat after one of my chemo sessions and he was such a sweet gentleman.  He even asked if he could pray for us and it was so special.  We hadn't seen him since then and we wanted to let him know we were doing well.  The first thing he commented on was my hair...lol....he met me when I was bald.  He calls us his "cancer survivors".

Sheila and I just seem to have a good time whereever we go and have made so many new friends this year! 

We also went for a bra fitting today, where our new friend, Barb, fitted both of us.  Sheila got to take away 4 new bras....allowed by her insurance company and she needed to get them before the end of the year!  I'm really glad she found out before it was too late!  I already got my allotment for the year last week, but tried a few new ones on to get next year. 

Barb is just so sweet and helpful and really knows her stuff!  I had never really been "fitted" for a bra before and must admit, it was nice.  She made both me and Sheila feel very feminine and I have to tell you that is important after a masectomy.  I was used to just going to Wal Mart and getting my Playtex "boulder holders"....lol....so it was such fun to try on some more girly bras!  I debated on showing you one of them....don't want to show inappropriate photos.  But, feel that if you are reading my blog, you are interested in seeing what can be done after a masectomy.  It's just amazing to me the options we women have nowadays that I'm sure they didn't have in yesteryears.  So, since my blog is about BREAST cancer, I decided it is appropriate to show you how I'm looking with my reconstructed breasts and in reality, it's no more than seeing someone in a swimsuit.  So, here it is!  I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

Did you notice I punked up my hair today?  I need to get a picture of the back,

as I actually do have some waves back there!

Isn't it amazing what they have done?  I'm still in awe and feel so thankful.  My right side is still higher than the left, but it continues to change every day and is dropping down to being even with it.  It's looking better and more natural every day.  I'm much smaller than I was to begin with....and I like that!  I'm actually a B/C cup now...wow!  I could have never even imagined wearing a fun bra before!  And every bra she tried on me was very comfortable!  I am just so pleased!  I do still have a scar and dark place on my right side where the port was put in.  Tomorrow I will be getting the nipples.  And I will see him again in January to see if any adjustments need to be made.  I'm almost to the end of the road!  Yay!!!!

MASECTOMY PILLOWS

Do you remember the pillows that my cancer sister, Carin, had delivered to me at the hospital at the time of my masectomy?

I absolutely loved these pillows and depended on them for a long, long time under my arms!  You cannot believe the comfort they can bring a masectomy patient!  And I vowed that once I got to feeling better that I wanted to begin making pillows for other masectomy patients.  So, I made my first set for a gal who just had her masectomy this week!  I know she will find them as comforting as I did mine!

Showing both the front and the back.

When I was looking at fleece for my no-sew fringed blankets, I grabbed some for the pillows too and thought the pink ribbon fleece was so perfect.  I paired it with the pink camouflage to represent the "fighting breast cancer"....I thought it was a perfect combination.  They were really easy...once I got my sewing machine to cooperate.  I am so NOT a seamstress, but can manage simple things.  I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out.

You just tuck them under your arms for cushioning.  I slept with my pillows under my arms for months. 

When they are no longer needed under the arms, they also make great neck pillows or just look pretty on your bed.

If you know someone who is facing a masectomy or if you are facing one yourself, and would like pillows, please let me know.  I want to help other women through this journey wherever I can. 

Until next time....every time you walk out that door, watch for opportunities to have some fun!  Fun can be simple and inexpensive...even free!  Just be open to it!  :=)  Watch for ways you can bring joy into someone else's day and it will bring joy right back into your own!

Cindy

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS!

What a way to celebrate the Christmas Season....A Vince Gill and Amy Grant Christmas Concert.  It was wonderful!

My sister, Sheila, and her husband, Denver, took me last Friday.....unfortunately Larry wasn't able to go because of work committments.

The concert was in Evansville....a smaller venue, which I like.  Even though we got our tickets late and were up really high, we enjoyed it and could still see them and even get pictures with my zoom on my camera.

The stage set was beautiful and it was amazing what they could do with just lights.



They both are such good singers and seemed so "down to earth".  And we learned that Vince can be quite a character!  They sang traditional Christmas songs in the first half and then more of their own songs in the second half, along with some more traditonal ones.  I highly recommend you go if you ever get the chance.  They put on a great concert!

It seems like I have been so busy lately....which in a way is a good thing.  I'm doing really good healthwise.  Only thing to report there is that I have another surgery Thursday (in just two days!).  This will be the surgery to make nipples.  I don't anticipate it to be too bad, although I did watch a video of it that made me squirm.  lol!

If you're interested and have a strong stomach, here's the video showing the procedure I am having done on Thursday.
I did put the video directly on my blog at first, but it kept wanting to show a gross part that some of you might not want to see...so, I took it off.  So, if you want to see how this procedure is done, you can find the video at this link!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dgzxcwiAvY

CHRISTMAS WITH MY BESTIES

Sunday I went to Christmas Lunch with my friends, Linda and Martha.  This is a tradition of our's and we so enjoy it.  This year we elected to go to Nashville to the Artist Colony.  It was such a neat atmosphere and good food.  One of the things Linda wanted most over there was to get her picture with Santa (I think she was jealous of my picture with Santa...lol).  So, we were so hoping he would be walking around again like he was the day after Thanksgiving when I was over there.  Well, lo and behold, as soon as we sat down in the restaurant and ordered our food...who walks in?  Santa!!!!

Linda got her wish!  I motioned him over and he was so accomodating to us "big girls"!  What fun!  Look how tickled Linda is...I think he just made her day!  I told her that God knew the "desires of her heart" and knew she wanted to get her picture with Santa.  It was the only time we saw him that day and we had just arrived!  We didn't have to go hunt him down...he came to us!  How awesome is that?

He even had a couple of his elves with him!  I just love his elves!

Everywhere we went outside there were awesome Christmas displays for photo opportunities.  It really was decorated up nicely....even more than it was the day after Thanksgiving.  And Christmas music was also playing outside....it is a great place to go for Christmas dinner.  We have decided that may be where we go every year now.  I never really went over there in the winter....Fall is their BIG season and I had been there in the summer.  I discovered this year that Christmastime is just as special.  We didn't do a lot of shopping as we got over there late and the stores close early...but we did get to go into a few stores.

Linda and Martha are both very special to me and I don't know what I would have done without them this year.  They were a great encouragement and kicked in when I needed them most....even ran my stamping classes for me when I was too sick from chemo to do them.  We have a special bond and believe that God has molded our friendship.

Until next time....spend some time with those special friends in your life.  Cherish the people who are always there for you and let them know how you feel.  As you prepare for Christmas this week, reflect on what is important and be thankful for those special people in your life.  I know I am!

Cindy



WHAT AN INSPIRATION!

I ran across this video tonight and found it so inspirational.  I just had to share it with you all!   Remember to always praise God in any circumstance.....even when you're scared!  I pray this video encourages someone today!

CREATING IS MY THERAPY!

I have always been a creative type of gal....it just makes me feel good!  I could be in the worst of moods and spend a few hours stamping and my mood will just lift!  I especially love to put on praise music while I stamp....or Christmas music right now.   And creating with friends is the best! 

We had our last stamp class of the year on Tuesday.  I just love my stamp girls!  They have been a great support group through this year and we have molded into a fun group of friends! 

And here is what we made!  Two cards and then the stocking in the middle.  Such fun!

Before they came we (me and the Divas) had made up these cute little Santa boxes and filled them with goodies for them.  Oh, and look at my pink Christmas tree!  It's not fully decorated yet...I'll share a picture of it when it is.

Here's a close-up of the Santa boxes.  They were such fun to make!

Brenda working on coloring her snowmen.  Even big girls love to color!  :=)  You know, there's just something therapeutic about coloring!

And there's Teresa doing her therapeutic coloring!

Not too sure what Kara is doing....she must be done with her coloring!  lol!

We had a great time and food to follow!  I made the Chicken Pot Pie soup in the crock pot and Teresa brought the most delicious chocolate cake with chocolate icing (yum, yum) and cookies!  We always have such a great time!

Now that my classes are over I have a little over a week to work on handmade Christmas gifts.  I have always loved making gifts and this year am trying to do more of that.  My daddy told me that the photo calendars I made them for a number of years was the best gift I'd ever given them.  That made me feel good that they were so appreciated by him.

This year I wanted to try doing those fringed fleece throws that everyone was making a few years back.  Amazingly, I didn't jump on that bandwagon back then...not sure why, since I jump on any new creative bandwagon.  lol!  I knew they must be pretty easy when my sisters, Sheila and Pam, and my daughter, Erin, made them...because they rarely ever make anything.  lol!  Well this year I decided it would be something special to make my grandchildren and I got soccer ball fleece for Luke with a green fleece backing.  My good pal, Linda, said she had made bunches of these before and would come over and teach me.  So, she did just that last night!

Not only did she help me get started (as planned), but we just kept going and finished one up....only took two hours with both of us working on it! 

We actually didn't work on Luke's last night.  I had found this pink ribbon fleece and thought it would make a special throw for someone special (can't say who....in case they're reading this).  So, these are the two fleece designs we used for the throw last night. 

We had to start out by trimming it on the sides a bit because one of the fleece pieces was larger than the other.  We needed them to be the same size.

No, I don't always wear those glasses.  But, I always need "reader glasses" for any close up work.  I also don't always have that surgical bra on, but it just feels good right now.  I still get sore when I go without it, so I wear it around the house. 

Then after cutting a 3 inch square from each corner, we just had to cut 3" strips from the edge and tie them together to make the fringe.  Here we are tying them and finishing up our first side.  Pretty easy peasy!

Then Linda worked on one side.....

.....while I worked on the other side!

Once we had these two sides done (they were long sides), then all we had to do was the last end together.

And here it is!  I just love it!  I flipped the top over so you could see the backside and how well it compliments the front.  I made this one extra big (2-1/2 yards of each fleece.....thankfully it was on sale at 50%!). 

It's so soft and warm and perfect for anyone who is fighting or has fought breast cancer.  I love covering up when I watch tv.  I can think of a number of people who I'd love to make one for....not time for Christmas but maybe as time goes on I can make some for some special people I have met on my journey.  I would love to do that!  I so remember how special it was this year to receive my own special throw from a reader.  It will forever be a treasure to me!

Oh, and look what Linda bought me when we were out shopping yesterday! 

I've actually been sleeping pretty good, but for some reason, the night before, I had a horrible sleep night.  So, she saw this Sleep Aromethepy bath foam when we were in Bath and Body and said she was going to get it for me to use before I go to bed.  So, then I saw the Energy one and said, "Well, I need this one for when I get up in the morning"....lol!  So, I picked that one up and she got me the Sleep one.  I'll let you know how they work for me.  I'm heading in to try out the Energy one right now and then I'm going to do the treadmill.  Gotta get that blood pumping....busy day today!  Sheila is going to Greenwood with me for my bra fitting and then we'll be Christmas shopping, so I gotta be energetic.  :=)

Nothing really going on healthwise, other than the achiness has begun from the Arimidex pill I'm taking.  I knew it was a side affect, so I'm not surprised by it and so far it's tolerable.  The most exciting thing happening as far as my health is that I get to go today to get fitted for my first bra....yay!!!  lol!  Hey, it's exciting to ME!  :=)

And that's it for today!  No real cancer talk....because there's more to life than cancer..right?  :=)  Cancer was just a "little detour" in life....it is NOT my life, but will always be a part of my life! 

Tomorrow we are going to a Vince Gill and Amy Grant Christmas concert and are really looking forward to it!  Life is good and I plan to make to the most of it!

Christmas shopping is winding down and now I want to get everything wrapped up this weekend and hopefully spend next week baking and making some special treats and visiting some special people!

Until next time....think of the special people in your life and show them how much you appreciate them.  It doesn't have to be anything BIG....even a small gesture of some cookies or bagged candy can mean a lot.  It's just nice to be "thought of".  I hope you will enjoy this Christmas Season, even if it means simplifying things.  I enjoy a simpler Christmas better instead of running around stressing myself out!  It seems like I've been doing a lot of running around, doesn't it (lol), but it's been fun running around....not stressful running around!   Enjoy your holiday time and your loved ones!
Cindy

THIS AND THAT!

Whoohoo....look at me go!  I was going so fast it blurred the photo!

Ok, well, I have to confess....that's not quite true.  I wasn't moving at all....I was just posing. lol! It was my photographer who moved....ugh....my dear poor husband just cannot hold still when taking a photo!

There, he did it! But, but, but....where's my feet to show how hard they are working?  He hates being my photographer and I hate him being my photographer...but, he's all I had available tonight! lol!  I don't think I'm being unreasonable wanting a non-blurry pic.  Plus, I set the camera up exactly for him...all he had to do was stand in the spot I showed him and snap the picture.  What did he do??  He zoomed in...ugh....lol!  Oh well, you get the idea!  I finally got my treadmill dug out and walked my first half mile tonight...yep, a half mile..lol!  Hey, I'm starting out slow and I am only a week and two days out of surgery and the surgeon told me I could do the treadmill, but not to bounce.  I got the treadmill right before I got sick and had worked up to a mile each day....I'll build up to it.  I get bored on it for some reason, even when I'm watching tv at the same time.  My daughter, Jen (the All Star Runner and Cross Country coach) tells me I'm making excuses...lol!  She's probably right.  But, at least I'm starting my exercise and will be burning some calories off.  I want to keep this weight off and even lose more (in the tummy!).  I've been laying around way too much!!

Chemo....the gift that keeps on giving!

Ewwwww....yeah, it's kinda gross, isn't it?  I knew that chemo could make your nails come off....but my last chemo was back on June 22...months ago!  So, I thought I had escaped that side affect!  I had noticed my nice, hard, long fingernails have turned soft on me and break easily.  :=(  I wouldn't even say they break.....it's like they tear like a piece of paper.  Then last night my toenail caught on something and bent back half way down.  I was like..wowser, this is going to hurt to pull off....what do I do?  I knew I couldn't just leave it to catch on everything and torture me.  Then to my surprise, as I was trying to figure out how to remove it, expecting pain and blood....I realized it wasn't even attached to the skin underneath.  All I needed to do was bend it back and forth to break it free from the bottom nail it was hanging on to.  No pain...no blood!  I guess it was already coming off and I figure it was due to the chemo.  That chemo is full of surprises!  I'm not real sure how long it stays in your body, but I guess I can see it as a good thing...still in there to kill any rogue microscopic cancer cell that may have escaped.  So, I can pay the price of a toenail or two for that extra insurance!

A MOST TREASURED GIFT FROM A FRIEND!

I received this surprise from a good friend, Angie from Ohio, yesterday in the mail..for Christmas!  I wasn't even expecting a package from her, so I couldn't imagine what she was sending me.  It made my day....like anyone else, I love surprises!  :=)  Angie, herself, went thru breast cancer and remains cancer free today...five years later....yay Angie!  Praise God!

Isn't it beautiful!

I just love it Angie and have it right by my bed to read every day!  I had never even seen one like this!  It has such a soft cover to it!  Of course I have several Bibles, but I will especially treasure this one and think of you when I see it.   It's such a special gift, my friend....thank you so much!

GOD WILL USE ANYTHING...

EVEN A PAIR OF SHOES!

Do you remember my special shoes I bought at the Foot Doctor's?

I love these shoes....they are so comfortable!  They get noticed a lot too and can lead to an "open door".  Last night they were noticed by this sweet, young gal.  When she commented on them, I had a "feeling" she must know someone who has or is battling breast cancer.  Sure enough....her mother was just diagnosed!  Sheila was with me and we talked to her and exchanged our phone number so her mother could give us a call.  I call these kind of meetings a "God thing" and want to remain open to His leading.  In my opinion, it was no "accident" that Sheila and I were in the Circle K at the same time as this young lady and she noticed my shoes.  I hope to hear from her mother, Lee, and be able to encourage her as she begins her journey.  Meanwhile, I will be lifting her up in prayer and ask that you all will think of her in prayer too.  Thank you!

CLOTHING SHOPPING IS FUN AGAIN!

I literally need to buy new clothing because my old clothing hangs on me.  I went from a size 20 jeans to a 16....from a size 18-20 or 1X or 2X top to a Large or 12-14 top (or 14-16, depending on how it's made).  So, little by little, I'm trying to get some clothes that fit!  Well, yesterday, Fashion Bug had everything on sale for 40% off...wow!  Plus my good friend, Martha, gave me a $10 coupon!  And I love Fashion Bug clothing!  I was able to get a few tops very cheap with some my Thirty One commission....yay!  And, I must admit, it was fun to be able to try on smaller, more stylish things.  I had gotten to where I'd just buy "big and baggie" to hide the fat.  ugh!  So, it was fun to look at things that were a little more fitted and stylish.  It will be even more fun if I could lose this tummy!  I'm working on it!

INDIANA IS BACK!!!!

Hey, how about those Hoosiers!  No offense meant toward anyone reading from Kentucky!  But, man, that was an awesome, exciting game!  Enjoy this video!

Until next time....be blessed!

Cindy