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!!!!  :=)

MY FIRST ONCOLOGIST FOLLOW UP TOMORROW!!!!

Tomorrow I will be going back to my oncologist (chemo doctor), Dr. Venkatesh in Greenwood.  It may sound strange, but I'm really excited about going to him....plus I get to see the office girls!  Since my treatments ended, I am now in the "follow up mode" with my doctors, (other than my plastic surgeon).  So, this is my first 3-month check up with my oncologist and I'm eager to have the blood work done and of course praying that it comes out "clean" and showing nothing to indicate the return of any cancer.  Following up with the doctors give me a strange peace....it makes me feel like I'm still "doing something" to combat the cancer returning.  And if it would return, I would have the best chance to catch it early.  These follow-ups are a part of my life now....I don't know how long, but it will be years.  I will follow up with my surgeon, Dr. Zusan, every six months, so will see her again in February.  I'm feeling pretty good, so now I hope the bloodwork all looks good!  That would be the prayers I ask from you tonight...thank you!

And, since I know you are a praying bunch, I have a couple of friends I'd like to ask you to lift up in prayer.

 

Carin is on the right in pink.  She is one of my "cancer sisters".

My friend, Carin, will be having her "exchange surgery" to replace her tissue expanders tomorrow.  I know she is excited and apprehensive at the same time.  So, if you would remember her in your prayers, I would appreciate it....and I know she will too.  I told her I'm jealous she gets her new ta-tas before me!  I still have to wait a couple more weeks!

And, unfortunately, I have a "new cancer sister" ~ Edie ~.  She has joined this "family" that none of us want to be a part of, as she was just diagnosed with breast cancer last week.  Edie lives in PA and we have never met, but we used to be on a crafting board together, so we "know" each other via the internet.  Edie had surgery this morning and she has been on my mind and in my prayers all day today.  Will you please lift her up in prayers with me?  Thank you!

And, will you please lift my brother-in-law, Nick up in your prayers.

My sister, Pam, and her husband, Nick ~ in the hospital listening to Amazing Grace.

Nick has just begun his own cancer journey, being the 4th in my family to be diagnosed with cancer within the last two years.  He has been diagnosed with Lymphoma, but it is such a rare kind that they are having a hard time determining the factors of it so they can get a treatment plan started.  So, the wait for the treatments to begin is getting excruciating, as it's been at least 3 weeks of waiting now.  He had another surgery to remove more tissue and bone from his head last Friday and are hoping it brings the answers for them by the end of this week.  This is a real roller coaster when you are first diagnosed, as they have quickly found out.  Unfortunately for Nick, the cancer has already affected his life in a detrimental way, as it has made him go totally blind and the doctors say he won't get his sight back.  It's hard enough to go through the treatments for the cancer as it is, but I cannot even imagine being able to see one day and not see the next.  That alone would be so life changing!  It just breaks my heart.  Nick's spirits have remained high in spite of this, but please ask God to continue to hold him up and give him a peace beyond human understanding.  Thank you.  Pam and Nick are Christians and I know they are leaning on their faith to get them through this.  With a diagnosis like this, we find so much is totally out of our hands...and our faith in God is strengthened.  I know God can use Nick's battle and bless both him and Pam in the midst of it and I pray for that.

This has been a very trying two years for my entire family, but God has been in the midst of all of the troubles.  He has held us up and taught us things in our "valleys" and I hope He can now use me for His glory!  Sometimes you have to be "broken" to fully put your trust in Him and allow Him to use you.  I want to be an encouragement to others who may find themselves diagnosed with cancer and I pray for Him to lead me.

Thank you for all of your prayers!

Cooking has returned to our house!!!!

And my husband is glad it has!  I used to cook while we were raising our two children...I really did!  LOL!  But once both kids left our home and it was just me and Larry, it just seemed easier to "eat out" a lot and I just didn't cook much any longer.  Then something happened...on facebook, of all places!  Someone shared a link to a facebook page full of crock pot recipes!  Now, I love, love, love my crock pot for roasts and my green beans, smoked sausage, and potato concoction.  But, I never knew the things you could do in a crock pot (even cakes!) before discovering this facebook page where women were sharing recipes left and right!  Then that lead to finding other recipe sites all over the internet of women sharing the recipes they cook in their own homes...and the rest is history! 

For the last couple of months now I have been cooking up a storm in my crock pot!  I am actually spoiling Larry, who comes in every day from work sniffing to smell what is cooking for that day...lol!  Every once in a while I skip a day or two....I don't want to spoil him too much to where he expects it every day!

I have found the most awesome recipes....even some non-crockpot ones and thought I'd start sharing some of them with you!  Wait until you try those apple dumplins' I found...yum, yum!  But, this time, I'll share what we had for supper tonight....Pork Chops and Gravy in the crock pot!  And boy, was it tasty!!!!  I'm pretty sure I found this recipe on this facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/happycrockin#!/happycrockin?sk=app_202980683107053

This actually is the page that started it all, formerly known as the Crock Pot Girls.  So, if you're on facebook, you want to check it out!

I served it with potato patties and baked beans.  First time we tried this one and Larry approved!  :=)

Here's the recipe for you!

THE MOST AMAZING PORK CHOPS AND GRAVY

4 pork chops (I used 6 boneless chops I had, but you can use in-bone chops too) - the recipe said to use 4 whole thick cut bone in pork chop with a little fat)

1 envelope Onion Soup Mix (1 oz.)

1-1/2 cuops of chicken broth

1-10.5 oz. can of cream of chicken soup

1 envelope dry pork gravy mix

Place pork chops in the slow cooker.  Mix all other ingredients in a bowl and pour over the chops.

Cook on low 6-8 hours (I cooked mine on high for about 5-6 hours) until they are VERY fork tender.

Serve with mashed potatoes or white rice to put the gravy on.

I decided to go ahead and share the apple dumplins recipe with you tonight too!  You just HAVE to try these!!!  You can get 8 dumplins from ONE apple and they are amazingly delicious!  Every year when I go to our local festival, the Oktoberfest, one of the must-haves are the apple dumplins from the Lutheran stand.  Now I no longer have to wait a whole year to get my apple dumplin!!!!

This is actually a picture of them before they were baked!  I forgot to take a picture after baking them and Larry and I ate them up too fast for a pic...LOL!  I'll have to take a "baked pic" next time!  I have to give credit to The Country Cook for this recipe, as that is where I found it.....Brandie, I hope you don't mind me sharing your recipe here!  You can visit her site here http://www.thecountrycook.net/2011/09/easy-apple-dumplins.html  for great visuals on making these and while you are there, be sure to check out her other recipes!  I love the way she gives us step by step photos for making her yummy dishes!

Easy Apple Dumplins
Blogger keeps wanting to move parts of this recipe down so I have no idea where it will show up (ugh), so if you can[t figure it out you will be better off to go to the link for it at The Country Cook.  I'm so over fighting it...lol!
Ingredients:
1 Green Apple (Granny Smith or Golden Delicious)

1/2 cup lemon lime soda (Sprite or Mountain Dew work good)

1 tube (8 oz.) Crescent Rolls

1 stick unsalted butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ground Cinnamon (to taste)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees

Peel and core apples. Cut apple into 8 slices.

Unroll tube of crescent rolls and separate into 8 pieces.

On each roll, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon.

Add one apple slice.

Roll it up in a nice little bundle. Continue with next 7 rolls the same way.

Spray an 8-inch square pan with nonstick spray.

Place all 8 dumplins into baking dish.

Mix together melted butter with sugar and vanilla.

Pour butter mixture on top of crescent rolls.

Now take soda and pour it around the edges of the crescent rolls.

Sprinkle tops with a bit more cinnamon.

Bake in preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes.

Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.  I love them with vanilla ice cream!

Cook's Notes:  Just double the recipe and use a 13x9 pan for 16 servings.

Enjoy!

http://www.thecountrycook.net/

I own 5 crock pots now...LOL!  I have always loved trying new recipes and even though I didn't cook much any more, I would request Gooseberry Patch cookbooks for Christmas.  My daughters would laugh and say, "Mom, why do you want a cookbook?  You never cook"!  But, then I'd get one or two Gooseberry Patch cookbooks (guess they love me!)-LOL!  And I'd read through those cookbooks like they were a novel and mark this page to try and that page to try....and never tried them.  But, I sure loved reading them and they were less fattening that way!  :=)  Now they laugh about my crock pots.  I only had one....a 5 qt one and asked for a 3-set crock pot unit last year for Christmas and got it!  :=)  And then about a month ago, I got this baby....my 7 quarter!  I found some of the soups I had been making lately didn't want to fit into my 5 quarter.  My kids are laughing about how many crock pots I have now!  I tease them and tell them we're going to have a crock pot Thanksgiving meal!

Ingredients: (Ok, blogger is being wonky tonight and kept wanting to move this part of the recipe here and I'm tired of fighting with it, so I'm just going to leave it here and retype it above!)

Until next time, why not drag those crock pots out and start crocking with me!  :=)  I hope you enjoy getting a recipe here and there in between my medical reports.  Thanks for your many prayers and I'll report back tomorrow after my oncology visit.

Cindy

PS, I've also begun to use coupons, and am finding them online even....but I'll save that for another day!  I may have to start some new blogs just for crocking and couponing!  :=)

I GOT WIRED MONDAY NIGHT!

Yep, I literally got wired! LOL!  I went for my sleep study.  Now, in case you've ever wondered what takes place at a sleep study....here's a visual for you!  LOL!

This was my 3rd sleep study, so I knew what to expect.  Just imagine trying to go to sleep with all of those wires placed all over you....your head, your face, your chest, your legs....and this wasn't all of it!  Once I got all wired up totally, I also had two belts across my chest and a tubing up my nostrils! 

And, believe it or not, I managed to actually sleep!!!  I remember having a horrible time even falling asleep during my last sleep study.  But, this time I was actually relaxed and feel like I slept much better, although I seemed to wake up all night long and then go right back to sleep. 

It's really a very simple test....if you can sleep.  I just had to arrive at the local hospital at 8 PM...get all wired up....watch tv until I was ready to sleep....then sleep.  You have a more normal bed to sleep in...rather than a hospital bed.   They woke me up at 6 AM to go home.  That's it...didn't even get breakfast!  :=(  I just crawled back in bed once I got home and got the goop washed out of my hair and off of my body (much easier to wash out of short hair!) and slept a couple more hours in my own bed!

The wires monitor all sorts of things while I sleep....including my brain waves, leg twitching, my breathing, oxygen intake, and who knows what else!  The tech told me that my oxygen level stayed in the 90's, which is good!!!  Last year it dropped down into the 70's, which is dangerous and hard on your heart.  So, this was good news for me and it will probably result in me being able to do away with the oxygen I have to wear at night at home.  He said I had a couple of "incidences", but not bad.  He doesn't really diagnose me...it's up to my neurologist to read the results and tell me whether I can get off of the mask I have had to wear at night for the past year and a half.

Imagine having to sleep with this on and you'll understand why I'm hoping to get rid of it...real pretty, huh?  LOL!  But, I will admit, I did get used to it.

No, this isn't me!  Borrowed this pic somewhere on the web.

I knew nothing about Sleep Apnea until last year when I was diagnosed following a major surgery I had.  Every year when I went to my primary physician for my annual check-up, he'd ask me how I was feeling and every year I'd tell him I was "tired all the time".  Now, I'm not talking a regular "tired" that we all get....it was a non-functional tired that affected my daily life.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  Now, I do still enjoy a good nap, but it might be an hour power nap...not a five hour long nap before bedtime.  The standard answer was to "lose weight and exercise".  But, at my last check-up, I got a "new response" from him....he said he wondered if maybe we were looking at some sleep apnea!  Then a few months later, I had surgery and was in the hospital for 5 days and my oxygen level was monitored at night and they realized that my oxygen dropped to dangerous levels while I slept.  This resulted with me having to have an oxygen tank at home when I was released from the hospital....only for nighttime sleeping.  Then I was referred to a neurologist who ordered a "sleep study".  The diagnosis: Obstructive Sleep Apnea....which resulted in a CPAP machine and a mask to wear to bed every night.  As much as I hated the idea of wearing that mask every night, I was thrilled to finally have an ANSWER to my fatigue problem, as it had really affected my life in a negative way!  And, I actually got used to the mask and looked forward to wearing it when I went to bed....because I knew I'd feel better the next morning.  It takes a bit of time to make up the "sleep debt", but if you are faithful to wear your mask every night, it can pay off!

What is sleep apnea? 

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.  

There are two types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
• Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/sleep-apnea

These seven health problems are linked to obstructive sleep apnea:

1. High blood pressure. Obstructive sleep apnea can contribute to high blood pressure in people who have it. The frequent nighttime wakings that plague people with sleep apnea cause hormonal systems to go into overdrive, which results in high blood pressure levels at night. Low blood-oxygen levels, caused by the cutoff of oxygen, may also contribute to hypertension in people with sleep apnea. The good news: Some people with high blood pressure who are treated for sleep apnea can cut back on their blood pressure medications.
2. Heart disease. People with obstructive sleep apnea are more likely to suffer heart attacks and die in the middle of the night. The causes may be low oxygen or the stress of waking up often during sleep. Stroke and atrial fibrillation – a problem with the rhythm of the heartbeat -- are also associated with obstructive sleep apnea. The disrupted oxygen flow caused by sleep apnea makes it hard for your brain to regulate the flow of blood in arteries and the brain itself.
3. Type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea is very common among people with type 2 diabetes – up to 80% of diabetics have some obstructive sleep apnea. Obesity is a common risk factor for both disorders. Although studies haven’t shown a clear link between sleep apnea alone and type 2 diabetes, sleep deprivation can cause insulin resistance, a precursor to diabetes.
4. Weight gain. Adding weight raises your risk of sleep apnea, and up to two-thirds of people with sleep apnea are severely overweight. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be cured if you lose enough weight, but that can be tough to do. Being overweight causes fatty deposits in the neck that block breathing at night. In turn, sleep apnea impairs the body’s endocrine systems, causing the release of the hormone ghrelin, which makes you crave carbohydrates and sweets. Also, people with sleep apnea who are tired and sleepy all the time may have lower metabolisms, which can also contribute to weight gain. Getting treatment for sleep apnea can make you feel better, with more energy for exercise and other activities.
5. Adult asthma. Although the link to obstructive sleep apnea is not proven, people who are treated for sleep apnea may find they have fewer asthma attacks.
6. GERD. There’s no proof that sleep apnea causes acid reflux, but many people with sleep apnea complain of acid reflux, and treating it seems to improve apnea symptoms, say sleep physicians.
7. Car accidents. Daytime grogginess can put people with sleep apnea at increased risk of falling asleep behind the wheel. People with sleep apnea are up to five times more likely than normal sleepers to have traffic accidents.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/treating-sleep-apnea/dangers

Just like breast cancer, I knew nothing about Sleep Apnea until I was diagnosed with it.  I found it fascinating to learn the different stages of sleep we go through at night and how important it is to hit these stages.  I never knew! 

Stages of Sleep: REM and Non-REM Sleep

When you sleep, your body rests and restores its energy levels. However, sleep is an active state that affects both your physical and mental well-being. A good night's sleep is often the best way to help you cope with stress, solve problems, or recover from illness.

What Happens During Sleep?

Sleep is prompted by natural cycles of activity in the brain and consists of two basic states: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which consists of Stages 1 through 4.

During sleep, the body cycles between non-REM and REM sleep. Typically, people begin the sleep cycle with a period of non-REM sleep followed by a very short period of REM sleep. Dreams generally occur in the REM stage of sleep.

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/excessive-sleepiness-10/sleep-101

You can read about the different stages at the link above.  Very fascinating and as you can see, very important to both our mental health and our physical health.  After I was diagnosed I realized I had not been dreaming any longer....I just never realized it or thought about it....and it was because I was not reaching the REM stage!  Last night he told me I reached that REM stage several times, even without a CPAP machine....so that was encouraging!  I should hear from my neurologist within a week with word whether I can get off of this cpap machine or not.  Many times losing weight can result in no longer needing it....so, I'm hoping!  :=)

So, until next time.....do you feel tired every day, even after sleeping?  Do you dream?  Do you snore and maybe even wake yourself up snoring?  I told my neurologist that I'd sometimes wake myself up snoring and his answer startled me!  He said people think they are waking themselves up snoring, but the fact is that they have quit breathing and their body is jerking them awake to breathe and they hear themselves snoring as they come out of their sleep!  That was sure a scary thought!  Many people have no idea what sleep apnea is, even though they may very well have it!  If you suspect you may be suffering from it, I encourage you to talk with your doctor about it.  It truly can make a difference in the quality of your life!

Cindy

CELEBRATING OUR FAMILY VETERANS...

Today we celebrated and paid tribute to the Veterans of our country.  Our local Applebees handed out free meals to any veteran today, so we rounded up some of the veterans of the family and took them out.  I know several other restaurants did this today also and I think it is such a nice gesture.  They were extremely busy and many currently serving servicemen were there in groups eating out.  How nice for them to be honored this way.  I was a teenager when the Viet Nam War was being fought and the servicemen were not treated very nice...they were even spit upon.  I find that so extremely sad and am happy to see that the climate toward them is much, much better today.

As we entered the restaurant, I was touched by this table that was set up to honor those unable to be present today....the POWs and MIAs.  It touched me that they were being remembered too.

Here are the veterans we were honoring tonight in our family.

My nephew, Denny ~ my brother-in-law, Denver ~ and my brother, Randy

Some of the rest of the family who joined us at Applebees...trying to decide what to order.

My Sister-in-law, Tina (married to Randy)

My Sister, Sheila (married to Denver)

And.....ME!  LOL!

Yep, that's my favorite sweater!  You see it on me in so many pics because it goes everywhere with me....you just never know when a place will be cold, so it's my constant companion!  :=)

I asked Sheila to take my picture so I could show you how much my hair has grown since the last time.  It doesn't appear that I'm going to get any curls...darn...lol!  It's actually at the "bad stage" right now where it is starting to look unruly, like a boy who needs a haircut.  It just kind of lays whichever way it wants and I have a cowlick in the back that I can't really do anything with.  I just pretend it's not there, since I can't see it...LOL!  Tonight I put some gel in the top of it and spiked it up.  It's growing, but this is almost five months worth of growth, as my last chemo was June 22.  Sure doesn't seem to be growing very fast!  Oh well, it's sure easy to take care of!  At least now I think it just looks like I chose to cut my hair this way....rather than give me that "cancer patient look", know what I mean?  I'll let it continue to grow, but I've really gotten used to it really short like this, so don't be surprised if I decide to purposely get it cut this way down the road!  :=)

And I want to pay tribute today to my dad, who served during WWII.  We lost daddy to lung cancer 10 years ago and I miss him every day.  He was very proud of his service to our country.

Until next time, celebrate and thank the servicemen/women or veterans in your family or circle of friends.  We have a lot to be thankful for in our great country and we owe a lot of gratitude to those who keep us safe.  I say thank you to all servicemen/women or veterans out there!  So, if you are reading this and are married to one of them...please give them a hug and tell them thanks for me!

Cindy

THERE'S MORE TO BREAST CANCER THAN PINK RIBBONS

Yesterday this "re-post" began floating around on facebook.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. It isn't pink or sexy. It doesn't involve boobs, football players, or cute t-shirts. It's about being grateful when you/your loved one wakes up in the morning. It's 3am blood sugar checks, needles, low blood sugars and high blood sugars and the smell of insulin on your hands after changing a pump site or filling a syringe......swelled feet and achy bones. Dry skin, endless finger sticks, counting carbs. That's a diabetics LIFE. Re-post this if you have or love someone with diabetes........

  I have heard comments during my "journey" about breast cancer "getting all of the attention" and understand what people are saying and know it is nothing personal, but people speaking from their own pain.  So, I try my best to overlook it.  I'm thankful for the support I have found while fighting breast cancer, but believe me...having breast cancer has not been "fun and games".

I am afraid that the "marketing" of breast cancer has turned people off and I can understand that.  Sometimes it makes my own stomach turn.  I mean, when I walk in stores and see pink sweepers on sale for breast cancer, I just roll my eyes.  But, I have embraced the pink ribbons, race for the cures, cute t-shirts, and don't even mind watching those football players.  Some of these things have helped me keep my spirits up while fighting this disease.  I have appreciated the support, when I found none from some of my own family members.  When fighting this disease, support is so important...and I have found it in some family members, some very dear friends, and even strangers (and football players).  

It was hard to ignore that "little thing" going around on facebook.  I think we all need this reminder that there is a "real disease" and "real people" behind that "sea of pink" that you may feel is shoved down your throat in the month of October.   Look beyond the "marketing" and try to remember that breast cancer touches so many people's lives and we're just doing the best we can to keep our spirits up while we fight this disease.

I wanted to share my own facebook post with the rest of you who may not be on my facebook.  Feel free to share it on your own facebook, if you wish.

For the record, breast cancer is not pink or sexy or football players or cute t-shirts. It is a life-threatening disease. It is biopsies, mri, chemo, radiation, going bald, getting sick, throwing up, fatigue like you've never felt before, low white blood cell counts and medication to combat it, low red blood cell counts and blood transfusions, doctor visits (more than one doctor) consume your life, surgeries, losing a part of your body and being disfigured, reconstruction if you choose that, which means more pain and surgery, dry skin, sores in your mouth, dry mouth, loss of appetite, sleepless nights, needles and more needles, a port put under your skin in surgery, monthly port flushes, achy bones from medication, financial burdens, hospital and doctor bills, ekgs. blood draws, and the continual fear after treartment is over that it may return in a main organ....liver, brain, lung, bones....and eventually kill you.

Please don't minimize breast cancer into being pink and sexy and football players and cute t-shirts. These things may help a person get through their journey, but it does not symbolize the life of a breast cancer patient. No matter what disease is affecting your life, it is important to you and I empathize with whatever you may be going through. But, comparisons aren't necessary to bring awareness to your cause. No disease is pretty and I pray for all who are suffering from any disease.

As one friend put it...."any disease a person is fighting sucks".

I support those who are battling other diseases as well as breast cancer, and just taking that one sentence out of that original post works just as well to spread the awareness of diabetes.  If you are on facebook, will you please re-post this for Diabetes Awareness Month.  Thank you!

November is Diabetes Awareness Month.  It's about being grateful when you/your loved one wakes up in the morning. It's 3am blood sugar checks, needles, low blood sugars and high blood sugars and the smell of insulin on your hands after changing a pump site or filling a syringe......swelled feet and achy bones. Dry skin, endless finger sticks, counting carbs. That's a diabetics LIFE. Re-post this if you have or love someone with diabetes........

No News is Good News!

Right?  Nothing medical going on in my life right now, but next week I will be going to my oncologist for my 3 month check-up.  I have to go tomorrow and get the blood work done.  I'm eager to go see him again and of course hope to hear the "all clear" words.  I'm eager to get the bloodwork done so he can watch for signs of any returning cancer.  This is my only way of "keeping an eye on it" and catching anything returning early....or to know I remain cancer free!  It is a part of my life now, but I'm glad they follow-up and have ways to detect any returning cancer.  I at least feel like I'm "doing something".

I also have a "sleep study" scheduled for next week.  I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea last year and have had to wear a mask to bed, along with oxygen.  Once a person loses weight, it can be possible to not need the mask or oxygen any longer, so since I've lost so much weight (50 lbs), my doctor is going to do another sleep study to determine whether I still need it or not.  I would love to be able to get rid of it!  The "sleep study" requires an overnight stay in the hospital hooked up to gobs of wires that monitor you while you sleep.  LOL...imagine trying to sleep with wires hooked all over you....it's extremely hard!  Nothing painful though....you just go to the hospital and sleep.  LOL!  I'll tell you more about all of this next week.  Maybe I'll even slip a camera in and take a shot of me and all of my wires to show you!  You would be surprised how many people are walking around with Sleep Apnea and have no idea!  I didn't even know what it was until I was diagnosed, but for years I've complained about being tired all of the time!  It was a blessing to find out why!  When you have sleep apnea, you don't reach your REM (rapid eye movement) sleep which is required for your body to rest!  So, while you may be asleep, you are not into a deep sleep and night after night after night, your body really isn't getting rested.  It's all very interesting.  I never felt rested after a night of sleep and just dragged around all day.  Do you ever feel that way?  Do you wake yourself up snoring?  Do you quit breathing while asleep and gasp for air?   If so, you just might have sleep apnea!  Here's some information here!
http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS00968/Obstructive-sleep-apnea?q=sleep+apnea&qpvt=sleep+apnea

My surgeon's office called me yesterday with a cancellation for THIS THURSDAY (tomorrow!!!) and wanted to know if I'd like to have my surgery then!  Oh my, I wasn't prepared for that since my surgery is scheduled for Dec. 2.  Oh boy, it was tempting, but I turned it down.  If they had called a week ago I probably would have taken them up on it because I was so uncomfortable.  But, now the muscle is pretty relaxed and I feel better and I just wasn't ready to go have surgery this week!  For one thing, we have a "little getaway" planned for Thanksgiving weekend and I plan to go swimming in a heated indoor pool....so surgery NOW would have nipped that plan in the bud!  Plus, I have been working so hard to get prepared for Christmas before the end of Thanksgiving....almost done with my shopping and will begin wrapping soon, will be decorating soon....surgery would have derailed my best laid out plans!  And, it would have been at a different hospital than all of my other surgeries and I just want to stick with the same hospital where I have been very pleased.  As tempting as it was to get my implants TOMORROW....yep, I made the right decision.  I've waited this long....I can wait a little longer!

Until next time....celebrate your health!  We take it for granted, but any day can change our whole life.  My sister and her husband are finding that out right now as he is being diagnosed with a rare lymphoma and has gone blind.  Your life can change that fast!  So, if you are healthy, be thankful and have empathy for those who may not be so healthy....no matter what their disease.  All illnesses suck!
Cindy

LIFE AFTER CANCER.....

As I reach the end of my treatments and surgeries (not there just yet), I pondered what to do with my blog.  I do still have my upcoming surgeries and will report on them and then my check-ups for at least the next 3 years and I'll report on them.  But, I don't plan to have any more beyond that....cause I've kicked this cancer's butt, right???? So, where do I go with my blog between these surgeries and appointments?  There just isn't much "medical" to report right now....which is a GOOD thing!  

I was discussing this with my good friend, Martha, and she said she enjoyed reading about my everyday life....like the Halloween post.  So, she encouraged me to continue my blog and just tell about my "every day life".  And I've enjoyed blogging, so if you guys want to hang with me....I think I'll do just that....blog about my every day life!  There's just something "therapeutic" about blogging and for those who don't know me, it will give you more insight into "who" I am!  And for those who do know me, I hope you enjoy my life stories too and maybe you'll learn some things about me that you didn't know!  Cancer does not define "who" I am....it was a "chapter" in my life, but there's so much more in the "book"!

So, with that being said, let me tell you how my day has gone so far today.  The man in brown just arrived and dropped this off.  OOOOH, I love UPS Packages!  I sell Thirty One Gifts, Scentsy, and Thirty One, so I'm always getting orders delivered by UPS.  But today was different....it wasn't an order at all!  I knew I had WON something from Thirty One and thought they were shipping it to me next week....but could it be here already???  The return address said it was from "Business Impact Group" in Minnesota.  Don't know who that is....is must be my prize!

So, I opened it and this is what I found!

What fun....they even gift wrapped it....how cool is that?

Yep, it is my PRIZE!!!!  I won this by submitting a $500+ party the last week of October (thanks Kelli!) and my name went in a drawing and they drew my name!  It was the only qualifying party I submitted during this promotion and I never ever even gave it a thought that I would win.  I so don't ever win, that I didn't even think about the promotion when I submitted the party.  So, what did I win, you say?  Take a look!!!  This is no small prize!

Now, now how cool is that?  They gave away 450 of these the month of October!  How generous!  They are a great company to work for.  

It was funny how I found out I won.  I signed into my facebook and these other 31 consultants who know me were congratulating me for winning an XBox.  Like I said, I didn't even give the promotion a thought and here they were telling me I'd won and I was like, "I did?????  Seriously????"

I was excited to win anything, but must confess that my first thought was, "an Xbox...what am I going to do with that?  I'd like a Kindle Fire, or an Ipad or even a Wii....I sooooo don't play video games!"  LOL!  "Oh, but my husband will be happy!"  :=)  I thought about not telling him and giving it to him for Christmas, but he has some type of game system now and if he already had an Xbox, I didn't want to give him another one.  LOL...hey, I don't care about his video games, so I didn't really know what kind he had!  So, I went and asked him...he does not have an Xbox....but he'd like one!  I bet he would...lol!   I told him I thought I won one and he looked at me in disbelief.  I told him I hadn't verified it yet....once I verified it and went back and told him it was "a sure thing", his eyes lit up like a little kid!  Men and their video games!  LOL! 

Well, when I verified it I also verified the particulars of it and saw that it was a Kinect.....which meant absolutely nothing to me.  So, I did a google search real fast and it was then that I realized it was similar to a Wii, which I was wanting!  I don't do the sit down video games, but I think I'd have fun with the interactive dancing, fitness, bowling games.  So, then I got more excited!!!!

By the way, Larry still doesn't have an Xbox!  LOL!

FUN IN THE CAVE

Last night my good buddy, Martha, came over to help me brainstorm for our stamp class coming up next Tuesday.  My other good buddy, Linda (hi Linda!), was down in Kentucky, but she joined us on Skype and we were able to show her what we made!  We have such fun during these brainstorming nights.  And last night we were so happy with ourselves that we got all 3 projects designed for the class.  We always make 3 cards and one 3-D item.  And of course we are into "Christmas" right now.  So, here's what we came up with!  We were so pleased with ourselves!  I hadn't felt like stamping much this summer while on chemo and it feels so good to have my mojo back!  We call our stamping sessions "therapy"!  You can be in a bad mood and as soon as you begin to create, your mood instantly lightens up.  My stamp cave is my "happy place"!

See how cute this one is.  I wanted to show you how the little windows open and close. It has little peek-a-boo frames with a stamped image under each one!  We used a Big Shot die for the frames....from Stampin' Up! of course!  :=)  It was a fun card to make!

Our 3-d item is this cute triangular box made from one piece of cardstock and decorated like a Christmas Tree. And of course I'll have candy for them to fill it with!  :=)  What a cute Christmas treat to pass out to co-workers, friends, family...or have at each place setting at Christmas dinner or a Christmas party!

Now I just have to get the "kits" cut out for next Tuesday and tidy up the "cave" and we'll be having a great night out there next week!  I always look forward to "class night"!  Good creative fun, good fellowship with other creative women, and good food!  Does it get any better than that?

Speaking of good friends, my friend, Angie, from Ohio is coming to Indiana today with her children and hubby and their 4-H group!  I was so excited when she emailed and asked me how close Norman, Indiana is to me!  Out of all the places they could have been going to in Indiana, they end up coming to my COUNTY!!!  It's just up the road from us.  It's at a horse camp and they are pulling their horses and will be there all weekend.  We are going over tonight and join them around the campfire and eat!  I love, love, love campfires, especially this time of the year!  And this is in the Hoosier National Forest, so I know it will be beautiful with the Fall Foilage!  I'll be in "earthy heaven"!

Until next time, make every day a "fun day" and find your "earthly heaven"!  :=)

Cindy

PS....the muscle in my breast area is feeling better.  It was really tight after that last "fill" and oh so uncomfortable.  But, I'm feeling much better now!  Life is good!  I gotta love that my medical issues have become a "footnote" in my life now!  :=)

I'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY.....!!!!!

I did it!  I had my last "fill" Thursday and am now just waiting for my surgery date!  As you can see, I look pretty "normal" in my clothes now. 

Dang it, I still need to lose that tummy!  But there's a lot less of me now than when I began this journey!
Arghhhh, no make up or jewelry tonight!  That's a rarity for me anymore!

Now, I'll be honest, they are not proportioned and they are not soft and they are not pretty.......but he assures me that he will fix all of that at surgery time and I trust he will!  My surgery is a month away....December 2.  It just amazes me what they can do nowadays!

This last "fill" really pumped the smaller one up beyond the larger one.  And it is so uncomfortable, even under my arm.  It must really be stretching that muscle!  But, I know it will come to an end soon and I will feel so much better when these are removed in December.  I've been told by one of my "cancer sisters" who has already had the surgery that it is "instant relief"!  I can do this....almost there!!!!

In the beginning I really, really did not want to do this!  But, now, in spite of the pain and discomfort, I can honestly say I'm glad I did.  I think once I'm through all of this, I will feel better about how I look and won't have the disfigurement to constantly remind me of what this cancer did to my body.  It's not that I'm a "vain" person at all, but I think doing this will bring me emotional closure.  Does that make sense?

Another surprise on my porch....

I opened the door today to discover another surprise on my front porch.  

Isn't this beautiful?  Even though there was no note with it, I have a high suspicion who it was from and if you are reading this, thank you.  That was very kind of you.  I know it is handmade, which I love!  It looks like it's made from vases, goblets, glass plates....really pretty.  There is a solar light in the top.

She even painted a pink ribbon at the top.  Too cool!

A SPECIAL NIGHT WITH THE FAMILY!

There's not much "medical" going on with me right now, so I hope you don't mind me just sharing my "life" with you.

 It was Halloween night and we went down to Jen & Joe's house for Trick or Treat night.  I treasure these special times with my family and tonight was no exception.   Because of our location we just don't get any trick or treaters, but Jen and Joe live in a neighborhood that is swarming with them.  So, it's become our tradition to go down to their house and walk around with them and watch our grandchildren trick or treat.  Plus they always make a pot of chili...yum....any night I get out of cooking is a good night!  LOL!   Although I do have to admit I've been cooking more and more in my crock pot and really enjoying it.  But, every woman enjoys a "night off", don't they?

So, we went down and walked around the neighborhood with our little ghosts....Abby and Luke.

Funny thing about these costumes....my daughter, Jen, is real creative and when she asked her children what they wanted to be for Halloween they both wanted to be ghosts.  Jen wasn't satisfied with this overdone costume idea and didn't consider it creative enough for her, so she tried so hard to talk them into something else.  But, she finally gave in when Luke said to her, "But, mommy, I've been practicing, listen.....oooooooh ooooooooh (in his best ghostly voice).  LOL, that melted Jen's heart and she knew at that moment that ghosts they would be!

Before we left to head to Jen's, I whipped up a little Halloween surprise for my 3 grandchildren.  I stamped and wrapped Hershey Nuggets for them.

 Here's my little ghosts with their Nugget Tins.  My older granddaughter is at that age (13) that she's not fond of me taking her picture....but she got one too!  :=)

Jennifer and Joe live in an awesome neighborhood, which is actually part of the area I grew up in.  I walked up to many of these same houses many years ago to trick or treat.

Oh how I loved Halloween as a child.  We didn't have a set night or set hours and our parents didn't walk around with us.  We also didn't have packaged costumes.  I remember going through old clothes in the closet and throwing our costumes together.  And I remember Mom helping us and she really got a kick out of it.  Us siblings would take off and walk all over (the older ones watching out for the younger ones), going to every house and collecting the biggest bag of loot a child could wish for!  There was no porch light rule and it was a simpler time in America, where no one had to be afraid of anything they got to eat!  And when people ran out of candy, they started giving out quarters!  Back then a quarter was a big deal to a kid!  Oh the memories!!!  Walking around this neighborhood tonight reminded me of those simpler times.  I so enjoyed the children in their costumes having so much fun.

Back then people also didn't decorate their yards and homes like they do today.  There would be jack-o-lanterns, but that was pretty much it.   Walking around this neighborhood, it was amazing to me the extent that people got their yards ready for the trick or treaters.  Here's just a sampling of some of the houses that were ready for the trick or treaters, complete with fog and creepy music.  LOL!  As a child, I probably would have been too chicken to walk up to any of them!  But, the people were sitting outside to pass the candy out and the kids didn't seem freaked out a bit.  The scariest thing we had back then was Sammy Terry!

I love it that my grandchildren also get to hand candy out before they head out to trick or treat themselves. 

Another fond memory of my childhood this time of year was "corning".  Did you do this?

This is what our front porch looks like and it makes me smile when I walk outside and see it and it brings back those memories.  It drives my husband crazy and I told him about "corning" as a child and he was shocked to learn we actually went around throwing corn onto people's porches!  It was so much fun....throw that handful of corn and run as fast as you could!  Of course this was a tradition when we became teenagers.....and I remember one old man on the street behind us turning his dog loose on us.  I don't think I have run as fast in my life as I did the night I flew down the alley back to my house with that dog chasing us!   It's funny how some things you just never forget!  After my husband acted so shocked that we did such a thing, he said, "well, we corned cars going by, not houses".  Well, duh, does he think that was better?  They could have caused a wreck....lol!  I guess that was the difference in growing up in town versus the country.  We also went "soaping" (never used paraffin though).  He said he never did that either!  Oh what fun it was!  That's probably the most "mischief" I got into as a teenager. 

I don't think kids "corn" anymore.  So, how did we get all of that corn on our porch?

Do you see him?  They come up to our porch every day to get into my corn stalk decorations.  It drives Larry crazy that they get on the porch, but doesn't bother me a bit....as long as they don't get in the house.  My hubby needs to lighten up...lol!

He saw me there with the camera and it didn't phase him a bit.  I think he just wanted me to go back in the house so he could get his corn...lol!

As our lives change, I look at my past traditions with fond memories...and stay open to begin new traditions.  It was such fun doing Halloween as a child and then taking my own children around...but now our new tradition is to leave our home and go over to their neighborhood to watch our grandchildren enjoy the night.  It's a great time!

As we move forward, we are making plans to begin a new tradition for Thanksgiving.  It is so hard on our grown children to try to arrange and run around to two dinners on the same day, so we often times have them over for Thanksgiving dinner on another day.  It's more relaxed having dinner when someone doesn't have to rush off to another one...less stress for everyone.  With my mom and dad gone now and no more big family get-togethers, we have found just the two of us alone on Thanksgiving before.  I'll be honest....I just can't get into fixing a special Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us.  One year we even went to Cracker Barrel.  This year we are making plans to enjoy Thanksgiving in Brown County, Indiana.  We are re-discovering the special places so close to home and making new traditions. 

Until next time.....be open to beginning "new traditions" in your own life.  Life changes....especially after your children are grown and out of the house or after you lose your parents......and sometimes we just need to be flexible and change things up a bit.  I call these "chapters in life".  Every new chapter can bring new blessings and new experiences and I'm learning to move forward instead of being "stuck in the past".  The past has great memories that will never fade but the future holds more memories waiting to be made!

Cindy