Picture #18

This week has been girls week.

Tiger has been out of town.

Grumpy has been out of town. 

When Mattie found out Lolo was home alone, she said

"Lolo, just stay with us this week! We'll have slumber parties every night!"

Well how do you say no to that?

So I have been at my mom's all week with my girls!

It's been fun!

Until next week

God Bless

Picture #11 and Pancackes

We are gradually getting back on track! 

Just two days late this week!!

Miss Phoebe is quickly growing, you can tell by that belly. 

Katie is feeling good, just tired.

Really tired. 

I think if she could. she would sleep 24/7.

But I guess she needs to rest now while she can, because as we all know, once Phoebe arrives mommy will be begging for rest.

Had a great day today at the Kiwanis Pancake day. 

Mattie B used to love to go eat pancakes and Mattie May does to. 

Ready to eat!!!

Ran into her friend Tat that she hasn't seen in a year.

She loved the funny names on the bag of the milk cartons. 

Until next time 

God Bless. 

More fun with Baby H

Last night we had a small family gathering. 

My family can make a party out of anything. 

This party was to find out the gender of Baby H.

The decorations turned out great. 

Even Mom's cactus was dressed for the occasion. 

Frank and I knew the answer, 

and we had been tormenting everyone all day. 

We gave them one final tease before everyone arrived. 

Everyone dressed in the color of their guess, 

Blue = Boy

Pink = Girl

The teams were quite lopsided with more on Team Blue! 

 And Mattie showed how excited she is with all her Big Sister accessories!

We started with a guessing game. 

I had filled this jar with candy,

Half blue & half pink, 

well almost.

There was one more of one color, 

the winning team color. 

I had everyone write there guess on their team side as to how many they though was there. 

This box holds the answer to which gender Baby H is!

After we had dinner, it was time for the reveal. 

Mattie held the box

Phillip and Katie pulled the ribbons. 

And it didn't take long to learn what gender Baby H was. 

YES! IT'S A GIRL!!

And someone was really wanting a boy!

Baby H has been prayed over and will be loved beyond belief. 

And big sister Mattie has since turned that frown around 

and is all smiles about having a little sister. 

So now we wait on a name for the next little princess.

And God continue to bless us as we wait!

No Ghost

We stayed in The Menger.

It has a very interesting story. 

Part of that story says it's the most haunted hotel in Texas. 

Yeah, I didn't know that when I made the reservation. 

But we're up this morning all in one piece.

No ghost sightings! 

Hahaha!

Off to eat breakfast then visit the Alamo.

God bless!

Oh No!!

Not much happening.

Just work, which is great!

But today I realized we have a conflict on the calendar.

I have planned to start fishing tournaments this year after a 2 year hiatus.

Our state tournament is October 2 - 4.

My new grandbaby will be due right around that time!

So now, I really don't know what to do.

I guess this is one of those times I really need to let go and God will take care of it!!

He always does.

Later,

and God bless.

Four Month Check

I had my four month oncology checkup today. 

Lots of new faces in the office. 

New phlebotomist! 

Loved him! Best ever! Never felt the needle pierce the skin!  

Got to visit with Dr. M for bit before getting down to business.

Everything looked great. We discussed scans. I've never had one. He says I need one, but not yet.

Talked about my time line. I'm half way to the five year mark!

So...he'll see me in six months!!

I've been promoted!!

Great news!

God is good!!

Until next time!!

 God bless!

Exciting Things Have Happened in the Past Year

Someone once told me the only constant in life is change. 

That statement could not be more true. 

When I started my little blog, it was just to see if I could do it. Then it really became about Mattie May. 

A lot about Mattie May. 

Then in 2012, it became about my cancer journey. It was a journal for Katie and Mattie and anyone curious about that journey. 

I became very lax in writing in my little bloggy. And as I look back to check, it has been almost a year since I posted anything. 

Many things have taken place in the past year, 

Some really exciting things! 

But after the news I received this week, I think it's time to wake my sleepy, little blog. 

Last April, Katie, Mattie and I were meeting for lunch after church. She asked if a friend could join us. He had just returned from deployment and didn't really know a lot of people. I didn't care because I was hungry. I just wanted to eat. 

That friend was Phillip. 

He and Katie started dating. And Mattie approved. 

June brought about Katie's 30th birthday. Growing up, her June birthday was just as bad as my December birthday. Between vacations, sporting events and summer camps, birthday parties just didn't happen very often. So Frank and I decided to throw her a big surprise party with lots of family and friends. 

Phillip agreed to help get her there. 

Oh, he also proposed at this party. Again, Mattie approved. 

We took our annual trip to Florida for US Open Karate (at which my family rocked!). 

In October, Frank and I walked our 1st 5K. It was a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to doing that again. 

Phillip & Katie decided the wedding would be right before Thanksgiving. So on November 25, 2014, under a tent at my mom's, they were married. It was a beautiful ceremony again, with lots of family and friends. 

So obviously, it was a busy, happy, life changing year. 

And it seems that 2015 will be no different. 

Mattie and her demo karate team tried out for America's Got Talent in January. She also competed in the AISD UIL academic competition in spelling. She didn't place but that's OK. we all need to learn it's OK to participate and not win, as long as we do our best. 

February is just starting. The 4th, Frank and I celebrated our 31st anniversary. 

Phillip, Katie and Mattie took us to eat. It was a lot of fun. 

While we were at dinner, Mattie told us that in October, she was going to be a big sister. Yep! Frank and I are going to have another grandchild. 

Mattie's drawing of her expectant mother! 

So I decided it was time to dust off my little blog and record more memories for this next little bundle of joy!

As with everything else we have learned in life, we know that with every new day there will be changes in our lives...

But as long as we follow God, everything is going to be OK. 

God Bless.

It's My Cancerversarry!!

June 29, 2012 - I was getting ready for bed when I found it, and my life has been changed forever.

So how do I really feel about this past year?

It has been an awesome blessing and I thank God for it everyday.

Most people don't understand that.

The most important thing, it has grown my relationship with God. It has made me so much more thankful for waking up in the mornings and thankful for my healthy family.

I've always been pretty much an optimist, but I have been able to find the good in everything lately, even in having breast cancer.

During this past year I have been amazed that the truly selfless people in my life and I have learned how to get rid of the truly selfish people that said they were my friends.

It has brought me sisters that have gone through this, are going through this or are just in the beginning for their journey and looking for help. It's an unfortunate community but it is on that has helped me through this.

And what does the next year bring?

Who knows.

I know I will continue to heal, make changes for a healthier life, and continue to try to help those that are just starting their lives with cancer.

I will have some surgeries to rebuild my body.

But most importantly I will continue to grow in spirit and faith, knowing that God will continue guide each step I take. And because of this faith, I also know that whatever happens,

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God bless.

Follow Up Time

Tomorrow I head back to Texas Oncology for my six month check up.

Really?!

I can't believe it's already been six months since my last round of chemo.

I am looking forward to this visit. I have lots of questions.

Monday, June 10,  I went to a new GYN. I didn't actually see her, but her nurse practitioner, Stacey. I really like her. She made me feel very comfortable and it was very easy to ask her questions. And I was loaded with them.

This was, after all, my first yearly check up since my cancer.

She understood all of my concerns and ordered some test.

And she must have put a rush on everything, because I had all the results by Thursday June 14!! WOW! I've never had results back that fast!

Pap results were clear of cervical cancer! Yay! One small victory down!

Had blood test and sonogram on Wednesday June 13.

Blood test negative for ovarian cancer! YAY! Small victory #2!

Sonogram showed a small spot on my uterus. Stacey made two suggestions. It is probably a small fibrous cyst and we should do another sonogram in six months to look at it again. And to talk to my oncologist to get his opinion on waiting the six months.

She also said some people that have had breast cancer and showed a spot like this would choose to have a hysterectomy. But she strongly suggested talking to my oncologist before making that decision.

I told her I would and that I had a check up coming up with him soon, I just couldn't remember when it was but that I would call and find out.

The next morning before I had a chance to call, oncology called me with my reminder for my check up on June 19,

That worked out nicely!

So I go tomorrow feeling confident in how things have been going.

I can't wait for my appointment. I have missed all my team over the past six months.

Even though I only had two victories out of three test, I don't feel that the third was a failure, just a temporary delay in getting the results I am hoping for.

I have an awesome God that has made some amazing miracles this week in friends fighting other battles and I know he will do the same for me.

Whatever choices I am given tomorrow, I know in my heart that...

Everything is going to be OK!

Until next time,
God bless.

A Willful Waste is a Woeful Want

My grandmother used to tell us that all the time,

especially when we were wasting something!

And this really hit home the other night when Mattie was getting ready for bed and needed to brush her teeth.

She squeezed the tube and nothing came out.

There was still some in there, I could see it in the tube.

 

So I got the bright idea to cut it open in hopes to get a little out for the night until I could get to the store.

I couldn't believe what I found!!

 

There was enough in there to last probably two more weeks!!

 

I mean seriously! She has a small mouth and she's loosing teeth almost faster than the tooth fairy can come pick them up so it doesn't take much each time she brushes.

 

So my thought is, if I had already bought more toothpaste because I knew she was almost out, I would have wasted all this that remained.

 

I wonder how many things we buy that we throw out before we really should.

 

I'm not really a penny pincher but I think I am going to start paying more attention to the things I am doing around the house.

 

I know this isn't really a plan to save the world or anything, but it is something to make me think about what I am doing.

 

But no matter what I decide to do with toothpaste in my future,

 

Everything is going to be OK.

 

Until next time, God bless.



WOW Time Flies

This morning I fixed Mattie breakfast and packed her lunch for the last time this school year.

I can't believe that she is going to be a second grader come tomorrow!!!!

Am I really old enough to have a second grade granddaughter?!

This is her the first day of first grade -

 

And this was just last week -

She is still an amazing little girl with a bright future. She loves school and looks forward to where she will be next year.

Love her so much.

And she has nursed me right through this cancer and has learned the lesson too, that no matter what life throws at us, as long as we keep God number one, that...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless.

 

Memorial Monday

Monday was Memorial Day.

We are so thankful for the members of our families that served in the armed forces. Our US Military is awesome.

Ernest Mixon served in the US Army

Bill Merkel served in the US Air Force

Albert Zbendin served in the US Air Force

Thank you so much.

It was a busy day for us.

AMMA Karate was asked to participate in the Memorial Day festivities at the Abilene Bombers Arena Football half time show.

We started out the day with practice. Eighteen members participated in the show. Well that's to say "performed". That doesn't include all the behind the scenes people that helped. Someone has to set up, hold boards, bricks, bats and coconuts, take video and pictures, and clean up. We could not do this with out help.

Practice went great, but of course there were last minute changes. One thing about this team, they can work on the fly. Shihan is good about seeing things at the last minute that could make the show better. So our team is trained, from the littlest at 5 to the oldest at 52, to make changes just minutes before the show.

After practice, we had some lunch and rest time. Katie got Mattie bathed and hair washed so we didn't have to do it when we got home after the ball game. And Mattie wanted her hair curled so it had to be washed first.

We had to be back at the dojo for one last run through and to load everything in the trailer. Some day I'm going to remember to take a picture of the loaded trailer. You just can't imagine how much stuff it takes to do a 12 minute demo!!!

We got to watch the football game until about 12 minutes left in the second quarter, then the team had to head down to get ready.

 

Savanna, Mattie & Rayven getting ready!

 

 

It is always surprising to me how quickly a show goes.

 

Even practice seems slower than the actual event.

 



 

On the field ready to go!

 

 

Littles doing their thing!

 

Elbow done, ready for foot,

 

Weird picture!

She is actually just going into her front roll!

 

Mattie and Rayven starting their self defense skit.

 

Really?! Those big kids are going to mess with these girls?!

 

OK! We're ready!

 

Take that big guys!

 

Really?! You want more?!

LOL

 

Sai Kata

She had not done it in over a year and she did

very well!

 

Katie & Frank broke too,

I just couldn't get to that end of the field

to get a picture.

Don't remember the mascot's name.

Sorry!

Mattie and Rayven rockin' out to some Michael Jackson

after halftime!

 

Noah and Mattie enjoying a bird's eye view of the game.

 

We had a lot of fun at the game.

 

We even stayed until Mattie got tired even though it was a school night. There are , after all, only 3 1/2 days left!

 

So it was a busy, but memorable Memorial Day, and it reminds us, as always,

No matter what happens, what we are handed in this life,

 

Everything is going to be OK.

 

Until next time,

God bless. 

Super Sunday

Today was just a nice relaxed Sunday.

I love when we get to have those.

Frank and I started our morning with my B12 injection.

He is still doing a great job.

We went to church, out to mom's to check out her house after the terrible winds we've had this past week, then a quick lunch.

After lunch, we got to relax for just a bit before we had to head out to the dojo for a birthday party and some breaking practice.

Our team is doing a breaking demo at the Abilene Bombers Arena Football game or we wouldn't have had a practice on a holiday weekend.

We were hungry after practice and Frank was ready to cookout.

I didn't want to go to the grocery store, so I started digging in the freezer to see what we had to cook.

There was not enough of any one thing, so we made a smorgasbord of food. Bonus! I now have a clean freezer with room for more food!!

Mattie stayed the night at Rayven's so it's just a really quiet night around here.

We have to be back to practice in the morning at 9:00, so it will be an early night for us.

Yes, we know it is a holiday weekend.

I am so thankful for all the service men and women who have protected, are protecting and will continue to protect this wonderful country we live in. I hope everyone remembers to say a prayer for these awesome people tomorrow.

As we enjoy the rest of our weekend, no matter what is going on in your life, please remember...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God bless.

I Think He Missed His Calling

Yesterday started the B12 shots.

I can't give them to myself, no way!!

So that left the job to Frank.

Bless his heart. He has had to do so much for me during all this.

Love him more every day!!!

He had to be at work at 7:00AM and didn't want to just give the injection and run. He was afraid I might pass out.

I usually only pass out when they draw blood, not from an injection.

He got up about 30 minutes early to get ready, I had put everything out the night before.

We got Katie up. She wanted to see him do it just in case she has to do it some day. She did after all used to work in an allergist office and has given a few injections, just not to her big chicken momma!

He did everything like the doctor and video told him to do, and...

He did better than a lot of nurses I've had! No pain at all!!!

Way to go Honey!!!

Katie stayed in the bed with me just in case I had some type of reaction. She went right to sleep!!!

Great help!!

I felt great.

Saturday morning we did the same thing again!

I guess I stressed about all this for nothing.

Just five more daily shots then we are on to the weekly shots for four weeks, the it will be monthly.

After stressing for a couple of days, I guess now I will remember...

Everything is going to be OK!

Until next time, God bless!

Seriously??? More Needles!!

And these I have to do myself!!!

Last week, before I met with Dr. Bennett (the plastic surgeon), I had to have a blood draw for test for Dr. Mauther (gastroenterologist). They were a bit concerned about my B12 and I showed to be a bit anemic.

So I will start taking a daily iron tablet.

But the B12 is not quite so easy.

My levels are so low, he wants to build them up rather quickly. A tablet won't work. I have to have injections...

daily...

for three months!!!

Not a real happy camper right now!

Am I not happy because I have to have daily injections?  NO

Because I have to do them daily? No

Then it must be the fact that I have to do this for three month? NO

It is because I have to do them at home.

I don't like getting stuck by a needle by people that have been trained to do this.

So imagine the horror scenarios that keep going through my mind!

I know there are people that do this all the time several times a day because they are diabetic, but not me.

I hate needles!!

After I do these injections for three months, then I will do them once a week for a few months and then once a month.

I hope this will give me some long lost energy.

I really need to get ready for the neighborhood garage sale next month.

And clean my house!!!

Now I am not sure if this is a forever thing or how long I will have to do these injections, but the important thing to get the B12 back up. However long I have to do these injections, I do know one thing...

Everything is going to be OK.

God bless.

Reconstruction is Set

I called this morning and set up my surgery.

It is set for July 16.

That is not the soonest they had, but she doesn't want me to travel within three weeks of the surgery.

We leave for the US Open on July 1, and there was nothing available before June 18, only two weeks out. I'm sure it will be for the best.

Now, I realize I just went to the plastic surgeon yesterday. But this wasn't my first consultation with her.

I was originally going to have immediate reconstruction after my mastectomy but changed my mind at the last minute.

Because the reconstruction is not immediate, there are a few minor changes to the procedure but nothing really big.

And I also have been doing a lot of research on the different types of reconstruction.

On the top of my list was the DIEP flap, I had not talked to the plastic surgeon about it. I had several questions that applied to my personal case that couldn't be answered by research on the computer.

After getting those questions answered, talking to Frank and doing just a little bit more research, it was easy to make the decision that I was going to have the reconstruction using silicone implants as I had originally chosen.

Will I be happy with that decision? I don't know. I haven't done it yet.

Can it be changed in the future? Yes, so who knows how I will feel about it in a few years. I may decide to just go to nothing.

Is there anything that any one of us can no for certain about the future? Not really. But I do know that whatever happens...

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless.

Visit with the Plastic Surgeon

This is not my first visit with the plastic surgeon, but my second. I did visit with her before my mastectomy because I was planning on immediate reconstruction. But less than 24 hours before the surgery, I decided I wanted to wait on the reconstruction, so a few things have changed.

And I've had more time to research the procedures.

So I did pretty good on my research, and after visiting with Dr. Bennett again, reminded that this is my journey, but I am not the one in the lead. God is.

Going in today, I thought I really wanted to go with the DIEP (pronounced deep). This is where they take the stomach fat and maybe a little muscle, and move it up and around to make the new breast. So in essence, you not only get new boobs, but a tummy tuck in the process. And knowing that from our last visit that the implants may not be the size I want, well I have LOTS of stomach fat to make new boobs.

But she also told me about the SIEA flap (pronounced S. I. E. A.,  all of these flap names come from the muscles they use to build the breast. I learned that today too.). In this surgery, only the stomach fat is used. So going into an SIEA flap you could come out having had a DIEP flap if they had to use any muscle.

Dr. Bennett was very confident that I would do very well with the SIEA flap, and that I probably wouldn't even be required to loose any weight before the procedure (that is based on BMI). The only problem is the DIEP and SIEA flap procedures are not offered in Abilene. They require two surgical teams and we don't have the right teams here to offer it. However, Dr. Bennett is very familiar with the surgeons at the nearest place and she highly recommended them if that is what I decided to do.

But here are the cons -

• The hospital, Scott & White in Temple, is three hours away from Abilene.
• It would require at least one overnight stay in the hospital, with possibly more depending on how well I did.
• The surgery itself is about 12 hours long.
• I would have at least four drain tubes, and we all know how found I was of  those dang balls from my mastectomy.

I haven't talked to Frank, but I think I am going to go on with what I had originally planned. I will have the expanders put in and just go with the implants. I've talked to several friends that have had different procedures and I just really feel this is the one for me.

She said he left me really good skin flaps and their is probably some fatty tissue in there that she could use along with the implants, she just won't know for sure until she gets in there.

However, there is one more downer. I probably can't start the procedure until July. The earliest she could get me in is not soon enough for me to have enough recovery time before our trip to Florida. But I would probably be finished before the end of the year and that is very important to me too.

And she also said that the DIEP and SIEA flaps can be done later if I don't like the implants. So even though I don't think I want that now, it can be done later.

So now it's just a waiting game until I make up my mind. Frank and I have talked about it a lot lately, of course, because that is the next step. I hope tomorrow I can call her and set up the surgery date.

I am so blessed to be where I am and able to have the reconstruction done. And even though it's not what I expected, I feel it is just another reminder that It may be my journey, but I am not in control. I have to listen to Him and stay positive and remind myself that

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,
God bless!

Let's Talk Hair

I have had a lot of people comment on my hair lately.

 

We've all been excited to see it regrow...

 

expecting chemo curls and ending up with none.

 

I've always had straight hair and was really kind of looking forward to having unruly curls.

 

But it just wasn't meant to be.

 

But along with my hair, I was also lucky enough to loose my eyebrows and eyelashes. I didn't loose those until after my last round of chemo. And although they grew back rather quickly, they have become dormant again and have quit growing.

 

Sorry for the quality of the following picture, but it will serve it's purpose.

 

The eyebrow is there, but I have had to fill in with a brow brush. And the lashes are really short and straight too. They are not long enough to curl or add mascara.



 

It doesn't look to bad, until you look at an angle. The hairs are short and stick straight out. You can also see how the lashes stick straight out too.  

But, just like the brow brush to remedy the thin, straight brow hairs, I have a remedy for the lashes as well.

 

I have taught myself how to apply false eyelashes! They don't always cooperate and some days I have Lucille Ball eyes, they are better than short, stubby lashes.

 

My hair has come back in a pretty cute hair style all it's own. I've always liked short hair and, well, I think I kind of rock this one!!! 

 

But Katie did point out to me that I need to stop putting my reading glasses on the top of my head because the are leaving a hole! 

 

Oops! Guess this time I better listen to the kid! I have a cute eyeglass chain for my glasses but just feel like that is too old lady for me just yet!!! I'll figure out something.

 

I hope everyone is having a great day and remember, no matter what your journey is in your life right now, as long as you have God on your side...

 

Everything is going to be OK!!

 

Until next time,

God Bless

 

 

I Really Messed Up This Time

Yes, I have been MIA from my blog for a long while. Sorry. I just haven't "felt bloggy" lately.

I'm fine. Every test I've bee through since my last treatment has come back with good results. That's not why I have been missing.

Like I said, I just haven't felt it.

So let me just start from where I am now.

I really messed up this time.

Oh. I'll survive.

I'm just a little, no, a lot mad at myself.

Back on March 1, I had to have an EDG and a colonoscopy due to the bleeding issues I had during my chemo. Both test went smoothly and the results were just what we wanted to hear, everything looked good and normal.

Relief for me.

However, (isn't there always a "however"?) there is a section of my gastrointestinal tract that neither procedure could see.

So...

Due to modern medical procedures,  I get to swallow a camera pill!

Pretty cool if you ask me. It is bundled up in a neat and tidy capsule. Looks pretty much like any other pill, just really large!

Just like a colonoscopy, there is a prep day involved. Nothing nearly as drastic as prepping for a colonoscopy, but prep none the less.

Clear liquids, no reds or purples, broths, Jello (but I only like red!) and no sodas (not a problem either).

Then at 6:00 PM a nice little dose of Magnesium Citrate. Lemon flavored. Never had it before, but it's lemon. How bad could it be?

Yesterday morning, Tuesday, I woke up, fixed Mattie and Katie breakfast and me a really nice large glass of water.

Ice water so I could crunch the ice and fool my stomach that I was actually eating something.

Around lunch I fixed me a nice yummy cup of beef broth and another glass of water.

For snacks during the day I had ice water as well, again with lots of ice to crunch.

For supper, I fixed a really large cup of chicken broth with another glass of ice water.

At 6:00 PM, I treated myself to a small cup of Magnesium Citrate, lemon flavored. It even has a little bit of  "effervescence" so it was a little bubbly going down.

Let me also say, the MC was also like a glass of lemon aid on steroids. It really made my jaws lock. But I got it down.

And the MC starts working it's magic a little slower than some of the stuff I've had to take in the past, but it does work. Try it if you ever have a little trouble "going", just take the recommended dosage, not what you have to take for a "cleanse"! LOL

The rest of the night I had, you guessed it, lots of ice water.

When I was setting my alarm clock so I wouldn't miss my appointment for the pill, I pulled up my calendar to check the time.

But on my calendar, I had that my prep day was Wednesday May 8 and that I was scheduled to take the pill on Thursday, May 9.

That had to be wrong.

I had prepped all day!!!

I go pull my paperwork from the doctor and guess what?!

My prep day is May 8!!!!

I just wanted to cry!

It was way to late to call the doctor. So I did what I'm sure anyone else would do.

I fixed me a big bowl of cereal and followed it with a big hunk of cheese! That maybe doesn't sound very good to the rest of you, but believe you me, that was just what my stomach ordered.

So today, Wednesday May 8, I woke up and started my prep (again) so I can take the camera pill in the morning Tuesday May 9.

I actually feel less hungry today then I did yesterday.

I know that all over this world, including USA, there are people that would love to have a bowl of cereal and hunk of cheese at least once a week because they have nothing else to eat.

This was just a little hiccup in my week and I'm thankful for what I have.

Tomorrow I will get up and go take my camera pill and enjoy my day.

It's just a little adventure during this journey I'm on and as always I know

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time,

God Bless.

A Hard Time Keeping Up

Well, keeping up with this blog during my chemo proved to be more than I thought. I didn't do a very good job. But the good news is...

CHEMO IS FINISHED!!!

My last treatment was December 31, 2012. It was so nice to finish, but I was really tired this time. For my fifth and sixth rounds, Dr. Melnyk had thought about lowering my dosage, but then decided I could handle the full amount. That was great, until January 7. My white blood cell counts got so low and I got dehydrated again, so I ended up in the hospital for the night. They pumped me full of fluids and antibiotics, along with something to get those white blood cells back up. I feel lucky that was the only time I ended up in the hospital during chemo. I have talked to a lot of people that ended up there several times. 

Since it's been three months since my last update and not a lot of new things. So I just want to list a few things I learned that might help someone else going through this same thing.

Don't forget the lemon drops

One of my friends at church had a friend that sucked on lemon drops during chemo to help cut the taste, so she sent me some. How right she was! I wish I would have known this from the beginning. It seems like as soon as they start the Adriamycin, I could taste it, but the lemon drops made it not so bad.

Keep that positive attitude
I have always considered myself to be an optimistic person, but cancer? How can I be optimistic through that? Well it is possible. Surround yourself with positive people. Smile as much as you can.  Laugh, and laugh a lot. Laugh about everything. My grandmother taught me there is humor in everything and she was right. This sounds really strange I know, but there is a lot of humor in cancer and the treatment that comes with it.

Have faith
God put me on this journey for some reason. I may never figure out what that reason is, but I am going to do my best to do what I think he is telling me to do. And that takes faith. I have never been good at talking to people about the faith I have in God, but I have made myself tell others about Him through the cancer.

Now just a quick update of what I have to look forward to.

I had a colonoscopy and EDG last Friday. These were done because of the bleeding issues I talked about before and my gastroenterologist said that breast cancer likes to move to the colon and the stomach so he would check that too. He said everything looked great, but there was a portion of the intestine that he couldn't get to, but we will talk about what to do about that at my follow up appointment in April.

Next week I have a nuclear bone scan and will be radioactive for a few hours. This is one test that I am really looking forward too. My bones have been aching for awhile and I am ready to see what the problem is. Then a week later I have a CT on my chest and some lab work. After that, I don't know. But I will get to see Dr. Melnyk. I haven't seen him since January and we have some catching up to do. I have some questions all ready for him.

And one more thing to remember

Everything is going to be OK.

Until next time, God Bless.