GOO DBYE 2009...BRING IN 2010!!!!

Well, this is not how I had invisioned the year ending and the New Year beginning..but we don't choose those things. I am grateful that I have my first chemo behind me and I feel it is working because of the side effects...I can imagine all those nasty cancer cells being gobbled up by the "chemo pac men"! It has been ten years since I was fighting this battle...I have certainly forgotten so much about that time. I know that I have my fighting gloves on and will "fight like a girl"(didn't have this cute slogan ten years ago LOL) I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason....we may not recognize the reason right now...but we will sooner or later. I hope to think that I am a stronger and better person because of this experience ten years ago. I hope to learn and be even better and stronger this time around!

I want to say how much that I appreciate my wonderful sister, Kimberly and my husband for being there by my side with their gloves on too! I am so truly blessed to have soooo many wonderful friends and prayer warriors supporting me and encouraging me...I can't tell you how much that means to me...again...I get by with a little help from my friends! I have alot of wonderful friends that inspire my crafting (my wonderful ya ya sisters), nurses, respiratory therapists, my awesome church family (that I couldn't make it without) and I even have my own special pharmacist (the amazing Missy) whom I can and do consult all the time! I would say that I am truly blessed to have such an amazing team on my side, wouldn't you? Oh, and I sure don't want to forget Princess Breanna....she has been a constant in my life for about a year now and I can't tell you how much joy she has given me. She is five years old now...but she can ya ya with us, go to doctor's appointments (and listens...reminds me of the do's and don'ts of hip replacement surgery), goes to church with me, learning alot of crafts, can now say her "Now I lay me,,,bedtime prayer) and is such a big help and support to me....she was a great nurse to me after my hip surgery...handing me dishes from the dishwasher and such. Did I say she was a joy? She truly is!

Everything happens for a reason. I am grateful that after months of leg pain, I was finally led to Dr. Hefley and got my new hip! I can't imagine going through this with the pain I was having before my hip replacement...See, God really does have a plan for us...He is in control and I trust Him completely!

Goodbye 2009....come on in 2010!!!

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all!!!!

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

We celebrated the miracle of our Savior's birth with my awesome sister, Kimberly. She is the most caring, supportive, inspirational, loving sister anyone could dream of having. She prepared a wonderful gourmet dinner complete with our very first turdunken...it was awesome. I know that our Mom was so proud of her baby daughter and her culinary talent! It seems that Kimberly has stepped into the role of family chef....she prepares wonderful dinners for Lisa, me and other guests every Sunday before our crafting day!

Kimberly lit the three beautiful candles that represent Mom, Dad and Jennifer....so very happy that we have such wonderful, sweet memories of Christmases past to cherish!

With this CHRISTmas, I begin my fight once again for beating cancer....I already have week one almost down. I can feel the chemo working fighting those cells. I know that as last time...ten years ago...I will learn some more valuable life lessons and become a stronger person! There is a reason why everything happens and I put my trust in Him, who is in control and is truly the "Great Physician"!

I am so thankful for my wonderful family and friends....for all the love, encouragement and support that I am given each day!

I hope that everyone will slow down a little this coming year and savor what is really important in life....giving and receiving love from your loved ones and anyone else that you can help in some way! Try to make someone smile everyday!

READY TO FIGHT LIKE GIRL!!

I don't know why this is having to be my third attempt at posting...will try one more time!

I started chemo on Monday..will take it every three weeks, with lab every week. I know that God is in control and I trust Him! I will fight like a girl with all I have. I have the wonderful support of family and friends and have alot of prayer warriors on my side.

I want to wish everyone a very Merry CHRISTmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus...He is the Reason for the Season....

FIGHTING GLOVES ON!!! READY TO FIGHT LIKE A GIRL!!

FIGHTING GLOVES ON!!!

WHAT A WEEK!

This has been a week that we will not soon forget! On Monday, I had my bone biopsy...on Tuesday Pete had a stint put in and yesterday I got a new plan. My bone biopsy showed that I have metastatic breast cancer in my left hip..which is my good hip! It also showed some spots in my chest in the lymph nodes that could not be determined if it was cancer or not...so, I will begin chemotherapy on Monday...and the doctor says I will start the new year off bald!

I was not expecting this news, but I know that I am not in control over what life brings....God is and I trust Him completely. I will "Fight Like a Girl" and I truly believe I will beat it. I am certain that I will come out a stronger person and will learn a few life lessons on the way...there is a reason for everything.

I have the most wonderful sister in the world, a great and caring husband, and am so very blessed with the gift of many great friends...and you know my motto.."I get by with a little help from my friends"!

Kimberly and Edwina were very angry and told me they wanted to go out and beat someone up that was mean...I told them that we need to approach this with positive thoughts, not negative ones. Being mad won't do any good at all.

I will update on the next few weeks and want to wish everyone a very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year! Remember the true Reason for the Season...the miracle of the birth of Jesus....sing Happy Birthday to Him on CHRISTmas Day....make Him a birthday cake!

FROM WALKER TO CANE....YAY!

I went to the doctor on Wednesday....got a good report. My incision is healing well. I graduated from the walker to the cane and am walking around the house at times unassisted. I feel like I am finally getting my independence back. He said that I could start driving. I drove home from Benton to Hot Springs...I did have to use my left foot for the brake...but I am sure that will improve soon. He said it takes awhile for the thigh muscle to heal. It is just so strange to me that I am unable to lift that leg while sitting...I can lift it fine while standing.

Next week will be a stressful week for us....I have my bone biopsy Monday morning and then Pete will have an angiogram and possible stint put in on Tuesday. I am trying to keep my faith and trust God with this completely, because I know that He is in control.

We are enjoying our Christmas tree being put up and the other decorations as well. It brings back alot of memories of Mom, Dad and Jennifer....just trying to dwell on the happy times we shared in Christmases past and know in my heart they are happy and healthy and are celebrating with Jesus! Kimberly got beautiful poinsettias for the cemetery and we will take our small Christmas tree there on Sunday after church.

Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to all!