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!

BLESSINGS!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner this year.....my sweet hubby, awesome sister and two furry daughters...Jazzabelle and Emma Grace! It was a wonderful day. Kimberly brought the most amazing dessert that I am sure has just become a new Holiday tradition with us....Paula Deen's Chocolate Bread Pudding....OMG!!! You can really hurt yourself with this one! I have never tried one of Paula's recipes that I didn't fall in love with!

Sometimes it is hard to believe that Mom, Dad and Jennifer aren't here with us....Holidays can be so hard....I miss them each and everyday....but this time of year seems to magnify the feelings. I am just so thankful that we have so many wonderful memories to cherish of them! It is good to know that they are happy and healthy now and I will be united with them again!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and counted their blessings. I also hope that we can all slow down this Christmas Season and savor the true meaning of Christmas!

I am now four weeks out with my new hip....getting better everyday....looking forward to walking on my own...should graduate from the walker to the cane within a couple of weeks...looking forward to that.....especially back to driving. I am blessed....can now ride in the car to Little Rock without pain and having to stop half way there to walk around....the little things in life!

Merry Christmas to all!

TWO WEEKS OUT

Two weeks ago yesterday, I got my new hip! Got to come home from the hospital on Friday. The people at the hospital were concerned about me being able to get up the stairs at Kimberly's..but I did just fine. My recovery is going well....didn't have any bleeding or drainage at all from my incision until Saturday morning.....since then I have had some bleeding but they think it is from the increased dose of coumadin.

My sister, Kimberly, has been the best nurse, friend and caregiver I could ever dream of having. Like I have said before, a sister is the best gift your parents can give you.

I go to the doctor tomorrow for my first check up. If all goes well, I will then go home to Hot Springs....have really missed the country life with my sweet hubby and furry babies....hope they remember who I am!

I am still praying that getting my hip fixed will also resolve my back problem and help me avoid more surgery. I am ready to get back to work giving care, love and hope to others!

• My oncologist called yesterday and cancer markers are elevated again. I will have it re checked tomorrow. Hoping and praying that it is just a lab error. I am told that sometimes they never find the cause of the elevated markers...I have recently had an MRI, PET scan, Bone scan and a colonoscopy....don't know where else they would look. I know that it is in God, the Great Physician's, hands and I put my trust and faith in Him!

HOORAY!

I have my new hip...got released from the hospital on Friday. I am staying with my wonderful sister, Kimberly, until I can manuever by myself. We were really concerned about coming up the stairs to her apartment...two flights of nine stairs each! Wasn't bad at all...the movement actually felt pretty good....haven't tried going down them yet. Walking every hour and feeling better. The hardest part so far has been getting in and out of bed and having to sleep on your back....but I am adjusting!

Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive of me. Kimberly is the greatest...don't know what I would do without her!