CHEMO ROUND #23 DOWN!!!

Finished Round #23 yesterday...was changed to Zofran for the anti nausea drug given with the chemo. I had forgotten that Zofran can give you a bad headache and bad heart burn...remembered during the night and took Zantac and it worked miracles..still not much sleep due to the steroids, but I will probably be able to sleep tonight. I sure do miss my friend, sweet Anita. We so enjoyed our chats on our chemo induced insomnia nights...she will be missed forever. and never forgotten.

I didn't have to see Dr. Sneed with this treatment, so I was able to take it here in Hot Springs...saved me a trip to Little Rock. I also get the chance to meet new people and hear their stories. I met one sweet lady and when I told her that I had Inflammatory Breast Cancer eleven years ago, she said "Oh, my God, and you are still alive!" She said that she had a friend that had IBC and she lost her fight after fourteen months. I told her that I was very thankful and grateful...and that God has the plan for each of us, and we just have to put our faith in Him and trust Him!

On Sunday after church, Sherry hosted a surprise 50th birthday party for Lisa Ellison..it was such a perfect day....she was totally surprised..she had thought the party was for me, celebrating being cancer free. Sherry was the perfect hostess, the food was awesome and it was so good being with friends, visiting and laughing..I had not been able to go to church for three weeks because of being sick and then the weather...this was the perfect cure for my cabin fever.

Thanks again for all the continued love, support and prayers...I appreciate it so very much...I have my pink gloves on and will continue to "Fight Like a Girl!"

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE...BRRRRRR!!!

We got our first big snowfall in many years...we had seven inches on the ground here in Hot Springs! It is just beautiful...hasn't been this cold since 1996...it was 11 degrees here this morning. As much as I have hated having to retire from the job I so loved, I can say that I am truly grateful for not having to worry about driving to Little Rock in this weather...I would be a nervous wreck...also glad that Kimberly, Mandy and Denise were able to work from home too...I am sort of a worry wart when it comes to things like this.

We got all the bird feeders filled just in time...have enjoyed watching all the cardinals, wrens and sparrows so much...I don't remember ever having this many cardinals before...perhaps, I just never took the time to enjoy them...it sure has been fun!

The sun is out again today, so maybe we will have some more melting....I think that if I don't get to go to church this Sunday, my cabin fever will get the best of me...it should not be a problem since the weekend temps are supposed to be in the 40's and I won't have chemo again until Monday...ready to get out for a bit!

I hope eveyone is enjoying the beautiful winter weather and staying warm and safe...I still have my pink gloves on "Fighting Like a Girl"!....and they are quite warm, too!

CHEMO ROUND #22 DOWN....WILL KEEP ON "Fighting Like a Girl''!

On Monday, I had my 22nd chemo treatment....was hoping to change the treatments to space them out a little bit since my PET scan and Brain scan were clear of cancer. Dr. Sneed explained to me that I was triple negative...meaning H2R negative, as well as Estrogen and Progesterone negative. This means that there isn't a hormone pill that would help me...on my first diagnosis eleven years ago, I was H2R positive and was able to take Herceptin. Although my recurrence is from the original cancer, it has changed to H2R negative. Kimberly asked Dr. Sneed if he thought I would be doing this well after the diagnosis of the return cancer last December...he said no, that triple negative is not a good diagnosis. He explained that I will need to continue taking the chemo every two weeks as long as I am responding and the cancer has not returned. He said if they changed the chemo drugs at this time, then there could be more side effects and that also we don't want to use all our guns now, and not have something to go to, if the cancer returns. I always pray for God to guide my doctors in my care and others who are fighting cancer and other health problems. I totally trust Dr. Sneed...he has gotten me through this past year of treatments very well...and I know that God is always in control and that He is good. I will keep my pink gloves on "Fighting Like a Girl"!

More good news is that Pete's brain scan results were clear too...PTL..the doctor said that he could have had a mini stroke that would not show up on the MRI causing his episodes of dropping things, but it could have also been from a virus, since he was just recovering from the bad case of bronchitis he had. Also, the kidney test he had done showed that he had no blockage from the kidney, but possibly a kidney stone causing his back pain. We will make an appointment with his kidney doctor to find out more. I think that we can both be very grateful for starting the new year with good news!

Thank you for all the prayers and encouragement you gave us while undergoing these tests and waiting for the results...."I get by with a little help from my friends and the love and grace of God!"

WELCOME 2011!!!

Can hardly believe that it is already 2011!! 2010 was certainly a roller coaster ride...a year of chemo, a hospitalization (I don't like being in the hospital), having to retire from the job that I loved, the loss of friends and family, new cancer diagnosis for friends and family, health issues for hubby and sissy..to name a few! Along with these obstacles, has been many blessings...including reconnecting with old friends, making new friends and the awesome news of ending the year with clear scans...God is good and I know that He is always in control....I have my faith and trust in Him!

I am anxiously waiting to see what God has planned for me this year and praying that my walk with Him will become closer....I will keep my pink gloves out and "Keep Fighting Like a Girl"!!

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

Dr. Sneed's nurse called me this morning..the brain scan was negative...NO CANCER!! I am so happy and grateful. Thanks everyone for all the prayers and encouragement. Prayer is so powerful and God is good and He is good all the time. This is a great way to end the year and start a New Year. I see Dr. Sneed next Monday and have my next chemo then. I am hoping that maybe we will cut back on the chemo then. I will do what he says and follow his advice...I want to make sure the cancer doesn't come back and he has gotten me through this past year just fine..

Pete will have his scan checking for a stroke next Tuesday. He is feeling some better, but not back to normal yet...praying for good results for him so that we can both start the New Year off right and feel better...both at the same time..that would be awesome! Trying not to worry because I know that God is in control and He has the plan for both of us.

Wishing everyone a good week and a very Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010!

The holidays are never the same without your loved ones who have passed away...you sometimes wonder how you can make it through without them. Yes, you have sweet memories and pictures of Christmases past, and you are so grateful for all of those good times you shared. You think of all the things you did together and the traditions that were formed and became your Holiday traditions...like the Christmas dinner, the church services, helping people in need and even watching your favorite Christmas movies together. You would love to have just one more Christmas with them...but you know that isn't possible and there is no way that you can change that. You don't have a choice...you just have to get through it somehow and keep going. 2010 has been a tough year for me...have been taking chemo this entire year, fighting my second battle of cancer, have lost a friend and family members, have friends and family now fighting cancer and having to retire from the job I loved so very much..but am so grateful for the promise that I will see my daughter, family and friends again one day when God chooses. I have my faith and trust in Him and know that He is in control and He is good and good all of the time! I just want to follow Him closer and let others see Him through me. I want to do something each day to help someone else. I want to keep the memory of my loved ones and friends alive...I want to do something that they would want me to do that keeps them alive in the hearts of others. I want my walk with Him to be closer each day. I want others that are going through fighting cancer and other diseases to know that you can and do get through it...and somehow you become a stronger and better person because of it....you certainly learn what is important in life and you learn not to worry about the little things that don't matter. You know that there is such joy in seeing the world through the eyes of a child or even sitting outside and watching the birds, a beautiful sunset or sunrise....God has given us so much to see and enjoy!

Our family chain is broken and is getting shorter...for most Holidays, it is just Pete, Kimberly and me. As I have said before, I am so blessed to have such an awesome sister...she is my rock as well as my pillow. She is always there for us..doing way too much for us...spoiling us! This year, she wanted us to have a non traditional Christmas dinner..it was awesome. Instead of our traditional turkey dinner, she prepared a feast of crown pork roast, asparagus, spiced apples, mac and cheese that she baked in a bundt pan and Paula Deen's banana pudding...I am telling you...this dinner could have easily been featured in Southern Living magazine...I vote for this to be our new traditional Christmas dinner...Thank you, Kimberly, for another wonderful day! I love her to the moon and back.

I am also blessed to have a large family on Pete's side of the family. I am grateful for them and happy that they are a part of my life...I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and my church family...I love and appreciate all the love and encouragement they give me.

Merry Christmas to all...hope that you all had a wonderful day with friends and family!

CHEMO ROUND 21 DOWN!!!

Started yesterday with Round 21 of chemo...it hard to believe that on Tuesday, the
21st, will be a year of chemo treatments. I am so very grateful for the doctors, the wonderful drugs, the love and grace of God and the love, support and encouragement from my friends and family. I am so thankful that the treatments are working. I will have a brain CT on Wednesday...hoping they can find my brain LOL!

Kimberly made adorable goodies for the chemo nurses, Dr. Sneed and the patients in the chemo room...what would I do without the best chemo buddy ever? She always makes the day fun and special. After chemo, we met Mandy and Lisa for a wonderful lunch..thank you, Lisa...and the Kimberly treated us to a heavenly massage....it was so wonderful. We were supposed to meet for Pajama Mama's after the massage, but we postponed it until after Christmas since my hubby has been ill this week. It is probably a good thing, since I was pretty pooped after such a long and great day!

It is hard to believe that Christmas is just one week from today..I really don't where my time goes, but it sure goes....still have a few projects to finish, but trying not to stress...remembering that Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

I still have my pink gloves on and am "Fighting Like a Girl"!!!!

Merry Christmas to all....friendship is the best gift of all and I cherish each and everyone of you!!!