THANKSGIVING 2011!

Our Thanksgiving plans had to be changed this year. We had planned to have all the family over here for Thanksgiving, which is something we love to do! Hubby had to go back in the hospital on Tuesday due to a blood clot in his leg. Only being home from the hospital for a week, this was very unexpected. He started having foot numbness and pain in his leg over the weekend, but was too stubborn to go to the hospital, saying they wouldn't do anything over the weekend..UGH! After daily trips to the cath lab to try and dissolve the clot, they were finally successful in dissolving it and putting the stent in on Thanksgiving Day! We have so much to be thankful for. Kimberly came over and spent the day with me. I enjoy our time together so much. I could not ask for a better sister! We took him lunch to the hospital. He was still in ICU and I don't think he even remembered us coming.

My friend, Lisa, told me that we have used up our hospital trips and illnesses for the next 38 years! I told her that sounded pretty good to me. I am looking forward to a new year and a much healthier year! I certainly don't want to sleep for half the new year!

I am thanking everyone again for the prayers, love, encouragement and support you have given and continue to give us! God is good and He is good All the time!

ALWAYS TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS!!!

One week ago today, Kimberly, Kaytlin and I went to Batesville to see our great niece, Abbi. We had looked forward to this visit for a long time. Pete and I met Kimberly for dinner in Bryant the night before. We got up early, picked up Kaytlin and were on our way. The scenery was beautiful on the drive up and it was so good to see Kaytlin and see what a beautiful and polite young lady she has become. Kaytlin is Jennifer's god daughter and she has always had a special place in my heart. I tried to call Pete several times that morning and couldn't get him to answer the phone....it is not unusual for him to be outside doing something and leave his phone in the house or in his truck...have fussed at him many times for doing this! He always thought that I just worried too much. This time when I couldn't get him to answer, I just knew in my gut that something was terribly wrong. He knew that we were on the road and I knew that he would call us or at least have his phone with him. We met Abbi and the other girls for lunch, did some shopping and went back to the ranch. I had still tried unsuccessfully to get Pete to answer his phone. I tried calling his brother, George, but couldn't get him. I called his sister, Barb, and she also tried to call George. George saw where I had been trying to call him and he called me. I told him that I was worried about Pete and asked him to come over and check on him...George was in Little Rock. When he got here, he found Pete lying in the floor and mumbling. He called 911 and they got him to the hospital. It was determined that he had had a heart attack. He had a stent put in on Tuesday and was able to come home from the hospital on Thursday. He is doing much better, but is really disturbed that he can't remember what happened. I am just so grateful that I followed my instinct and called George. It was a VERY long and stressful three hour drive to the hospital. Once again, Kimberly was there to my rescue and got me to the hospital! God is good and He is good ALL the time!

TURNING THE BIG 6-0!!!

I can remember a time in my life (and it doesn't seem that long ago), when I thought people who were 60, were very OLD!!! Well, not anymore, for sure! Especially after being so ill and sleeping through half this year, 60 looks pretty darn good, and as THEY say...60 is the "new 40"! I sure hope that THEY are right LOL!

This wil certainly be a year that I will never forget, although I can't remember very much of my almost 4 month hospital stay. I do know how very grateful I am for my wonderful sister, family and friends for never giving up on me and keeping the prayers going and the wonderful care they gave me. I have my faith in God, the "Great Physician" for giving me this miraculous healing and more time here on earth. I pray to be a closer follower of Him and to let His love shine through me and for me to be a help to others.

My birthday week started on Saturday, the 22nd, with the Race For The Cure! I have always been overwhelmed by this event. Jennifer walked with me on the Race before she passed away. We were in the last ones that finished, but like she said, we finished. This year, we had a large group of friends and relatives on our "Fight Like Debbie" team and we raised over $1200. Thanks to Kimberly, we all wore beautiful butterfly wings in memory of Jennifer! It was so much fun and I was so happy to see Mica join us, after she said no so many times of being in a wheel chair on the bridges...what a wonderful testimony to support and friendship. Another wonderful surprise was seeing Shannon and her four beautiful children there with my name on their backs....made me cry. Jennifer would have been so happy and I am sure she was smiling from heaven! It was a wonderful day. I had to be pushed in the wheel chair for the race, but I got out of the chair and walked across the finish line with the help of Kimberly...what a great feeling to do that!

We left the Race and went back to Kimberly's to get ready to go to Stacie and Herman's wedding. It was such a beautiful wedding in every way. Stacie was the most beautiful bride ever and Herman was so handsome! I felt like I was at a fairy tale wedding. I wish them the best always!

Sunday, we went to church and then we were to meet Barb, my sister-in-law in Benton for lunch. When we got to the restuarant, she had arranged a surprise birthday party for me. I was sooooo surprised!

Monday night we celebrated my birthday with a dinner cruise on the Arkansas Queen! I had never done anything like that before...it was wonderful! There were 24 friends there helping me celebrate! Patti and Joanna got everyone up and dancing! I even did the shimmy in my wheel chair...just think what I could have done, had I had my walker with me! LOL! It was a night I will never forget!

We went back to Hot Springs after the cruise because Pete had a doctor's appointment the next morning and the children (our furry ones), would have been worried about us..LOL!

Wednesday we went back to Little Rock for one of my favorite birthday presents...I GOT MY TRACH OUT....YAY!!! I am so grateful to have this last tube out of this ole body!!

I went to church on Sunday, then we had a belated birthday lunch for Missy. It was so good spending time with her...she is so very sweet and I am blessed to have her as my friend! Yesterday, before heading back home, Kimberly and I met some friends..Linda, Renee, Mira, Laura, Andrea and Mark, for a wonderful lunch at MiMi's Cafe. It was so wonderful seeing them. I miss them so much. My heart wants to go back to work with them so badly, but I know that it is time to retire this ole body and do other things. ACH will always have a big piece of my heart!

I am looking forward to the 60's with a positive attitude and a desire to do more for others and help others. I want to make a difference in someone else who is battling cancer or other devastating illnesses.

I am going to enjoy being CANCER FREE! I am sure that God has plans for me and I will try to be still and listen! Dr. Sneed said that I am cancer free right now. He said that since my cancer was so aggressive, he can't say that it won't come back. He said if it does come back, we will fight it again....I am keeping my pink gloves on and will continue to "Fight Like A Girl"! God is good and He is good ALL the time! I am so grateful and blessed!




























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FINALLY A DATE!

Dr. Rowan is out of town...first available appointment was the 24th. I didn't want to take a chance of being late for my birthday cruise or not be able to talk, so I will have it out on the 26th! It will be so nice not to have to take my diaper bag (trach supply bag) everywhere I go...LOL!!! God is good and He is good all the time!

















































































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GETTING CLOSER!!!

I saw Dr. Sneed yesterday...he said I was doing great! When he realized that Dr. Rowan was the one who put the trach in, he calletd him and he said that he would be glad to take it out! I love Dr. Rowam...now I am just waiting for an appointment. Soon I will be "hole free"! YAY! I still don't know why I can't just take it out! GOD IS GOOD AND HE IS GOOD all the time!

WAITING TO GET TRACH OUT!!!

I have been patiently waiting to get this trach out! I can't understand why the Doctor that is responsible for putting the trach in, before letting me wake up on the ventilator and try to wean me off the ventilator, refuses to write the order to have it out. Instead, he says "Let Debbie do whatever she wants to do, because she is going to die"! Well Mr. Doctor, we are all going to die...only God knows when....but right now, my scans are clear and I was told by my wonderful oncologist, Dr. Sneed, the miraculous news that I am now CANCER FREE!! I don't know if the cancer will come back or if I will die in a car wreck or other means...only God knows that! I just know that I believe in the power of prayer and I think that my clear scans are testimony to that. I am so grateful and blessed for all my loved ones who have prayed for me, encouraged me and loved me during these past five months. My wonderful sister was the best caregiver ever and turned her home into a hospital room for me...I will never be able to thank her enough. I will always "Keep Fighting Like a Girl" and try my best to be what God wants me to be! I am going to enjoy life, appreciate what I have and be ever so grateful for the little things in life....God Bless You!!

THE POWER OF PRAYER!!!

I have always known and believed in the power of prayer and have known that God is in control of our lives! This week I have officially moved back home to Hot Springs...not being home since April 8th, except for a couple of day visits. Many prayers were answered and I have the miraculous news that my CT and bone scan showed NO CANCER!!! This means that I will not to have chemo or radiation. I will continue to have the monthly harmone shots. I am so blessed to serve such an awesome God and to have had so many wonderful prayer warriors....for the love of my husband, sister, family and friends....thank you for not giving up on me....I will be eternally grateful! Life is short...handle it with prayer and gratitude!

I'M B-A-A-A-CK!

Where do I begin? These past five months have been the roller coaster ride of my life! After my first thorencentis, my lungs filled up with fluid again. What I thought was going to be an overnight hospital stay, turned into a four month stay! During this time, I found out that my breast cancer is now metastatic in both lungs. As a respriatory therapist, I had cared for many trached ventilator dependent children, but never dreamed that I would wake up with a trach and on a ventilator. I came close to death a few times. The chemo that I was given was really hard on me and caused me to have to back to intensive care and be given blood. Instead of chemo, I am now being given hormone injections which seem to be keeping the cancer from spreading or filling my lungs again.

When I left the hospital about five weeks ago, I was on 8 liters of oxygen and on the ventilator 24 hours a day. I came home to my wonderful sister, Kimberly's, home so that I would be close to my doctors. Thanks to her excellent care of me and the love, help, prayers and encouragement from friends and family and the love and grace of our awesome God, I am feeling better and stronger everyday. Since coming home from the hospital, I have lost 135 pounds of fluid, am on no oxygen and am only on the ventilator at night Last week, I got the foley catheter and feeding tube out. This week, I will begin testing to see about getting the trach out and being off the ventilator. Saturday, I was able to go home to Hot Springs for the day...the first time I had been home in five months...I plan on going home a couple of days a week.

I sure didn't plan on this latest battle with the cancer...my PET scan in November was clear. I do know that I have faith and trust in God and I know that He is in control and that He has the plan for all of us...He is good and He is good all the time! I will keep my pink gloves on and "Fight Like a Girl"!!!

WE MADE IT THROUGH THE WEEK!!!!

I had my thoracentesis on Friday....they drained 2 liters off my lung....feels wonderful to be able to breathe. Hubby says he has not felt this good in about fifteen years after his injection...he said his foot doesn't even hurt...did find out that the MRI showed an aneursym in his pelvic area...will see another doctor for that tomorrow and I will go for chemo on Tuesday...hoping and praying this week will also bring good results for both of us!!

WHAT A WEEK!!!!

With Dr. Sneed's approval, I was able to skip my scheduled chemo this past Monday. I had just gotten over my infection in my leg and was still feeling pretty weak, so I wanted to give my body a rest before getting zapped again!! Monday was also Jennifer's birthday and I wanted to be able to take her flowers to the cemetery along with some balloons...and go to Bible Study Monday night!

Pete is scheduled for a transepidural injection in his back on Friday..hoping and praying this will give him some relief of the pain he is having. He had back surgery about 40 years ago, right after we were married. The MRI showed this area to now be bone one bone...also has a herniated disc in his neck. Hoping to avoid surgery
by going to physical therapy and having the injections! He has so many plans for our yard and garden this year....I pray that he gets the relief he needs!

Last week, I started getting really short of breath....couldn't walk very far at all without becoming pretty winded! This got worse and I almost fell after church, with Joanna helping me to my car...so grateful that I didn't fall and take her down with me.
Monday morning, I called Dr. Sneed's office and told him what was going on. I had a chest x-ray yesterday morning that revealed a large pleural effusion (fluid built up in the lining of the lung). Another diuretic was added to the Lassix that I am already taking...hoping to get rid of the fluid. I am scheduled to have a thoraccentesis (this is a procedure where a needle is inserted to drain the fluid). I will have this done on
Friday morning, if the diuretics don't get rid of all the fluid...I have to wait until Friday for it because I have to be off the blood thinner medication.

I am still at Kimberly's since all this happened...she is such a good nurse and sister...don't know what I would do without her. She will take me to the hospital for the thoracentesis and our wonderful nephew, Tommy, will take Pete to the hospital for his injection...we will both be sedated, so we have to have drivers! Thank goodness for our family.

We did get to go to the cemetery and put the flowers out yesterday after I had the x-ray..they look very pretty...thanks again to my wonderful sister!

I am asking all my wonderful prayer warriors to pray for Pete..that his injection relieves his pain and that I get rid of all this fluid....hopefully by the diuretics but if not, by the thoracentesis...and I will be able to breathe well again!!

I get by with a little help from my friends and the love and grace of God...I will keep my pink gloves on and keep on "Fighting Like a Girl!" Thank you everyone for your love, prayers and encouragement..Love you all bunches!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER SUZANNE!!!

33 years ago today, God gave me my greatest gift ever...the birth of Jennifer Suzanne Nelson!! All of my dreams had come true. It is so hard to believe that she would have been 33 today, but even harder to believe that she has now been gone for almost five years...how could this be? Sometimes, I miss her so much, that I can hardly stand it! I just have to be grateful for the promise that I will see her again one day, and untl that day comes, I will do all that I can to keep her memory alive and cherish all the wonderrful memories that I have of her...she truly was the light of my life!

My Little Geyser Has Returned!!!

I was walking past the vacuum cleaner...it tipped over and the handle hit my leg..small cut, but now I have another leak! I have already started on antibiotics and hopefully, this time it will stop soon. I know that everything happens for a reason and that God is always in control...He is good and He is good all the time! Maybe I will get rid of some of this fluid in my leg. Praying that it won't drag on like it did last time! I will keep my pink gloves on "Fighting Like a Girl"!

ROUND #26 DOWN!!!

Finished Round #26 of chemo yesterday! I am already getting pretty cold. I was told that I needed to get more sleep...I was told to take Ambien every night for 21 days...I will do my best to try and do this. Alot of times, I feel like I am so tired, that I know that I don't need it...and then I can't go to sleep and feel like it is too late in the night to take it...so I will give this a try and see if it works. I just hate the thought of taking another pill everyday...I guess I can be pretty stubborn at times.

It felt so good looking around the chemo room yesterday and seeing the patients all covered up with the colorful blankets we made and donated them..thank you again for all the wonderful friends who helped with this project...hopefully, next time we can take some pictures of them....can't beieve that Kimberly didn't have her camera.

We met a man that was there for his first treatment....in anticipation of losing his hair, he had cut his hair in a mohawk...Kimberly did get a picture of him with the camera on his phone...she just loved his hair! I sat next to a sweet lady that was receiving her last treatment...it was a happy day for her...she had on a beautiful turquoise outfit and was covered up with one of the turquoise blankets we had made..we told her to take the blanket home with her to help celbrate. Also need to thank nurse Linda..for taking all the blankets we made home to wash and bring back....how sweet is that!

Had a great weekend...church and ya ya time on Sunday...chemo, Bble Study and a good dinner with Mica and Kimberly on Monday night..spent good time with Kimberly..Had a good time, but it is always good to be back home. I still have my pink gloves on and "Fighting Like a Girl"!

FEELING GOOD!!!

I am still a little tired, but am feeling good! My heart is just singing! My sweet sister, Kimberly, turns the big 5-0 this year, and I turn the huge 6-0! We are looking forward to these milestone birthdays because...WE ARE GOING TO THE BEACH!! YAY! Missy, Lisa, Pig, Marie, Kimberly and me!! We aren't going until October, but our condo is booked! I can hardly wait to hear the ocean and put my feet in the sand! Jennifer and I LOVED going to the beach...that was such a special time for us and I have many wonderful memories to cherish there. We had planned on a trip to go after she got out of the hospital on that last visit before she died. At first, I didn't think that I would ever be able to go again...since she wouldn't be with me. It will soon be five years since she passed away...I now think that it would make her happy for me to go and that she would want me to go, especially with good friends. I know there will be some emotional moments, but I am really looking forward to it...I will feel her there with me, as I can feel her with me everyday!

I am looking forward to a good weekend as well. I will go to church on Sunday, then go to Kimberly's for some ya ya time. I will spend the night with her, go to chemo Monday morning and Bible Study Monday night..coming back home on Tuesday morning.

Hoping everyone has a wonderful weekend! I still have my pink gloves on and will continue to "Fight Like a Girl"!

GREAT NEWS!!

My bother-in-law, George, has been fighting lymphoma...he had a CT last week and was to return to the doctor today for his results and his next chemo. His CT was CLEAR...NO CANCER...PRAISE THE LORD!! He didn't even have to have his chemo treatment today...he will return in a month and have a follow up CT to make sure it is still clear. He was so very sick at the beginning, but after only six treatments, he is clear. I am so happy for him...he was over the other day and I could tell he was getting discouraged. Prayer is so powerful!!

GREAT WEEKEND...ROUND #25 DOWN!

What a wonderful weekend! I went to a wonderful church service on Sunday morning...always makes my week go so much better...had ya ya time with Kimberly and Lisa. On Monday, Kimberly had to go to Conway...Missy met me for chemo, we had a wonderful lunch and visit at Izzy's, followed by her favorite dessert cakes from Blue Cake Bakery...she is really getting me hooked on these wonderful little cakes. I went to Bible Study on Monday night...it was so wonderful being there and visiting with Mica and others...perfect end to a great day! Tuesday morning, I was finally able to meet Linda for a birthday breakfast celebrating her 50th birthday...it had been delayed because of the bad weather we had been having. Linda is always so uplifting and inspiring...good for the soul...was so happy to hear that she going on our beach trip in October with us....this is going to be such an awesome trip...I can hardly wait! I know that as fast as the time seems to be passing by, it won't be long until we will have our feet in the sand!

Last week this time, we had seven inches of snow and temperatures in the teens....yesterday, it was 72 degrees here and we are expecting these wonderful temperatures all week...Spring is in the air, for sure! You have to love Arkansas weather....the beauty of snow one week and the fresh air of Spring the next!

I finished round #25 of chemo...was given an additional diuretic for a couple of days to help with the swelling in my legs...Kimberly has also read lately about the benefits of Aloe Vera Juice while taking chemo...I asked the nurse about it and got the okay to use it...hopefully it will also help with the swelling....Have I ever told you what an awesome sister I have??? She is always researching things that help you while fighting this disease.....so grateful for her!

Hope everyone has a good week and can get outside for a little while and enjoy this beautiful weather while we have it....who knows if we will have more snow in our future?? I have my pink gloves on and am still "Fighting Like a Girl"!

WAITING FOR THE BLIZZARD!!

The snow is coming...just beginning to arrive in Hot Springs! It is hard to believe that we have gotten this much snow this year....I love the beauty and purity of the snow...love watching the birds and squirrels and love seeing my furry daughters hop around in it like rabbits! Everything looks so bright, clean and fresh! I don't like that people have to get out in it, have accidents or fall. I truly miss my job, but at times like these, I am grateful that I don't have the stress of getting to work and having to stay the night at the hospital. I pray for the safety of my friends and co workers as they make their way in. We are expecting around 8 to 10 inches of snow here, which is very unusual for us....12 degrees here tonight...and then a warming trend this weekend to the 60's, with a touch of Spring next week...gotta love Arkansas weather! The horse races at Oaklawn are closed again today, which is bad for the economy here...I think they have already had to close six days this season so far, due to the weather...perhaps, they will be able to make up the days at the end of the season.

I am grateful to have a warm house and fireplace during this weather...thankful that hubby will be off work after today...he works at a grocery store and he said yesterday was like Christmas or Thanksgiving...they were so busy with people preparing for the storm. I am grateful that my sweet sister will be able to stay warm and work from home.

There is something about this kind of weather that makes you want to cook comfort food and bake. I am now on the uphill swing of the chemo cycle and feeling much better...will cook something good today and probably bake some cookies! I also hope to get some cards made...had gotten behind on this since I have felt so bad. I am looking forward to a good rest of the week...going to church on Sunday, then ya ya time and then chemo again on Monday!

Keeping my pink gloves on....(along with my hat), and keep "Fighting Like a Girl"!

Hoping everyone stays warm and safe...have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the beauty of the snow!

FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN RUN OVER BY THE "CHEMO TRUCK"!!!

This last chemo treatment really zapped me....red, achy, tired and some nausea. I am happy to say that I am on the mend...this should be a good week. I hate feeling bad with the chemo, but I really hate having to miss church and ya ya time on Sundays..getting out for this just makes my whole week go better...nothing like worship time and craft time to lift your spirits. I had planned on going to Little Rock today, go to Bible Study tonight, spend the night with Kimberly and then try and meet with Linda in the morning. When I got up this morning at 4:00, it was snowing like crazy...although it has now warmed up and most of it has melted. My leg is a little swollen today, so I have decided to stay home and look forward to next weekend. We are supposed to get another BIG winter storm on Wednesday. I have always loved snow and the beauty of it...but I think I have had enough this year...I am ready for Spring and planting flowers and vegetables.

We are really getting excited about our beach trip in October! Missy has already been researching houses and condos...and is already getting some good response. The beach was mine and Jennifer's favorite place to go together. I know that it will be hard to go without her...but, I really think that she would want me to go...it is so hard to believe that she has been gone for almost five years...sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday....I miss her everyday and always will. I am so grateful of the promise that I will see her again.

Hope everyone stays warm and safe and has a great week. I will keep my pink gloves on and "Keep Fighting Like a Girl"!!

CONFUSION OVER CONTINUED CHEMO

There have been alot of questions about why I must continue to take chemo, although my scans are clear. I was hoping that it would be like my last fight with cancer eleven years ago and after clear scans, I would stop treatment. I can remember Dr. Sternberg telling me eleven years ago, that if the cancer ever came back, that meant that we didn't get it all. Dr. Sneed explained that this cancer is metastatic from the original cancer. When I was diagnosed in July of 1999, I had Stage IIIB Inflammatory Breast Cancer...not a very good diagnosis to receive, but by the love and grace of God and the care of good doctors, I am still here. I found out that I had this recurrence in my bone in December 2009. I have been taking chemo since that time and am doing well, being cancer free at this time. Dr. Sneed says that I am triple negative, meaning negative for taking a hormone pill or other oral treatment. He said that he wants to keep the cancer away and that is why I have to continue the chemo....while receiving my chemo, I have met another lady that had a recurrence a year and a half after her diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer, as well as a couple of other patients who have had breast or other cancers and they will continue to take the chemo like me. Yes, there are side effects, and yes I have days of not feeling so well...but I get up everyday thanking God that I have another day. He has the plan for me and He is in control. I always pray for God to guide the doctors in my care and others who are facing medical issues. I will continue to trust my doctors and follow their advice. I am so very grateful for my family and wonderful friends who give me so much love, encouragement and support. This means the world to me...I get by with a little help from my friends and the love and grace of God...I will keep my pink gloves on and will "Keep Fighting Like a Girl!"

I just want everyone to know that I really am doing well and am so grateful for all of you...I cherish your friendship.

BUSY WEEKEND AND COMPLETION OF ROUND #24!!!

What a wonderful weekend!! I went to Kimberly's on Saturday morning...had some wonderful ya ya time with Kimberly and Lisa...then on to a surprise engagement party for Stacie and Herman...so such a beautiful and happy couple...I was so happy to be a part of their celebration! On Sunday morning, I went to early church, then back to Kimberly's where we had a wonderful lunch and were joined by friends and family to work on our blanket project for the Jennifer Project and for the patients in the chemo room where I receive my chemo...with alot of love and help, we were able to complete 30 blankets...they were very well received at chemo..will brighten the room and keep the patients warm while receiving their infusions...will try to get the Jennifer Project blankets delivered soon. Sunday night,I met with the Pajama Mama's, our little group that meets at IHOP wearing our Pajamas...we had three new members and had such a great time....Laughter is really the best medicine and we had our share...alot of the other customers said they wished they had known it was pajama night LOL! We explained about our little group, saying we thought this was more fun than wearing a red hat! On Monday, I had Round #24 of chemo...Dr. Sneed said that my cancer markers are up..we will watch this closely, but he is glad that my scans are clear...that is what we use to determine the success of the chemo..the numbers can fluctuate for different reasons...he said that I look good and he is happy with my progress...will just keep my pink gloves on and "Keep Fighting Like a Girl"....I know that God is in control and that He is in control all the time! After chemo, Missy joined us and treated us to wonderful lunch at MiMi's cafe...yum! Missy and I then went to this wonderful bakery and got dessert...we then went for a manicure, then back to Kimberly's for dessert and a good visit. I went to Bible Study afterwards and then came back and spent the night with Kimberly. My plan was to meet Linda Young Tuesday morning before coming home to celebrate her birthday with breakfast at Cracker Barrel...we postponed our plans until next week because of the horrible weather....As you can tell, I had a wonderful weekend...it was so good to get out of the house and be with friends after having a couple of homebound weeks due to chemo..."I get by with a little help from my friends and the love and grace of God! I am so grateful and feel so blessed!

The weather here is very cold...19 degrees here with a wind chill of 8 degrees...nothing like my relatives in Illinois are experiencing...but very cold here in Arkansas...so thankful to have a warm house and a great fireplace to snuggle by with my furry daughters...

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"!!