Giving Thanks

Edwina's surgery went well...she said she could feel immediate relief from the pain...so thankful for that! I talked to Anita yesterday. She had her first chemo treatment yesterday and will take treatments for six months. She is so very strong and has such a positive attitude...she is a fighter and won before....praying for her constantly!

I was not supposed to see the hip doctor until the 30th....the earliest appointment he had. I talked to Aunt Toots and she told me about her 82 year old friend having hip replacement surgery and how well he is doing....I called and talked to his wife....called the next day and I have an appointment with him on Friday. It is with Dr. Hefley...after talking with Edwina, she said that Dr. Hefley did Mark's surgery and they loved him! Needless to say, I am very excited to have an appointment with him on Friday. I am ready to get this pain behind me. This has been a very tough week...I am sure that all this rainy weather we are having hasn't helped much!

I watched the Barbara Walters' interview with Patrick Swayze last night. I have loved him ever since I saw Dirty Dancing and Ghost...two of my all time favorite movies. The strength that he had fighting this horrible disease was amazing.....he LIVED til the end...he didn't ever give up. I admire his strength and attitude so very much, as well as that of his loving wife! My heart goes out to her during this most difficult time....what an amazing love story!

PRAYERS, PRAYERS, AND MORE PRAYERS!

I am still praying for my dear friend, Anita...am so glad that she is home from the hospital...and that her sweet sister is there with her. I think of her and pray for her everyday...praying for peace, comfort and strength.

I am praying for my good friend Edwina and her sweet family. Edwina is having her surgery tomorrow. Her daughter, Chelsea, is expecting the arrival of little Grayson in about six weeks...earlier this week, we thought that he wanted to come a little early for his "Honey's" (grandma Edwina) surgery...I think maybe he was convinced to wait a little longer...everything seems to be fine there now. Praying that Edwina's surgery will go well and she has a quick and speedy recovery!

Yesterday was my long awaited bone scan and doctor's appointment! Got sort of a double whammy, so to speak! First I want to thank God for not having a return of cancer...that was really on my mind...especially since Kimberly and I looked at the films on the way to the doctor (shows how much we know LOL) and saw two large black spots....this turned out just to be the dye in my arm and bladder! Dr. Saer said he thinks I need to have my back and hip both fixed. He said that the most crucial part of recovering from back surgery is walking afterwards. He said that if I have back surgery and am unable to walk because of my hip, I wouldn't recover. I know that Ben said that was a main factor after his surgery..walking! Dr. Saer is sending me to the hip doctor first. If I have to have hip surgery, then I will have it first and then will have the back surgery as soon as the hip doctor will allow it. Why can't I ever do things the simple way...seems like I always have to take the long way around the block...sometimes I guess that is the scenic route, because I usually learn a little something on the way...like why I had to take chemo before and after surgery etc. etc. I have never liked the idea of having surgery and being put to sleep...guess I have watched too many 20/20 television shows or something...but having to have two surgeries has sorta freaked me out! I am just turning it over to God, the Great Physician, and know that He is in control and will take care of it! Dr. Saer looked at me like I had two heads when I asked him if I could have the kind of back surgery where you don't have to be put to sleep...seems I have shifting also, so that kind of surgery isn't an option. Glad that my sweet sister, Kimberly, went with me yesterday...it was a pretty stressful day..but at least now I have a plan and will just have to give thanks for not having a return of the cancer and come to peace with the fact that I WILL have to have surgery!

HE'S BACK!!!

Unfortunately, "Popeye, the big arm" came for another visit. I had a small scratch on my finger...thought this was the cause..then I noticed I had some kind of bite on my leg...who knows? I will never know how this just occurs out of the blue. Just a rememberance of how lucky and grateful I am for the past ten years! Just keeping me on my toes, I suppose..just thankful for Levaquin..already feeling better. I just don't like seeing the ole big arm again! Will have to do some extra therapy when the infection is over..I am not supposed to do the therapy when I have an infection for fear of it spreading! My pump is waiting...perhaps, I will be able to start again tomorrow!

RACE FOR THE CURE

Since my diagnosis of breast cancer ten years ago, I have been able to participate in seven out of the ten. This is such an awesome event...seeing all those wonderful women coming together for this most important cause! There is nothing like walking over the Broadway bridge and looking over to the Main Street bridge and seeing all the thousands of people walking together. The last race before Jennifer passed away, we walked together...we were in the last group of about ten people to finish, but finish we did! She was always there with me...even when I know she didn't feel like walking at all! It is such a very emotional time...seeing people with signs on their backs, saying they are walking in memory of their Mom, Aunt, Grandmother, Sister, Daughter or Friend...brings tears to my eyes each time....but again, it is wonderful seeing people walk in honor of their loved ones who are surviving this disease....that is what this race is all about!

I was diagnosed on July 29, 1999. I can remember going into the Race for the Cure shop that year. I was so excited to sign up for the race. I can remember telling the lady that I didn't know if I qualified as a survivor or not, because I had just been diagnosed. I asked her when you were qualified as a survivor...she smiled and told me the minute that you are diagnosed, you are a survivor!

Yesterday, I talked to a dear, sweet friend of mine that is now in treatment for her breast cancer. We talked awhile and then she said she was thinking about trying to walk in the race....she had my same question that I had ten years ago...about when are you considered a survivor! I told her that she IS a survivor. So if anyone out there who has breast cancer or who has just been diagnosed.....you ARE a SURVIVOR! The minute you receive this diagnosis, you are a SURVIVOR! Cancer is a horrible disease, but I truly feel that I am a better person because of it....I know for sure that it makes you appreciate the little things in life and not worry so much about the things that don't or shouldn't matter.

I want be able to walk in the race this year, because of my back and leg. This is one race that I was truly looking forward to because of my ten year anniversary....but I will be there as a Pajama virtual walker for sure....guess that won't be too bad....since I am a "Pajama Mama" huh?

STILL PRAYING FOR ANITA!

Anita was unable to have surgery to remove the cancer. I am praying hard for her and her family. She is loved by all that know her and I know that she is being lifted up in prayer by many people. God is the Great Physician and I pray for Him to guide her doctors in her care and to give her peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time. Ihope that she can feel the love that surrounds her!

PRAYING FOR ANITA!

I, along with many prayer warriors, are praying for Anita today! She will have surgery this morning at 8:30 to determine the extent of the cancer. We are praying that it is confined and that they will not have to open her chest. Anita is so courageous, strong, positive and funny. When she found out yesterday that she was having surgery today, she called Sherry and said "Sherry, I have just seen the best looking man I have ever seen....and he is doing surgery on me in the morning!" Talking about a good attitude! This is Anita's third time dealing with cancer in less than five years! She is strong, has tremendous faith and is in the hands of God, the Great Physician!

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

I have a good friend, Anita. She is one of those special friends that is always thinking of others first. I have treasured her friendship for many years. She was a great friend to Jennifer as well. She is on the IV team, and all her patients love and trust her. She always goes that extra mile for her patients. When Jennifer was a patient at ACH, she always kept up her supply of Velveeta in her room...and always made her laugh. Laughter is one of the best medications when you are in the hospital for two weeks! Anita was the perfect dose Jennifer always needed and appreciated. On the day we lost Jennifer, Anita was one of the first people to come to visit.
We have shared alot over the past ten years, even breast cancer! A few weeks ago, Anita was the life of the party at my ten year survivor party. She danced, sang and provided laughter for all. We celebrated her 60th birthday by having dinner in Hot Springs. Anita, Jo, Lisa E. and Sherry drove to Hot Springs to celebrate since I was down in my back. We had a great dinner and a great time. Anita's cancer came back in her bones after her diagnosis with breast cancer. She fought and won that battle as well. Yesterday she found out that it was back once again...in her chest. I just don't know why bad things happen to good people. Like Sherry said, how can you not hate cancer? I do know that Anita is a strong person and a fighter...she will get through this. She has raised two wonderful children that adore her, as well as everyone that knows her. Love and faith are very strong weapons against this horrible disease. I love you, Anita! I am here for you!