My First "Part"

Here it is, my first hair part! Same color, curly and growing. That's what we like to see.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend.

Be well.

Second Surgery Over

A note to let everyone know that my surgery (removal of ovaries and tubes) scheduled for yesterday went well and I came home safe and sound last evening. I'll have a couple weeks recovery time and it looks like 2009 will be a healthy year!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers, I know they've made a big difference in my healing.

Merry Christmas!

December 2008

Wow, here we are in December. What a lot has happened this year! Our beautiful country has a new president elect, spring, summer, fall have all come and gone and winter is blanketing the garden in sparkling white. My grandchildren have grown taller and wiser and my whole little family is healthy, lovely and nearby.

Our house is decorated for Christmas and Jay and I had the privilege of lighting the Advent candle at our 8:00 a.m. service last Sunday. God is good and has smiled on us all year. I'm feeling healthy, strong and loved.

Next week, I'll have a small, laproscopic surgery, which will help ensure that cancer will not revisit my body soon. My cancer was estrogen fed, so my doctors all felt I should have my ovaries and tubes taken out. Thus, eliminating another source of estrogen. Who can argue with that logic? I'm all for modern science and have faith in my doctors to keep me healthy. I expect to be home the same day and up and running in a couple of days after that. Jay is done teaching until January, so this was a perfect time for him to baby me a little.

Then, it's Christmas. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Two Months Out - Healthy

Hi everyone. Life is going great, Jay and I have harvested his horseradish and he made horseradish for our friends and family. We even grew some brussels sprouts this year that turned out great! They were a little small, but had great taste. I'm admitting to the good taste even though I've never been a brussels sprouts enthusiast. The garden is now officially resting for the winter.

I wanted to share a poem with all of you that I read and really liked. It was written by Marsha Millard-Atchley of Lake Annette, Missouri.

"THE BALD BADGE OF COURAGE

Cancer, you tried to take my spirit,
you only tarnished my patience.

Cancer, you thought you could steal my soul,
you gave me stronger faith.

Cancer, you plucked at my dignity,
you didn't know I would remain proud.

Cancer, you snatched away my strength,
you couldn't bring me to my knees.

Cancer, you warped my body and my mind,
you didn't steal my hope.

Cancer, you led to chemo, which took all my hair,
But the bald badge of courage, I was glad to wear.

Cancer, I am a warrior, through and through,
you tried to take me, but I took you."


Even going into winter, life is so rosy, warm and inviting. I'm glad to be here to embrace everyday, good, bad, happy, sad, rainy, snowing, bring it on!

Enjoy the holidays with loved ones and friends.

The Future

It's been just over a month (Sept. 9) since my last radiation treatment and I can tell you that I haven't looked back. I have been living every day looking to the future.

I've golfed in Wisconsin with my husband and my deceased Dad's best friend, Ed; and in Indiana with my foursome from my golf league in celebration of the end of my treatments. What fun!

I've finished my golf league and had the fall banquet and golf. So, league golf is done and now it's golf for fun until the nice weather runs out.

Gardening is also taking up some of my time, too. There are dozens of bulbs to be planted and Maya and Jonah will coming over to help Grandma and Grandpa next weekend, YEAH!

Therefore, my life is full and goes on. My breast cancer was a temporary bump in the road of my life. I see that bump in the rearview mirror of memories and I'm also seeing my hair grow! There are always positives to keep us going.

Embrace every day with love!

Conquered Cancer

Hello to all my family and friends who have followed along with my journey to fight and conquer my breast cancer. Hallelujah, my final radiation treatment was today and as of right now, I am CANCER FREE and LOVING IT!

This won't be my last post, but it does feel like an ending of sorts, so I want to say thank you all for your prayers, words of encouragement, cards, calls, flowers and companionship since my cancer diagnosis on March 18, 2008. This has been quite the year and I cherish every one's prayers, concern, thoughts, and helpful hints. To my immediate and extended family, all of you in my circle of friends, and great medical care providers; you lifted my spirits, destroyed the cancer in me and kept me focused on healing, THANK YOU.

My humble 'thank you' is not enough to let you all know how much you have meant to me during my journey. Thank you for walking with me, knowing I was not alone and could call on any one of you for help was of great comfort to me.

My warmest thank you is to my husband. You have been my strength through this darkeness to the discovery of a bright tomorrow -- ours, you are the love of my life. All my love forever.

Update

Just so everyone knows, my final radiation will be on Tuesday, September 9, instead of the 8th. The big machine was down two Friday's ago, so a day was added on to the end. Oh, well, best laid plans seem to get reconfigured sometimes.

However, everything is going well and we're all anxious for all these appointments to be somewhat done. I hear that I'll be seeing everyone doctor, surgeon, oncologist, radiologist every three months for a long time, but, that's okay as long as the cancer is gone and stays gone.

Have a great weekend everyone.