Happy (Really Happy) Anniversary

I am a ONE year SURVIVOR!
February 3, 2010 was the date of my last radiation treatment and the begining of being a survivor. I am looking forward to a bright future.  It has been a long journey that isn't completely over, but I have come out the other side stronger than I went in. Funny how God uses our dark times to allow us to see our great need for Him.

Let me re-cap for anniversary sake:

March 16, 2009 - Biospsy and diagnoses of breast cancer, stage 1 non-aggressive.  Radiation and 5 year drug therapy were suggested therapies.
May 21, 2009 - surgery to remove tumor and 3 lymph nodes. Discovered cancer in one of the lymph nodes. Chemotherapy now added to the therapies.
June 19, 2009 - PET scan
June 24, 2009 - MUGA scan
July 1, 2009 - began 4 months, 6 cycles of chemotherapy of Adriamycin, Taxotere and Cytoxin.
July 9, 2009 - got my port implanted
October 13, 2009- finished chemotherapy treatments!!
December 21, 2009 - began 31 daily radiation treatments.
February 3, 2010 - last radiation treatment!!
February 25, 2010 - Port removal!!
June 2, 2010 - 1st PET scan and 1st mammogram since surgery
December 17, 2010 - 2nd PET scan

Almost 2 years have passed since I was diagnosed with breast cancer and as you can see, they have been event packed. I continue to follow up with my oncologist every 4 months and for now PET scans every 6 months as well as daily drug therapy for another 4 years.

This journey was not of my choosing but I am grateful for the lessons I've learned, friends I've met, relationships strengthened and most of all growing closer to God. Had I not been forced down this path I would have missed out on some massive blessings.

Happy Anniversary to me!

Update on Connie

I just got news that Connie is out of surgery and doing well. A bone scan was taken and she was told no further treatments are needed!  Connie will have drains in for about a week and will be sore for quite a while, but now she can begin healing.  Thank you all for your continued prayers.

My Friend Connie

 This post is about my friend Connie.  Connie recently celebrated being cancer free for 6 years.  Like me, Connie had breast cancer.  When I was going through my treatments, Connie sent me cards almost every week encouraging me to keep my eyes on Christ. She gave me a painted block of wood that simply said "Trust in the Lord". I still have that on my dresser. She was helpful to me explaining what to expect during the treatments and what type of side effects I could expect. She even gave me a book called "Just Get Me Through It" which was very helpful. Having already gone through breast cancer treatments, she was able to recommend lotions and even shampoos for my bald head that had helped her during her treatments.

There were times when I was having "good days" that she would pick me up and take me to lunch, or we would go to the theater and watch a movie. She was there for me when I needed someone to just to understand what I was going through.

The picture below was this past September, 2010 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. Connie encouraged me to join the race and I'm so glad she did. She literally took me by the hand and showed me around. We had a good time at the race. 

Later that day Connie learned that her brother passed away. I felt useless as she sat in my driveway processing the news, but I was glad I was with her and was able to lend her my shoulder to cry on.

 Shortly after I began my chemotherapy treatments, Jenn threw me a "hat and scarf party". I had pictures taken with every guest and had them wear the hat or scarf they gifted me with. Below Connie is sporting the black bowler hat she gave me. She also gave me a scarf that she had obtained at a another Race for the Cure walk she had attended.

Connie has been a good and supportive friend.  Now I will be returning the favor of being supportive as she has just found out that her cancer is back. Connie is scheduled to have a mastectomy January 11th.   Please join me in prayer for Connie as she is about to begin a fresh journey through breast cancer.  I will continue to update you as she allows me to when new details present themselves.  For now, please pray for peace for her and her husband, and for wisdom for the doctors to make the right decisions on her behalf.

I love you Connie. Trust in the Lord

PET Scan Results

Dr. Coffman called me Thursday evening with results of my PET scan. He said there were no new spots, however I am still showing activity in the same places I had them last time.  He explained that the scan shows abnormalities like Christmas tree lights and the brightness of the lights are measured.  He went on to explain that although there is still activity, the numbers have improved since the last scan.  The last scan had 2's and 3's (cancer would throw up 12-15's and higher).
Dr. Coffman sent my results to my surgeon for his opinion also.

He finished our conversation encouraging me to relax and enjoy my New Years celebration and that we would follow up with another PET scan in 6 months.  My next visit with him will be in February.  I'll keep you posted.

Update

Friday December 17th I go back in for another PET scan.

The last PET scan I had showed some "numbers" around the surgery sites and my oncologist suspected it was from inflammation from radiation and was still healing. I have to admit, I have been anxious about the results of the upcoming scan. I won't know those results until after Christmas. I am ready to be declared free from this disease!

However, I keep reminding myself that God is in control. It was not a fun experience to go through, but I would not take it back. I developed a closer relationship with Him through it all and for that it was worth it. Not that I want to do it again mind you, but I know that if I had to, He would be there right beside me all the way.

On another note, some of you have asked me about my hair, how long it is, etc. See below for a picture that I took while at my office. It's getting long. And it's still curly, so it's super easy to take care of. The downside to this "do" is that I look like Albert Einstein when I wake up in the morning!!

It has been a year in October since my last chemo treatment and my hair began coming back in again about 6-8 weeks after that treatment So this is just about a years worth of growth....from scratch! My oncologist says it takes about 2 years before it goes back to it's "normal" state. That is the way it was before treatments. I haven't been to a hair dresser in over a year and a half. Think of all the money I've saved!! ha! I am open to suggestions for when that time comes!

Stop the Madness!!!

Is it just me, or has the increase in breast cancer rose, not just breast cancer, all cancers for that matter. It seems like I hear about new cases of cancer on a weekly basis. I know my ears are sensitive to the topic, having gone through and still going through a breast cancer journey, but c'mon already, stop the madness!!

Please take a moment to pray for those on my prayer list to the right.

Although there are more survivors today due to improvements in medicines and earlier detections, cancer is a serious and deadly disease. For the fortunate, at best it's a good solid year of doctors, surgeries, tests and treatments, and that is just for starters. This is an ugly disease that needs to be stopped.

Fears

I had a check up with my Oncologist last Monday Oct. 11th and before I left we set up my next PET scan for December 17th at Hillcrest Hospital. The last PET scan in June had low result numbers which my doctor attributed to inflammation from radiation. It had only been five months from the time of my last radiation treatment until that PET scan. (No numbers is the goal). I wasn't happy about seeing numbers but tried to rest in the fact that the doctor thought it was from radiation still.

I have been experiencing discomfort on my right side for quite some time now. Under my right arm is tender to the point of feeling sore, often. The doctor said as nerves heal they can sometimes cause pain. I have to admit, I have allowed myself to entertain the thought that there might be more cancer, and at those times I fear. It doesn’t even matter what I fear, just the fact that I fear means I’ve gotten my eyes off of God and on my circumstances. Cancer or no cancer, I have to take God at His word. I either believe Him or I don’t. I choose to believe Him.

Father God, you know my innermost thoughts. You know all my doubts and fears. I lay my burden of fear at your feet and entrust my future to your care. You have promised to watch over me now and forever. Psalms 121: 7-8 says “The Lord will protect you and keep you safe from all dangers. The Lord will protect you now and always wherever you go.” (CEV). Help me to rest in You, Lord. To trust in Your power and Your promises.

Jeremiah 29:11 once again speaks to me when it says “I will bless you with a future filled with hope – a future of success, not of suffering.” (CEV) . Father you tell us that all things work together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purposes. We may not understand why we are going through these trials as we travel them, but I will trust that You are using these times to produce good fruit in my life and the lives of those walking this path with me. I am thankful that I can rest secure in the fact that You are faithful.

I thank You for Your healing and for giving me the peace that passes all human understanding. That peace will guard my heart and mind from the attacks of the one who tries to destroy me. I praise you for blessing me and my family with your overflowing goodness. Amen.

THANK YOU!!

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fund! Because of those who so generously donated, I exceeded my personal fundraising goal. We also exceeded our team goal!!

I cannot express properly what your support means to me. I have been touched by your generosity.

Thank you.

L-R Connie, Heather, Me, Jenn, Dave and Bill. Missing is Bobbi and Vicci

Race for the Cure

I will be joining the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure walk this Sept. 11th in Cleveland. I am excited to be a part of something so big to help find a cure for cancer. I signed up at the prompting of my friend Connie and formed a group called Pretty in Pink. (see the right bar). I received my "Survivor" t-shirt in the mail this week along with information regarding the day's activities and time schedules. Dave received his "Man Up" t-shirt in the mail as well and his instructions about where to meet other men in the Man Cave at Wolstein Center. I am excited that he will be joining me in this walk.

We are walking one mile in downtown Cleveland to raise funds to help research a cure for breast cancer, the disease that affects one in every 8 women. And the kicker is...the greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older. Breast cancer knows no boundary, be it age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location. And yes, it even affects men. Somebody has to stop this, and I plan to help out.

Please help me raise funds for a cure. As you know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of 2009, and although I am through the worst of the treatments, I am dealing with drug therapy, side affects and after affects, as well as doctors appointments, blood checks and PET scans for the next 5 years.

I don't like asking anyone for money, but this is important to me. I am asking for everyone to donate just $10.00 USD. If I could get at least 20 people to donate $10.00 each, that is $200.00 towards research. $10.00 doesn't sound like much and shouldn't be a burden for one person to donate, but with thousands of people raising funds at $10.00 each from 20 people from 22 counties in the NE Ohio area ...that is HUGE!

Just click on the link on the right of this page to donate safely and securely. If you are donating a larger amount, please read the FAQ's regarding receipts for tax exemptions. You can donate to my personal fundraising efforts, or someone on my team, or just the team in general, it all goes towards cancer research and it is all greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Joni Eareckson Tada

Please join me in prayer for Joni Eareckson Tada. If you are unfamiliar with Joni and her ministry visit http://www.joniandfriends.org/ to take in what this woman, who became a quadriplegic at the young age of 17, is doing to serve God. She has an amazing testimony of how God has taught her to bless others even in the midst of her own struggles.

Recently, Joni was diagnosed with breast cancer and begins chemotherapy this week. On top of the daily trials of being a quadriplegic, she will now have to cope with the side affects of chemotherapy. Also pray for her husband Ken, and the other dedicated friends of hers who will be assisting her during this time.

Our God reigns!