Training update

I am so excited. My first donations have appeared this week! I am at 36% of my goal so I still need your support!

I went to the Podiatrist this week to be casted for orthotics.  He's recommend surgery, but he and I both know that isn't happening anytime soon. So, in the meantime, Doc thinks orthotics will help ease the arthritic pain in my right foot (thanks to a volleyball injury and an over-anxious team mate)  and relieve the tendinitis pain on top of my left foot. I'll get these in a few weeks. Unfortunately that will set me back on my training schedule as I have to learn how to walk in them.  Below is this weeks schedule. We're up to 8 miles!!

Monday Rest (accomplished)
Tuesday 3 miles Easy walking (didn't accomplish)
Wednesday 15 minutes Moderate cross-training (umm yeah kinda.. if climbing the stairs a gazillion times at home counts and I got in 1 mile of easy walking)
Thursday 5 miles Moderate walking
Friday 30 minutes Easy cross-training
Saturday 8 miles Easy walking  (I'll be walking at the IX Center this day for MDA's Muscle Walk event supporting my nephew Ryan.  Hopefully I get in 8 easy miles during the entire day.  I'll wear my pedometer)
Sunday 6 miles Easy walking

Thanks for hanging in there with me. 

See the post below for specifics on how to donate. I need your support, but know that your donations will also help to put an end to breast cancer!

3 Days, 60 Miles

I have taken on an incredible challenge. On July 29th - 31st, I'll be walking 60 miles over the course of three days. Scary, and exciting.

As most of you know, I was diagnosed in March of 2009 with breast cancer. This diagnosis came out of left field for me as I did not fit the criteria at risk for breast cancer. I don't practice risky habits. I don't smoke, I don't drink excessively, I'm not overweight (so they said), yet I got the shocking news anyway. I had children in my early twenties and breast fed them both, became a "young woman" at the average age and lead a relatively healthy lifestyle, all of which are good things. Then why did I get it?

With an ever-increasing diagnosis for women who are at risk and even those who are not, like me, the reason behind breast cancer needs to be found so that we can put an end to this disease. Susan G. Komen for the Cure® funds research focusing on decreasing breast cancer incidence and mortality in the next decade. This organization also funds research to discover new drugs to stop the disease from progressing any further. The drug therapy I am on for the next several years was discovered with research funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

I have started training (I'm really stretching that a bit) by walking at home on the incline trainer and outside around the neighborhood and local forest preserves. I have also attended some sponsored training walks. This week we're walking 6-7 miles, in the cold and the rain....barefooted.  OK, so I lied about the barefooted part. I've also started paying attention again to what I'm putting in my mouth. Not that I have horrible eating habits, but there is always room for improvement.

The thought of walking on average 20 miles each day for 3 days is very intimidating. But I look back to where I was this time last year and I barely had the energy of an 80 year old woman, not in good shape....who smoked... all her life.... you get the idea. So why am I doing this? Because I can. I didn't think I could endure treatments for breast cancer, but I did. I have pondered if I can walk 60 miles. The last time I walked 20 miles in one day I was 19 and a fitness instructor. But here I am now, alive and healthy, and I will walk as far as I can, hopefully completing the daily mileage every day, because I can.

Please consider making a generous donation. If you can't give what you would like all at once, the 3day for the Cure website allows you to spread it out over four months using the payment plan option. (Click the Donate Button on the side bar and donate for me, Mindy Howell) You can also ask your employer if they will double your donation with a matching gift. I have this website up on my other blog as well. (See The Howell Blessings).

Those of you who know me personally know that asking for donations is not my thing.  But this cause is very important to me. I can't do this alone, I need your support.

When you think of supporters like support hose, supporting jock straps, support bras....think of supporting Mindy  :) And if you're in the neighborhood, come by and cheer me on!

Training Schedule

April 4-10 - 17 weeks out

Mon -Rest
Tue -3 miles; Easy walking
Wed- 15 mins ;Moderate cross training (Biking, Basketball, tennis, etc)
Thu -5 miles; Moderate walking
Fri -30 min; Easy cross training (swimming, water running, rowing, etc)
Sat -4 miles ;Easy walking
Sun- 3 miles; Easy walking

Stay tuned and I'll tell you what this is all about soon.

No Way!

You’ve got cancer said the doctor to me.
No way! I said. This just can’t be.
I fell to my knees.

Lucifer taunted me, you’re gonna die.
No way! I said. God is on my side.
Get thee behind me Satan.

You’ll lose your hair, just wait and see.
No way! I said. It won’t take it from me.
I’ll beat this thing by shaving my head.

You’ll burn really bad with your fair complexion.
No way! I said. I have great protection.
God words are the balm protecting my hide.

The nurses said I breezed through the therapies,
No way! I said, considering the calamity.
It was God that got me through it all.

Cancer is vicious, it may come back to haunt.
No Way! I said. I will not daunt.
I trust in God and won’t worry for tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34 tells me I am not to worry.
Excuse me a moment my eyes are blurry.
My battle and blessings are still fresh in my mind.

This month I am a one year survivor.
No way! I said. I am praising with fervor.
God please use my battle to help others.

Mindy Howell


For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. NIV…Jer. 29:11

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.