Farewell to the Red Devil !

Last week we got to take a little mini vacation to Alabama to visit with my Dad. It was heavenly! He cooked delicious homemade meals determined to fatten me back up!  And the next best part...sitting by the water on the pier!  We moved around some when I was young but having a cabin on the river made Fish River more like home....a constant place...spending weekends, vacations and holidays there. I spent countless hours during the days roaming up and down the river with my brothers swimming and fishing and playing a little croaker badminton (just use your imagination!).  And evenings enjoying family dinners of the "catch of the day" and playing Chinese checkers. Then falling asleep to the sounds of the crickets and frogs. So you can imagine after the extreme emotions of the past couple months the feelings I had when I sat down and felt the warm breeze on my face and smelled the familiar river air.  Tears just flowed. Happy tears. Refreshing. It was just what I needed to gather strength for my last encounter with the "Red Devil"!

But I did it....now I am done with the "Red Devil"!  Four cycles completed with minimal side effects and problems. I did develop a fever and cough which they treated with a wicked strong antibiotic. I am so grateful for my amazing doctors and nurses at Mayo Clinic. Next week involves testing to check my response and health (MRI, echo cardiogram, pulmonary testing) then on to the next phase. Twelve weekly cycles of low dose chemo with two targeted therapies. I'm ready for the cure!  I'm learning as with any goal to focus on the end but a day at a time. Enjoying the happy moments along the way and thanking God for them.

Much love and thanks to everyone for all the prayers and love I'm receiving every day.  I feel and appreciate it more than you can ever imagine.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalms 23:1-6 KJV)

God loves us even when we're broken...

So on a good day and with John here visiting we decided to take a walk on the beach.  It was not too long before dark so it was cool and quiet on the beach.  It was so peaceful walking along enjoying God's beauty when this nice looking lady walked up to John and asked "Are y'all looking for shells?' It was obvious since I was down shifting through the sand but I'm sure I looked a little scary with my rubber gloves, ziploc bag, hand sanitizer and my wig flying around in the wind (note to self and others - don't EVER wear a wig on the beach!)  John replied "We are!"  She proceeded to bend down with her little canvas beach bag, pull out two empty wine bottles and then dump the prettiest shells out on the sand along with everything else in her bag and said "Get the ones you want, I live here so I can find more."  She then picked up a broken shell and handed it to me saying "Be sure to take this one.  It's broken but it's still beautiful and it reminds us that God still loves us even when we're broken."

This woman was totally tipsy but she was so sweet and so right! She proceeded to put her two empty bottles in her bag, along with a comment about how somebody had really made her mad, and wished us a nice evening.  She was so pleasant and such a blessing.  I had already started a vase of shells so I brought them back (I've turned into such a germaphobic and I sprayed them with Lysol) then added them to my collection.....even the broken ones.

Now the good news - our pride and joy...our gifts from God...our hope for the future...our children. The unconditional love we have for our children is like no other. Even when we don't like them we never stop loving them. This whole genetics thing hit me like a ton a bricks the night before we met with the Genetics Specialist to get the results. We hope to give our children only good things in life and to pass on only our "good" genes!  And I'm happy to say the BRCA1 & BRCA 2 tests came back negative.  That made everybody happy!

And in my appointment with my oncologist this week she informed me that I have responded positively to the chemo so far.  The lump has shrunk significantly (from approx. 1.5 cm to 0.5 cm) and the lymph node is significantly smaller. That was the encouragement I needed to go straight into Chemo Treatment #3.  Only one more of these to go.  All I can say is thank God for nausea medicines!  Next I start 12 weekly treatments of THP which is supposedly not as toxic or hard to handle.  All for the cure. 

I've been overwhelmed with loving prayers and support. Not only from my family and friends but from all the new people along this journey. I pray for the broken lady wandering on the beach but willing to share.  And as I've been reminded more than once...

"I  Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me" 

Philippians 4:13

Onward, Christian Soldiers

Onward, Christian Soldiers.....This was my favorite hymn growing up in a small Episcopal church.  I remember as a kid singing it at the top of my lungs marching like a brave soldier around the tables in Sunday school. I'm pretty sure during my second chemo treatment this week that I saw little Christian soldiers, not the Red Devil, with red banners marching in to war.  Or possibly it was those steroids they pre-treat me with first to prepare for the hard stuff. For some reason it sends me into hysterical laughing....the kind that starts out as a snort but ends in a silent, trying to breathe laugh. Just ask my daughter Ashley, who watched in shock. Her reaction made me laugh harder. It's somewhat embarrassing....but much better than crying.  A Silver Lining.  The rest of the day wasn't very good and involved taking all three of my nausea medications. The last one knocked me out and I slept the rest of the night. Another Silver Lining.

I woke the next morning feeling pretty good and was greeted with a surprise...handfuls of hair!  But I was shortly greeted with a more pleasant surprise. My good friend and Soul Sister Melissa was coming through town and with a pair of kitchen shears gave me a beautiful new short hair cut!  My second big cut in a month. My sweet neighbor Jackie had already cut it short once which prepared me.  One more Silver Lining. I still have hair...well a little bit!

There are so many Silver Linings in every aspect of life if you look for them. Let me explain. My life long friend Tammy, who I've known since three years old and love dearly was diagnosed last year with breast cancer. And she received a beautifully written and illustrated book from a survivor friend of hers.  Tammy has successfully completed her treatments now and has passed this book on to me. I couldn't put it down. Written by a breast cancer survivor, who happens to be a hospice nurse/social worker, who experienced every horrible side effect possible of this journey but chose to find The Silver Lining in everything.  And I mean EVERYTHING!  Such a blessing full of ideas and tips and encouragement. And the author's close friend photographer has filled the book with beautiful photographs. Definitely a Silver Lining for me!

The Silver Lining by Hollye Jacobs, RN, MS, MSW

Photographs by Elizabeth Messina

And help me celebrate with my good friend Carol who after today has one more week of radiation! She too has given me an unbelievable amount of support and encouragement. Let's pray for her as she prepares to start her life again....cancer free!  Such a Silver Lining!  

Much love to all my family, beautiful Soul Sisters and friends and all of those sending prayers, encouragement and love our way. I feel it in my heart and thank God for you all every day. You are my Silver Linings! 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

I still have hair...

Day 14 of chemo and I still have hair!  That has become our joke. It's really interesting the different perceptions of the whole cancer and chemo experience. But the outpouring of love and support have overwhelmed me and I appreciate it more than you can imagine. And I've never felt God's love and protection more than I do now. That love and prayer is carrying me. And that's what gives me the strength and ability to laugh through this rather than sitting around crying all day.

I'm not very far down the trail in this journey but looking back I've come a long way. I've experienced more in this short time than even I can believe. Laying on that ultrasound table February 12, 2015 with the Radiologist and the ultrasound technician looking down at me with the saddest of faces, as if they were peering into my casket, evoked an intense fear like I've never felt before and can't even begin to explain.  But fast forward to today March 31 - and btw I still have hair today - I've had more tests and procedures than I can count - multiple blood tests, every type of mammogram possible, multiple ultrasounds, biopsies, MRI, CT/PET scans with and without contrast - and yes I got in that big tube without freaking out and yes I had an allergic reaction to the contrast!  I've had a Power Port implanted, with very few tears thanks to the morphine. And with the help of lidocaine it's been accessed more than once without tears.  Which moves us forward to ALL the drugs I've taken. I've probably had more drugs in the past month and a half than I've taken cumulative in my entire life - all important in their own way but the biggest and baddest being The Red Devil chemo.  But I've embraced chemo and I thank God for it because it's part of my cure.

Not to mention the decisions are overwhelming!  A few important ones being who and where for treatment - I chose Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic for my treatment team; whether to complete genetic testing ((BRCA1 & BRCA2) - which after an hour and a half with a genetics specialist I chose to do; and lastly - what kind of wig to get!  For those of you who have never shopped for a wig....well that could be a blog post of its own.  But I chose a pretty wavy short blonde wig so even though I still have my hair today, tomorrow is a new day. 

Tomorrow I have another date with The Red Devil and I pray my body accepts and responds as well as our first encounter.  And again I thank everyone for your gracious love and prayers.  I love you all and pray for y'all every day.  As my son said "You have so many people behind you with this, more than you may even know."

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV)

IDC HER2neu+

One in eight...look at your circle of friends. Who will it be?  Breast cancer doesn't have a schedule. Breast cancer doesn't care what your plans are. One day it's just there. And your life changes in an instant. You will never be the same again. 

It's time to find the cure.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services were provided for this gift. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

Beautiful wrinkle free skin...

TRY IT FREE
CLICK HERE TO TRY IT FREE

www.liftcomplexsample.com

      

Your health is our happiness...your beauty our goal.



Baseball at its finest!

American Legion World Series ~ August 16, 2013 - August 20, 2013 
Shelby, NC

 

Organizers of the ALWS are expecting a throng of fans to converge on Keeter Stadium to watch some of the best high school players in the nation exhibit their skills on Veterans Field.  Shelby-Cleveland County, the official home of the ALWS, extends an enthusiastic welcome to all who love baseball and hold military personnel in high regard! Come see what this annual tournament is all about!

 

 

www.americanlegionworldseries.com
American Legion World Series Facebook

 

 

 

Hot Springs...

If you are looking for a relaxing and beautiful getaway...this is it!  Jacuzzi hot tubs along the French Broad River filled with natural hot mineral water.  More info about Hot Springs Spa.

 

They offer accommodations at Hot Springs, but I recommend staying across the street at

The Iron Horse Station

There you will find beautifully decorated rooms in a renovated old Inn and Tavern.  Lovely accommodations and great food in the Tavern.

I highly recommend both of these places!

 

Skinnygirl Cocktails...

My new favorite cocktails and all available in low-cal options.
What more could a lady ask for!

Vodka with natural flavors, Ready to Serve Cocktails and The Wine Collection!
Try them all!

 Lady Like Lime

Ingredients:            

• 1 part Skinnygirl™ White Cherry Vodka
• 3 parts sparkling water 
• 2 squirts of fresh lime juice
• Splash cherry juice 
• Alternative: use lime flavored sparkling water

Directions:

Pour vodka, cherry juice and sparkling water over ice and stir. Squirt with lime. Garnish with a cherry and a lime wheel.

      

www.skinnygirlcocktails.com 

Southern Living...

 

 

Celebrating the best of life in the South.

 

If you're looking for new ideas with each new season to decorate inside and out, delicious new recipes, beautiful new flowers to grow and, of course, exciting travel destinations ~

Southern Living should be your number one source.

I love it!

 

Southern Living has been shaping the south since February 1966....I think they've got it right!

 

 

CHICKEN SALAD WITH GRAPES AND PECANS 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup light or regular mayonnaise $
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• 1/2 cup light or regular sour cream $
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• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts, cooked and chopped $
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• 3 cups red and white seedless grapes, halved $
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• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• Lettuce leaves (optional) $
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Preparation

Stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chopped chicken and grapes, tossing gently to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Stir in pecans just before serving. Serve in stemware lined with lettuce leaves, if desired.

Linda Banning, Decatur, Alabama, Southern Living
AUGUST 2006

 

Southern Living Website

Southern Living on Facebook

 

 

Run free...

It's that time of year to put on your running shoes and go!  My absolute favorite running shoes are the Nike Free.  They are perfect for the novice runner just looking to have fun and stay in shape.
 

NIKE FREE RUN+ 3

And the best incentive for motivation is to register for an organized race and train with a friend.  I've decided this year to participate in the Electric Run!  Looks like fun...and not your ordinary race!

Click here to find an Electric Run in your area

 

 

Fun in the sun...

 If you're all about having fun in the sun follow these 5 no-nonsense tips suggested by Mayo Clinic to keep your skin healthy and glowing for years to come:

1. Protect yourself from the sun
2. Don't smoke
3. Treat your skin gently
4. Eat a healthy diet
5. Manage stress

For more information click here Mayo Clinic

 

 

And it begins....

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Warm summer breezes...waves crashing...and a cold Pink Lemonade Martini!

 

Absolut Citron

Stoli Raspberry

Sweet & Sour

Drop of Grenadine

Sugar Rim

 

 

Thank you Blue Restaurant & Bar in Charlotte, NC for introducing me to this incredible drink.