One Thing I Know

One thing I do know is that when you are in the circle with others with the same health issue, or any health issue, you begin to see things a bit different. Little things that are normally not important becomes more important. You learn more about people and their needs and what's important to them. I'm even learning things about myself while on this journey.

Hello everyone...I know it's been a while, and yes, I have missed you too! October was a very exciting month for me. It was breast cancer awareness month. Friends and family joined me in the Susan G. Komen walk for the cure. Thanks to all of you who supported me with donations and to those of you who hung out with me that morning. It was a lot of fun and it was exciting just being there in the crowd knowing that most of us were there for the same cause. To top it off, we ended the evening with a Pink Party. My goal in planning this party was to celebrate, entertain, and educate. Many came to me and thanked me for the information that was given out that evening. Some have already gotten their mammograms, thermographys, and some have even had their vitamin D levels checked to find out that their's is very low or they have none at all. They are now taking vitamin D supplements. Thanks to all of you who came out to the party. Look forward to seeing you next year!

Tenth Round & Journeying On

Tomorrow will be my tenth round with Herceptin and Zometa plus several weeks with Tamoxifen. Wow, how time flies. These three weeks roll around so fast. That's okay though, because with God, your prayers along with these treatments...good things are happening.

I kind of look forward to my appointment days. I usually get a really good nap in on the way, because you all know me, with a zillion and one things on my plate, I rarely get in a nap. So when the opportunity is there, I take it. I'm learning to get more rest though. I've been doing a lot of reading and rest seems to be a big part of healing. So If you call me in the middle of the day and I don't answer right away, leave me a message, because I'm sleeping. The other day I actually turned off my phone and took a nap. It took a lot for me to actually do that and be okay with it, but it really felt good.

Oh, and Lets not forget the ride home and the stop offs to Whole Foods for my organic fix. That's a fun an exciting adventure in itself. My friend Karen, who is also dealing with BC mentioned the other day on her blog how that when you're in Whole Foods how it makes you feel healthier. I couldn't agree with her more. You do feel healthier because you're in this organic and all natural atmosphere from food on down to the people. I've even had a couple of prayer sessions while in there too. And I love to go there and get the teriyaki sweet potatoes...they are so good.

I'm sleepy right now and I think I'm going to go nap before the kids get in. Oh wait, I need to cook dinner first.
Keep on praying and again...thanks to my family and friends for your support and being there for me and my family. I am so blessed to have you!

Surprised In A Loving Way

Today was a busy day for me. I was asked to make cupcakes and nachos for a back to school gathering in the neighborhood. Those of you who know me, know that cooking is my passion. So I also whipped up a tray of turkey wraps to go along with the menu.

It turned out that this back to school gathering was actually a benefit for me. I had no clue!
Thanks to my Ponderosa PTO friends and neighbors who made this possible. It's 11:57 p.m. and I still haven't counted my donations...It's almost like I want to freeze the moment. I am so grateful for the donations given tonight, but I am even more grateful for the love that this special group of friends has for me. Thanks to all of you who made this possible. I am still on an emotional high and I think it's going to last a while.

Somebody is praying for me!

Hello all...I was just online viewing the results from my chest x-ray and ultrasound taken on last week. Well...the positives outweighed the negatives. Some of the masses and nodes have decreased in size since March which means the therapy is working along with your prayers. Only a couple of the nodes showed a slight increase in size. As for the chest x-rays...all still looks good... lungs, heart etc.,. I have more test scheduled for August and that will be the next time I see the doctor with more positive results. God is good! Keep on praying family and friends.

No Traffic Jams

My husband and I had a pleasant ride to the medical center this morning. No traffic jams or nothing...thank goodness for holidays! I had an appointment for an ultrasound at 8:00 a.m. and I was out of there by 9:40...another reason to be thankful for holidays. As soon as I signed in and sat down, they called my name. I didn't even get a chance to warm my seat good. I brought books, my journal and magazines to read while I wait, but didn't get a chance to get a glance at them. The doctor only scheduled a view of the right breast and the lymph nodes. They will compare it to the one they did in March. I tried to get results out of the radiologist at the time she was probing, but she was too busy telling me about her vacation to Disney World. Once I get them, I will let you know.

Update

It's been almost 4 months since my diagnosis. I have had numerous test, a change in my eating habits, I've lost a few pounds and I have had genetic and nutritional counseling. Last week I had a follow up visit with the doctor. He really didn't have too much news to make me say "yippee." He said he should have more results in a couple of months when more test are done. It usually takes about 6 to 7 months before you can see the progress the treatment is making. My genetic test did come back negative. I kind of figured it would though. The nutritional counseling was very good and informational. I had a chance to let them know about all the supplements I have included in my treatment plan.

As for me...I feel great! I'm in good spirits and I'm remaining positive through it all. Along this journey, I have the best support system ever! My kids keep me smiling and laughing. I love my family...they have truly been there for me and they are taking good care of me. I never ever have to worry about a ride to my appointments...Kenny & Sham are always ready and willing. Thank yall & I love you much! Until next time...

Things Changed

It was a Wednesday morning, Shamarion and I just finished packaging up some hammered shape cookies that was to be delivered by noon that day. After making the delivery that afternoon, I called the doctor to see if he had received results of the biopsy. He said "no, let me make a phone call and check it out and I'll call you right back." He did. He called back in about 10 minutes. His response was, "Mrs. Bailey, It's not good." I said what you do you mean? He was rambling on about something and all I heard was carcinoma. I had heard that word before and knew it meant cancer. He was a bit antsy and seemed more nervous than I did. I remember asking him questions he couldn't answer. He then referred me to someone that could answer my questions. He made the appointment himself for that afternoon at 2:00 and Shamarion and I were there right on time. This doctor looked at my reports and was in awe. He said "ma'am, I'm not going to cut any corners with you, at your age I recommend a double mastectomy." I'm still in shock about all this, so I'm sitting, looking out the window, kind of listening, not really because I knew Shamarion was already zeroing in and listening at every little thing, not missing a beat. Well we decided to leave there and get a second opinion. As we were on our way out, the front desk nursed asked, what do I plan to do? At that moment all I could do was cry. This was for real, but in the back of my mind I'm still saying to myself that they made a mistake. I didn't know what to say. I think I said something like, I'll call you or something. I don't even remember. I just wanted to leave. We got in the car and drove home. Shamarion was saying how we were going to call and make an appointment somewhere else. I was like fine...let's do it! We went home, she left, the kids came home, she came back. When she came back she had 3 books. A journal, A book for entertainment reading and a book on juicing. Now I thought she had gone home and there she was out shopping. She made the call to to set up the appointment for the second opinion and they called us back within an hour. The next day we made an appointment with an oncologist. The doctor had given me copies of my biopsy report.

I brought them home and placed them on a stack of papers, not even worrying about what's on it. A few days later I decided to pick up the papers and look at them. I was secretly hoping that the report would have the wrong name on it. Boy was I wrong. There my name was...as big as day. And that's when things changed.