the mail a couple days later...She is such a hoot! When we went to take it to her, she wasn't there, so we "broke in" and left it with a card that said..."Let's give a cheer, it's been a year, you're one tough cookie, we're glad your here!"
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Deon's Cakes
I had to post this...it was too funny. Deon was my chemo buddy who has become a dear friend for life. It was her one year on May 5th so my friend Carrie and I decided to make her a boob cake for her one year survial of breast cancer. This is what I got in the mail a couple days later...
She is such a hoot! When we went to take it to her, she wasn't there, so we "broke in" and left it with a card that said..."Let's give a cheer, it's been a year, you're one tough cookie, we're glad your here!"
the mail a couple days later...She is such a hoot! When we went to take it to her, she wasn't there, so we "broke in" and left it with a card that said..."Let's give a cheer, it's been a year, you're one tough cookie, we're glad your here!"
Everything OkeeDokee
Wow, I haven't written for sometime! I tried a week or so ago and lost the entire port. Needless to say I didn't have the energy to rewrite it.
Life is good. Amazing isn't it! As for the scan results...ALL CLEAR!! I can't believe it! I feel so much relief...oh so much relief. I had an MRI and CT scan. The MRI was a bit nutty. It was a breast MRI so I had to lay on my stomach with "the girls" in two large cut outs... The tech actually said to me..."this might not be too fun for you, but it makes my job kinda fun". I would have thought sexual harassment had it not made me laugh. Not, to mention he didn't get to see anything except on his little screen.
Before the MRI, they gave me a Valium. I ZONKED out, I mean gone. If you have ever had an MRI, you'll know those suckers are loud as crap...Valium rocks! I came out of the MRI and the tech suggested I change in the bathroom instead of going all the way down the hallway to the other dressing room. At first, I thought it was odd and this guy was hitting on me until I looked in the mirror and saw smeared mascara all the way down my face, and a little drool. Can you imagine the looks I would have gotten as I shuffled my way across the hospital with smeared mascara down my face, drooling, in a hospital gown? I was grateful he stopped me.
The CT showed a spot on my lung that showed up last year, but hasn't grown. Which is good news. It also showed I have an ovarian cyst my oncologist wants checked since there is a link between breast and ovarian cancers. It didn't look like cancer, but wants it checked to be on the safe side. I'm sure he gave me a lot more information, but I didn't care. All I cared about was "no cancer detected".
I had been having a stomachache for a couple of weeks and mysteriously it went away the next day! I didn't realize how much the testing and thought of testing was stressing me out. You really have to psych yourself up to do the testing. It could come back as cancer and then you have to face treatment or death all over again. And this time around, I knew what I would be going through. It's a little like going through labor. The first time you have no idea what to expect...then after birthing a watermelon...you know the second time to be a little scared!!
When Dr. Shull told me the tests were negative, I felt this HUGE weight lifted from my shoulders (and back, and neck, and stomach...). To think I waited three months to have them... Truth is, I couldn't have handled it. I was too low. I would have had a TOTAL breakdown. But, now I feel so grateful, so relieved. I feel alive again! The lights are on and finally somebody IS home!
This Thursday, the 25th is my one-year! What a year to say the least! I made it and plan to go many, many more! Over Mother's day weekend we went to Salt Lake City to do the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. It was AWESOME and so inspiring! I walked it. I thought for sure the guys on the little golf carts were going to have to stop and pick me up....but I made it with two blisters and all! I even counted a few bald women in the race...one was RUNNING it! I was amazed and inspired. When I was going through chemo, there were days I could barely walk to the bathroom!
At the mile and a half marker we looked back and saw a sea of people who hadn't even gotten to the starting line. There were over 14,000 people in the race! It was an amazing site! And to see the ladies in pink who had beaten this ugly disease, was even more inspiring. At the end they had a survivor’s ceremony and everybody clapped and cheered. It was emotional. It felt good to be ALIVE! It blew me away to see the people who were there to support me! I have amazing friends and family...I really do...amazing!
What a journey this has been...My Journey Through Breast Cancer. Would I go back? No. Would I change it? No. Something deep inside of me has been forever awakened. I have grown. I have met incredible people I would have never met. I have learned lessons I couldn't have learned any other way. I am grateful...so very, very grateful.
P.S. Cancer still sucks!
Life is good. Amazing isn't it! As for the scan results...ALL CLEAR!! I can't believe it! I feel so much relief...oh so much relief. I had an MRI and CT scan. The MRI was a bit nutty. It was a breast MRI so I had to lay on my stomach with "the girls" in two large cut outs... The tech actually said to me..."this might not be too fun for you, but it makes my job kinda fun". I would have thought sexual harassment had it not made me laugh. Not, to mention he didn't get to see anything except on his little screen.
Before the MRI, they gave me a Valium. I ZONKED out, I mean gone. If you have ever had an MRI, you'll know those suckers are loud as crap...Valium rocks! I came out of the MRI and the tech suggested I change in the bathroom instead of going all the way down the hallway to the other dressing room. At first, I thought it was odd and this guy was hitting on me until I looked in the mirror and saw smeared mascara all the way down my face, and a little drool. Can you imagine the looks I would have gotten as I shuffled my way across the hospital with smeared mascara down my face, drooling, in a hospital gown? I was grateful he stopped me.
The CT showed a spot on my lung that showed up last year, but hasn't grown. Which is good news. It also showed I have an ovarian cyst my oncologist wants checked since there is a link between breast and ovarian cancers. It didn't look like cancer, but wants it checked to be on the safe side. I'm sure he gave me a lot more information, but I didn't care. All I cared about was "no cancer detected".
I had been having a stomachache for a couple of weeks and mysteriously it went away the next day! I didn't realize how much the testing and thought of testing was stressing me out. You really have to psych yourself up to do the testing. It could come back as cancer and then you have to face treatment or death all over again. And this time around, I knew what I would be going through. It's a little like going through labor. The first time you have no idea what to expect...then after birthing a watermelon...you know the second time to be a little scared!!
When Dr. Shull told me the tests were negative, I felt this HUGE weight lifted from my shoulders (and back, and neck, and stomach...). To think I waited three months to have them... Truth is, I couldn't have handled it. I was too low. I would have had a TOTAL breakdown. But, now I feel so grateful, so relieved. I feel alive again! The lights are on and finally somebody IS home!
This Thursday, the 25th is my one-year! What a year to say the least! I made it and plan to go many, many more! Over Mother's day weekend we went to Salt Lake City to do the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. It was AWESOME and so inspiring! I walked it. I thought for sure the guys on the little golf carts were going to have to stop and pick me up....but I made it with two blisters and all! I even counted a few bald women in the race...one was RUNNING it! I was amazed and inspired. When I was going through chemo, there were days I could barely walk to the bathroom!
At the mile and a half marker we looked back and saw a sea of people who hadn't even gotten to the starting line. There were over 14,000 people in the race! It was an amazing site! And to see the ladies in pink who had beaten this ugly disease, was even more inspiring. At the end they had a survivor’s ceremony and everybody clapped and cheered. It was emotional. It felt good to be ALIVE! It blew me away to see the people who were there to support me! I have amazing friends and family...I really do...amazing!
What a journey this has been...My Journey Through Breast Cancer. Would I go back? No. Would I change it? No. Something deep inside of me has been forever awakened. I have grown. I have met incredible people I would have never met. I have learned lessons I couldn't have learned any other way. I am grateful...so very, very grateful.
P.S. Cancer still sucks!
Monday, May 08, 2006
More Scans in the Plans
I went to the Oncologist today and he couldn't be for sure "it" (lump #2) hasn't grown or that it's just scar tissue. So, he wants me to get the MRI of my breasts done this week. He also referred me back to my breast surgeon. I will also be getting a full body CT scan which will check for metastasis in the rest of my body. I have had a gut ache for over a week now and I worry...well, let's just say I worry. I am praying it comes back negative and I can resume my life.
Weird enough, now that I am feeling much better and have come back into my "right" mind...I feel peaceful about this and feel like I can handle the results either way. A month ago, I couldn't cope with answering the phone. I am feeling so much better and I am grateful I am a live!
We are planning to buy a cute little house that is in our Ward (church group) in a newer neighborhood by people we already know and love. This sounds morbid, but after facing my own mortality...being in our own house and having my children settled in a house, schools, and church with people that know and love them brings me great peace. I feel peace knowing my children will be looked after by not only good family, but friends and church members...given "something" were to happen to me. Also leaving behind this blue rental house will be refreshing...there are many bad memories here of being sick. I am ready to move forward in my life.
My one year diagnosis date is coming up this month. May 25th! One year...I can hardly believe it! Reason to celebrate I think! My friend Deon's one year was on the 5th. So, my friend Carrie and I made her a boob cake and wrote a poem on it that said..."It's been a year, let's give a cheer, to one tough cookie...we're glad your here!" I'll have to attach the picture...it was so stink'n funny!
Again, thank you everyone for your love, support, and prayers!
Weird enough, now that I am feeling much better and have come back into my "right" mind...I feel peaceful about this and feel like I can handle the results either way. A month ago, I couldn't cope with answering the phone. I am feeling so much better and I am grateful I am a live!
We are planning to buy a cute little house that is in our Ward (church group) in a newer neighborhood by people we already know and love. This sounds morbid, but after facing my own mortality...being in our own house and having my children settled in a house, schools, and church with people that know and love them brings me great peace. I feel peace knowing my children will be looked after by not only good family, but friends and church members...given "something" were to happen to me. Also leaving behind this blue rental house will be refreshing...there are many bad memories here of being sick. I am ready to move forward in my life.
My one year diagnosis date is coming up this month. May 25th! One year...I can hardly believe it! Reason to celebrate I think! My friend Deon's one year was on the 5th. So, my friend Carrie and I made her a boob cake and wrote a poem on it that said..."It's been a year, let's give a cheer, to one tough cookie...we're glad your here!" I'll have to attach the picture...it was so stink'n funny!
Again, thank you everyone for your love, support, and prayers!
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Out of the Hole
I think I have finally managed to climb my way out of the dark hole of hell...also known as depression. What an awful experience! I didn't think I was going to make it out! But, here I am again!
I was able to go home to SLC, Utah to attend the Susan G. Koman Survivor's Luncheon with my Mom. It was awesome and very emotional for me. It was inspiring to meet all sorts of woman, from every walk of life who have fought this ugly, wicked disease...and are winning. They had all the survivor's stand up by time. They had all the newly diagnosed to one year stand up. So I stood, and the flood gates opened! I bawled through the entire ceremony. It was touching to get to the end and have a woman stand that was 42 years out. It is something I needed to see to feel like I could keep fighting and move on with my life. It was a cool experience.
A lady named Elise West who is a concert pianist and singer performed a song called "A Love that Knows No End". After she came up to me and said "I saw you at the survivor's ceremony and you touched my heart. I want you to have my these". She handed me three of her CDs. They are absolutely beautiful! I was touched at her generosity. People are good.
We are planning to "Race for the Cure" next weekend in SLC. I was surprised at how many people are doing this for me and the cause! I am touched. I almost didn't do it. But, I am...even if I have to crawl it!
Thank you to all of you who have offered your love and support through out this long difficult journey...I have needed you!
I have my three month check-up with my Oncologist tomorrow. I think I will finally agree to have the scan done. I haven't been emotionally ready to get "results"...but it's time. Wish me luck and a negative result!!
I was able to go home to SLC, Utah to attend the Susan G. Koman Survivor's Luncheon with my Mom. It was awesome and very emotional for me. It was inspiring to meet all sorts of woman, from every walk of life who have fought this ugly, wicked disease...and are winning. They had all the survivor's stand up by time. They had all the newly diagnosed to one year stand up. So I stood, and the flood gates opened! I bawled through the entire ceremony. It was touching to get to the end and have a woman stand that was 42 years out. It is something I needed to see to feel like I could keep fighting and move on with my life. It was a cool experience.
A lady named Elise West who is a concert pianist and singer performed a song called "A Love that Knows No End". After she came up to me and said "I saw you at the survivor's ceremony and you touched my heart. I want you to have my these". She handed me three of her CDs. They are absolutely beautiful! I was touched at her generosity. People are good.
We are planning to "Race for the Cure" next weekend in SLC. I was surprised at how many people are doing this for me and the cause! I am touched. I almost didn't do it. But, I am...even if I have to crawl it!
Thank you to all of you who have offered your love and support through out this long difficult journey...I have needed you!
I have my three month check-up with my Oncologist tomorrow. I think I will finally agree to have the scan done. I haven't been emotionally ready to get "results"...but it's time. Wish me luck and a negative result!!
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About Me
- Dana
- Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States
- I am a 36 year old woman, married to a great guy, and together we have three beautiful daughters. I am a three and a half year breast cancer survivor. This past year I have become active in the cause of helping those who are batteling cancer!