Sorry, I haven't blogged in a while, but we're now about 44 days post surgery and things are starting to get somewhat back to normal (whatever that is; right?). After 43 days of sleeping in the recliner in Keith's man cave, I finally tried my bed out last night. It was very nice to stretch out and the bed itself was very comfy (especially since we've added like a 2 1/2 memory foam pad to it), but I just couldn't get real comfortable. I tossed and turned quite a bit, which made two night of not sleeping so well. So I can honestly say, that I came home from work today around 3:00, changed into some comfy lounge wear and crawled into my bed and didn't get up until around 7:00. The pain is gone and so is the energy!!!
This is my first week back to work on a daily basis. I'm still only working 4 - 4.5 hours, but I just get fatigued so easily. I'm just trying to work my way back up to regular hours and am just blessed that my employers are so understanding and supportive!! We are actually participating in a volunteer opportunity tomorrow at the Houston Food Bank (3 hours shifts). I'm excited about having my chilidren participate as well, but I could end up being the professional photographer for the day...LOL Me and Ryleigh together might be considered one person...HAHA!!
So as I mentioned, we're just trying to get life back to normal. The great thing is that the kids have really not seemed to have been bothered by the entire process or at least they haven't really showed it. I know they never let up on me much!!! But I'm truly blessed that they stayed so strong and didn't let it get them down or affect their regular routine. And, of couse, I was thrilled to find out about not needing to do chemo treatment as I know that is the hardest part for the kids as that makes it seem so "real" to them. It's often hard for them to understand that things are going to 'look' worse before they look better. As much as I may say they give me a "hard" time (the little ones), I am so very proud of them!!
Rance is keeping busy with his fencing and doing well in school (could do much better if he actually studied - our big challenge with him). He's ok with "getting by" and I'm like, "think what you could do if you really applied yourself!!" I think he'll end up in sales like his dad, he's a go-getter when it comes to that kind of stuff. His school just recently had their fundraiser and he was one of the top two in sales - it was a tie!! He got several different prizes, but there was a $100 cash award for the top sales person and he received half of that yesterday - he was pretty stoked!!! He brought home a nice crisp $50 bill. Below is a picture of him this past Saturday arriving at his fencing tournament...not quite awake as it was early in the morning ;-) This is only his third Houston Cup to attend and he's getting better and better every time!!!
Ryleigh, of course, is staying busy with gymnastics, school work and trying to maintain a social life. She's in the gym for 12 hours a week and often does her homework in the car and has a homework day on Thursday with her best friend as it's both of their "off" days from gymnastics/ cheer. They really enjoy their Thursdays together :-) She has had a tough year with a broken hand and then moving gyms just four weeks before her first competition this season, but she fought her way into the top 10 competitors in the South State Texas meet and will compete at the State meet in December amongst the top 20 Level 5 gymnasts in her age group. We are very proud of her!!
Our oldest daughter Jourdan is doing well, working and just moved into a rental house. She is preparing for our granddaughter, Annibelle's, first birthday this Saturday, November 17th. Can't believe it's been a year already!! She's definitely keeping mom and dad on their toes now that she's mastered the art of walking :-) She had her first visit to the zoo and it looks like her and mom had fun monkeying around...LOL
Thank you all for your continued support, encouraging words, thoughts and prayers. They do not go unnoticed! It means a lot to me to have so many of my friends from many walks of my life come by and visit, send a sweet card in the mail or even a little trinket that I can cherish. You guys are the BEST!!!
And BTW, thank you notes are a "work in progress" and will go out soon!!
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise Him. -Psalm 28:7
So basically, two months after I found the masses in my breast and just over one month after surgery, we found out today: NO CHEMOTHERAPY NEEDED!!! Praise the Lord!!! Thank you all for your prayers...God listened and He answered!! He gets all the GLORY!!!
We are, of course, thrilled by this news and we greatly appreciate all the prayer warriors out there that have been praying for me, my family and for God's will to be that I will be pure and whole again!! I am so thankful for how far cancer/ breast cancer research has come throughout the years. I hated watching my sister go through her chemo treatment, but I was prepared to do the same if need be. I was prepared to fight this fight with or without hair, but I am truly happy that my sister does not have to watch me go through what I watched her go through. We both still have a battle ahead of us and we're attacking it "head on" and attacking it "together"!!!
My oncotype DX test showed a very low risk score (13) of breast cancer recurrence within 10 years and chemotherapy treatment only changed that number from 9% to 6% (not enough benefit to undergo the treatment). There will be 5 years of hormone therapy involved (my poor family) and there are studies going on right now that may increase that timeframe due to so many younger women being diagnosed. She did say that the percentage will actually go down as I age (to perfection, of course)...that sounds like a pretty good deal to me ;-) I was thinking the opposite.
It's been a long two months and it's been a long, but exciting day!! I'm wore out and need a nap, but I wanted to get this out to everyone as I know so many of you have been praying and been messaging me and I can't thank you enough!! I am truly blessed to have you in my life!!
Just a very quick update and prayer request as Tuesday approaches!! I ask that you all be in prayer over the next few days as we await the results of my oncotype test. This test will determine whether or not my cancer will benefit from undergoing chemo treatment or not. Apparently, the biological makeup of my breast cancer is the "best" you can ask for...so to speak. Out of this type of cancer 90% do not benefit from chemo treatment, therefore leaving only about 10% of cases that need it. We pray I am among that 90%...pretty good odds, but you just never know. Regardless, I am in this fight to win and if chemo is what it takes, then that's what we'll do!!
It's been a pretty crazy, busy weekend!!! I would have to say that this past Friday was one of my longest days yet since surgery. I worked for about 4 hours...I tell you, after taking a shower and driving to work, I was ready for a nap!!! It just takes so much out of you. I already take an hour to get ready and now an additional 15-20 minutes at that. I left work at 2:00 to pick up Rance from school as we had a long evening/ weekend ahead of volunteer hours at Ryleigh's gym (they hosted 3 gymnastics meets this season and it takes a lot of work to put that together and run it - kind of like a swim meet). YAY, us!!!! We really picked great sports, didn't we??? LOL Left Rance's school just before 3:00 and then headed down the road to pick up Ryleigh's gym buddy as we were taking them to gym. Literally, got home and within 10 minutes the whole family, including Mandy (Ry's bud) was back in the car headed to the gym, which is located in the Champions area. Yes, a 40 minute drive from my house. We dropped the girls off for gym at 4:30 and Keith, Rance and I enjoyed dinner at Gringo's. Then, back to the gym by 6:30 to start set up. I, obviously, didn't do a much. I did a lot of tearing off tape for other as they were taping down plastic as to not ruin the floors. Keith and Rance were both a great big help. We were out by 8:30 and back to the house. I will say that I no longer got home, got changed, got my faced washed and teeth brushed and I was out!!!
But guess what??? Keith and I were so luck to get to be up at the crack of dawn and back at the gym by 7:30 to work another volunteer session. The deal is we have to commit to so many volunteer hours (24 hours) within the season to be a part of the booster and benefit from "way" reduced meet and coaches fees. Well, the very first meet our gym hosted was the weekend after my surgery and we got "ZERO" hours that meet. Hence, us putting Rance to work on Friday and he was a trooper and did a great job!!! As a parent, it's actually pretty cool as we worked as the beam tabulator (me) and beam timer (Keith). You learn a lot about things sitting between two judges. It really opens your eyes a lot to how just hundredths of a point makes a huge difference in stuff like this....we're talking an unpointed toe...LOL It's about a 3 1/2 volunteer spot and then we were back home by lunch time. I ate and I was OUT!!! Like a light!!!
Once I woke up, we actually did a kid swap and both kids had sleepovers. Rance spent the night out and Ryleigh had a friend over for the night. They started watching a movie and were out in about 10 minutes. All kids were swapped back my lunch today and then it was reality!!! Chores!! The kids had a bunch of clothes to put away and rooms to pick up. I tell you, they haven't let up on me one bit. They complain and whine about housework, probably more now than they did before. I was working on some donation items that I had put away in an extra room and had felt fine all day and WHAM, BAM...PAIN!!! Once again, pain mainly in my left side. As they said, it's just the next phase of healing. As I'm not starting to feel better and do a little more, things are just stretching and moving into place...I HOPE!!! It sure doesn't feel good. But even with that I had to get out of the house today for a little peace of mind. Retail therapy always helps!!! Got a little bit of Christmas shopping out of the way :-)
Once I got home, the kids and I drove up to Montgomery (Conroe Lake area) to visit my sister, niece and my mom was there. We all had a nice dinner together and the kids had some time to visit. My sister and brother-in-law just got their pool all put in and they had invited us up to come check it out...looks nice and once they can turn the heater on it will be nice, but tonight it was way too cold for me to even put my toe in it...LOL I really enjoyed my time with my mom and sister. We don't seem to get enough time with just us!!! Wish my mom would move out of Baytown and move closer to us...she could always live with them...HAHAHA!!! You're welcome, brother-in-law...hehe!! All joking aside, I actually loved having my mom here with me. I sure couldn't have done those first few weeks without her and Keith's work has just been so busy with a new job in the last year and a half...just crazy times!!
Well, I'm back home and ready for bed. It's sure to be a crazy week. The plan is to work Monday, Wednesday and Friday for about 4 hours. My doctor appointment is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:15a.m. so I will be sure and update everyone Tuesday evening. I can't thank you all for your support, prayers and encouragement...it is very moving to have so many consistently checking on me. Love you guys!!
So the plan for the week was to work from home Monday, Wednesday, Friday and go into the office for a few hours Tuesday and Thursday....well, that office thing has been pretty much a BUST so far!! I have been able to get some work done at home, which is nice, but the systems couldn't have been moving any slower on Monday with ole Hurricane Sandy on the East coast. Our systems were running so slow and not to mention that I'm running it through my home computer and have limited access to the stuff I need. But at least I'm able to get some things done here. Keith also drove me to vote, I got back home and worked some more while he took Ryleigh to gymnastics. We both went to take Rance to fencing and then enjoyed a quick sushi dinner at Uni and then ended back up at Rance's fencing academy to watch him the last 20 minutes or so of class.
The day actually went pretty well...right up until bedtime. Remember, I am still sleeping in my bed (the recliner). But typically, I lay down with the kids for a few minutes right before they go to sleep. We have some of our best laughs at that time and I won't go in to many details on that, but some great conversations, expressions, learning experiences and belly-aching laughing that I absolutely LOVE!!! Well, basically, Ryleigh and I were laying in her bed and I told her I had to show her my cousin, Kyle's Halloween costume. He had dressed up as a bottle of Honey Boo Boo Child's "Special Go Go" Juice - he totally cracks me up!! So as I showed it to her from my phone in her bed she starts imitating her, "My special juice is gonna make me WIIIIIINNNNNNN!" LOL We couldn't stop laughing and of course, I had to make a video of it and send it over to Kyle. So we kept watching it and we kept laughing and all of a sudden I started HURTING!!! Like major pain on my left side and I hadn't felt pain in almost a week at that time. It hurt!!! I went down and asked Keith to lay with her since I just couldn't do it. Still just can't lay flat back very comfortably.
So as I go down stairs just to check the area where I was hurting, I'm thinking that maybe I'm beginning to retain fluid as that was the same side that they had to insert the second drain tube in a week or so prior. The skin seemed a little soft/ mushy in that area to me so I was definitely concerned. So Tuesday morning I called into the doctor and luckily he was going to be in the office all day...YAY!!!! What are the chances??? I drove myself all the way to the Med Center!!! Yeah, it was a different experieence as I really hadn't driven since surgery, but I'd been off my pain meds for right at a week and only taking one valium at bedtime. I was actually driving the speed limit, so you could say it might have HELPED the situation!! LOL I was so very thankful to find out that NO fluid buildup at all. Just normal healing process!! They said it was my internal sutures...that, by the way, are attached to my ribcage...sounds LOVELY; huh?? They just told me that as I'm healing and starting to be a little more active I may reach a certain way or do something that pulls until everything settles and heals. They suggested some Ibuprofen to help with the inflammation, so I've add that to the nighttime medicine routine. I can't thank you all enough for the prayers that day!!! I was really nervous about possible infection. Actually had a great time at Dr. Boutros' office that day sharing with them about how the pain came about and showed them Ryleigh's video...we were all laughing. He is such a great doctor and never makes me feel like he's rushed to get out to see the next patient. He commented, "You're a totally different person today than the day we met!" HA!!! Ya Think??? I'm sure I looked like a deer in headlights that day...just trying to figure out what my options were, but he even that day was so great at explaining everything, answering all my questions, and never rushing me whatsoever!!!
Well I didn't make it by the office to work that day, but I did stop by after my doctor appointment to pick up a few more things I needed, get some questions answered on some of the things I was working on and to see how they started using my office as a storage area...HAHAHA...just joking!! Bruce, thought I was too giddy and shouldn't be driving...LOL I told him it's just because I hadn't been around people for a while, but I was actually driving okay (as long as I was going straight).LOL Those darn curves were a little tricky, but I got better at it :o) I was just in a great mood due to the GREAT news from the doctor's office :-)
Wednesday went pretty good and I was able to get a lot more work done as the systems were running a little better today. It does get pretty boring though...I do miss not having my momma around. I kind of got used to her being around those first few weeks. That was really nice!!! Now it's just me, but I did get a quick break with a friend across the street during lunchtime. She was babysitting for another neighbor and I went over and we got to chat for a few minutes. And, of course, I love those babies. I got to pass down Ryleigh's very first gymnastics hoodie to her oldest (2 year old) daughter. It was just too dang cute!!! My little Ryleigh is actually growing...WOO HOO!!!
Of course, it's Halloween day and I'm thinking the kids are going to be all wound up when they get home, but it actually worked out great!! Ryleigh still had gymnastics, but they cut it short and they got out at 6:30. I drove her to gym that day and, of course, she was freaking out!!! "Mom, you're NOT supposed to be driving!!" OMG!!! People, I CAN DRIVE!! It was pretty funny though. Well, she actually went home with one of her gym buddies and got to trick or treat with her in the Champions area, while Rance hung out with his buddies in our neighborhood. We passed out candy until it was all gone, which was right about the time Keith had to leave to pick up Ryleigh, which was at the same time gym usually ends so it worked out great!! They were all happy and I didn't have to walk any kids around the neighborhood and I didn't have to listen to any arguing...YAY, ME!!!!
Rance and his neighborhood 'boyz' morphed out!! He's in all black!
Ryleigh and Mandi 'MOO' Campbell, her gymnastics buddy!! They could pass for sisters, well in that first picture anyway...LOL
So today is Thursday, my wonderful husband's birthday!!! Happy Birthday, Baby!! I really wish I could have planned something for him this year. I had the intentions, but as we all know...things don't always work out to OUR PLANNING!!! He did get a real dinner today as today was the first day I actually cooked anything (well besides scrambled eggs the other morning), but it was a crock pot meal...the best ones!! His gift...well, he got that a little early. He'd been asking (well, needing) a new coffee pot as his had pretty much gone kaput!!!! Monday morning he stood in the kitchen talking about how he had such a hard time making coffee Sunday morning because of his coffee pot. So as he's talking and preparing to make a pot of coffee, he hits the on/off switch and "NOTHING" happens. Ryleigh (she's the only one awake at the time) just looks at me with this 'look'. He keeps hitting the button and NOTHING happens. So I go upstairs to wake up Rance and tell him what's going on and that it looks like we've got to break out the gift a little sooner than expected. So he and Ryleigh presented daddy with his new Keurig Platinum coffee maker....and yes, he LOVES it!!! And I've enjoyed it too :-) I have definitely been blessed with the most wonderful and supportive husband!!! He's been so good through all this, but I can't tell you how much it killed me to see him so "hurt" when we got my original diagnosis. He was hanging on to so much hope, although, I already knew I had basically been diagnosed even before the biopsy results. That day will forever be embedded in my mind...he just looked as though he had been totally kicked in the gut!! The news definitely hit him the hardest out of all of us that was there (me, my mom, my sister and Keith). But, if the tables were turned, I'm sure I would be the same way!!!! So on this day, the first day of November it definitely makes me thankful and blessed for so many great memories!! Not just with my wonderful family, but with friends: old and new. A video had been made last year for my 40th birthday and I never did share it and I've decided to share it so you guys can share my SMILES with me. It truly makes me smile all over!!!
I'm pretty technologically challenged at times so I hope it works!! You might have to actually just click on the link if you choose to watch it, but I will warn you...it's 40 years wrapped up into about 11 minutes :o) I especially love the picture that's of me and Rance from about two years ago after I did my first Warrior Dash - it says "WARRIOR"!!! NO DOUBT!!!
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