Happy Mother's Day

So, I’ve been a daughter who has loved and honored my mother for 42 years now.  Nineteen years ago, Keith chose me to be a mother to his sweet, beautiful daughter Jourdan, and then nine and twelve years later I was blessed by God to be the mother of Rance and Ryleigh.  I have to say, with all those years under my belt, this day has never hit me in a way that it did today!!!

As I stood in front of the mirror this morning getting ready to go out for breakfast with my husband, I literally started sobbing.  I WANTED my kids with me (they stayed the night with their cousin).  An emotion took over me that I couldn’t control.  They truly have my whole heart and I am so thankful and blessed to be their mom!!

Today was definitely a day of reflection for me and a reminder to never take life or loved ones for granted!!  A year and a half ago, when I was handed the “cancer card” they were my biggest concern!!!  I know all of you other moms out there that have faced a similar battle/challenge KNOW exactly what I’m talking about!!  The thought of leaving your kids at a delicate, early age is so very scary!!

With that said, my heart aches for those of you in my life that have lost your mother’s at an early age (or any age for that matter).  There is NO greater love and no child should have to endure that kind of pain!!  I pray for strength and comfort for you all today!!

I am thankful for every day/ year I get to continue making sweet, precious memories with my kids, grandbaby, husband, and family!!  I enjoyed the day with my mom, sister and our families yesterday.  Today, I had a wonderful breakfast with my husband, some P90X and pool time with my family and a wonderful homemade, seafood dinner – yummy!!!

Love & Belief,

Dana

Thank you!!! Another year...feeling blessed!!!

Wow!!  I can't thank you all enough for all the birthday wishes I received today via email, text, phone calls and timeline posts!!!  I am so blessed to have you all in my life...you sure know how to make a girl feel special.  I am beyond blessed with a wonderful family, great friends, and fabulous neighbors!!

I have to say this year was WAY better than last!!  Of course, last year at this time my life was in such a whirlwind.  I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer, was awaiting surgery and was totally stressing about telling my children!!  Tonight, I got to enjoy a very nice dinner with my husband and kiddos...worry free!!  I wish I could say "tear free", but things kind of hit me!!!  I'm not sure if I've written a blog where I didn't cry.  I'm just a bit emotional.

I have definitely come to realize that there is NO birthday that's worth being 'upset' about!!  I'm 100% sure that from this day forward every birthday I celebrate will get better and better!!  I have a new year ahead of me and I'm looking forward to making great memories!!  I know that many of you will be a part of those memories :-)  As I reflect on this past year, I'd like to share with you some of the wonderful memories that were made!!

Just a month and a half after surgery, I was able to celebrate my sweet granddaughter, Annibelle's first birthday.  So hard to believe that she'll be turning two on November 17th.  She's a very sweet and loving "terrible two"  LOL.







In December, we got to watch Ryleigh compete at the State level forgymnastics.  It was a tough season, but she's a fighter just like her momma :-)  She fought to get there and she placed 10th on the beam!!  We are so proud of her and looking forward to what this season holds for her.







We had a magical Spring Break!!!  Although we didn't go to Disney World, we had a blast at Universal Studios for three days.  We got to watch my niece's cheer team compete at Disney and we even met up with some friends from home.  As we headed back toward Texas, we stopped off in Destin for a few days of Sun and Sand.

In March I started a new job, which allows me to work from the house.  I love what I do, but it's often hard to "get away" from my work.  The position called for some travel in May: California (got to visit my "Angel") and then Las Vegas.  The Vegas trip just happened to be around mine and Keith's 18th anniversary so he made arrangements for the kids (Thanks, mom and neighbors!) and joined me in "Sin City".  Although it was a working trip, we were able to get away one day and experience the Grand Canyon from our very first helicopter ride!!!  It was AMAZING!!!



In late April, I got to watch my baby brother get married!!  It was a beautiful wedding...hot, but beautiful!!  He just informed me a few weeks ago that I'm going to be an aunt...again!!!  YAY!!!  BTW, he's going to have a girl.  They're not going to find out, but me and my sisters already know this :-)





The summer started off great as we took several long weekend trips to San Antonio.  Our wonderful neighbors/friends, the Suarez family as well as Keith's sister and brother-in-law joined us on one of those trips!!  We had a great time!!  Our family went back and spent the 4th of July there.  We've decided to make that our July 4th destination :-)

So schools now back in session, the kids had their well-care checkups and there's no doubt...My 13 year-old-son is now taller than me :-(  Both had big growth spurts over the past year and half.  Rance grew over 6 inches and Ryleigh grew 3.  There's no stopping them now!!  Makes a momma sad!!  Thank goodness for grandbabies :-)



A few weeks ago we traveled to Dallas and visited Keith's brother and his family.  Rance had a fencing tournament there and they were able to join us.  I know Rance really enjoyed having his Uncle Ryan there to watch him.  This was his first "big" fencing tournament and he did great!! I think we all had a bit of a learning experience from the event ;-)




Now to brag on our oldest daughter, Jourdan.  We are so proud of her!!  She has grown up to be such an amazing mother!!  This past weekend, we got to celebrate with her as she completed her dental assisting program!!  She's been working so hard over these past few months and completed her courses with an A+.  She will complete her state exam this weekend!!

As for me, I am looking forward to crossing another item off the bucket list...a half marathon is the goal!!  Currently, I am training for the 10 for Texas that's held here in The Woodlands on October 12th.  The thing I'm not happy about is in order to participate, I'll have to miss Ryleigh's gymnastics meet.  I just found out today that she competes that Saturday morning, of course, out of 5 sessions it would have to be the one that I can't go to.  I had actually told myself that I wouldn't run if she competed at the same time and tonight she tells me, " no mommy, you've worked too hard!!"  Yes, it pretty much made my heart swell.  So grown beyond her years!!  Leading up to that race will be the Susan G. Komen 5K Race and then a 10K Race in Austin.  If any of you would like to support the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, please go here to donate.    http://rfch.convio.net/goto/FIGHTINGtheFight  Your support is greatly appreciated!!

So I have about one more month before I'm one year into treatment...just 9 more years of this medicine.  You guys are going to get to count them all down with me!!  In December I go back for a check up and CT scan.  Please keep me and others fighting this disease in your prayers!!  Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind an so thoughtful to send me birthday wishes today!!  I loved  them all :-)

Love & Belief!
Dana

Check...Check...Check!!!

So yesterday I had checkups with all three of my doctors...The girls literally got the triple CHECK!!  And approval so to speak...LOL  I had appointments scheduled with my plastic surgeon and my oncologist since December; however, due to a tender spot that showed up on "righty" I was a bit concerned and decided to go see the breast surgeon as well.  All three doctors felt confident to say it's just scar tissue.  I would be lying if I told you I wasn't a little apprehensive about the spot, even though I know the chances of breast cancer recurring in the breast after a mastectomy is less than 1%.  Also, the fact that it wasn't the side with the original cancer made it less likely.  I just felt better with letting them make that call.

So the oncologist informed me that I'm "normal".  Okay, so maybe not me, but my blood work is.  HAHA!!  All cancer markers came back normal and my Vitamin D level is finally in the normal range.  My level was in the upper 20's when I was diagnosed and a normal range should be in the 40's.  A Vitamin D deficiency puts you at a much great risk of developing breast cancer.  Please read:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/12/vitamin-d-may-prevent-breast-cancer.aspx

I have to admit that prior to my diagnosis, I hadn't had blood work done since probably 2007.  I was very good about having annual exams with my OB/GYN; however, she stopped ordering blood work for just annual exams and only does that for her OB patients.  Ladies, please make sure you're having blood work done on an annual basis.

So with that said, I received a 6 month green light!!  I'll go back for checkups in December, which will also include a CT scan.

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Life since my last post

When I posted back in March, our family was preparing for a spring break vacation to Universal Studios/ Orlando and Destin Beach.  We had a BLAST!!!  The kids totally loved and enjoyed their time at Universal Studios and the few days at the beach was exactly what momma and daddy needed - a vacation from the vacation :-)  It was nice to have my mom with us in Destin as well.  The kids really LOVED having Nana there.

When I returned home from Florida, it was time to hit the ground running with my new job.  It was a very fast paced first few months.  I traveled to beautiful Orange County, CA, in late April for corporate meetings and training.  While I was there, I had the opportunity to see a very dear friend, Angel Coe.  Her name suits her well.  She truly was an "angel" to my family during a very difficult time.  While pregnant with Ryleigh and on bed rest, Angel helped with our grocery shopping, picked up Rance from pre-school and was just a great friend to a complete stranger!!  Granted, her and I are not the type of people to meet a stranger, but you know what I mean.  We both attended the same church, and she had overheard Keith talking to someone else in the church about my condition and she stepped up in a very BIG way!!!  I was so thankful for the time her and I got to share together recently.

So May brought more than just flowers...it brought more traveling!!  All good!!!  My job sent me to Vegas in mid-May for a three day trade show.  Let's just say, we were all BEAT after day one!!  Our feet were KILLING us!!  The trip was intended to be "all" business; however, last minute my husband was able to make arrangements to join me (with the help of my mom and neighbors) and coordinate with my boss a little time for ADVENTURE!!!!  On May, 20th Keith and I celebrated our 18th year of marriage with a great dinner, compliments of Mike Rodgers (Thank you!) and a day to remember!!  We took a helicopter ride from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon.  It was truly AMAZING!!!  We landed in the Canyon for a champagne toast, snack and a totally WOW moment!!!  Thank you, Keith, for an amazing anniversary and a wonderful 22+ years!!!  Sometimes I wonder how you put up with me ;-)

We returned from Vegas for a few days and then headed to San Antonio for the long Memorial Day weekend with the family!!  We always enjoy the Wild Oak Ranch and are actually planning to head back there again this weekend with friends/ family!!!  Can't wait!! Looking forward to being able to take litte Miss Annibelle there soon.  She's growing so fast and we absolutely love spending time with her.

So now it's summertime and I'm faced with the challenge of working from home with kids around, but hey, WE GOT THIS!!!  The kids are actually so busy that they're not around that much.  Ryleigh's in the gym for 16 hours a week and Rance has swim practice and Splashtown!! 

I know I've not been good at posting lately.  I guess for so long it seems that the "C" word consumes so much of you and when you get some normalcy back in your life it's just a relief!!  I started this to share my story in hopes to help someone else with the decisions they faced.  I am going to try and post at least once a month.  That will be your monthly reminder to do your "self check".  No EXCUSES!!!  It seems lately, that way too many people I know are facing their own battle or know someone very close to them that is.  If you are one of those people in my life, please know that you are in my prayers!!  I am so excited for those of you that have had recent PRAISE reports!!!  GOD IS GOOD...ALWAYS!! 

Love & Belief!

Dana

5 Months Post Surgery Update

Wow!!  It's actually hard to believe that my surgery took place just 5 months ago today.  To me it seems much longer - I guess that's a good thing!!  I have started running and working out again and for the most part all is going well with that.  I do sometimes get sore or tender around my ribcage area just depending on the workout.  Some of it I believe is just natural soreness, but also I think some is due to the sutures stretching.  I have realized I have limitations, especially when it comes to weights and I'm okay with that :-)

I am very happy to report that the numbness for the most part on the backside of my left arm/ armpit area is gone.  I no longer need assistance to shave my armpits...LOL  I would say that probably 90+% of the nerve damage has repaired itself.  I am very thankful for that as it was very sensitive and annoying for even my shirt sleeve to rub up against it.  I'm not going to hold out so much hope for other areas to regain their sensitivity ;-)  don't think that's ever gonna happen!!

So I've been on the hormone treatment now for approximately 4 months and I definitely don't think my body has come to a stabalized reaction.  It seems to be all over the place!!  I take my medicine at night and have mostly only experienced side effects (hot flashes, night sweats) during the night.  Other people I have talked to have said they also experience them during the day as well.  I think I've had two hot flashes during the day...I usually stay ice cold - to the bone!!!  I have been doing some reading on others' blogs and several have mentioned that they felt taking Effexor with the Tamoxifen decreased their side effects and I had my dr. prescribe Effexor (antidepressant) to me when I started the Tamoxifen (because I like my children breathing).  Maybe that's why the effects have seemed more on the mild side.  I'm assuming that as it builds up in my system I may experience more aggressive hot flashes, etc.  I've also wondered how it might differ should I take the medicine in the morning???  If you or someone you know is on or has done this hormone treatment, I'd be interested in your feedback.

Currently, I am scheduled for checkups with both the plastic surgeon and the oncologist in June.  Again, I feel very lucky that all has been so successful to this point.  It's crazy how just the right people come into your path after something like this happens (thanks Nancy Brown for the reminder to always pray for those people).  I have a new friend, Kara Ward, who has gone through this same surgery and my heart just goes out to her.  She has experienced many complications and numerous surgeries over the past few years and is currently dealing with an infection.  On that same note, I have a few close friends that have recently been diagnosed with different types of cancer and I pray that their treatments are successful.  Please continue to be in prayer for all those affected by this disease and support the cause for finding a cure!!

Well, other than it being my 5 month anniversary, today has turned out to be another significant day in my life.  Today was my last day at Quick, Cunningham & Associates (Ameriprise Financial).  I started with them just a few months after we moved to the Spring area in 2008 and I am really going to miss them all.  They have all been so very good to me and so supportive through my diagnosis, surgery, and recovery.  I wish them all continued success and don't worry, I won't be a stranger!!!  If you're in the need of a financial planner, give them a call www.brucequick.com

The next few weeks will definitely be fun, exciting, and busy!!  Monday I start a new job with the amazing Colleen Ellison (very good friend for many years).  I'm truly humbled and extremely honored that she placed this amazing opportunity in front of me.  I will be working out of the home, assisting her, and supporting her national sales team for Digital Map Products.  In addition, the family and I head out next weekend for an Orlando/ Destin spring break vacation.  We'll be meeting my mom and my sister's family in Orlando for my niece's cheer competition and then spending three days at Universal Studios.  Mid week, we'll head back and stay in Destin for a few days where my mom will join us.  As much as I'm not looking forward to putting on a bathing suit, I am looking extremely looking forward to some "Toes in the Water, @$$ in the Sand, and an adult beverage in HAND"!!  HAHA!!!  The water is going to be way too cold for this Texas girl!!

Before I go, I must wish my Mallards Cove Peeps a successful and safe 1/2 marathon run tomorrow.  I wish I was joining you!!  Looks like my time will be this coming fall after the Ten for Texas unless Shelleen wants to do the 1/2 in Puerto Rico ;-) 

Also sending out a BIG Happy Birthday shout out to Miss Emma Dunnam...RIP sweet girl :o)

Love & Belief!!

Dana

Starting over stinks...

Starting over stinks, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to do so.

So prior to my diagnosis, I had started training to run the Ten for Texas with some of my neighborhood friends.  Ten miles…me??  Am I crazy??  I say that because I was NEVER a runner.  Yes, I played basketball and I tell you it took all season for Louie Johnson to run my butt into shape!!  LOL  My favorite sport was softball and I was good to go for four bases J  My friends tried to get me to run track with them in junior high – NO WAY!!!

Well, I actually started running a few years ago in preparation for the Warrior Dash 5K run/ obstacle “race”.  I never intended to “race” it, just finish!!  Since this was kind of my suggestion to the neighborhood ladies at a ladies’ night out, I definitely needed to make sure I could complete it with them.  So I started running because at the time there was no way I could run 3 miles without passing out.  I have now participated in that run two years, but this last year, after wading through chest-high swamp water I’ve decided NO MORE!!  It was definitely disgusting!!!

 

Warrior Dash 2011

Warrior Dash 2012

 

5K down, so now what??  I’m the type of person that needs a goal to stay committed to it.  So the next goal I set was actually to complete a half marathon.  It is STILL my goal!!  The goal hasn’t changed, only the timeframe!!  The Ten for Texas was going to be a part of that training and now I’m starting from scratch.  It’s frustrating, but I will not let it discourage me from completing the goal.  I do wish I was running it in March with my neighborhood friends!!  I miss running with them, but I’m just not there yet. 

Ten for Texas - Proud of these girls!!

After surgery, I told myself that regardless of how I felt I would give myself until January before I started running or working out again.  So my first run was on January 2^nd and I had a cold or something coming on.  I was hoping that a good run might kick it out of me, but instead it just progressed.  I ended up with bronchitis, which just delayed getting going again.  These past two weeks I’ve been able to get back in the gym some and started running again…slooooowly, but surely!!  It is a little frustrating knowing where I was and where I am now, but I am very thankful that I have the opportunity and the energy to start over.

The first few workouts were rough, of course!!!  Not only was I sore from not working those muscles, but I was also experiencing some muscle spasms that I hadn’t felt in months.  Another friend/ survivor just reminded me that I needed to take it slower than usual…yes, that’s a bit hard for me!!  I don’t really do SLOW!!  So those first few workouts were followed by a hot soak bath and a valium at bed time J  I’m glad to have those behind me and I’m looking forward to getting back into a regular workout routine!!

Love & Belief!

Dana

 

Goodbye 2012...Hello 2013

Well, it's been quite a while since I updated so I thought today might be a good time.  I guess after a month of doctor appointments, testing and surgery and then a month of recovery I just kind of got caught up in living "normal" again.  Life got back to busy very fast and I wouldn't trade it for the world!! 

My work schedule got back to more regular hours right around Thanksgiving time.  I was able to stop the pain meds and was only taking a valium at night to help sleep.  Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be helping that sleep part very much, but did help with the muscle relaxation.  The sleeping part has been somewhat of a struggle, but definitely seems to be getting better.  I've been taking the Tamoxifen (hormone blocker) for almost two moths now.  My sister had mentioned that it took almost 8 months before she started with any side effects...I was not so lucky!!  In the third week I started with hot flashes in the middle of the night.  I'm usually always cold, so very rare for me to get hot, but it would alternate through the night...hot, cold, hot, cold.  That has now changed some and I typically wake between 3:30 - 4:00 in the morning just hot or almost sweating...yuck!!  Not looking forward to the full fledged side effects that will come.  Another friend has said she experiences hot/ sweat flashes during the night as well as a few late in the afternoon.  I'm sure it effects everyone differently, but I'm sure I haven't seen the worst of that.

This is a medication that originally I was told I would be on for 5 years; however, the oncologist had informed me that a new study was in progress and the results of that have recently been published.  The results indicate that she'll more than likely have me take it for 10 years instead of just the 5 years.  I've included the link for anyone interested http://www.chron.com/communityblogs/atmosphere/article/Longer-tamoxifen-use-cuts-breast-cancer-deaths-4097374.php

The first week in December I had follow appointments with both my oncologist and the plastic surgeon.  All went well and I'm free of dr. appointments (unless there's a concern) until June...YAY!!!  I tried getting the oncologist to do a brain scan as they didn't do that originally.  She continues to tell me that my type of BC doesn't typically spread to the brain.  I think I was just concerned because I was talking somewhat crazy for a while.  My head definitely seems to be much clearer now, so I'm some of it was still for anesthesia and of course pain meds.  Actually, as I'm writing this blog, I've realized I haven't had to "backspace" nearly as much as I used to...LOL  My typing and spelling is much better these days!!!  I'm not quite sure when I'll do another CT scan, but at least not until this summer.

As far as the reconstruction part, things are still healing a bit internally.  My left side (BC) side has been a little slow at EVERYTHING!!!  It was the more troubling side after surgery and it still causing me pain off and on.  At times, it feels as if someone has a hold of my skin and is pinching and twisting...NOT A GOOD FEELING!!!  Doc says the tightness on that side will loosen up with time and "help".  I've realized that stretching my arms behind my back, which sends a constant burning sensation on the backside of my arm/ shoulder area helps relieve the pain.  I just noticed last night, that the left side is finally starting to drop into place (it's been a slow process as I mentioned before). 

The feeling on the backside of my left arm and in my armpit is finally starting to recover from the nerve damage from the lymph node removal.  It's so super sensitive though.  At times, even the my clothes rubbing against my skin irritates me.  Keith keeps asking me how it feels and the best description I could come up with is when your foot is asleep and you try and stand/ walk on it and it tingles and sends the shooting pains through the foot...that's sort of what it feels like.  It doesn't bother me as much if I touch it, but if other touch it...NO BUENO!!!  I noticed in December that most everyone seemed to touch me on that side and behind that arm and I "gritted my teeth" through many hugs this month.  I am glad to be getting the feeling back though, as mnay have told me they haven't.  I've actually come to realize how fortunate I am that I've come as far as I've come with just one surgical procedure.  Many friends, acquaintances and people I have met have went through so much worse...my heart feels for them.  I know what it was like just going through what I went through and many of these women have went through so much more and then chemo on top of that...HATE THIS CANCER!!!

So with all that said, I am more than ready to say Goodbye to 2012 and all it dealt.  I pray that cancer got the best of me it's EVER gonna get in 2012.  I'm ready for a New Year and I know God has great things in store for me and my family!!  I'm looking forward to bringing in the New Year with my beautiful family and some wonderful friends tonight.  Hello 2013!!!

Happy New Year from our family to yours!!

Dana

44 Days and counting

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!!

Love and Belief!!

Dana