I Got My Spirit Back

There is something that cancer definitely did for me; well ok there are a few. One is it gave me my voice back and it gave me courage to stand up for myself. For many years since I moved to Texas and married my husband I allowed certain people in my extended family to treat me in a way that I never would have before. I was always the kind of girl to confront things head on. For example when I was a lot younger there was a guy I liked and when we parted ways because he went back … Continue reading

Just Because I Have Breast Cancer Does Not Mean I Like Pink

Before I got the diagnosis of breast cancer I do not think I owned anything pink. Since my diagnosis 5 years and 8 months ago; not that I am counting I have been given so much pink. Honestly I can say I hate pink! I was looking through a box I have of all things pink, it is basically a box of items that I have been given through the last few years. In this box I have pink scarves, socks, earrings, necklaces, nail polish, watches, hair bows (I am 40 I don’t wear hair bows), key chains, wallets, purses, … Continue reading

The Big Reveal

Well it is now week 10 on crutches and I am not coordinated for crutches. A friend of mine has a thing where you put your knee on and use your other leg to walk. It feels almost like a skateboard but it is so much easier to use than crutches. Today is the day that I can remove the bandages and see how well they did with the tattoos. I am a little nervous I really hope that they look ok. I carefully took the bandages off and jumped in a shower to get rid of any extra ink. … Continue reading

Tattoo Day

Well I have made the decision to get the tattooing done. I am a little nervous I am a very squeamish person so I am not looking forward to the process. I have the appointment set for a few days from now. My husband is going to come with me for support I am lucky to have a hubby who has supported everything I have done so far. Did you know that when you have chemotherapy it can weaken your bones? That is why they do a bone density test on you every year. Well I mention this because I … Continue reading

Oncology Follow Up

Time again for my oncology appointment, this is only a checkup but even today the stress of going to these appointments stresses me out. Today I will be getting the results of my newest blood work. When the oncologist orders the lab work she does a complete CBC but she also does a tumor marker test. The tumor marker test is a wonderful test that checks my blood for certain antigens that show in the blood. There is always some in the blood but the purpose is to keep checking them to be sure they don’t reach a certain level … Continue reading

To Tattoo Or Not

I am going to tell you all a little secret when my bandages came off after my nipple reconstruction surgery I may have cried a little looking down. No not a bad cry it was a good one. I guess I never realized how much I missed having them. I know it is silly but looking down for a minute they almost looked like the original ones but they still needed some color they are just skin toned now. The doctor said I need to wait 6 months before I can get them tattooed. Now when he said they would … Continue reading

Thanks To A Friend

There are some benefits that joining Face Book that you may not think about. When you think of Face Book you think about people reconnecting with old loves and old friends but you don’t think about getting incredible support in your journey through cancer. I have found that cancer has touched a great deal of lives in my old hometown of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There are many of my former classmates that have battled cancer. It was surprising to me to see all the people that have either battled cancer themselves or a loved one of theirs did. It was … Continue reading

Nipple Reconstruction

Well ok I need to make a decision as to whether I want to have the nipple reconstruction surgery or not. I really don’t want to have any more surgeries but the Barbie Boobies that I have now don’t look all that real without the finishing touches if you know what I mean. The doctor said it is a real easy surgery and I finally agreed to do it. A few weeks before Christmas I decide to go and have the surgery done. The doctor explained how they make them but it sounds weird so I won’t even explain it. … Continue reading

It Makes You Think

My oncologist suggested I join the support group and I did. I met some interesting older ladies but now I am dealing with the loss of one of the ladies I have become friends with. Lynn’s cancer had come back and this time it was stage 4 that had metastasized to her lungs. I did not really know how the oncologist thought that joining the group was going to be beneficial to help with my stress. How can meeting people who are going to die help me feel like I am not going to die? Lynn was an incredible woman … Continue reading

First Support Group Meeting

My oncologist thought that if I joined a support group for breast cancer survivors that it may help me with some of my stress. When I first walked into the room I was the only one not a member of AARP! I really did not understand how sitting with a bunch of older ladies would be beneficial to me. None of these women have small kids, a full time job and the life of someone under 40. While I was getting to know the women I found that they all were diagnosed post-menopausal well into their golden years. The ladies … Continue reading