December 18 Recovery It’s been about a month since my last entry. Another month filled with doctor appointments again. I thought that once I had my port removed my doctor appointments would lesson to seeing my oncologist and breast surgeon every 3 months and these weekly appointments would finally end but…they haven’t. November 28 I went to see my general doctor for swelling around my ankle that was now causing pain up my calf muscle and a new lump I found on the same side and spot as my original breast cancer tumor. The lump was also right where this chest wrap seemed to be cutting into my skin. I wondered if in fact it was a new tumor or a fat narcosis built up from the wrap. I was thankful that I was already scheduled … [Read more...] about December 18 Recovery
Thanksgiving
Nov 15th Day After Surgery I didn't sleep at all which is typical for me. I still can't understand how a person can live and function on only 2-3 hours a sleep each night for over a year now. I just can't remember the last time I had a good nights sleep but hey at least I'm waking up!! Recovery for the next 6 weeks. I feel like a mummy. My stomach and chest are both wrapped tight. I feel as if my organs are squished. Again, just when I was just laying somewhat comfortable on my side I am now back to having to lay on my back as much as I can for the next 6 weeks until I heal. I have a very hard time sleeping on my back. With this wrap on it's as if my kidneys and back hurt. I've loosened the one around my stomach it some but … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving
Dream Big
Sept 5th: Gearing up!!! Today I’m excited because I’m going on Great American Country (GAC) with host Suzanne Alexander to debut my video to Fight Like A Girl! I haven’t had a new video for quite a few years and I’m so excited to get to show this video to the world and pray it helps others to continue their fight of whatever illness or battle they are having. Suzanne is someone very close to me but she also does such a great job on interviews. As an artists doing an interviewer with her you always go in comfortable knowing that she has listened and studied your music before the interview. I think I can speak for most artists when it comes interviews, we can tell within the first couple questions if the interviewer has … [Read more...] about Dream Big
One Year and Life Lessons
September 9th - “One Year and Life Lessons” A slight rain is falling, birds are chirping and deer are on the edge of the tree line. I’ve lit one of my favorite smelling incense sticks as I watch the day waken. It’s about as peaceful as it can get. It’s an early morning for me. My cousins had been in town all week, and they left this morning around 5:30am. I couldn’t fall back asleep so I figured I would do a little writing. This past week we took my father down to the lake to do a little fishing. I hadn’t fished with him in probably 30 years. My cousins' family and ours would always go on fishing trips in Northern Michigan every summer. It really meant a lot to us to get to go fishing with my dad again. He did really great! … [Read more...] about One Year and Life Lessons
Still Fighting Like A Girl
August 16, “FIGHT LIKE A GIRL” I’ve had a pretty good last few weeks. A lot has been going on. Everyday I feel a little bit better from my last surgery. The soreness is getting a little better though I still struggle to open a water bottle…haven’t tried a pickle jar yet lol. My hair is growing and now I need a hair cut and not sure what to do with it. Let it grow out, keep it short or shave it all off again ha!. I have to say, a perk to being bald was I could get ready to go somewhere in a flash! My neuropathy has been off the charts in pain but the last few days it feels as if it has been a little better. I had stopped taking my Niacin for almost 2 weeks because I was out of them and had to order them. I started … [Read more...] about Still Fighting Like A Girl
Final Surgery yee-haw!!!
July 10 I had rehab therapy today for the pain and numbness in my arm and hand. I’m sure it will take a few visits to see if it’s going to help but so far I can’t tell a difference. I’m still in a lot of pain. Between the pain and numbness of neuropathy in my feet that now shoots up to my calf muscles and now this pain and numbness from my neck down to my arms, and hands. I can’t sleep and have stayed in pain most of the time. It’s confusing because my doctor thinks I have a pinched nerve in my neck or shoulder causing this pain and numbness. I hope she is right but after all the medicines I’ve taken since my diagnosis I can’t help but wonder what’s really causing this because so many of the meds had side effects of muscle and … [Read more...] about Final Surgery yee-haw!!!
Surgery Time
July 5th I got some very upsetting news today. The woman I wrote about in my last blog passed away this morning. She was only aware she had breast cancer for not even two weeks. This breaks my heart. 42 and a mother of an 8 year old. Please…no matter what…even if you don’t have health insurance, get your yearly exams and do self exams often. There is help out there if you find something wrong. Sunday, July 8th The article came out in the Nashville paper today The Tennessean. Front page of the Sunday paper. I was so shocked. They did a really nice job on the story and I really appreciate them sharing it. I hope it inspires people to get their yearly exams. Every time we share our story's we may save a life. Here's … [Read more...] about Surgery Time