My Cancer Holiday

Great Book

2009-10-05T08:21:00.003-07:00

I am reading a wonderful book that was recommended from Kris Carr's website-Crazysexylife.com. This is a great website that was recommended to me from my dear friend who has lymphoma. The name of the book is "My (So-Called) Normal Life by Erin Zammett. I am finding myself relating to her words so much even though she has a different form of cancer than I do.

I recommend this book for anyone who has cancer, knows someone who has cancer, or just to get an idea of what a person who has cancer goes through. I am planning on passing this onto my mom and best friends when I am done.

Enjoy your day...every single minute of it!!

Many Fun Days

2009-08-29T21:08:00.004-07:00

Had a great fun day today with my son's visiting with my grandparents, their great-grandparents. My life has been full of joy lately! I passed a very important test for my job! This test has been such a challenge for me but I persevered and I am so proud of myself for not giving up! I am now a certified speech therapist!! My family and friends stood by me throughout this crazy adventure and provided me with lots of shoulders to cry on, strong arms to lift me up, and all the positive thoughts I could ever wish for! These are the same wonderful people who were right there with me when I was diagnosed with cancer too. I am so happy that they were all able to share in my joy with me!

I have also been getting back in touch with my friends from high school. It has been such a trip hearing what they have been up to these past 20+ years. I was able to get together with one of my special friends from high school. It was amazing to see him and hear what has been happening in his life. What was really neat was how, even though we had not seen each other in many years, we fell right back together so easily, as if not a single day had past. I am looking forward to getting together again very soon with him and my family.

Time for me to rejoin my husband and sons for a movie. As I said earlier, today has been a really good, fun, and love filled day. I hope you too have a fun and blessed day. Always take time to tell the people in your life how much they mean to you!

Wonderful News!!

2009-08-09T11:08:00.002-07:00

Had a renal scan last week to check on the new urological system I had built for me last year due to bladder cancer. We recieved wonderful news on Friday...everything is working the way it should!!!! YEAH!!! I had this scan done because I was having left kidney pain again. The oncologist recommened to me that I try to not drink as much fluids as I have been and to cath more frequently during the day. So far I have noticed a HUGE difference! :) The kidney isn't hurting as bad. He also thinks the neuropathy could also play a small part in this as well. He is going to keep a close eye on me as always. I feel so lucky and blessed to have him as my oncologist and friend. Not due for my next CT till November...as usual my 3 month ck in.

New week!

2009-07-20T20:44:00.002-07:00

Well, this is my first week with my new work hours! YEAH for part-time!!! Even though I only put in 5 1/2 hours today, it felt more like 10 1/2 hours! haha I came home exhausted yet happy that I have such a great job, wonderful boss, and totally cool friends to work with! Once things settle down, I will only be working 5hrs a day 5 days a week. These hours will keep me super busy which will really make my day fly! Today was a good day despite the neuropathy. It's frustrating to stand up to walk and end up limping for a bit. Oh well, could be worse! I feel blessed that I am healthy enough to work!!!

Hope you too had a great day!
Stay healthy and happy!!

Recent News From Dr. Visit Yesterday

2009-07-10T09:21:00.003-07:00

I had my 5 week appointment yesterday with my neurologist. He discussed my recent lab test results with me and my dad. Found out that I have peripheral neuropathy. I found a good website that describes in detail what peripheral neuropathy is. He's not exactly sure why I have this which is a little scary. Could be from the bladder cancer or just could be idiopathic. It is a relief to now have a name to what symptoms I have been going through lately and know that I wasn't going crazy!

Time to Catch Up

2009-07-08T08:27:00.006-07:00

The past few days have been really busy for me. Over the 4th of July weekend, my family not only celebrated the Nation's birthday but also celebrated my b-day! I was asked how I felt being another year older. I told them I feel so blessed to be healthy enough to celebrate another year!

After a busy weekend, I meet some wonderful friends from work for birthday lunch. We acknowledged 3 birthdays which was a blast!! Yesterday, I spent some quiet time at the Cancer Center with a very dear friend who was waiting to begin another course of chemo. Afterwards I went for a beautiful hair cut. It's amazing how a wonderful hair cut can make you feel better!

Today I plan on just spending a quiet day at home with my boys! Way too hot to go out during the day so I think a movie or watching The Office on dvd is on tap for the day. The Office always makes me laugh and forget my troubles!!! I can watch that show over and over and NEVER get bored of it! :) I highly recommend it as well as Will and Grace on dvd for making your day just a little bit better! The saying is so true...laughter is wonderful for your soul! I find when I am not feeling well, mentally or physically, watching these shows makes me forget about how I am feeling for the time being. Another show I also love to watch is What Not To Wear on the TLC channel. I have learned so much this show!! Stacy and Clinton are amazing! I would love to shop with them! :) I even got my family hooked on this show!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!! Talk again soon!

My Tribute to Farrah Fawcett

2009-07-01T14:29:00.006-07:00

Ever since Farrah passed away, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I learned from her by watching and reading about her journey with her cancer and what I want my future as a cancer survivor to be. She has become a positive role model to me. She has taught me to be as positive about life as possible. Don't sweat the small stuff. Always, Always have hope, faith, and a good sense of humor, and surround yourself with people you love! : ) Spend some time either by yourself or with loved ones and watch . Farrah's Story Her story will touch you whether or not you or someone you know has cancer. Those that have cancer of any kind or have watched a loved one struggling with cancer, this story will hit close to home. I am so proud that she made this documentary because unless you have gone through the treatments, surgery, tests, the waiting, you really don't understand. This opens up eyes and gives you insight of what a cancer patient goes through.

What a sad day for the world!

2009-06-26T09:30:00.004-07:00

I was bumming due the news that Farrah Fawcett had lost her battle to cancer. Her news brought me to tears. I have been following her during her battle. Praying everyday for her. As a cancer survivor, this hit me really hard. Just reminded me how important it is that I NEVER give up my fight with my cancer.

I didn't know about Michael Jackson until I was driving my boys to band practice. We were listening to the radio, a rock station. When the song was over the D.J. came on and said that Michael Jackson had died. I was in shock! I couldn't believe it! I asked the boys if they heard the same thing I had. They said they did and that they knew already since one of thier friends had texted them ealier with the news. I immediately turned the radio to the news station. I guess I figured that if it was really true it would be all over the news. It was. I am still in shock. We came home last night and sat in front of the television changing between stations just hoping that this news wasn't true. The more we saw, the more we came to understand that he was gone. Lucky for all of us, Michael left the world with great music to enrich our lives, bring smiles to faces, to become color blind, and inspire us all to be the best person we can be!!

I am still sad for the two wonderful people we lost yesterday! Both inspirational to me!! I remember mentioning to a friend last night how I was upset that Farrah's death was put aside once the news about Michael came out. Then he mentioned so sweetly that yes it was sad that Farrah lost her battle but we all knew she was sick and was failing and that it was just a matter of time before her frail body would just say 'enough is enough'. Where as with Michael, it was a shock to all since no one thought he was having any health problems at all. Also, the entire world knows who Michael Jackson is. He compared this shock to the shock we all shared when Princess Diana died. That made a lot of sence to me. I remember when Princess Di died, it was all over the news for days. I know that this will be the same for Michael too. The world has lost a wonderful performer and person in Michael Jackson and we also lost a super beautiful smile and person in Farrah Fawcett. My prayers go out to both families. May you both rest in peace!!

Last two days : )

2009-06-24T08:06:00.004-07:00

Well, these last two have have really kicked my butt!! I had a great opportunity to spend the past two days attending an early education seminar here in town. I was able to spend time with my wonderful friends from work which I totally enjoyed. The days were extremely long for me though. I did learn a lot too! My days started at 5:30am to allow me plenty of time to get ready and spend some time with my husband before he left for work. The first day I didn't get home until 8:30pm! The next day I wasn't home till 8 pm!! I was beyond exhausted and still am!! I guess I didn't get as much sleep as I should have though because I woke yesterday with a headache that eventually turned into a migraine! : ( On top of having a migraine I have been having issues from my bladder cancer surgery. I have noticed that ever since I had my hysterectomy last year my small headaches have become migraines and they are more frequent than my headaches were. I woke up this morning still not feeling better but at least my migraine is gone. Just really, really tired and have no energy today. Hopefully after a good nap, I will be more spunky. : )

I was wondering if other women who have gone through a hysterectomy also have migraines. I know that I had no choice to not have this surgery, I just wish that I would have had more information about what I would be experiencing afterwards. I am just a little stressed right now not knowing what's going on with my body. My surgery was a little over a year ago and I keep thinking that I should be totally recovered....guess not. The doctors did tell me that due to the severity of the surgery recovery time could take 1-3 years to gain most of my strength back. What's hard is that some days I feel great; just as I did before all of this crap started. So what do I do...as much as I can to the point I wear myself out. I know...big mistake! It's just that I feel so good I forget what my little body has been through and still going through. Oh well. Now I wait to hear back from the surgeon to see what the plan of action is to get me through this issue. I also need to schedule my 3 month CatScan to make sure the cancer hasn't spread anywhere. Lucky for me, the other scans have come out good for no cancer but has showed other things we are now watching. The fun just never ends....

Great Pre-Father's Day!!

2009-06-20T22:09:00.003-07:00

Today was a wonderful, full day! It started with dropping off my car for an oil change, then we were off to spend the day with my in-laws. I planned to get away for about 4 hours with my bff for lunch and study for an upcoming test. We managed to get in a little bit of shopping too! : ) She and I have a lot of fun together! I just wish we could spend time together everyday! She is AWESOME!!!

Back at the in-laws, we played games with my brother-in-law, watched a couple of movies, and had a nice light dinner. Great way to spend our Father's Day weekend. I know how much my husband's family enjoys our visits. We are only 40 minutes away from them as well as my own parents. My folks are out of town so I am not able to spend Father's Day with my own dad. That's ok though. I loved spending time with my father-in-law very much. He makes me laugh! I feel so lucky to have him in my life! What a treat it is having my own dad and my husband's dad in the same town I live in!!! : ) I feel so blessed with these two special men in my life!

Pink Nail Polish

2009-06-18T13:26:00.002-07:00

I must say that nothing beats a pretty pink nail polish on the toes! : ) What a way to brighten up my day, especially when my boys are being stinkers with me and each other. Pink nail polish, actually, any nail polish, can make me forget about having cancer.

Helpful Website

2009-06-17T07:28:00.004-07:00

After I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, I immediately jumped on my computer to get more information. I found this website, American Cancer Society to be very helpful. I passed it along to my parents and brother so they could learn more too. Hope it will help you too.

Please pray for my friend!

2009-06-15T21:27:00.006-07:00

I just received some very upsetting news. My dear friend is going through a really hard time right now. Her wonderful husband is having serious and very risky brain surgery tomorrow to help relieve bleeding on his brain. To top things off, her little sister has been diagnosed with cancer that has spread throughout her body. Her prognosis is not good at all. She is only 32 years old. I have know this family for a long time. It is so hard to know that the only thing me and my family can do for them is pray. What I do know from my own expierence with cancer is that prayer is a very, very powerful thing!! So, since it helped me and my family so much, we are going to give them all the prayers and positive thoughts we can to help them through this rough time. We love you, S!!

Wow! What a day!

2009-06-14T20:14:00.003-07:00

Today was rather long but satisfying for someone still recovering from bladder cancer surgery. Spent the day with the family...watched "Taken" with Liam Neeson. Great movie!! Throw in 2 loads of laundry, shopping at Target, and finish with band practice for my youngest son and I am exhausted! And it's only 8pm!!

My Cancer Holiday

2009-06-13T20:21:00.002-07:00

I was diagnosed with Bladder Cancer on February 14, 2008 and survived the 9 hour surgery on April 1, 2008 - April Fools Day; hence, my Cancer Holiday.