2 Down, 2 To Go!

I'm thrilled that I'm half way done with the chemo! So far, this time around hasn't been too bad, just nausea, fatigue, and "fog". I'm thankful for the medications that help fight the side effects! I was actually able to go to church yesterday and enjoy the service. I'm continually reminded by friends and family that they are praying for me and believe me...your prayers have been answered in so many wonderful ways! Thank you so much for your love and support on this journey!




My grandkids are the best medicine around! Here I am with Little J, right before Christmas. He's got more hair than grandma, now! I can't believe he's almost 7 months old!

Thanks to my sister, Karen, for surprising me with a selection of bandannas...what a blessing! I like wearing these much more than my wig!

I'm so glad I buzzed my hair when I did. My Christmas morning was spent in the shower, loosing the majority of my hair! I can't imagine if I had not cut it ahead of time.

I really didn't want my grandkids to see me without hair, for fear that it would bother them. However, once he found out, Buddy, my 6 year old grandson couldn't wait to see my head. He loves to rub it and thinks it's funny. Scooter, the 3 year old, isn't quite so sure. He likes to see it but doesn't like how it feels! Children are so loving and accepting...and priceless!

Unique Ornaments for a "Pink Christmas"

My sister-in-law, Cindy, surprised me with these adorable ornaments on Christmas eve and I just have to share them with you!

There's a paint brush, wrench, & chain saw. Each tiny tool is adorned with pink jewels or crystals - perfect for my "pink Christmas", this year!

She found these at the local hardware store and then added her own personal touch, including scripture. How creative, huh?

Perfect Peace

You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is focused on You because He trusts in You. ~Isaiah 26:3

My 2nd chemo treatment is today at 11:30. I'm thankful for the inner peace that God gives in spite of these circumstances in my life! I'm not looking forward to today but I know that God will be there, giving me His perfect peace because I'm trusting in Him!

Thank you for your prayers! You have been such an encouragement to me on this journey!

One More Step in the Journey!

Yesterday was another huge step in my journey, surviving breast cancer. As you all know, one of the side effects of chemo is the loss of hair. This has been a moment I've been dreading, from the time I found out that I would need chemo. Just as every other step, I've tried to face it straight on and with a good attitude. This week, my hair really started thinning and I knew before long it would be gone.




So, I made an appointment with the gal that has done my hair for close to 20 years, and had my hair cut. Yep, it's gone! I didn't want to wait and go through the emotional turmoil of watching my hair fall out piece by piece, clump by clump...so I had it buzzed!









The girls and my sister in law went along for support!








Although it was a little emotional...it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be! As my sister reminded me yesterday, this is just another step towards the end of the treatment and getting healthy again!




The bible says "Even the very hairs of your head are numbered" ~Matthew 10:30

Looks like I just made the Lord's job a little easier for now!

Afterwards, we went to Starbucks and "celebrated".
I am so blessed and have so much to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Today we celebrated Art's 48th birthday!

There are so many things I love about Art...his servant heart, his gentle spirit, his love for God, his strength, his sense of humor, his attitude, his protectiveness, his wisdom, his determination, his work ethic, his confidence, and on and on.

I've had the privilege of being by his side and watching him grow from a young man who lacked confidence, into a man of tremendous faith who knows that he can accomplish anything with God's help.

He loves our family and is an awesome example to our three
young grandsons. The boys lovingly refer to him as "big papa" and they love to spend time with him. In their eyes, big papa can do just about anything.







My dad gave him the name "gentle giant" years ago and it's so appropriate. He's a big guy, 6' 6" tall, with a very gentle spirit.







He is a fun dad and has a great relationship with our girls! I love to see them laughing and teasing with him, just like when they were younger.








We have so much fun as a family! Spending time together celebrating his birthday was just another great memory making time!









Happy Birthday Art...you're a blessing in our lives!

Good Blood Counts!!

Monday I saw the plastic surgeon and he finally removed about half of my stitches. Can you believe I still have stitches in, after all this time? The doc said there were multiple layers of stitches and he uses much smaller stitches and leaves them in longer. When he was removing them, he jokingly said, "who was the crazy doctor who put all these tiny stitches in here?" He's a really nice guy!! He gave kudos to Art for being there with me so much of the time because he said he doesn't usually see too many husbands. I've seen him once a week ever since my surgery on October 31st and Art has been there all but one time, when Stacey took me. I have a very supportive (and protective) family!!

Yesterday I saw the oncologist and my blood counts were good! Praise the Lord! This means I should be able to attend the Christmas service at church, which is important to me!! He also confirmed that I will not have radiation treatment. If the tumor had been within 1cm of my chest wall I would have needed radiation in addition to the chemo but my tumor was 2cm away!

A couple of weeks ago, I had a DEXA scan done to check on my bone density, prior to chemo. This was done because one of the chemo drugs (poisons) can damage your bones and they want to make sure your bones are healthy ahead of time. The oncologist informed me yesterday that my bone density is less than normal, meaning I have osteopenia, which means I have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis in the future. This is most likely due to having had a hysterectomy at such a young age (21), he said. So, please pray that the chemo doesn't do any further damage to my bones and that I won't break a bone!! They will be putting me on a medication to help strengthen my bones, too. A side effect of one of the drugs is joint pain and I did have bad hip pain, which is because of the osteopenia and the drug. Oh well, only three more to go, right?

That's the medical update for now! Sometimes I feel silly putting this stuff on my blog...like who really cares about all these details. Then, I find out that a lot of friends and family really do read these postings and then they know how to pray specifically for me. Most importantly, I love to share the good news so that you can rejoice with me!

Filled With Joy!

This morning I was reading a devotional regarding joy. The question was asked, "are you experiencing great joy?" I was reminded that joy isn't associated with my circumstances but rather joy is something much deeper. Great joy comes from knowing that a Savior was born to provide salvation for me. Joy isn't a denial of my circumstances but joy comes from the Lord and He gives me the strength to handle life's circumstances! Yes, I am filled with great joy!

Lord, You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence. ~Psalm 16:11

Enjoying the Season!

What a difference a couple of days can make! I feel SO MUCH BETTER! In fact, yesterday, Art, Sherry and I made a quick trip out to purchase a couple of Christmas gifts! It felt good to be out and enjoying the season! What more could a girl ask for...shopping and Starbucks! Art was surprised when after a couple of stores I was ready to go home. He's used to the "shop 'till you drop" wife, but the truth is, I was ready to drop! That seems to be the only lingering side effect...fatigue.

I get to do this all over again, next Thursday, the 27th! For now, I'm enjoying the moment and praying the next time around will go smoother. It's great that the timing worked out so that I will be feeling good during Christmas! God is good!

The Past Week Has Wiped Me Out!

It's been a little over a week ago since I had my first chemo treatment, as you know. The first couple of days I mostly experienced nausea and fatigue. By the first of the week, I thought I had probably seen the worst of it...not so! On Monday, I tried to do a little Christmas shopping with the girls and after two stores, just grabbing exactly what I needed (not my usual shopping style), I was tuckered out! Then, I had a doctor appointment which left me feeling a little sore.

Monday was also my mom's 77th birthday and I was determined to join my siblings and my parents to celebrate at a local restaurant and God was so good to allow me to join them for a little while. It was really important to me...I feel so blessed to have my mom a part of my life and in such good health at 77!!

By the end of the day, I was exhausted! By Tuesday, I was pretty sick with sores that had developed in my mouth, a side effect from the chemo and quite nauseated. The doctor wanted to see me and determined I had thrush and an infection, requiring an antibiotic. Three prescriptions later, my throat is feeling better...still sore but better! I sure hope I don't experience this each time I have chemo!!

I have so much I want to be up and doing! God reminds me "be still and know that I am God". I've had to accept that Christmas is going to come and go this year a little different than I had planned. However, I'm so thankful to be here...enjoying the time with my family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Savior!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

I love this time of year and thanks to my hubby and the girls, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas at our home!

I really miss being out and about doing all the usual stuff in preparation for Christmas! I love celebrating the birth of our Savior by serving Him and others. This year it seems odd to be cooped up and a little removed from all the festivities.




In my quiet moments, I have precious time to reflect on the true reason for the season! The birth of our Savior brings true meaning to the words, faith, hope, & love! In the hussle and bussle of the season, be sure to remember...Jesus is the reason for the season!








"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." ~Matthew 1:21

Pretty Toes

Trust me, I know I don't have the prettiest feet, in fact, I've always been teased about my feet. Because I was born in Hawaii, I've been told my feet were made for flip-flops with lots of space between my toes! Nice! The wide feet/toes have lead to broken toes, which have healed crooked. So normally, I don't show off my feet.

Today is a different story! Sherry decided to polish my toes for me. When you're feeling a little under the weather and down right yucky...having pretty toe polish makes you feel special. Thanks Sherry!

Just a reminder...It's the little things in life that matter!!

One Down & Three To Go

I'm happy to say I'm past my first chemo treatment and I only have three more to go in the next three months. As with any new experience, no matter how much people tell you about it, you don't really know what it's going to be like for you.

I wondered how it would be to have the IV in the port in my chest rather than a normal IV in the arm...not bad! The nurses are good about explaining each step. I got a terrible headache about half way through which was a side effect to medications. Art was right by my side for moral support and prayed with me before we started. He even ran to get me a fruit smoothie which helped tremendously!! What a guy!

I knew we had a lot of people praying because I felt very calm about the whole process. Before Art left the church office, the staff gathered around him for prayer which was awesome! Pastor Greg text messaged me to say he was praying and that meant a great deal, too!

When I left, I had the headache and felt a little queasy. Later in the evening I got nauseated and had to take some medication to help and again during the night. It was a restless night but I'm sure that's to be expected.

I'm just so glad to have one treatment done! I'll continue to trust the Lord for the future!! He's never let me down!!

Healthy Perspective

Tomorrow is my first chemo treatment. As the time approaches, I've been asked how I feel about it...am I nervous, scared, or whatever? Tonight, I'm okay with it. Tomorrow may be another story. Once again, God has given me such a peace and I'm trusting that peace is going to continue!!

I'm grateful that chemo is available and increases my chances of surviving cancer and not having a recurrence! God has given me this perspective...

I'D RATHER LIVE BALD THAN DIE WITH HAIR!

Chemo...Good, Bad & Ugly!

I had my "chemo training" Thursday and heard all the good, bad, & ugly about it. Actually, after meeting with the nurse, I feel much better. She was really sweet and caring, which made up for the fact that I'm not crazy about the doctor. Fortunately, I'll be seeing the nurses more than the doctor, probably.

My first treatment is this Thursday, December 6th in the early afternoon. The chemo will be injected into the port in my chest, which will get into my bloodstream faster. So here's what I have to look forward to each time...when I first get there, they check my blood to make sure I'm healthy enough to have the treatment. Then they give me an IV for 30 minutes to hydrate me and try to help with the nausea. Then I'll be receiving two different chemo "medications". The first one only takes about 10 minutes and then the second one will take 1 to 1 1/2 hours. I have prescriptions to take along with it, too. The following day, I return for a shot that's a white blood cell booster, followed by medication for three days to boost the booster. I will have my blood checked at a lab every 10 days during the chemo treatment, as well.

My niece, Jennifer, is a hairstylist and she cut my hair a couple of weeks ago. Here is a picture of Art and I on Sherry's birthday. My hair is really short but it is much easier to do and it's a good transition for the next step.

I value your prayers! I'm thankful that I'm feeling stronger before the chemo starts. I've enjoyed getting out of the house a little more for things other than doctor appointments!! Please pray that I'll have minimal side effects from chemo.