I am ALIVE!!!!

It has been awhile since I have visited you all on my blog!!! My apologies. Working full time, coaching again, and helping with our neices has needed my time and attention. Those activities have also helped me feel more like my normal self as well as keep my thoughts positive! You have all been missed!

As far as the "C" word, I am almost done with treatments. December 30th marked the official end to my chemotherapy treatments. We celebrated with sparkling cider and cheers with all of my nurses, friends and family. The long lasting relationships developed there have added education, laughs, tears, and fun to my journey!

My hair is growing little by little and my head is not so cold anymore, especially at night! Yahooo! Saving money on hair products, minimal styling, and no bad hair days continue to be cause for positive thinking!

Currently, I am at the half way mark for radiation treatments. (Completed 15 of 30 visits). As I have posted so many times, I am very pleased and blessed with nurses and Dr. B! Treatments are daily and I see the Doc. every Wednesday. Love those peeps!

There have not been any additional side effects from radiation but some of the side effects in general continue.... I can't tell you the last time I slept for a good 6-8 hours, mostly due to hot flashes and anxious thoughts. In addition, I am exhausted most of the time. On occassion, I still don't have much of an appetite and my body aches like I'm 80! None the less, I am still blessed! There have been no major set backs and no signs that treatments are not working!!!!! Family, friends, co-workers and teammates at Safeco: You encourage me, support me, love me, and help keep me going! THANK YOU!


Besides what I have learned about my own Breast Cancer, I have learned a ton about Breast Cancer in general and have been given so many opportunites to meet new friends, participate in support organizations, share my story, and expand my knowledge about cancer. Amazing when you stop and think that such a devastating disease can have a good side!


Please keep my friends who share this journey with me in your thoughts and prayers! Strength, wisdom, hope, faith and positive focus are characteristics that carry us so far but are so difficult at times to rely on. Circumstances and obstacles cannot be changed but our thoughts can be!

L: I hope for you all you need to get through the next ten minutes! Miss you! You Inspire me and encourage me!

Will do my best to return soon! Until then, live every day without regret and with all the laughter, love and life possible!

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Wow. This was a needed reminder! Feeling kind of blah lately. I am in my fourth week now (1/4 of the way to the end of chemo!) for my twelve treatments. Side effects specifically are minimal but overall, I just don't feel like myself. Very tired, not feeling like eating sometimes, etc. Looking at the positive side of things, my hair is starting to grow back! I look like a chia pet!





Tomorrow will be the DIG PINK volleyball match! Looking forward to feeling the overwhelming love and support that comes from an event such as this. Should be a great night of volleyball and lots of money donated to a great cause!





Please continue to pray for strength and healing. Please include those I have mentioned in previous postings: Erin, especially as she begins her journey. I met a nice young lady at a restaurante who is scared to visit her mom who has breast cancer because she is going to lose her hair. Touched my heart! She and her mom could use prayers! God's grace!

Thanks to all of you still by my side! I am close to being half way through this journey and I appreciate so much all of you who are with me the entire way!

Celebrity status!

Wow! I feel like a celebrity this month! A whole month dedicated to breast cancer awareness! There are cakes at grocery store in the shape of ribbons, bagels at Panera bread ribbon shaped, and pink stuff everywhere! I'm gracious for the focus as it leads many more towards early detection, better treatment and hopefully a cure!

In addition to all the "Stuff", On demand TV has a Pink Ribbon section where they feature stories, documentaries and celebrities fighting the disease. "Why I Wore Red Lipstick" was an awesome, real, funny movie that addresses all the issues of having breast cancer. Loved it!

I, personally continue to fight hard with the disease! Tomorrow I will struggle through my cold to receive my second of twelve treatments. So far, I feel good (Besides my cold) and not too exhausted. I have decided, though with the help of Pam Ashe (Retired Eagle) to take the Fridays following treatment to rest and get strong for the following week of school. My blessings just keep coming! It's so reassuring to know that even though I am feeling well, God continues to bless me. So undeserving!

Thank you for all of your positive thoughts and prayers. Please pray for my cancer friend, Erin who is beginning the fight of her life! Pray also for all of those who need grace and strength to get through another day of their fight!

Back Again!

Well, it's been a nice four weeks off from treatment! I was starting to feel somewhat normal again, then it was time to start again. Yesterday, October 1st, I started my second phase of chemo therapy drugs. This time is suppose to be a little less harsh on my body. Taxel only takes about an hour and 1/2 to administer and I don't have to get a neulasta (Immunity shot) the day after treatment. That in itself is a blessing! Those injections were what was making me sick during the first phase. Once again, I am pleasantly surprised at the lack of side effects from the treatment. I am very tired and have a metalic taste in my mouth but that's the extent! Yeah! Answered prayers! Thank you for all of your text messages and support. You all continue to keep my spirits up and a smile on my face!

REMINDER: The DIG PINK volleyball match to support breast cancer is COMING SOON! It is October 21st! 7:00pm at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard. The T-shirts are here now and they are 5.00! The T-shirt gets you into the match! It will be a fun night and a great fundraiser! See you there!

Please continue to pray for my friend, Erin who is beginning her journey with breast cancer. She is facing a much more difficult path than I am traveling. Pray for strength, wisdom and encouragment.

What a Week!

Tuesday, I went back to school! Taught the rest of the week. Each day got easier as far as energy levels, swelling and pain in my legs, and overall feeling. It has been good to be back with my kids! At this time I plan to teach every day in September except for the couple days following the trip to Eastern to take my baby to college! Yes, COLLEGE! Hopefully all these days I have cried already will make next weekend easier.

Today I was able to visit with my friend, Janice, who's courageous fight against lung cancer is so inspiring to all. We spent time comparing our journeys and sharing bald head stories. Love it! Janice is having surgery Monday. Please keep your prayers going that everything will go smoothly and without complications, but mostly for Janice's strength and recovery.

In addition, a colleague of mine has a niece, Erin who at only 29 has breast cancer that is quickly invading her. Pray, Pray, Pray! God's grace is so powerful!

Starting chemo again October 1st.

DON'T FORGET!
October 21st is the breast cancer volleyball match at South Kitsap High School. 5.00 buys your Dig Pink T-shirt and entrance to the match and the proceeds benefit the Sideout foundation.

Thank you to all of you who continue to support me through your emails, comments, text messages, cards and especially the meals! You all ROCK!

Celebrate Good Times, Celebrate!

Yesterday was the last Adriamycin/Cytoxin treatment and the end to my first phase of chemo therapy!!!!!! Yahoo! It went well and I feel pretty good today. Can't believe I have completed the toughest part! And the other cause for celebration, I am done for four weeks! No poking, no dripping, no shot, nothing until October 1st! yahoo!

Side effects today are minimal! Once again, divine intervention has graced me with energy, no nausea, limited anxiety, and I am still awake after no nap!!!!! Thank you for all you prayers! They are answered every day! Now that I am off for a while, it's back to exercising in the pool, physical therapy, and back to work! I will be working the first two weeks, starting on the 8th and working through the 18th. Then we will take BT and cousin Brandon to college at Eastern! WOW! Can't believe it! From there, it is VACATION and rest for me for the next 8 school days. My very good friend, Angela will be available to provide my students with what the need and be able to continue teaching my curriculum. She is a veteran by now with my students! I will be back to work full time starting October 1st as my second round of chemo is suppose to be less on my body and less on the side effects. My treatments will be after school. Blessed again!

Another reason to celebrate!~

Live the Fed Way, Family Everyday! This is our new moto at my High School this year. We are big into the diversity that makes up our family! Within that family, we have clubs and activities along with sports. One of the clubs, made up of all male staff members, is the "Bald Eagle club" Well, I was inducted today as the first ever female bald Eagle! It was overwhelming and it moved me to tears to witness the support of my fellow staff as well as the show of support from the students. WOW! It was quite an honor! I work at the best High School on the planet. Thank you, Andy Cameron!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!! Your support is amazing, your prayers answered, and your love and friendship incredibly supportive! Thank you!

Happy Birthday Cindy!

Somewhat difficult today!

WOW! I received so much help yesterday to set up my classroom for the 2009/2010 year! Sister, Israel, Brittany, and my assistant, Nasreen all worked so hard we were finished in less than four hours! Thank you all of you! The bonus was the dinner we were able to enjoy at Nareen's burger place! Thank you Nasreen and family, especially Matthew!

The help was so needed as it was day 8 after my Neulasta shot (Builds white blood cells) and I usually run a fever, am exhausted and don't feel very well. Fever ended up being low and I am not in the hospital as of today. Blessed again!

"The strength of the heart comes from the soundness of Faith!" Brittany made a card for me with this saying and I am finding myself reading it over and over today especially! Some recent family events as well as how crappy I feel today, have dampened my spirits a little. Fever is still low enough (Thank goodness), but I am battling a sore throat, a little bit of nausea, and I have zip for energy! Frustrated because I have lots to do on the computer for school and don't want to do a thing! Here's the beauty of the whole situation, I, me, myself and I, get to decide how I am going to react or feel about my crappiness! So, I will do my best today and will update you in the next few days! You are all amazing and I appreciate you all every minute of my days! Thank you!

Thank you Brother Josh for coming to visit me today. It has been awhile and it was good to see you and share some good conversation.
Reminder:

For especially those new to my bloggin.... October is upon us and I want to remind you of the "Dig Pink" volleyball match on October 21st (Wednesday night) at 7:00pm over at South Kitsap High School in Port Orchard. Cost is only $5.00 for a cool T-shirt and entrance to the high school match. There will also be a silent auction with autographed pink stuff. Proceeds support the Sideout Foundation, a breast cancer foundation connected to volleyball.