So tonight I went to Facebook. I rarely go to facebook. When I do, I end up spending hours reading my friends posts. Remembering good times I've had with them and wondering where the time goes. I also enjoy knowing what is going on with my friends and lift them in my prayers. Then I realized I have not blogged in a llllooooonnnnnggggg time either. So here is an update and my apology
Overall, we are doing well. We are so blessed. I am grateful!
David Alexander is in 2nd grade - his report card on Wednesday was straight A's. David's teacher told me she has to fuss at him to stop reading! lol - there is always a time and place for everything! He loves drawing and explaining things. He love all things electronic. Video games! He is so funny! His handwriting is terrible, I have started a series of test with a vision specialist. Hopefully, we can get this figured out and give him what he needs to be even more successful.
William is in Kindergarten. He is also doing very well. Reading, spelling, and cartwheels. He is so strong! A couple weeks into school he told me, "Mom, did you know there is a rule at school no cartwheels inside. I had to walk the dots (timeout) again at recess for doing cartwheels!" What amazes me is the number he can do in a row and how long he can continuously do cartwheels. He is either fun, easy going, sweet, a super help, and warm OR a professional button pusher with a temper to match his moms! Poor kid - victim of genetics!
"David the dad" has made some changes at work but they seem to have had very positive results. He is still extremely busy and has stress --but things are going very well for him.
Me - well, I am trying to keep things in perspective. Trying to put myself first, caring for my family second, and then helping others. That is not a simple task for me at all. I know that it is important. I also trying to figure out who I am and what is my purpose. I suppose that is ongoing through out any ones life. I just celebrated my 2nd year anniversary for being a breast cancer survivor. Tonight, as I have read posts and blogs my friend Abigail has posed some of the same questions that I too have been pondering. So I am not alone. My friend April expressed beautifully the joy and anger of being a cancer survivor. Happy to have gotten to this point in the path but so dam mad for the cancer pit stop. In treatment I was positive, strong, and joyful. So it seems ridiculous that past treatment and being cancer free that I have bouts of extreme sadness and anger. Terrified of recurrence, yet not trying to waste time worrying about getting cancer again. Wondering what is my purpose. The conclusion I have come to is God has great plans for me- I have survived so much in my 38 years. I have also enjoyed and loved so much in 38 years! So life is good and also so complicated.
As far as medical treatment, next week I will get nipples. Yes, when you have a bilateral mastectomy they take even the nipples. So a mushroom shape cut, a little twist, some stitches and I'll be closer to looking like all the other boobs out there. Then in December I'll get the color of my nipples tattooed on. I go to my oncologist every four months until my 5 year anniversary. Then I will go every six months.... I am so grateful that I really like my oncologist! I take my cancer inhibitor every day. As well as calcium three times daily for my osteoporosis and osteopenia. I take something for my joints. But other than that I am healthy. My mind is getting clearer and clearer. I know that if I exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep I do real well. If not, then I get overwhelmed, emotional, stressed out so easily - to the point where I am frozen. That is not me at all. But if I take care of myself it does not happen. So I continue to put one foot in front of the other, answer one question at a time and carry on.
I pray all is well with you and your family. Talk to you soon!
Laura
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
May 2009
Updates- Well, I think I should update my blog at least once a month. Sounds reasonable... I'll see what I can do.
I just celebrated 1 1/2 years cancer free - hard to believe. I know it! Remember I did chemo Jan - March 08 after I was cancer free with my mastectomy in Nov 07. Now I go for follow up appointments every three months with my oncologist. I went last week and all things are looking good and I am healing well. My Rheumatologist has released me since I started training I am not having the aches and pains. I am proud to say that my hard work with my trainer has really paid off. I have lost 8 pounds and 1 inch off my waist, 1 inch off my hips, 1/2 off my thighs and 1/4 inch off my upper arms. More importantly my fat mass % has gone down and my lean muscle mass % has gone up. My goal is to be healthy, to take the best care of my self possible.
My bone scan in March showed that my bone density is greatly decreasing - this is due to my surgical menopause in June 08 and chemo in the first quarter of 08. SO I am taking Fosamax one time weekly and given up DR Pepper. I know - you are thinking Laura you were the poster child for Dr. Pepper. You drank it 24/7. Well, the phosphates in dark sodas leach the calcium from your bones. I am 37 years old and plan on living to 87 or more, and I love these bones. I don't know what I would do with out them. It was not easy - it took about 6 weeks to quit craving them. I don't know if I could drink one now if I had to.
School is coming to an end. William 3 days for his preschool. David three weeks. It is a run, run, run time of year. We are all doing well. It is hard to believe that both my guys will be in school full time next year. They will do great. They love learning.
I am praying about what I am to do next year. Where is God leading me? What does He want me to do? What is my purpose in life? I love the job I have now - wife, mom, daughter... so many opportunities.
William's preschool is closing due to some changes of focus in their churches ministries. I am looking into and prayerful considering opening a MDO program. The church we are currently going to is purchasing land this month and moving towards building in the next two or so years. So I am looking into the logistics, facilities, partnerships - opportunities in the area. There is so much to consider. My goals are serving the children of our community and perhaps giving time/space to Wonders and Worries and Breast Cancer Resource Center. I love those two organizations. They have been such great help throughout my walk.
How do I fulfill God's will and use my gifts He has given me?
I'll let you know when I find the path. We are looking forward to a summer full of swimming, friends, family - and of course LEARNING!
In my Guide Posts Daily Inspirational Book - one of the reading was discussing a personal mission statement. The one the author found in Genesis stuck with me and I'd like to share it with you. "And you will be a blessing" So in all that I do may I be a blessing, may I serve God and others by following His will. It is so simple and yet so profound too.
It is getting late and I hope that I have not rambled on and made no sense at all. I just keep putting up date blog on my list of to do items and not doing it. So here it is almost midnight but I feel better now that you know I am doing great and appreciate that you cared to look.
Love and prayers to you all,
Thank you for your friendship, support, and love,
Laura
I just celebrated 1 1/2 years cancer free - hard to believe. I know it! Remember I did chemo Jan - March 08 after I was cancer free with my mastectomy in Nov 07. Now I go for follow up appointments every three months with my oncologist. I went last week and all things are looking good and I am healing well. My Rheumatologist has released me since I started training I am not having the aches and pains. I am proud to say that my hard work with my trainer has really paid off. I have lost 8 pounds and 1 inch off my waist, 1 inch off my hips, 1/2 off my thighs and 1/4 inch off my upper arms. More importantly my fat mass % has gone down and my lean muscle mass % has gone up. My goal is to be healthy, to take the best care of my self possible.
My bone scan in March showed that my bone density is greatly decreasing - this is due to my surgical menopause in June 08 and chemo in the first quarter of 08. SO I am taking Fosamax one time weekly and given up DR Pepper. I know - you are thinking Laura you were the poster child for Dr. Pepper. You drank it 24/7. Well, the phosphates in dark sodas leach the calcium from your bones. I am 37 years old and plan on living to 87 or more, and I love these bones. I don't know what I would do with out them. It was not easy - it took about 6 weeks to quit craving them. I don't know if I could drink one now if I had to.
School is coming to an end. William 3 days for his preschool. David three weeks. It is a run, run, run time of year. We are all doing well. It is hard to believe that both my guys will be in school full time next year. They will do great. They love learning.
I am praying about what I am to do next year. Where is God leading me? What does He want me to do? What is my purpose in life? I love the job I have now - wife, mom, daughter... so many opportunities.
William's preschool is closing due to some changes of focus in their churches ministries. I am looking into and prayerful considering opening a MDO program. The church we are currently going to is purchasing land this month and moving towards building in the next two or so years. So I am looking into the logistics, facilities, partnerships - opportunities in the area. There is so much to consider. My goals are serving the children of our community and perhaps giving time/space to Wonders and Worries and Breast Cancer Resource Center. I love those two organizations. They have been such great help throughout my walk.
How do I fulfill God's will and use my gifts He has given me?
I'll let you know when I find the path. We are looking forward to a summer full of swimming, friends, family - and of course LEARNING!
In my Guide Posts Daily Inspirational Book - one of the reading was discussing a personal mission statement. The one the author found in Genesis stuck with me and I'd like to share it with you. "And you will be a blessing" So in all that I do may I be a blessing, may I serve God and others by following His will. It is so simple and yet so profound too.
It is getting late and I hope that I have not rambled on and made no sense at all. I just keep putting up date blog on my list of to do items and not doing it. So here it is almost midnight but I feel better now that you know I am doing great and appreciate that you cared to look.
Love and prayers to you all,
Thank you for your friendship, support, and love,
Laura
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Hello World - I'm posting a new post!
Today's date is March 4, 2009 - and it seems that I have not posted in a very long time. So sorry for all those people who religiously check my blog.
Overall, I am doing very well. I am still cancer free - since my mastectomy in November 2007! Yippee and Yahoo! I go and see my oncologist every three months. Things are looking good. I have not gotten the details on my breast - nipples and tattoos. I am very pleased with the size but not the shape. I am looking into what can be done about that.
In November I went and saw my PCP about hand and joint pain I was having. It was waking me up at night! He thought it was probably carpal tunnel and gave me some great wrist bands to help but also did some blood work. This showed that my inflammation levels were elevated. I went back in two weeks for more blood work and it showed that my inflammation levels were even higher, so he sent me to a rheumatologsit. She interviewed me, examined me physically, and did blood work. She believed that it was stress and trauma to my body from the past year, being overweight, and lack of movement. I will see her again this month for a three month follow up.
I joined 24 hour fitness and have been working with a trainer to build core strength. I learned that I walk incorrectly, have bad posture, and breath wrong. Well, not for long.... It has been really hard but I am really motivated. I will do it!
I had a follow up bone scan yesterday- it showed that my osteoponia in T4,T5, T6 and left hip is at 1.7 - at 1.5 is when it becomes osteoporosis. So I now take a medication to rebuild my bone density. Remember - I am only 37! Oh well, at least they found it and we are treating it!
We were talking tonight and I said I was angry to have had breast cancer, osteoponia, and now my bones were losing mass. William said that he was angry that his school was only two days a week and not five. If David Alexander had been in the room he would have said that he was angry because he had to go to school. He would rather stay home and chill out. So there has been lots of healing in our house for William to want school five days a week. Soon enough my friend, soon enough.
I am grateful for modern day medicine and all that they know! It is overwhelming to think if I had to do this on my own- so to speak. Thank God for all things are possible through Him.
Thnak you for all my wonderful friends and family who call, email and check on me. I love you too!
Love and prayers,
Laura
Overall, I am doing very well. I am still cancer free - since my mastectomy in November 2007! Yippee and Yahoo! I go and see my oncologist every three months. Things are looking good. I have not gotten the details on my breast - nipples and tattoos. I am very pleased with the size but not the shape. I am looking into what can be done about that.
In November I went and saw my PCP about hand and joint pain I was having. It was waking me up at night! He thought it was probably carpal tunnel and gave me some great wrist bands to help but also did some blood work. This showed that my inflammation levels were elevated. I went back in two weeks for more blood work and it showed that my inflammation levels were even higher, so he sent me to a rheumatologsit. She interviewed me, examined me physically, and did blood work. She believed that it was stress and trauma to my body from the past year, being overweight, and lack of movement. I will see her again this month for a three month follow up.
I joined 24 hour fitness and have been working with a trainer to build core strength. I learned that I walk incorrectly, have bad posture, and breath wrong. Well, not for long.... It has been really hard but I am really motivated. I will do it!
I had a follow up bone scan yesterday- it showed that my osteoponia in T4,T5, T6 and left hip is at 1.7 - at 1.5 is when it becomes osteoporosis. So I now take a medication to rebuild my bone density. Remember - I am only 37! Oh well, at least they found it and we are treating it!
We were talking tonight and I said I was angry to have had breast cancer, osteoponia, and now my bones were losing mass. William said that he was angry that his school was only two days a week and not five. If David Alexander had been in the room he would have said that he was angry because he had to go to school. He would rather stay home and chill out. So there has been lots of healing in our house for William to want school five days a week. Soon enough my friend, soon enough.
I am grateful for modern day medicine and all that they know! It is overwhelming to think if I had to do this on my own- so to speak. Thank God for all things are possible through Him.
Thnak you for all my wonderful friends and family who call, email and check on me. I love you too!
Love and prayers,
Laura
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Komen Walk for the Cure
Sunday, I walked the Komen Walk for cure. It was awesome! Very inspirational and also emotional too. My Mom, Dad, and dear friend Murray went and walked with me. I saw several friends from Breast Cancer Resource Center and the Pink Ribbon Cowgirls. I also saw Rachel, my infusion nurse at Texas Oncology. It was a good day. Dad stayed home with the boys - this was our first time and we did not know what to expect. We will all be there next year. It was great. Thank you for all your support and donations.
Love and prayers,
Laura
Love and prayers,
Laura
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