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
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
One Year Anniversary and Follow Up Appontments
I have reached my one year anniversary for my diagnosis with breast cancer. Although, I would never wish that "anniversary" on anyone, I am very happy be here to celebrate. In the last year I have been diagnosed with breast cancer, had a mastectomy, 4 cycles of chemotherapy, a hysterectomy, another mastectomy and reconstruction. Not an easy year! I am very blessed to have such a loving and supportive husband, family, and support system. We are also blessed by insurance and the many resources available in the Austin area; Wonders and Worries, Cleaning for a Reason, Breast Cancer Resource Center to name a few.
I would like to say I am a better person because of this "walk". Most days anyway... There has been good that has come from it - I advocate for awareness, my boys can deal with stress in healthy ways, they can talk, talk, talk, about anything on their minds, we are strong and united as a family, I have met some wonderful and loving people in support groups and through support services. I am truly thankful.
Monday, I went to my three month check up with my plastic surgeon. On November 17 I am scheduled for my nipple construction. It is an office visit. He will cut a mushroom shape flap, twist it and stitch it. In six weeks, I'll get them tattooed to have the correct color and I'll be as good as new! I am healing well and he is very pleased with my progress.
Monday, I also had a follow up with my oncologist. Everything looks great and I'll see her again in three months.
My Primary Care Physician did some blood work to check for arthritis. I have severe hand, hip, knee and shoulder pain and stiffness. The worst being my hands. He was sure it was carpal tunnel but the blood work should I had elevated levels for arthritis. 20 is normal, my first test was 35, two weeks later was 42. I am being referred to a rheumatologist.
I am 37. I am a breast cancer survivor, I have osteopenia, and arthritis BUT I and HAPPY and BLESSED to be here. I am also a wife, a mother of two sweet boys, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend and a teacher. Thank you for your support, love, friendship, cards, emails, donations of any kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love and prayers
Laura
P.S. David and William are doing great in 1st grade and preschool. They are so fun to be with. David has lost his fourth tooth this week. William dropped off a present and card to his "best friend" at preschool today. Life is good!
I would like to say I am a better person because of this "walk". Most days anyway... There has been good that has come from it - I advocate for awareness, my boys can deal with stress in healthy ways, they can talk, talk, talk, about anything on their minds, we are strong and united as a family, I have met some wonderful and loving people in support groups and through support services. I am truly thankful.
Monday, I went to my three month check up with my plastic surgeon. On November 17 I am scheduled for my nipple construction. It is an office visit. He will cut a mushroom shape flap, twist it and stitch it. In six weeks, I'll get them tattooed to have the correct color and I'll be as good as new! I am healing well and he is very pleased with my progress.
Monday, I also had a follow up with my oncologist. Everything looks great and I'll see her again in three months.
My Primary Care Physician did some blood work to check for arthritis. I have severe hand, hip, knee and shoulder pain and stiffness. The worst being my hands. He was sure it was carpal tunnel but the blood work should I had elevated levels for arthritis. 20 is normal, my first test was 35, two weeks later was 42. I am being referred to a rheumatologist.
I am 37. I am a breast cancer survivor, I have osteopenia, and arthritis BUT I and HAPPY and BLESSED to be here. I am also a wife, a mother of two sweet boys, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend and a teacher. Thank you for your support, love, friendship, cards, emails, donations of any kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Love and prayers
Laura
P.S. David and William are doing great in 1st grade and preschool. They are so fun to be with. David has lost his fourth tooth this week. William dropped off a present and card to his "best friend" at preschool today. Life is good!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
William is healing....
Much progress has been made in William's healing with the stress of my journey. David was sheltered from a lot because he was in school.
William on the other hand was part of it all. He started a school two days a week- which he refused to go to after my second chemo. He went to most Dr appointments with me because he refused to stay with anyone but his father and my mom. William was also with me after chemo on those days of exhaustion and weakness. He basically refused to leave my side.
William has stopped coming to bed with me at night. He loves to snuggle when he wakes up in the morning but does not insist on sleeping with me.
William also refused hair cuts after chemo caused my hair to fall out. The day I returned home from my reconstructive surgery he asked for a hair cut.
Although I did love his great long hair, his hair cut is very nice too. Certainly easier to wash and comb.
Today was the first day of preschool. He went for the 1 1/2 hour Open House. He screamed, cried and fought me for at least an hour before hand. I carried him in screaming and crying. After sitting and playing with him, reading to him for quite a while I was able to move away, fill out paper work and eventually join the other parents at the meeting. When I returned to the classroom he came over and whispered to me that he changed his mind and did want to come to school here. today was the first day for everyone in the "Frog" classroom, even if they went there last year. Today they built community. Today the became a class, a community- friends. Words can not express my relief and happiness.
My arguments with William were that was what four year olds did. David went to Mrs. Kelli's preschool. So he wanted to go there too - but we can not because it is near the old house. I think that clincher for him was that I told him that I did not want the fact that I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year to keep him from living life like other four year olds. I had also decided that I would fight him until he gave up. I am so glad that I did! I am also very relieved he saw I was serious and tried it.
Our family is finding a new kind of normal. It has not been a year yet - we are so blessed to be here so quickly. We are far from perfect but doing well. All things considered we are doing great!
Thank you for your continued support and love.
Laura
William on the other hand was part of it all. He started a school two days a week- which he refused to go to after my second chemo. He went to most Dr appointments with me because he refused to stay with anyone but his father and my mom. William was also with me after chemo on those days of exhaustion and weakness. He basically refused to leave my side.
William has stopped coming to bed with me at night. He loves to snuggle when he wakes up in the morning but does not insist on sleeping with me.
William also refused hair cuts after chemo caused my hair to fall out. The day I returned home from my reconstructive surgery he asked for a hair cut.
Although I did love his great long hair, his hair cut is very nice too. Certainly easier to wash and comb.
Today was the first day of preschool. He went for the 1 1/2 hour Open House. He screamed, cried and fought me for at least an hour before hand. I carried him in screaming and crying. After sitting and playing with him, reading to him for quite a while I was able to move away, fill out paper work and eventually join the other parents at the meeting. When I returned to the classroom he came over and whispered to me that he changed his mind and did want to come to school here. today was the first day for everyone in the "Frog" classroom, even if they went there last year. Today they built community. Today the became a class, a community- friends. Words can not express my relief and happiness.
My arguments with William were that was what four year olds did. David went to Mrs. Kelli's preschool. So he wanted to go there too - but we can not because it is near the old house. I think that clincher for him was that I told him that I did not want the fact that I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year to keep him from living life like other four year olds. I had also decided that I would fight him until he gave up. I am so glad that I did! I am also very relieved he saw I was serious and tried it.
Our family is finding a new kind of normal. It has not been a year yet - we are so blessed to be here so quickly. We are far from perfect but doing well. All things considered we are doing great!
Thank you for your continued support and love.
Laura
Post Op Appointment # 3
Friday August 29th , I had another check up. Everything looks great! All restrictions have been lifted except for swimming. I still have some healing to do, do germy bodies of water. I have purchased some bras. I am starting feel and definately look "normal" again. I am so blessed to be here on this side of my journey healing nicely. Thank you so much for your friendship, love and support.
love and prayers,
Laura
love and prayers,
Laura
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