Today Begins...BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS!


This is the "cute" sticker used for my radiation treatments. I was so relieved to not get a "tattoo". I was surprised that in my therapy, such care for a small portion would include "cuteness". Some one knows WOMEN!! especially ME. I am known for finding the "cute" things in life.

Yes, you can hear me as I shop...

"oh, my..isn't that the CUTEST thing... that sooo CUTE!!"

I was pleasantly surprised as I went out in town today, to see so many in support of Breast Cancer Awareness. Women wearing pink scarves...the stores having special sales with donations included in the purchase...and pink ribbons.


I WORE MY PIN!!




and I had to capture this while on vacation in upstate New York! Love it!!!



Please show your own awareness...by getting that appointment made that you keep putting off! PLEASE get your MAMMOGRAM!!!

...and if you have anything PINK....go ahead...wear it this month for a cause...even if it is FALL!!!

ORANGE AND PINK...mmm? maybe PINK and BROWN..YEEEES!!

God bless
HOPE






My salvation testimony has to do with a COW! Loong story, I need to post!

I'm Fine Really!

I love this picture!!

...after some of my major fatigue days...I tried to convince myself of this!

I'm fine really!

just give me a minute...or two... or a CAT NAP and I'll be back in motion!

I am happy to say that most of those days are passing. I am one of those that tries to cram a million things to do in one day and now realize...there are limitations!

Like when I decided to move one shelf of things in my kitchen to another for easier reach..this led to moving a whole shelf of cookbooks...so that meant..

While I'm at it...better see if you need them all..

but wait..there MIGHT be some good recipe I noted...so with that..

Yes..an hour or two later..cookbooks scattered on the counter and my little save this one recipe paper(s)...

I found myself...saying...

WHAT HAVE I DONE?...

NOW I HAVE TO FINISH and clean this up in time to make dinner!

After dinner...and too tired for my evening cup of tea my husband prepared...I told him...

I'm fine really!

Breast Cancer Awarness Begins

My Breast Cancer Awareness campaign began the moment I was diagnosed with IDC. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

Upon the news of my cancer...my family and friends began to immediately reach out. The above photo is of the lovely bracelet one of my daughter in laws sent me along with this Breast Cancer Awareness tote bag.

It was my first touching moment of the heart..that made me realize how much people care...this along with a dear friend who also told me

..."Whatever I can do, please let me know...I can drive you to your appointments...anything!!"

This was just the beginning of not only a new journey in my life...a new chapter in my Christian walk...also a journey of LOVE.

So many people have reached out to me...in calls, cards, gifts, blog comments and just being here in person in my midst...I can't thank you enough!

And then even a lovely SONG written by my friend Deborah at Songs of my Journey. If you click on the right top photo this will take you to her blog with the song she wrote just for me. It is a treasure to cherish!

I have been truly blessed..FROM THE BEGINNING...with God's tender care and mercies. I have had excellent doctors and nurses. All answers to prayer! They have been informative and personally caring.


This book was given to me by my surgeon and I have enjoyed it so much. The information continues to be very helpful. The more informed you are the better..but make sure it is sound information..reliable. Don't believe all you read just anywhere. This book list many sources available to you.

You can read more about this book and information at www.EduCareInc.com this book is written by an Oncology nurse.

It is important to get the facts straight. There are many types of cancers...and each individual persons body makeup is different. I have found each cancer is so individualized that it is important to listen to your doctors. Ask GOD for wisdom in choosing and finding the right doctor and one you are comfortable with. I did this..twice and the LORD led me to the very doctors "I" needed. Along with my doctors and the information I acquired were very helpful to me as a patient in understanding my diagnosis, procedure choices and outcome.

STAY POSITIVE! GOD knows ALL your needs. I chose to yield to HIS WILL and not my own and thereby found perfect peace in allowing GOD to direct my paths!

Proverbs 3;5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

As I've exhorted others..TAKE ONE DAY AT A TIME...

Some things I have learned:

EARLY DETECTION...SAVES LIVES!

Yearly mammograms...or 6 months if you have had a previous suspicious spot!
(I had a suspicious SPOT...a compression done... then told to come back in a year) I would have caught mine even earlier had I been told to come back in 6 months)

No one knows exactly what causes breast cancer.

Get a second physicians opinion..if possible a breast cancer SPECIALIST.

Do not think you must or will have to have a mastectomy. Depending on the cancer..size tumor etc. There are many options!! Learn them all.

You do not have to fear..RADIATION. If you have read my past post...I have finished six weeks of radiation with minimal problems. Mostly fatigue. It is a perfected and safe procedure. Get information on who and where you will have yours done.

Keep a record of ALL appointments..from the day of your mammogram on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some information regarding my particular cancer:
Mine was NOT felt with a lump. It was detected by a digital mammogram and followed up with a core needle ultrasound biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis of IDC. Not all breast cancers are found by lumps so this is why Mammograms are so vital!

It is my prayer and desire in keeping this journal of my breast cancer, that it will help someone else. Help them have HOPE and TRUST in the LORD and to know that the LORD JESUS is the great comforter!


UPDATE: I am still dealing with fatigue at this time so I will post as I am able...pacing my activities. I was told and read...that fatigue can linger for an unknown amount of time after radiation. You have to learn what you can do..I'm LEARNING that! I've done too much in one day, thinking I had this great energy..to find out it depleted quicker than anticipated! I need to remember, that I'm still healing! Praise the LORD!

God bless..
HOPE

Week 2...Day 7...To Your Health

Today is day 7 of my second week of radiation therapy.

I see my Oncologist each Tuesday and as of today....

all is well with my skin...so far...I am going to start applying Cornstarch in the evenings after showering to keep the skin dry. Kind of like the good ole diaper rash prevention measures!

I am however, feeling quite fatigued already...but there is some remedy to this!

I had given my dietitian a sample and recipe of a wonderful homemade granola bar my daughter had given me. I wanted her opinion on it's nutrition for me at this time of treatment and it's benefits.

When I saw her today...she was beaming with a SMILE of approval!!

It is LOADED with VITAMIN E!!! She said all the ingredients are EXCELLENT and highly recommends staying with this for my daily diet regime....the in-between snack A.M. and P.M. It is a great source of FIBER!!!

She also enjoyed her sample so much she wanted to keep the recipe...So, I am also going to include it here for you.

TO YOUR HEALTH!

Home Made Healthy Energy Bars



2 Cups Whole Oats
1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

MIX DRY INGREDIENTS ...set aside.

In separate bowl mix WET ingredients:

1/2 Cup Canola Oil(measure the oil first, then the honey for easy pouring)
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Egg
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Blend WET ingredients gradually into dry ingredients...
ADD...your choice of the following one or combined

1/2 cup nuts (Pecans..Walnuts) 1/2 cup dried berries or apricots or raisins

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Spray a 13 X 9 pan with PAM spray and spread granola evenly in pan. I use the back of a sprayed spatula to make sure it is evenly laid out.

You can use a cookie sheet if you prefer a thinner granola.

BAKE at 35O degrees....for 20-30 minutes.

Do NOT over bake or it will be dry. Should be just golden brown. I bake mine 20 min.

Cut into bars while cooling and still some-what soft.




I recently made them using dried mixed Berries and it was WONDERFUL! Yummy!

ENJOY ....To your health!!

HOPE

Ready to go with PINK

Tomorrow is my Oncology appointment for my "mapping". Setting up the treatment site..taking measurements and x-rays or scans. I'm not really sure what to expect. An hour long appointment.

I'm prepared with my Pink Breast Cancer Awareness water bottle...that fits perfectly in the very nice Basket purse my sister sent me..it's trimmed in PINK leather and has a cute floral lining. She is great at finding name brands at thrift stores and found this "BRIGHTON" purse just for the occasion, in mint condition. She knew I had a lot of appointments coming up and wanted me to go in "style". How thoughtful to think of something so useful and pretty... and PINK!



Another Breast Cancer...caring gift. I have been so encouraged by the HEARTS that want to reach out to me at this time...and I am learning from this...just how truly IMPORTANT it is to support people facing health issues. Not so much the gifts...but the thoughtfulness each has shown by REACHING OUT.

Not all Christians...but all wanting to say...

"I CARE" "I'm HERE for YOU"

Even with faith...we still abide in this flesh and it has it's ways with us. The uncertainty of the days ahead still ponder in your thoughts. How nice to know that you are not alone.

I Praise the LORD for HIS WORD that is my COMFORT and HOPE of all...



....and I can answer those reaching out with a returned Gratitude of strength in HOPE, that also comforts them in return!

I've noticed in some...the concern/worry...sometimes is also a reflection of their own fears.

THE BIG C

I pray that in this journey...I will be a vessel of HOPE..