Little of this and that!

First, I want to say that when I share the issues I'm having I am not complaining, it's for information for those who might be reading my blog and perhaps like me ... not sure what to expect.  I have always been a healthy person until I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  The worst thing that I can remember happening to me was having pneumonia when I was in elementary school and my temperature was 105 and I was hallucinating.  Other than that, I have been a pretty healthy person... thankfully.  So when I talk about my issues on here, it not complaining, it is more to make folks aware that being diagnosed, going through chemo and radiation can take a toll on one's body and help those who might be walking the journey I am walking.  If you are one of those ... We are SURVIVORS!

Yesterday I had my appointment for another blood check and my appointment with my Oncologist, Dr. Y.  I was excited to see that my red blood count was up to 10, I'm still considered anemic (no one ever told me that) because the good range for red blood count is 12.  I will keep eating the raisins in my oatmeal and see if I can keep those little red counts continuing on the rise.  When I started chemo, my red count was 14.  Dr. Y cleared me for my chemo on Monday.

Things I learned yesterday from Dr. Y, my Oncologist -
*  Taxotere chemo drug is the cause of my eyes being dysfunctional in the tear department.  She wants me to use the prescription drops twice a day AND regular tear drops (nothing that takes the red out) to flush my eyes out several times a day.  This is to wash the Taxotere chemo drug out of my eyes.
*  Taxotere is causing all my water retention.  My legs were extremely swollen when she saw me yesterday.  She has now put me on Lasix and potassium.  Lasix to get rid of the extra fluid and potassium because it goes when you get rid of the extra fluid.  I have gained so much water weight that I went from size 4 jeans to size 6 in one week.
*  Taxotere is the cause of all the heartburn too.
*  It is not the chemo that causes the constipation, it is the anti-nausea drugs.  I told her that no one ever told me that.  I guess it doesn't matter what causes it because it is going to happen.  She told me to start taking Miralax on Sunday (I'm starting today).  The constipation causes your body to retain fluid and nausea and goodness knows I do NOT need any more fluid retention or nausea.
*  I will have a bone density test to be used as a base line for when I begin the Aremidex drug after radiation.  Aremidex is one  of the drugs that is used to kill/eliminate all the estrogen in your body.  Breast cancer feeds on estrogen.  Evidently a side effect of this drug is bone weakening.
*  Dr. Y said I will not have another pet scan unless there were problems that appear in my blood checks since all my cancer was contained in my breasts.
*  I am a little confused on whether I continue to have the weekly blood checks or if I wait until three weeks after my final round for that.  I will find out more about this on Monday when I am at chemo.  I know that I will continue to have blood checks for a while.  The Center will get my appointments synchronized with my surgery date which was October 18, 2011.

*  I ask about when I could get my port out once I have finished my chemo.  She went in to telling me some doctors feel they should be kept in five years and some think they should be kept in for ten years.  If the port is left in, it must be flushed at least every six weeks.  That was option one.  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor because I know I heard her say early on in my journey that she doesn't like to leave the ports in any longer than necessary/needed.  Anyway ... she said if my blood counts are good, I can get my port out before I begin radiation.  Praise you sweet Jesus.  I told her how the port had bothered me all along, primarily mentally just knowing that the long tube goes in to my vena cava which takes the drugs right in to my heart.  She told me that the tube stops at the top of my heart which was new info for me, however, it didn't change my mental thoughts of where it is located.

Above:  This is what my port looks like. The center
(bluish spot) is soft and they access through that soft area
after first freezing my skin. 

Above:  The port is implanted on the right
side of my chest and the white tube runs
up under my collar bone and down
 into the superior vena cava vein. This is an
image I found ... this is not mine.

Above:  A - Port;  B - Catheter Tubing
C - Subclavian Vein;  D - Superior Vena Cava;
E - Pulmonary Vein;  F - Aorta;  G - Heart

Above:  This is the apparatus used to access
my port for blood draws and chemo.  The clear
part in the middle with the needle is what goes
in to the port through my skin and locks on to
the port.  On chemo days, they draw blood and
leave this in for me to have chemo without
being stuck again.  These are a blessing for chemo
patients.

Yesterday I left the Center with more knowledge about several things than when I went in.  I am so thankful for such a wonderful Oncologist who educates me and takes the time (no matter how long it takes) to talk to me.

I stopped at the pharmacy on my way out to get the six prescriptions that were ordered.  The Lasix and potassium, and phenagrin ointment for nausea are new.  She refilled the Diflucan (for the thrush), gave me a Nexium prescription to replace the Prilosec OTC, refilled the Zofran (nausea med).  All the meds are needed during this time in my life ... I still shake my head at the medicine bottles on my dresser that I need considering before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't take much of anything.

I hope today's post was educational for you and maybe gave you some insight of the port and how it all works.

I leave you today feeling blessed and thankful for my health and where I am currently at in my treatment.  Tomorrow I start the steroids to ready my body for Monday.  I ask for your prayers for this final chemo treatment and the days that follow.

Blessed and praying for many blessings on you today.


genam44@charter.net

A Little of This and That ... It's Friday!

Today I have another blood count check and an appointment with Dr. Y, my Oncologist.  I have my list of questions ready for Dr. Y since Monday will be my sixth and final round of chemo.  Praising my Savior!

A few weeks ago was Bonnie's birthday.  Her hubby invited us all to the Fort Worth Food Truck Park over by the old Montgomery Ward on W. 7th Street ... it is now Montgomery Plaza.  Buddy and Bonnie had talked about going there so Buddy thought he would surprise Bonnie for her birthday.  The food truck park is not directly in that big new shopping center, it is on the street behind the Target.  It is located at 2509 Weisenberger St.  They open from Thursday through Sunday.  If you haven't visited the food truck park, you really should.  Here's a few pictures from our visit ....

Above:  I'm the bald one.
Left: Bonnie  Right:  Alicia
Purple hat:  Madelyn wanting down.

Above:  My sister, Pat with Braxton.

Above:  My pretty girls ...
Alicia and Bonnie.

Above:  Buddy, my son in law, Bonnie
and part of Braxton.  He wanted down.

Above:  Family picture at the food park.

Above:  Picture of a couple of the food trucks.
There are a total of six that park in the park.  

Above:  Three of the free cheesecakes we
got from the waffle truck.  They knew we
were celebrating a birthday and several of
our party ordered waffles from them.  

Above:  Hanging out at the table with the girls.

Above:  Left (back of table) Laura, Bonnie's m-i-l.
Right:  My sister, Pat ... someone must have surprised
her.  

Above:  My girls Dad, Paul aka PawPaw
with Madelyn.  Madelyn sporting one of
Grammy's  hats.  

********************************************************

Jesus Calling Devotional (March 6)

Continue of this path with Me, enjoying My Presence even in adversity.  I am always before you, as well as alongside you.  See Me beckoning to you, Come!  Follow Me.  The One who goes ahead of you, opening up the way, is the same One who stays close and never lets go of your hand.  I am not subject to limitations of time or space.  I am everywhere at every time, ceaselessly working on your behalf.  That is why your best efforts are trusting Me and living close to Me.

As I have written before ... I know my awesome Jesus is always with me, holding my hand and on those days I just can't make it, He carries me.  Praising my Jesus.  I do have 'blessed assurance'.  

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

• Refrain:
  This is my story, this is my song,
  Praising my Savior all the day long;
  This is my story, this is my song,
  Praising my Savior all the day long.

Blessed and praying blessings for you and yours on the chilly North Texas Friday.                                   

genam44@charter.net

The Box

Yesterday I received the box.  The very large box that has been delivered six times to my house since November.  It has a cold pack in it and seems so large considering the contents.  I am very thankful for the box as it contains something that helps me.

The box contains an ice pack compartment which contains a smaller ... much smaller box.  In that box is the item that helps me.

This is my Neulasta shot that I get the day after my chemo.  In this box is a syringe that has the medicine that helps build my white blood cells back up after chemo.  The cost of the Neulasta has gone up just a tad since November.  The invoice for the shot shows  ... $3806.25.  I am so very thankful for good insurance, wonderful doctors who know just what I need and the help this shot provides me after chemo.

Yesterday was the last delivery for the box.  My UPS delivery guy is so sweet.  He delivers my Mary Kay orders and if I am not home, he always tries to camouflage the box on my front porch.  We were chatting yesterday and as he left, he said ... see ya later.  I said ... yes, but you won't be delivering this box anymore.  Praise the Lord!  He smiled.

A couple weeks ago I ordered some business cards, not because I have a business but to share my journey of hope.  As I have always said, I want to share my awesome Lord and my journey through breast cancer.  If you know someone who is going through breast cancer or any cancer and you would like to share my journey, please send me your address in a private email and I will be happy to send you some cards.

After work yesterday, I had to get out of the house.  I went to the feed store in Haltom City where my brother told me to go and get my tomato and pepper plants.  I got eight tomato plants and nine pepper plants.  I then ran to Walmart and got ten more bags of garden soil to finish filling up my raised beds.  By the time I unloaded the bags which consisted of pulling them out of the back of my Highlander in to a wagon (that wasn't too hard) and pulling them to the back, opening the bags and spreading the soil, I was exhausted.  Exhausted or not, it felt good to be getting closer to having something planted in my garden.  I think I am going to wait until all the rain has come and gone before I plant the peppers and tomatoes.

My grandbabies are feeling so much better and getting back to normal and we are all thankful for that.  They are both getting more verbal.  They talk a lot all the time but most of which no one can understand.  But they are learning words and their Mommy's have taught them several sign language words which both of them use.  It is so precious when they use sign language.  I am learning the sign language too because if they use it with Grammy, I have to know what they are saying.  <smile>  

Above:  A short video of Braxton dancing to rap.

This is not their normal genre of music.

(Note:  If the video box looks like black, click the

play arrow on the left, it should play.  Turn your 

volume on.)

Praising my precious Lord .... 

Blessings!

genam44@charter.net

Wonderful Wednesday

What a wonderful birthday I had yesterday.  I received several emails, birthday cards, text messages, phone calls, several Facebook posts and a special visit from a wonderful friend.  My friend, Kim, came by yesterday evening and brought me some beautiful flowers.  She had no idea it was my birthday, she was just stopping by to visit and catch up.  Her family recently moved from our street and I miss them terribly but I totally understand why they moved.  Actually they only moved about 3/4 of a mile from me and in the move, they got a bigger house with a pool for their two kiddos.  Here are the flowers she brought.  Thank you Kim not just for the flowers but the prayers and your beautiful friendship.  You and Jeff are the best.

Above:  The beautiful flowers that smell so pretty.  

I am experiencing another side effect of the chemo drugs.  I guess some of these things are happening because there is now a build up of the drugs in my system.  I am currently gaining a pound a day and it's all in my abdominal area and ankles.  My left ankle is swelling terribly, my right ankle not as much.  I got the chemo drug information out last night to see about side effects.  The Taxotere has ankle and abdominal swelling listed as side effects just  below the blood count issues so I'm thinking it must be a common side effect.  My ankle doesn't hurt but it is sure scarey to see the swelling.  Since I see Dr. Y on Friday, I will wait and ask her about the swelling then.  Below are some pictures that I took last night on my iPhone.  Warning:  I do not have pretty feet at all and am not painting my toe nails right now so I can keep a watch on the beds of my nails.  Taxotere can cause your nails to turn black and fall off.  So far so good.  While I am being administered the chemo drug, Taxotere, I hold my fingertips on an ice block to stop the blood flow to my finger nails to keep the drug from reaching them and causing the nail issue. 

Above:  There is no ankle, it goes from leg
to foot.  (Yes, I have bunions)

Above:  Inside of my ankle.

Above:  Outside of my ankle.  

My grand babies are both feeling much better and the bumps are drying up.  Praise the Lord!  Madelyn went back to daycare yesterday.  Braxton stayed with his other Gramma for the day.  Healthy babies are happy babies ... well most of the time.  I went to see Braxton last night and while there, Bonnie told him to 'wash his hair'.  He put his hands on his head and did the motion of washing his hair and then he went in the bathroom and got the baby lotion and brought to Bonnie.  She gave him some in his little hand and he 'washed his hair' again.  So cute.  He has also found that he can crawl up on the couch and is learning to back himself down and not bail off head first.  Madelyn has a fixation on Tootie's dog food.  Last night Alicia saw her wiggling something around in her mouth and ask her ... Madelyn, do you have dog food in your mouth?   Madelyn shook her head ... yes.  Alicia said ... spit it out.  Madelyn shook her head ... no.  Alicia said ... if you want a marshmallow, you better spit it out.  Madelyn went to spitting and sputtering so she could have a marshmallow.  Memory:  When Alicia was Madelyn's age, she was fixated on our dogs food also.  Like Mother Like Daughter.  <smile>

The wind was blowing so hard yesterday that I wet the soil down in my raised beds.  From what I hear on the weather, I think the wind is going to continue blowing today.  I could hear my house crackling yesterday as the wind was blowing so hard.  

1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Blessed and praying blessings to all.

genam44@charter.net

Have You Ever Been Mad At God?

When my brother, sister and I were growing up, we were taught from the 'git go' to respect our elders.  We were taught yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, please and thank you and anything else that showed respect for our elders.  It didn't matter who the elders were, we respected them.  In learning these lessons from my parents, my respect encompassed God once I became aware of Him and His greatness.  And God, I would never get mad at God and I can honestly say that I do not remember ever being mad at Him.  Now my sister, she's another story.  <smile>  We were reminiscing the other day and I ask her if she remembered when we went to talk to Brother Larry, our preacher at Springdale Baptist Church at the time, who would be conducting our Mother's funeral.  Mother had not passed away yet but Brother Larry was a wise man and told us one day, "it's easier to make funeral arrangements for the living than it is for the dead", so that day we visited the funeral home, bought Mother a new red pant suit to be buried in, and went to talk to Brother Larry about the service.  I was eight months pregnant at the time, Pat had just had her oldest son so emotions were flying high.  After we talked to Brother Larry about the service ... Pat all of a sudden blurted out .... Brother Larry I'm so mad at God for taking our Mother.  OH MY GOSH she did not just say that ... I almost fell out of my chair and I just knew the church was either going to burn down that day with us in it or as soon as we walked out the front door, lightning was going to strike and get both of us.  I know my jaw dropped and I probably started sweating.  I could not believe she had just said she was mad at God.  I mean really ... God was one of our elders and we were taught to respect our elders and He sits on a throne in Heaven and she is mad at Him.  <Pat laughed so hard when I was telling her my story and feelings about her being mad at God>  After I gathered the courage to speak again, I said, "Pat, you can't be mad at God".  Brother Larry said ... yes, she can.  You can get mad at God.  I just thought to myself, ya'll go ahead and get mad at God, I'm not.  We made it through the remainder of our vist with Brother Larry and no smoke came billowing in so the church wasn't burning down.  It was a beautifully sun shiney day as we walked out of the church and there didn't appear to be any rain clouds or lightning so we made it.  As Pat and I talked the other night, she said, "My God is big enough to take my anger and He loves me anyway".  I know that He is and I know if I ever got mad at Him, it would be OK.  So if you ever want to get mad at God about a situation you're going through, it's OK.  He is way big enough to handle your anger.  Just do not ever walk away from Him because He is always going to be right beside you ... angry or not.

I went for my blood count check yesterday and Praise the Lord, it was good.  My red blood cells were up .5 so I will continue beef once a week and the raisins in my oatmeal (that's a three fold good eat... oatmeal for cholesterol, raisins for red blood cells and Benacol butter for cholesterol).  My energy level has been great.  Praising the Lord for a good report and high energy.  This Friday I will go back and do blood work again and see my Oncologist, Dr. Y.  I always see Dr. Y or Helena before chemo.  I have some questions for her like what happens next after I am finished with chemo?  When can I get my port taken out?  My chemo will be on Monday morning and then I will be finished with that leg of this journey.  Praising my Lord all the way.

Dinner was really good last night, just ask my weight.  The roast cooked up perfectly and made the best gravy, mashed potatoes were great and the fresh steamed broccoli ... well you just can't beat that.  I had just enough for left overs for lunch today.  Yummy!

Today I celebrate my 56th birthday.  In age I have out lived both of my parents ... my Dad passed away at the age of 54 from a heart attack and my Mother passed away at age 55 from lung cancer.  I am very thankful to have the health I have.  Praising the Lord.

Praises:
*  My health.
*  My family.
*  My friends.
*  Another birthday ... another opportunity to share my Lord.
*  Medical personnel who have helped me so much.
*  Being a Grammy.
*  My home.
*  My job.
*  So so so many more praises.

Prayer Request:
*  My sweet friend, Elizabeth, daughter needs our prayers.  God knows the issues so please pray for Sarah. Pray for Elizabeth and her hubby, Scott, as they walk with Sarah for complete and whole healing.
*  A survivor sister from the Center.  She is on her second round of breast cancer and chemo.  Her name is Rena.  Pray for her hubby and their two young sons also.
*  All those beginning their breast cancer or any other cancer journey.  It seems such a long road when you find out ... with God the road seems a less treacherous.

Thank you again for continuing to keep up with my journey through reading my blog.  I wish for you a beautiful day where ever you are and that many blessings shower down on you today.

Blessed and much love your way!

genam44@charter.net

Monday ....

Update:  I got the soil in the raised beds but I need more.  Actually, my daughter, Alicia, hauled the soil to the back and ripped the bags open and put the soil in the raised beds.  I just pulled Madelyn around in the wagon.  Thank you, Alicia.  I know you hate yard work.

I did a little experiment yesterday with the Prilosec.  Let me say ... my experiment failed big time and I will not be doing that again.  I decided since my heartburn had gotten better, I could probably just take one Prilosec so yesterday morning that's what I did.  By 10:00am I started having pain right where my esophagus hits my stomach.  I didn't think much about it.  Took a Tum's and went on about my business.  As the day wore on, the acid in my stomach began building up and built such a fire that I thought at any moment it would burn through my skin.  It was so bad, I thought something had to be severely wrong.  As it turns out, taking one Prilosec is not in the cards for me.  I took two more Prilosec at 6:00pm and a partial spoonful of Mylanta and once it began working, my stomach went back to normal.   I say partial spoonful of Mylanta because I was laying in my recliner in severe pain and Alicia came to give it to me.  She poured it in the spoon while standing over me and I could see a little smirky grin on her face and I immediately said  ... do not laugh or you're going to spill that on me.  Well that was the wrong thing to say because she laughed and I got dotted with Mylanta.  It was funny.  What's the first thing someone does when you say ... don't laugh?  They laugh.  Once again, I'm so thankful for my family.  My sister came home from her visit with friends to check on me and Alicia was here to help me.

Monday's are blood count check day and I'm happy to report that my counts were good this morning.  My red blood count was even up .5 points.  The steak and the raisins in my oatmeal last week must be working.

Tonight we are having roast, mashed potatoes and gravy and another vegetable.  Can't wait.  I'll eat the roast very heartily (OK, maybe just a serving) and with every bite, I'll be thinking about how good it is for my red blood count.  I really think I'm ok with the red blood counts.  Every little raisin helps too.

Praises:
*  Continued high energy.
*  Good blood counts.
*  Love of family and friends.
*  Great visit with a couple at the Center.  The wife is going through her second round of breast cancer.  It is my understanding that things might not be going so good.  Please pray for my friend.  God knows who she is.  They have a two sons ... ages 8 and 11.  Next week is spring break and they are headed to Hawaii.  Pray that all goes well for the wife/mother.
*  The entire medical and non-medical staff at the Center.  These people are God-sent.
*  I get to celebrate my birthday tomorrow before my last round of chemo.

Prayer Request:
*  See above #4.
*  Those who are starting their journey through breast or any other type of cancer.
*  My grandson, Braxton.  He now has what Madelyn has had.  He's got a few bumps but his fever has gone away.
*  My high energy continues and I get through the sixth and final round of my chemo.

As always, thank you for your continued support through your love and prayers and simply reading my blog.  I love writing about my journey in hopes of helping others.

Blessed and sending you all blessings!
genam44@charter.net

Plumbing and Yard Work Make for a Good Day!

Saturday proved to be a productive day for me.  I was up at 4:00am and writing my blog and searching for gardening blog sites.  I made my healthy bowl of oatmeal with raisins and my Benacol butter (plant sterols/stanols for lowering cholesterol).  And then ..... I got the plumbing wrench and went to town on cleaning out the bathroom sink drains.  I have to disconnect the lever that makes the stopper go up and down so that was the purpose of the wrench.  I have a double vanity in my bathroom and for 17 years now, I have not used one of the sinks because the plumbing job was a little shoddy and the stopper pretty much stayed down all the time, causing the sink to drain really slow.  I decided yesterday ... no more.  I was going to fix it so that it drained properly and I did.  After completing my bathroom plumbing, I headed to the hall bathroom.  Cleaning these drains out is pretty gross but if it keeps them flowing and the plumbers away, I'll do.  I am happy to report the bathtub and sink in that bathroom are draining well also.  <smile> ... it's the little things that can make a homeowner happy.

It was not until after lunch that I was able to get out in the yard.  That was OK because it was a bit cool yesterday morning.  By the afternoon, it was beautiful.  I was able to get the black film down in the raised gardens, put up the trellis' on the west end of the beds so when I get flowers or something growing, hopefully it will offer a bit of shade.  I made four smaller planter boxes for the other four trellis' in my yard.  I drilled drainage holes in four large plastic planters I bought at the end of the season last year at Big Lots.  This makes these planters ready to use.  I mended the fence on the east side of my house.  I didn't get my planting soil because  1) I ran out of energy and 2) when I finished working, it was almost dinner time and 3) I ran out of energy ....<laugh>.  I'm very happy and blessed that I had great energy yesterday and could get all this done.

Looking from the east.

The trellis' are actually in the ground 6-7" and screwed
on to the frames.  I think they will hold up.

Little planter box I made out of the scrapes from the beds.
The ground is so hard here at my house, it is very difficult
get anything started growing.  This is made out of a
2 x 6 which gives the seeds six inches of soft soil to get going.

These are the other three planter boxed I made.  I ran out of
cedar (note the middle one).  These three trellis' are centered
between my raised beds and should offer up much color when
the flowers get blooming.  Of course I have to get them planted !

And this my friends is called fence weaving.  It is a new procedure

for fence mending that I made up yesterday.  The top rail of this

 fence panel is rotted and there are four pickets that have 

come loose because of the rot.  My neighbor has

not done anything about it so I took it upon myself to at least

try to hold the pickets up.  The pickets lean in to their yard and they

have two dogs and I have my pooch.  I didn't have a board quite

long enough to fix the rail.  Guess we will see what happens next.

<smile>

Last but never least is my NWS rain gauge.  It is on my back fence

so I can monitor the fall.  Working for the NWS for 26 years

has taught me a lot of about weather.  I am blessed with an 

open field behind me and oh yea.... the fence you see, my sister

and I put that up three years ago.  

So that's my day in pictures.  I hope you enjoyed it.  

My grandson, Braxton, woke up with 103 temperature yesterday.  He got to take a trip to see the doctor and his ears were clear, strep was negative so he was diagnosed as having a viral infection.  Viral infections are rather rampant these days.  I say ... give 'em an antibiotic just in case.  Of course we all know the doctors don't do that anymore.  I pray he is feeling better today and does not wake up with any bumps.  Madelyn has been fever free since Friday afternoon but she has the rash that actually spread a little to her bottom.  When Bonnie had Brax were at the doctor, Bonnie mentioned it to the doctor and she said if it has spread to her bottom, it was hand, foot and mouth disease.  (Both babies go to the same pediatrician)  Last night Madelyn got a bath in Aveeno Oatmeal bath stuff and then Caladryl was applied to try to get these bumps dried up.

Guess that's about it for now.  I feel very blessed to have all these sore muscles and sore hands this morning.  To me that means .... my life is still going on and I am able to continue doing the things I love.

Psalms 7:17 ... I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness; and will sing praise to the Lord most high.

Blessings my friends and family.

genam44@charter.net

Making the Most Out of Feeling Good ...

Friday was a busy day for work.  It is so funny how you can get really busy on a Friday afternoon ... but I was able to get everything accomplished before the weekend began.

I am gearing up for planting in my raised beds, front flower bed and pots while I feel good before my last round of chemo on March 12.  I get all 'giddy' every year around spring to get outside and work.  All my life I have been an out doors kind of gal.  I was perusing some Texas gardening blogs this morning.  Everyone in Austin, TX blogs and I cannot find any good blog sites around the DFW area.  Does anyone grow stuff and talk about it around here?  <smile>  So many times when I am driving and looking at peoples yards and landscaping, I see plants that I like and always wonder what they are.  This morning I found out the name of one of the type plants I want to get ... Purple Oxalis.  Here's the link to the blog site I was perusing http://www.penick.net/digging/  and a picture of just one of the many plants I want to get this year for my flower beds.

I just love the purple leaves and the delicate flowers. 

I am also forming up in my mind (what's left of it) what and how I want to plant my raised beds.  I'm so excited to have these beds to plant in.  I am going to get the black film stuff put down today and get my soil in the beds.  I will have to consult with my brother about when to plant what.  He is the expert.  I will take pictures of his back yard once it gets all up and growing this spring.

I could go on and on rambling about my thoughts and ideas for my garden but I won't.  I am just so excited about it this year.

Praises:
*  Family.
*  Feeling good.
*  Better appetite.
*  Mouth pretty much healed.
*  All the folks I work with at NWS.
*  Grand babies.  The two I have now and the one that is the oven and will arrive May 30.
*  Friends.
*  And much much more.

Prayer Request:
*  As always, those beginning the journey through breast or any other type of cancer.
*  My grand daughter, Madelyn.  She went to the Dr. on Thursday with a temp.  She now has a rash on her arms and legs which began spreading last night to her torso.  She has the bumps/rash in her mouth which is very sore and makes eating very difficult.  My daughter was told it is all allergy related and viral which means it has to run its course.
*  My daughter, Bonnie, as she is half way through her second pregnancy.

I appreciate your continued prayers and support.  I know our awesome Lord hears each and every one of them.  He loves hearing from all of us.  And I know He answers our prayers.
Matthew 21:22 - If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

I wanted to leave you with some pictures that my daughter, Bonnie, posted on her blog.  My grand son is such a ham.  Typical ALL boy and loves the outdoors.  He has his Mother's sensitive side too.

He is 15 months old and has all of his 16 

baby teeth.

Saying 'hi' to Mommy through the dog door.

Braxton with his best friend, Madelyn.

I love love love this picture.  He loves to

explore in their back yard. 

Blessed and sending blessings to you on this Saturday.

genam44@charter.net

Fabulous Friday

I worked in the office all day yesterday and by the time I got home, I was exhausted.  While I feel energetic and good, I know on the inside, those chemo drugs are still at work on my system.  People see me as back to normal ... hey, I see myself as back to normal when I feel good and have high energy, and then I remember that I am a chemo patient.  The blood counts come to the front of my mind as they are the things that drive my immune system and I know they are not up to normal.  The end of the chemo tunnel is in sight and I look forward to reaching to the end.  Praising the Lord for carrying me down this leg of my journey.

The yard therapy on Wednesday didn't make me as sore as I thought it would.  I cannot wait to get back out there and get the raised garden beds prepared.  It's about time to get planting.  My lettuce is thriving while we still have the cool, I just don't know when to pick it to eat it. <smile>

I started a new book last night - After Breast Cancer - A Common-Sense Guide to Life After Treatment.  The author, Hester Hill Schnipper, went through breast cancer twice.  There are many books on when you are diagnosed with breast cancer and how to get through the treatment and Mrs. Schnipper wrote a book on transitioning back to life after treatment.  Helena, nurse practitioner, mentioned this very subject the last time I saw her before chemo.  She says there is an adjustment because you have lived with appointments, surgeries, treatments, check ups for so long that life has become all about that.  I agree with Helena because on the corner of my dresser is a monthly calendar that I have completed since November.  The calendar has my appointments, my chemo and the meds that I am supposed to take each day prior to, during and after chemo.   I added the book to my book shelf, click on it and you can read a preview if you want.  A special thank you to my friend, Elizabeth, who shared the information about the book.

Yesterday was my day to get one of my government ID badges renewed.  This badge requires a picture and well we all know I am bald.  So my dilemma was ... wear a wig or not wear a wig.  When I got ready for work yesterday morning, I got my favorite of the three wigs I have out of the cabinet and put it on.  It was pretty and all but it wasn't me and plus it makes my ears hot.  I took it off, turned it inside out (that's the way you transport a wig without taking that styrofoam head) and put it in my bag.  I decided I would make the decision when I needed to (living in the moment).  My daughter, sister and I were discussing this the night before and my daughter said ... Mom, six months from now when you have hair, you will look at your badge and wish you had worn the wig.  Good point!   I was sharing the story with a man at work and he said ... In six months when you have hair, you will look at that badge with the bald headed picture and say ... look how far I've come... I have hair.  I had my picture taken and I was bald.  It's me ... that's who I am right now.  The new badge is good for three years which gets me almost to retirement.  Good way to look at things.

I am continuing my read through the book of Job in the Bible.  Have you ever read it?  If you think you have troubles, take the time to read about Job.

I would love to hear from you.  Tell me about your goings-on ... use the email address below.  Thank you for reading my blog.

Blessed and sending you blessings today!

genam44@charter.net

The Ugly Thyroid Has Nodules

About mid-day yesterday I checked my Next MD account and the lab report from the ultrasound was back.  I clicked on the report and the note from Dr. A was ... The thyroid blood test looked normal but the untrasound showed a couple of nodules.  I showed this to our endocrinologist, Dr. C, and she does think you may need a fine needle aspiration of one or both of these nodules, but she would like to see you to determine for sure.  I will have Autumn refer you to Dr. C for further evaluation.

I think disappointment and some fear swept over my body.  I felt my body wilt when I read the word 'nodules' .. at least it wasn't the word 'mass'.  I kept reading the report over and over as if the words 'nodules' and 'fine needle aspiration' were going to leave the page.  Well they didn't so I grabbed the box of chocolate covered cherries that I got for Valentine's Day and went to the kitchen.  I grabbed the first piece and bit the chocolate (I don't eat the chocolate) so I could get to the cherry and the filling inside and sucked it out.  I did it again ... after two I was on a sugar high so I stopped.  I emailed my friend, Greta, and ask her to get the prayer warriors going.  Thank you Greta and also for your uplifting words.

When my work day was over, I got the weed eater and went to the back yard and mutilated the weeds and all the grass out of my raised beds.  I prayed as I whacked the weeds.  God was probably smiling at the site ... I didn't have a head covering on because it was hot so my white bald head was shining, I had my sun glasses on and a face mask, my compression sleeve and I was whacking.  Let me tell you what happens to your arms when you have had major surgery on your chest and haven't done anything physical since last October and you decide to mutilate a whole backyard of weeds ... your arms become spaghetti noodles ... mine happen to be fat spaghetti noodles that jiggle. <laugh>  When I took a break for ice water, I had to hold the glass with both hands to keep it steady.  <smile>  I couldn't show the nodules a thing or three but I could those weeds.  Yard therapy (as I call it) is a good thing.

I'm not going to lie .... I had to pick myself up and dust myself off ... I wanted a clean ultrasound report.  The report I got is not necessarily anything bad but I think you probably must know how I felt.  The girl that did my ultrasound on Tuesday told me that most everyone has nodules on their thyroid, they just never know it.  OK, so I know it.  I think the thing that was most disappointing is the wait to get in with Dr. C, endocrinologist, which seems so far off.  April 4 was the first time she had opening for a longer appointment to do the 'fine' needle aspiration.  I begged (not really but I whined) that girl, Autumn, to see if she could find anything sooner ... you know me ... I'm still learning patience ... but she didn't have anything.  I ask her if she would put me on the 'cancellation  list' and if they called, I could be there anytime.  She said she would so I guess I've done all that I can do.

I know that God is with me.  Look where He's brought me so far.  He knows what's in these nodules ... He's telling me .... 'Gena, my child, I'm still here and you need to keep talking to Me.  At times like these, I want you with Me.  I am not going anywhere and I want you to stay with Me'.  --- I am like a small child, holding my hand up to grab my Father's hand.  I praise Him and His magnificent plan for me.

I didn't cook last night.  Instead we took advantage of the last day for the $5 footlongs at Subway.  I tried the Italian BMT and I'm sure it was good but it had absolutely no taste to me.  On the other hand, the jalapeno chips did and they burned my tongue which I thought was healed.  <smile>   By last night I was exhausted physically and mentally and slept really well.

Praises:
*  Excellent doctors who continue to care for me.
*  Being able to get outside yesterday afternoon and get some things accomplished.
*  My health.
*  Supporting family and friends.
*  Many many more things.

Prayer Request:
*  Nodules are just that ... nodules and nothing else.
*  People that are going through much worse treatment and news than I am.
*  My grand daughter.  She came home from day care with a temp yesterday and we think it's ears again.

Thank you for continuing to read my blog and walk with me on my journey.  When you write about your life, it really becomes a journey whether you are going through tough times or good times ... life is a journey and I don't want to miss one minute of it.

Today I know I am blessed and I pray for you many blessings.

genam44@charter.net