Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas
full of love, joy, and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Another good report

Another good check up with my oncologist. All my blood work was fine and she is very pleased with my progress. Its hard to believe that its been 2 years since my chemo which also means I've been taking the Tamoxifen for almost 2 years. When I go back to see her in 6 months we are going to talk about changing to Arimidex. Tamoxifen cuts your risk of reoccurring cancer in half and Arimidex cuts it in half again but you have to be through menopause to be on the Arimidex. So hopefully in 6 months my blood work will show that I am indeed past menopause. Stay tuned...

xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving

5 Ways to Fight Breast Cancer

Source: cancer.org via American on Pinterest

Male Breast Self Exam

The male breast self exam (MBSE) is one of the most over-looked medical procedures performed by physicians. In part this is due to that male breast cancer in comparison to female breast cancer is a relatively rare event. However, according to the latest cancer statistics from the American Cancer Society, about 2,140 new cases of male breast cancer will be diagnosed resulting in approximately 450 deaths in 2011. Many of these deaths will occur because men typically are not diagnosed until a late stage cancer develops. To protect yourself from becoming another breast cancer mortality statistic, you can put your healthcare in your hands by performing a simple 60-second male breast self exam in the privacy of your home.

Male Breast Self Exam Steps
1. Prior to the self-exam, take a hot shower to soften the skin and relax the muscles.
2. Lie flat on your back and extend your left arm above your head.
3. Using your right hand, hold your index, middle and ring fingers together like a Boy Scout salute.
4. Place the three-finger salute on the outside of your left breast region and press down gently.
5. Move your fingers in a slow, circular motion that gradually spirals toward the left nipple while focusing for any lumps or irregularities.
6. Once you reach the nipple, squeeze it like a man (you know what I mean) and look for any sign of discharge.
7. Switch arm and hand positions and examine the right breast.
8. Report any bumps, irregularities or changes to your physician.

http://support.thebreastcancersite.com/?p=1030

Look Good Feel Better

This is a great organization. If you are on Facebook please help them reach their goal.

Look Good Feel Better
To all our Facebook fans and followers! Please help us reach our goal of 10,000 by the end of the year. Spread the word about LGFB and ask people to "like" our Facebook page #newmilestone


About
Look Good Feel Better® is a free nationwide program helping women with appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.WEBSITE http://www.lookgoodfeelbetter.org/TWITTERhttp://twitter.com/lgfb
Company Overview
Look Good Feel Better® is a free nationwide program helping women with appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. Workshops include instruction in skin care and makeup application; a complimentary makeup tool kit filled with donated products from the cosmetic industry; practical tips and instruction on wigs, head coverings, and nail care.

Look Good Feel Better is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the National Cosmetology Association.

Celebrating Cancer Survivorship

Praise the Lord I am 2 years cancer free today!!!
I am celebrating in FL. Traveling with my hubby (he is working I am enjoying)
I will be enjoying the beach on Thursday...YAY!

Here are some ways people celebrate cancer survivorship:

* Plant a tree
* Get your hair done (there may have been a day when you didn’t have any!)
* Throw a party, or get a friend to host one
* Take a hike and stop to smell the surroundings
* Join a group that connects cancer patients. Maybe you can encourage someone who is going through what you have already survived
* Start writing a book or a blog about your experience
* Do something that scares you- sing in public, go on a rollercoaster, step in the mud with no shoes on, pet a tarantula (Yikes...anything with a tarantula is a big NO for me)
* Try a new food or activity
* Organize a blood or marrow donor recruitment drive
* Write a thank you to someone who made a difference to you on your journey
* Start a charm bracelet with charms that commemorate your journey
* For the more risky- get a tattoo reminding you of how strong you are
* Go outside and BREATHE the air
* Plan a dream vacation, even if you never take it
* Join a fundraiser like Light the Night or The Ride to Conquer Cancer
* Make 2 lists. The first one will be all the things you regret or feel guilty about in your life. The next list will be all the things you are grateful for in your life. Burn the first one and put the second one under your pillow
* Do a painting or draw an image of your cancer experience
* Spend the day with the person or people you love most
* Do an activity to increase your awareness of your body- take a gentle yoga class or get a massage
* Put on some music and dance- with or without a partner

xoxo

Free for Breast Cancer Survivors

Guess what I did today??? I got my free haircut at JCPenny's and a free gift at Sephora just for Breast Cancer survivors!

Thanky you JCPenny's and Sephora!

xoxo

My New Favorite T-Shirt

Something a little different in the sea of pink...

Have you done a self exam lately???

October

Hello October! Its that time of year! Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The original Pink Glove Dance: and Pink Glove Dance: The Sequel Be aware everyday XOXO

Another good report!

I had my 3 month check up with my oncologist. Blood work is great...all is well. I have graduated to 6 month checkups woohoo. Still dealing with a lot of hot flashes and the weather here has been soooooo hot. I am very thankful for AC and the pool. xoxo

ACS

I got an invitation today to The American Cancer Society 24th Annual Cancer Survivors Conference. It sounds like fun. I'm going to try to go to it. The theme "Laugh till it heals" I Love to Laugh!!! Who wants to go with me :)

Speaking of Laughing. I should get this shirt for baseball season:



xoxo

Happy Valentines Day!

xoxo

Hello February

O Lord, my God,

I cried out to You,

and You healed me.

--Psalm 30:3

This month (the 8th) will be one year since my last chemo! PTL I'm feeling great (except for still being tired all the time but I think that has more to do with the Crohns) I do still feel like I have chemo brain. Some days I feel like that is getting worse instead of better ugh. I have to search for some brain boosting ideas.

I've been doing good with my healthier diet. I've lost a few pounds and I haven't even started the exercising yet. I have to start that :/ I've been having too much fun with baby G and I've been working on getting pictures and art work hung. I've found some great decorating and craft blogs. I'll be posting some pictures on my other blog if your interested. Another goal this year is to spend less. So I'm not going to buy anything that I can make myself and if its not on sale or I don't have a coupon its not for me :) Wish me luck!

xoxo

Comfort, Faith, and the Hope of Healing

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be frightening.
In those moments of fear simple words can bring comfort, faith, and the hope of healing. I hope these words accomplish that today.

May God heal me,
body and soul.
May my pain cease,
May my strength increase,
May my fears be released,
May blessings, love,
and joy surround me.
Amen.
--Naomi Levy


God doesn't give us what we can handle
God helps us handle what we are given!

xoxo

Hi Ho Hi Ho its off to the doctor I go

I went to see my oncologist Dr. A. Tuesday. I am so glad that (for now) she accepts my new insurance. This could change (as the battle for control continues in this area) but hopefully it won't.

The worst part of the appointment was of course the needles

The first attempt in the wrist didn't collect enough. The second in the hand got the job done but OUCH and a nice big lump...blah. The rest of the appointment was great. My blood count was good. Even though I no longer have real breasts she still does an exam to make sure the skin, muscles, and nodes feel ok. They were all fine. No sign of Lymphedema. Other than the hot flashes I am tolerating the tamoxifen well and the plan is still to change me to a newer drug in 2013.

I talked to her about my new insurance and that I won't be able to see Dr. K (breast surgeon) anymore. She mentioned the same surgeon that Dr. K recommended so I am confident that she will be a good choice. I follow up with Dr. A again in 3 months.

xoxo

I'm predicting a healthy 2012

It's a new year and while I have never been a "new years resolution" kinda gal I am determined to set some goals for this new year. At the top of my list is to stay healthy :) I'm off to a good start being cancer free YAY! My Crohns beast has been calm lately and other than still being tired all the time I've been feeling good. Our Christmas and New Years were wonderful but I'm still exhausted from all the fun. I feel like I should have all my energy back but I don't. So I want to start eating healthier and exercising more. I've put on a few pounds and I'd like to take them off :) The one thing I've noticed is that having these perky fake boobs makes the rest of me look...well...not so perky. So its time to try to firm up some of these other areas :) Another incentive is to help hubby and my boys be healthier too.

Now about my hair...I've been trying to decide what to do with it. It is growing in so nice and thick and curly. Its about 3 inches long now. I have mostly worn my hair long. I like being able to pull it back and wear it up. My hair was wavy so I use to straighten it everyday. This short curly hair has spoiled me because I don't have to do anything but fluff and go. Then there is the matter of the hot flashes...during a hot flash this 3 inches of hair is so hot and its winter time. The summer will be even worse. (last summer I was bald and hot) If I let it get long I would probably only be able to wear it up. Just the thought of it makes me hot. But I love having long hair!!! Oh what to do what to do. I guess I'll start searching online for some different styles. Yep that sounds like a good place to start.

...and its official now...we have new health insurance so the hunt begins for new doctors. I will need a new breast surgeon, plastic surgeon, possibly a new oncologist, and a new GI doctor. More research to do. Wish me luck.

xoxo

Happy New Year!

இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ— Thank You for being part of my 2011.♥ Thank you for making it a Wonderful time for me! My friends you are true gems and you sparkle and shine.♥ Wishing you a very healthy and very happy 2012 ♥ இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—...இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—