3-30-10

Tuesday suns out and I am going to try and get out for a walk. Not feeling the best at all but need to get my blood pumping.

Here is the website to the Indianapolis Women's Magazine: http://indianapoliswoman.com/index.html

All you have to do is open the website and click where is says 04/2010 In This Issue. There you can view the picture/article/ and magazine online.

It will not be out until Friday but it could take longer.

Hope you all enjoy!!!

3-29-10

Halfway done with Chemo..YAY! And everything still looks positive!

I am so thankful that Lindsay and her mom came all the way from Ohio early this morning to take me to Chemo. It was definitely entertaining and I needed the laughs. I am glad we all got to catch up. It felt like home and having family around.


Hopefully this week will be tolerable and allow for me to get out and enjoy the great weather ahead.

3-27-10

Oh I love days like this when I am able to get a lot done and enjoy the weather. I even was able to get to the gym. Dreading Monday but excited my friend Lindsay and her Mom are coming all the way from Ohio to take me to Chemo. It will be good to catch up.

So I have some good news that I can't wait to share. Indianapolis Women's Magazine is doing an article on women battling breast cancer who are receiving treatment at the I.U. Simon Center. My amazing Chemo nurse (Danielle) recommended me and I was chosen as one of the women they wanted to do an article on for the April issue. The best news is, I was also chosen to be the cover of their April issue. I can't explain how blessed I feel to have this opportunity to share my story and educate other women in anyway.

Not sure yet how people can go about getting the magazine, but online is always an option.

Here is a picture from after the photo shoot but with my makeup still on. A lady from Mac came to do my makeup and did an excellent job.

3-25-10

Well Recovery Week is great although last night Adam and I did make a short trip to the ER. At the end of the work day I noticed my legs and feet were very swollen and uncomfortable. After checking in with the on call Oncologists, he recommended to get it checked out to make sure there were no blood clots. Luckily it was a short trip and everything was fine. Just another fun Thursday evening for Adam and I ...ha ha.

Looking forward to having dinner tonight with Adam's family and Jennifer. I know I can always count on laughs and entertainment with the Fair family.

3-23-10 #2

I have to vent a bit about the gym. I am so grateful Adam and I went, and I was even able to do 20 minutes of cardio and do a little lifting. However, I expect more from myself. I am trying to start slow, but I realize mind over mind can kick in and get me to my 40 minutes I was used to doing. Although, I want to be smart about my workouts and my body. How do I win?

I do want to say thank you to my big SIS who always has the right things to say and sent great vibes and kind words via text today. Without your strength, guidance, and Love, I would not be the person I am today. I love you, and I know you always have my back. Thanks!

3-23-10

Just a quick note that recovery week is great. Loving these days and feeling normal..YaY!...My goal is to get to the gym after work today. Looking forward to it.

Thanks to all of you for supporting me last week! It helps me stay focused to get to these great weeks! Also thanks to my co-workers. You all make work fun and enjoyable and I always get my laughs when I need to.

3-21-10

After being able to get out yesterday, I was hoping for a great day today, but no. I had a rough night not sleeping and fighting a terrible migraine. I was stubborn and didn't want to take the Vicodin I needed to, but finally had to this morning. I couldn't bare the pain anymore.

Very sad we had to miss church this morning and just feeling down and out.

Tomorrow has to be better...I am over this week.....

3-20-10

Chemo is kicking my butt this week, however Adam got me out for a long walk today. I was determined to get some fresh air, and we ended up walking around 3 miles. It felt great to get out even in some pain. I wish tomorrow's weather would bring the same, but it looks like rain and cold are on the way.

Hope everyone can get out today for some fresh air.

3-18-10

I am loving the sun today,unfortunately still feeling kind down and out. Only a few days away from recovery week and the weather man has promised me some good days next week so I will take them.

Thanks for all recent phone calls from my H.S. Field Hockey girls. I promise I will get back to you all. If you could email me your phone number's so I can contact you. I would love to catch up.

3-17-10

The weather was gorgeous today, however I was not able to enjoy as I wanted. For some reason today I was very tired and nausea. Had to take my nausea medicine which does not help with my drowsiness.

I am hoping for a good day tomorrow and maybe some time outside.

3-15-10

Another round of Chemo completed successfully. When doing his examination,
Dr. Schneider said he could barely even feel the mass to measure. He said I am responding very well to Chemo as the mass continues to shrink. So I was extremely happy to hear that.

Resting this evening as I am not feeling the best. It could be worse though and I know tomorrow will be a better day.

Hope everyone had a good Monday!

Thanks Liz for going today. I know it was hard for you to be back in a hospital experiencing all of that, but your a great friend and you did it for me. I needed that so thank you.

3-14-10

I had to blog about our great experience at church today. Our good friends Jess & John stayed very persistent in asking us to attend service and we finally we able to. The sermon for the day really hit home and it was exactly what I needed. Adam and I both loved the church and will be going back for sure.

So thank Jess & John and we will definitely see you at church again soon.

3-13-10

Today was another great day besides the weather. I was able to do a few hours at work, and Adam & I went to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. I Love these great days where I feel normal.

I wanted to say thanks for all of the wonderful comments regarding my shaved head. It helps me so much to have the support and remain confident while looking different.

3-11-10

So tonight I had Adam shave the rest of my head. I was tired of the itching and hurting of the buzzed look. Surprisingly when I looked in the mirror this time, it wasn't that bad. I think I actually can rock a shaved head. That's a good feeling.

3-10-10

Today was such a wonderful day. Work was great, I felt so good, and Adam and I even got out for an evening walk. And to top it off I got a wonderful card and small gift from my dear friend Liz.

I know tomorrow will be just as good.

3-9-10

I was hoping after I left my Reconstructive Surgeon's office today, I would feel relieved that something would be easy or even simple in this whole journey, however no. Let's just say I have two options to choose from regarding surgery.

Option #1 Tissue Expansion: After breast is removed, a tissue expander(basically an implant with nothing in it) is placed under the chest muscle. Over the months saline is injected little by little through a port. AS the expander fills up, the skin and Muscle in the chest stretch out to create a pocket. Another procedure would be done to remove the expander and put the actual implant in. This would all happen over a 6 month time frame. Good thing regarding this option is, the initial surgery would only take about 2 hours and recovery time is 2 weeks.

Option #2 Diep Flap: A small incision along the bikini line is made and the necessary skin, fat,and tiny blood vessels are removed from the stomach area. The fat and skin are shaped into natural looking breasts and sewn into place. The tiny blood vessels that feed the tissue of the new breasts are matched to supplying blood vessels in your chest and reattached under a microscope. The procedure usually takes 8-10 hours and recovery time is 4-6 weeks.

There are obvious risks to both procedures and much more questions that need to be asked. Both procedures would require multiple surgeries regardless. Luckily I don't have to make a decision for awhile and will have time to do more research on both options.

I realize that I have painted a detailed description on how these procedures would work. However to me this is much easier than trying to explain in person or via phone. This blog is perfect in relaying what I would like to tell you all but probably don't get a chance to.

I will keep you all posted on what I decide to do.

Thanks for listening.....

3-7-10

What a difference a day makes. Temperature finally back to normal and feeling much better. Adam and I were actually able to get out for a bit to do some errands. I wish I would have been up for taking a walk in this gorgeous weather, but maybe this week. Just glad to report no fever and recovery week is here....YEAH!

I meet with my plastic surgeon tomorrow morning to go over surgery and my options. I am definitely eager to find out how all of this will work, although I have been informed it will probably be multiple surgeries...boo..

Until tomorrow....

3-6-10

Friday night 5 am and of course my body wants to spike a fever. This is what I had dreaded but was told it could happen. After monitoring and talking to my Oncologists he suggested Adam and I head to the ER for some testing. So we spent most of Saturday morning/afternoon getting tests done. All labs came back ok and white blood cell count good. So no infection, my body just hates me today...ha ha.

Resting now and sad I missed a gorgeous day outside. Hopefully the evening will be in my favor and tomorrow as well.

3-5-10

Friday night of Chemo week and the body aches have started. Not too bad yet, however looking forward to Monday and recovery week as I like to call it. Braving the storm alone tonight. Adam is out with the band and getting some well deserved time away. With the last 24 hours he has had, I am glad he has the band to get away to. I must say I am so thankful I have him to lean on at all times. I couldn't imagine doing this alone, especially through these rough weeks.

Well I hope this Friday night finds all of you doing something relaxing and fun. The weather this weekend looks very mild here in Indiana, so maybe all of us should get out tomorrow and enjoy.

3-3-10

As I sit here in tears I am not crying because this disease is taking control. These are tears of pride and joy. I took control of this disease today! After a long day at work, tired as heck, I made myself go to the gym to get on my favorite machine (cybex) for 30 minutes of cardio (recommended by my doctor to keep blood flowing and prevent blood clots). For that 30 minutes I felt in control and empowered. I felt like myself again and realized I am not going to miss out on my passions or my small joys of happiness in life because I have cancer. Not today, not ever!

So with that I say to all of you that are listening: If you had a bad day or even received some bad news today, please take 30 minutes for yourself. Take control over the situation and when you are done remember to smile!
Love you all....thanks for following me!

3-2-10

Just a quick blog to say the day went great. I felt great at work today and looking forward to hopefully another good day tomorrow.

Stay tuned......

Here is a picture of me with one of my many new scarves that people have so kindly given to me! You all rock!

3-1-10

Sitting here at chemo relaxing and talking with Julie. It's nice to have time to catch up and laugh about old times. She is a dear friend and always looks out for me.

Chemo is going great. The access to the port was easy and pain free...yeah....
I did receive some good/bad news today. My BRCA test came back positive so I do have the gene for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. Which basically means I have a 75% chance of the cancer coming back in my second breast. And a 40% chance of it coming back in my ovaries. However I can have a double mastectomy and reduce the chances of it reoccurring in my left breast by 90%. With regards to my ovaries, they suggest I stay proactive with tests yearly and look more at my options when I am 40.

Now for the good news....my tumor has shrunk in size and is much softer...what that means is the chemo is working...YEAH.... My doctors seemed very please with my progress and reaction to chemo.

So all in all a good day thus far....