Memorial Day

What a PERFECT weekend!  The past few days have been wonderful ... a farewell baseball party for Andrew, a backyard barbecue, time with the in-laws, and fun in the sun! All because of the men and women who continue to sacrifice their lives for our freedom ...

"Freedom isn't free"

-Anonymous

May God bless our soldiers and their families this Memorial Day ... and always ...

Abnormal

FINALLY, I had the last of my "abnormal" moles removed at dermatologist's office this morning.  It was one of four ... and that is only the beginning of the FUN I've had over the past several weeks ...

After recovering from surgery, I decided that it was time to schedule all of my routine appointments ... dermatologist, dentist, eye doctor, and gynecologist.  Of those, only ONE was "normal" and the remainder had some sort of negative result ...

First, I headed to the eye doctor.  While I did have some vision changes during treatment, I was certain things were returning to normal and it would be a good time to reorder my much-needed contact lenses.  Well, at that appointment, I was told that I had a slight hemorrhage in my left eye.  I would need to have it rechecked in a few weeks.  So, I did just that ... and, thankfully, everything is now normal!

Next, I paid a visit to my dermatologist, Norma.  She removed three moles from my back and one off of my left breast ... ALL of which were abnormal.  So, for the past six weeks, I have been having these pesky things cut off ... one by one ... and I have been stitched more than I care to think about!  Finally, though, I don't have to see Norma for six months!

Then, I had my teeth cleaned!  This was the ONLY appointment that had a positive outcome.  Actually, my dentist was VERY pleased with the health of my teeth and gums. Chemotherapy can cause dry mouth and, as a result, significant dental issues.  Fortunately, though, my teeth are healthy and I am scheduled for another cleaning in six months!

Finally, I scheduled an appointment with a new gynecologist.  The appointment went well and I was told that unless I received a call, everything was normal.  Well, on Tuesday of this week, my phone rang ... AND ... abnormal!  Of course, I was just about in a FULL panic when the nurse calmed my fears.  My HPV test was negative, which means NO sign of cancer.  And, apparently there are MANY reasons to have the presence of abnormal cells ... chemotherapy is one of them, of course.  So, I am not scheduled for another exam until next year!

Of course, all of these "abnormal" results were cause for concern ... at least in my eyes.  So, I sent my oncologist an email ... and, as always, she quickly responded and provided the reassurance I needed.  According to Dr. O'Regan, everything I am experiencing is normal considering what I have been through.  So, no need to worry ... my body is healing ... and hopefully "abnormal" will become a thing of the past VERY soon!

As always, I am so thankful for ALL of the doctors in my life ...

Here's to normal ... someday ...

Troop 11396

Lately, life has been SUPER BUSY, so I haven't had much time to write.  Today, though, I just had to take a few minutes to share the wonderful gift I was given this past weekend ...

Almost two years ago, I began an exciting journey as my daughter's Girl Scout troop leader.  Although it has been LOTS of work, it has been equally rewarding ... especially because I have such an amazing group of girls ...

Saturday night, we celebrated the end of another great year with a sleepover.  That night, my troop presented me with a check for $130 ...

This is no ordinary check ... this money is in support of me and Team Princess Warriors. Each of my Girl Scouts donated $13 of their hard earned money from this year's cookie sales ... for a total of $130 ...

I am so blessed to have these girls in my life ... and am thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of theirs ...

Here's to Troop 11396 ...

Tea

This afternoon, I had the privilege of joining my precious little boy in the BEST Mother's Day Tea around ....

We enjoyed a delicious lunch, homemade gifts, and LOTS of smiles ...

Andrew & Me

As I look at this photo, I give thanks for my beautiful children ... for their acceptance, for their understanding, and for their LOVE!  I am the luckiest mom in the world ...

Here's to motherhood ... and ALL of its blessings ... 

Graduation

Well, I can officially put away the training bras and move to the grown-up section in the lingerie department!  Today I had my fourth expansion and have graduated to a HEALTHY B ... and coming from SMALL A , I would say that is some serious progress ...

Unfortunately, with each expansion comes discomfort.  At this point, the muscles across my chest are very tight and I feel like I can't completely fill my lungs.  Also, the expanders extend slightly beyond the width of my body, so I feel like they sit firmly under my arms ... which is quite obnoxious.  And, just to add another complaint ... they are as hard as rocks ...

So, although it hasn't been the most glorious route to the breasts I have always wanted, I am thrilled to know that I will never again shop for myself in the "itty bitty titty" section ...

Hasta la vista Hello Kitty ...

Sunshine

This past weekend, I FINALLY made my way back on my surfboard ...

Me & My Board

Lovin' the Waves

As I have said so many times before ... for me, there is no better place than on our boat, on the water!  I absolutely LOVE soaking up the sun, playing in the water, and making wonderful memories with my precious family ... 

And, each time I look up at the beautiful rays of sunlight ... I give thanks to God for shining down on me, for healing me, and for giving me back my charmed life ...

Here's to the sunshine ... 

Sweating for Survivors

About six years ago, Scott and I returned to Georgia after several years away from home. As with any move, there are LOTS of changes ... even when you are returning to a familiar place.  So, shortly after we settled in, we began looking for a new bank, new doctors, and a new gym ...

In August of 2006, Scott and I joined Bodyplex of Woodstock.  The gym came highly recommended by my cousins, Jenny and Mary.  Since then, Bodyplex has been a constant in my life ... and its people have become like family ...

Throughout my journey, several of the instructors at the gym reached out and offered their prayers ... always asking what else they could do.  Of course, as most of you know, there just isn't much anyone can do.  Well, they found the very best way to show their love and support ...

Gloria and several of the other instructors planned an AMAZING fundraiser for me and my Princess Warrior team ... Sweating for Survivors!  Last Friday evening, Bodyplex hosted a PERFECT evening ... FULL of raffles, t-shirts, cupcakes, face painting, wine, and dancing ...

Me & Gloria

Lauren, Mysti, Gloria, Me, and Melissa

GREAT instructors ... GREAT friends

BodyJam & Sh'Bam FUN!

I had NO rhythm, but LOTS of FUN!

$947 RAISED for Team Princess Warriors!

And this isn't even everyone ...

Honestly, I don't even know where to begin ... I cannot thank Gloria, Lauren, Mysti, Melissa and all of the other Bodyplex instructors enough for organizing such an EXCITING evening ... owners Dan and Matt for their continued support ... and ALL of the WONDERFUL people who came to GIVE to such an important cause!

From the bottom of my heart ... THANK YOU!

Here's to Bodyplex ... and Sweating for Survivors ...

Aunt Flo

Whatever you call it ... Aunt Flo, riding the cotton pony, surfing the crimson tide ... my period has returned!!!!!  As strange as it may seem to be sharing such news ... I am SO, SO excited ...

After chemotherapy, many women experience "chemo induced menopause" ... which I was dreading!  So, although I feel like I'm back in my teen years, I am celebrating ... my body is continuing to heal and this is just the next sign that I have BEAT breast cancer and I WILL have my life back ...

Here's to Aunt Flo ...