Kid-Free

Tonight, as I pack for a weekend away, I have decided to put my cancer aside ... relax ... and really enjoy some kid-free time with my wonderful husband ...

We are headed to St. Simons Island for my cousin's wedding ... and I am looking very forward to the happy occasion! For me, especially at this point in my life, I prefer to surround myself with things that bring me JOY ... and there is nothing like friends, family, and fun to bring a much needed smile to my face!

So ... BIG congrats to my cousin, Rachael, and her soon-to-be husband, Jay ... bring on the good times!

Here's to a wonderful weekend ... screw the cancer ...

Costumes

It's Halloween ...

As a child, this was always one of my favorite holidays ... the opportunity to become someone or something else was always very exciting ... and now, as a mother, I truly enjoy watching my kids as they dress in their costumes and hit the streets ...

This year, though, I wish I could be someone else, too ... just for one night ... no cancer, just the freedom of a care-free, disease-free life ...

Of course, it's not that simple ... for me, getting to that point again is a journey ... and a very difficult one ... but, I must remind myself that I am stronger than my disease and that, in time, I will find happiness ... peace ... and true JOY in being ME and living a very blessed life ...

Kiddos

For the first time since my diagnosis, I am on my own ... Scott is away for a few days on business ...

Although he probably wasn't looking very forward to it ... I am so happy that he has the opportunity to take some time for himself, even if it is work related.  He has been working overtime around here for weeks ... in addition to his "bill paying" job ...

For me, though, it's a little lonely without him ... so, today, I filled my time with my precious kiddos ...

This morning, after a full-night's sleep in "Mommy's bed" ... Maddie headed off to school, as usual.  Before preschool, Andrew and I stopped at Chick-fil-a for a special breakfast!  He was ALL smiles ... and he actually ate EVERY bite ...

While the kids were away, I was able to mark some things off of my list ... thank goodness!

After school, Andrew and I picked Maddie up from the bus stop and made a beeline for Target ... a little retail therapy ALWAYS brings a smile to my face ... and the kids, too, of course!  Then, a few "necessary" errands, dinner and dessert at Frosty Frog ... and, finally, a viewing of Ghostbusters!  Honestly, I can't think of a more perfect day ...

Most importantly, I enjoyed every minute ... this time with my kiddos can never be replaced and I am so thankful to have found such joy in it ...

Here's to a GREAT weekend ...

Princess Warrior

Although I have never considered myself a princess ... and I have never really had the need to be a warrior ... I now find this name to be so VERY fitting as I continue my FIGHT against breast cancer ...

As I have said before, though, this is not just MY journey ... it is not just MY fight ... and without the love, support, and prayers from my family and friends ... I would be absolutely LOST!  Along the way, I have had so many people ask, "How can I help?" ... "What can I do?" ... and, although I haven't really known exactly how to answer, so many of you have found the most thoughtful ways to bring a smile to my face and to make each day a little brighter ... and, for that, I will be forever grateful!

Now, though ... I do NEED your help ... and I know exactly how ...

In October of 2012, I will be walking ... as a SURVIVOR ... in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, along with my team.  Each member of my team is responsible for raising $2,300 ... in addition to completing a 3-day, 60-mile walk ... ALL for the CURE ...

So, if you would like to make a donation to Team Princess Warrior, please click on the "Donate" link in the upper right-hand corner of the blog screen.  Or, if you would prefer, you can simply mail the donation to our home address.  In return, you will receive a window decal to show your PRINCESS WARRIOR support ...

Don't forget ... we need to know who you are ... so, once you have made your donation, please email your name and address to sjmcneal@mac.com ...

Remember ... every little bit helps ...

As always ... THANK YOU ... from the bottom of my heart ... for EVERYTHING ...

The Power of Pink

Although just a week or so ago, I was completely OVER the pink ... I had the wonderful opportunity to witness the finish of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For the Cure in Atlanta ... and my LOVE for PINK has returned ...

As I stood watching thousands of men and women complete the 3-day, 60-mile walk ... I realized what an amazing impact PINK has on finding a CURE for breast cancer!  With around 2,300 walkers ... an astonishing 6.5 MILLION DOLLARS was raised ... for research, for programs ... for HOPE that one day breast cancer will be a thing of the past!

These women walked ... and are survivors themselves ...

Next year, at this time, I will walk ... I will stand on that podium ... and I will begin my life as a SURVIVOR!

Here's to PINK ... and LOTS of it ...

Physical Exam

As I was reading through my blog from yesterday, I realized that I left out the very BEST news ...

Before each of my infusions, I see Dr. O'Regan for a physical exam ... AND ... she felt almost nothing!  She smiled and said, "Although these are just my hands, it certainly appears that you are responding extremely well to treatment."  What GREAT news!  Of course, I can still locate the tumor myself, but it is significantly smaller than before ...

And, if after only ONE treatment, we are seeing such great results ... I can rest a little easier knowing that CANCER-FREE IS just around the corner ...

PLEASE keep the prayers coming ... God is doing His amazing work ... and I am so VERY grateful for it ...

Here's to MORE results from ROUND 2 ...

My Everything

Eleven years ago today, Scott and I were married at The Episcopal Church of St. Peter & St. Paul in Marietta.  It was one of the very BEST days of my life ...

Since then, we have shared an amazing journey together ... living away from home in both Florida and Indiana, raising two amazing children, and creating wonderful memories along the way! Of course, these past couple of months have been some of the best yet ... as strange as it sounds ... the relationship that Scott and I have shared since my diagnosis has been INDESCRIBABLE ... without him, I honestly don't know where I would be ...

Thank you, to my truly AMAZING husband ... you are my EVERYTHING ...

Happy 11th Anniversary ...

Here's to MANY, MANY more ...

Two Down ... Six To Go

As I sit here, I am enjoying my "after chemo" Corona ... and feeling quite good ...

Today went VERY smoothly and, for me, it was much less emotional than the first time around.  We did, however, get started much earlier ... which I prefer ... although I am still NOT a morning person ...

I arrived at Emory, with my mom and my aunt, at promptly 7:30 this morning ... had my blood drawn ... saw Dr. O'Regan ... and headed to the lab for my infusion.  For some reason, those nearly six hours in the chair went by very quickly ... perhaps it was all of the GREAT company ... my husband, my mom and dad, my Aunt Tiss, and my dearest friend Alisha and her mom, Pam.  So, needless to say ... it was a VERY easy and enjoyable day ...

Most importantly ... I am one step closer to CANCER-FREE ...

Round 2 ... DONE ...

Thank you all, again, for continuing to lift me and my family up in prayer ... I know with everything that I am ... God is listening ... 

Today was another precious GIFT from GOD ... and I am so thankful for it ...

Cheers ...

Relaxed

Tonight, I am feeling more relaxed than I expected! Early tomorrow morning, I will be heading to Emory for my second infusion ...

Although I never thought I would look forward to anything but the end of this nightmare ... I realize that each part of this journey is necessary ... and important ... and tomorrow brings me one step closer to the finish line ...

Please pray that this treatment goes as smoothly as the first ...

Here's to tomorrow ...

Common Sense

On the Today Show this morning, they aired a segment on breasts with Dr. Peterson, an internist and medical contributor for Women's Health Magazine ...

First, she discussed breast cancer risk factors ...

1.  Age - One in eight women under the age of 40 and two in three women over the age of 55 will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

2.  Family History - Obviously, if you have a family history of breast cancer, you are at a greater risk of being diagnosed in your lifetime.

3.  Menstrual Cycle - Women who had their first menstrual cycle before the age of 12 are at a greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

4.  Alcohol Use - The more a woman drinks, no matter what type of alcohol, the greater her risk of a breast cancer diagnosis.

5.  Childbirth - Women who give birth later in life, after 30 specifically, are at a greater risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Before I continue with the report, I would like to mention that I fit NOT ONE of these risk factors ... I am under the age of 40 with NO family history ... I started my period after the age of 12 ... I am NOT a heavy drinker, not even a moderate one ... and I gave birth to both of my children before the age of 30 ...

So, based on the risk factors above, if I were to have listened to the following recommendations ... well, you know what the outcome could have been ...

Currently, it is recommended that women have their first mammogram at the age of 40 ... REALLY?

And, as far as breast self-exams are concerned ... from the mouth of Dr. Peterson herself ...

"Breast self-exams are considered optional now because they're not completely proven to be a benefit as a screening tool."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Please, please DO NOT listen to this advice ...

For those that do not know, I saw my gynecologist in April ... was given a breast exam ... and nothing.  Just three months later, while conducting my own exam, I found a lump ... what if I had waited until NEXT April?

As I have said before ... PLEASE FEEL YOUR BOOBIES ... it could save your life ...

Here's to common sense ...