Tug & Pull

Although I have been feeling like a burden to my family and friends lately, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.  This afternoon, I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Woods for the first time since surgery.  He removed my drains and the waterproof bandages that were placed over my incisions.  The tug and pull of the drains was rather unpleasant, but I feel SO much better ...

Now, I am instructed to carry on with life ... at least the everyday things.  For the next couple of weeks, while I begin taking back some of the domestic responsibility around the house, I do have to take it easy.  No heavy lifting.  No push ups.  No dips.  I can handle that ...

As always, I would like to thank everyone for the continued support.  For the continued prayers.  For making me feel like the luckiest girl in world ... cancer and all ...

Lacey Bras & Dangling Drains

Today, I am looking better than EVER ... complete with THE most gorgeous bra and a pair of drains that dangle everywhere ...

All joking aside, I am THRILLED to be on the other side of surgery.  Yesterday went VERY well, for the most part.  We arrived at Piedmont Hospital just a little after 6:00 in the morning.  I was quickly taken back and prepped for surgery.  Dr. Woods made his marks and I was out!  Afterward, while in recovery, the nausea set in.  For whatever reason, I couldn't shake it and felt terrible for the rest of the day.  

Today, though, I feel MUCH better.  The nausea is completely gone and the pain is manageable.  There is no question, this round is easier than the first ... thank goodness!

I am so very thankful to God for seeing me through another milestone in this journey to health ... I have finally reached the finish line and could not be happier!  

Now, I have to go see what I've got under that sexy bra ... 

Soft & Supple

Tomorrow, I will FINALLY have the opportunity to put an end to the lengthy, uncomfortable process of breast reconstruction.  For over five months, my body has been invaded by tissue expanders.  While they have served their purpose, I am TRILLED to be getting rid of them ... FOREVER!

My surgery is scheduled for 8:00 in the morning at Piedmont Hospital.  Assuming everything goes as planned, I should be headed home around lunch time.  Of course, while I am looking very forward to soft and supple, I am not trilled to be bringing home drains. At least I have my trusty pouch and shoelace to help make me a little more comfortable ...

     The pouch carries the drains so they don't dangle out of my clothing ... gross!  

The shoelace makes showering SO much easier ... pin them on and carry on!

It's crazy to think about how far I have come over the past year.  It's crazy to finally be at the end of this horrific experience.  It might be even crazier to think about coming home with boobs ... bigger and better than they have ever been ...

Here's to the end of this nightmare ... and to soft and supple boobs ...

Clown and Poodle

On Friday, I finally had the privilege of meeting Nicole, a young woman also experiencing the overwhelming journey through the treatment of breast cancer.  In March, shortly after Nicole was diagnosed, Dr. O'Regan asked that I contact her to discuss my clinical trial.  We spoke on the phone for about an hour and, ultimately, Nicole made the decision to walk the very same path I did ... she is also enrolled in the study I recently completed.

For the past several months, I have followed Nicole's journey on her blog ...

www.clownandpoodle.com

It has been amazing to read about her experience.  Often times, I feel like I have personally written the words on those pages ... we have so very much in common.  Nicole is just a few years older than I am, has a wonderful, supportive husband, and two beautiful children.  She reminds me so much of myself.

Now that our kiddos are back in school, we had the opportunity to meet for lunch at Panera Bread.  We enjoyed a delicious lunch and talked for over two hours ... it feels so good to have someone who truly understands ...

Nicole & Me

At this point, Nicole has one more treatment and is scheduled for surgery at the end of September.  Her journey is almost complete and she will soon have her blessed life back.  I truly hope she knows ... it only gets better from here ...

Here's to Nicole and a friendship like no other ...

365 Days

It has been 365 days since my diagnosis.  365 days.  First of all, I really cannot believe that I am a cancer survivor ... that I had cancer ...  

Looking back on this past year, I feel accomplished.  Honestly, if I can live with a cancer diagnosis, survive eight rounds of chemotherapy, and endure a bilateral mastectomy ... I think I might just be able to do anything ...

Although these past 365 days have been the most difficult of my life, I don't know if I would want things to be any different.  I have learned so much about myself, my husband, my children, and my family and friends ... I feel more blessed than ever before.  I have discovered an unwavering relationship with Jesus Christ ... I know that He was with me every step of the way ... and continues to walk with me through my journey of continued healing.

So, although this day brings back some horrible memories, it is a day to celebrate.  Today I am cancer-free ... I have my charmed life back ... I have a bright future ahead of me ... and I have a much greater appreciation for all of the blessings in my life ...

Here's to August 8, 2012 ...

Thick & Dark

Today marks exactly SIX MONTHS since my last treatment.  On February 2, 2012, I bid farewell to chemotherapy for good!  Since then, my body has almost completely healed and I actually have a head FULL of hair ...

Thick & Dark ... BIG Change

I am continually thankful for each and every day ... for my healing ...

Here's to SIX MONTHS and to MANY, MANY more ...

First Day Jitters

Today was a BIG day ... the first day of school!  And, for Andrew, it was the first day of kindergarten!  Of course, BIG days like these inevitably offer a few unavoidable jitters ...

Last night, Andrew told me that he wasn't sure if he was excited.  He said, "I just don't know what it's going to be like."  Little does he know, I was thinking the very same thing.

This morning, though, Andrew jumped out of bed and was ready for the day.  A smile from ear to ear told me that he was going to do just fine ... and that I could actually enjoy my quiet, kid-free house without a bit of guilt.  Now, after a day of kindergarten for Andrew and a day of peace for myself ... we now know what this year will be like ... it's going to be GREAT!

Maddie & Andrew

Third Grade & Kindergarten

And off he goes ...

Tonight I am thankful ... for not completely falling apart and for the gift of this day.  As always, I give thanks to God for giving me these moments ...

Here's to letting go of the first day jitters ...

Winding Down

This summer has been SUPER busy and I really cannot believe that it is almost over.  We have had so much fun and I have taken little time to write.  I suppose that's a really good thing ... a sign that I am moving on and getting back to my amazingly charmed life ...

The week before last, our friends from Florida came for a quick visit.  Tim, Cindy, and their kiddos, Faith, Cloey, Jayden, and Alana, stayed with us for a couple of nights ... it was a really nice visit!  Although we enjoyed every minute, we really had the BEST time at Stone Mountain.  We loaded up the kids and headed to the big rock for a day of FUN ...

We started the day by heading up the mountain ... what a GREAT way to see Atlanta ...

Skyride to the top of the rock ...

Jayden, Maddie, Faith, Cloey, and Andrew

Next, we ate lunch and headed to Sky Hike ...

Sky Hike

Faith and Maddie ... WAY up there ...

Andrew and Scott

The kids ... and Scott and Tim ... spent nearly two hours working through the course.  They all had a GREAT time!  Next, it was time to cool off at Geyser Towers and then on to a relaxing train ride around the base of the mountain.  We finished the day with some time in The Great Barn, filled will slides and climbing structures, and a 4-D Yogi Bear movie.  It truly was a day filled with FUN!

The Belingers left the following day and Scott and I headed to Emory for an appointment with a genetic counselor and an exam with Dr. O'Regan.  Everything went very well ...

Surprisingly, this was our first meeting with a genetic counselor.  Until now, we have worked with other doctors to complete the necessary testing.  And, although we learned shortly after my diagnosis that I am negative for the BRCA 1 & 2 gene mutations, this result only accounts for about 94% of mutations that indicate a high risk of breast cancer. So, I submitted additional saliva for testing.  We should have the results in the next week or so.  These results will help us better understand my risk for other cancers as well as risk factors for our children.

My appointment with Dr. O'Regan was uneventful.  No blood work.  This appointment consisted of a quick physical exam and an opportunity to ask questions.  And, at this point, we have very few questions ... and that is a SHOCKER!  No additional trips to Emory until October!

In addition to these appointments, I also saw Dr. Woods for the last time until my exchange surgery.  I have finally reached my desired breast size ... weird ... and am ready to get these awful expanders OUT of my body!  So, surgery is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd at Piedmont Hospital.  Although I am not looking forward to the recovery, I am very much looking forward to being one step closer to completing reconstruction ... and to REALLY nice boobs! 

Well, these past few weeks have been busy ... we have had LOTS of fun and accomplished so much!  Now, we are winding down from a GREAT summer and ready to bring on the school year ... and the beginning of many NEW experiences and wonderful memories ...

Let Go & Let God

On Thursday of this week, I will be headed to Emory for the first time in three months. The time has already come for my regular check-up with my oncologist.  Of course, I am already feeling anxious ... the thought of walking through the doors of Winship Cancer Center still overwhelms me.  So, I am constantly reminding myself that God has healed me ... and the He is complete control ...

This quote is a PERFECT reminder for me ... and brings me such peace each time I read it ...

"philosophy:  one of the best tools for longevity and good health is not just taking a walk outdoors but taking your walk while holding the hand of God.  when we walk in gratitude for each and every moment, we empower ourselves by empowering our spirits.  when we breathe in nature through our eyes, ears and lips, we become certain that not only are our souls eternal, but that God knows how to manage our lives, our troubles, our worries and our days better than we do.  so today and everyday 'let go and let God.'"

If you are familiar with Philosophy Skin Care, you already know about their great products and inspiring quotes.  This quote is on a bottle of Pure Grace given to me just a couple of weeks ago by my wonderful friend, Kathleen.  This week, especially, it is just what I need ...

Here's to letting go ... and letting God ...

Forever Friends

Almost 10 years ago, Kathleen and I met in the halls of Forest Hill Elementary in Noblesville, Indiana.  Scott and I had just recently relocated from Florida and I was set to begin the year as a kindergarten teacher.  Among the chaos of setting up my classroom and adjusting to a new school, Kathleen introduced herself and kindly offered her help. Obviously, Kathleen and I quickly became friends and a few short weeks later, our families met for the first time ...

For months, Tim, Kathleen, Abby, Scott, and I spent much of our time together ... always making great memories!  Since then, Maddie, Delaney, and Andrew were born and now our families share a friendship like no other ...

In 2006, after almost three years in Indiana, we returned to Georgia.  Although we were very excited to be home again and close to our families, it was a difficult move for us all! So, we made a promise ... we would never let our friendship fade and we would do our very best to see each other as often as possible ...

For the past six years, we have kept that promise ... seeing each other at least once a year ... and most years, two or three times!  Last week, the Martin family headed south for a FULL week of FUN ...

Delaney, Abby, Andrew, and Maddie ... enjoying the water!

Me & Kathleen ... soaking up the sunshine!

Tim, Kathleen, Me, and Scott ... waiting for the fireworks display on Lake Allatoona!

Abby & Maddie ... forever friends!

The Martin and McNeal Families ... GO BRAVES!

We are so blessed to have such special people in our lives.  In life, it is hard to find the kind of friends we have found in each other ... and I am so very thankful that God brought us all together!

Here's to forever friends ...