Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes

BCA: Top Ten List for Chemotherapy and Losing All Your Hair Part 15

This is a throwback to the days of David Letterman and his  Top Ten List . . . Here's my take on the:

Top Ten List for Having Chemotherapy and Losing Hair:

10. When driving to work, never have to wonder or worry if curling iron was left on.

9. No gut-wrenching decisions about having a perm, getting a short cut, or wearing it long and wavy.

8. Gray hair? No problem. . . it no longer shows.

7. Can take on new personality according to wig and/or hat style and stay in character all day.

6. Fun and exciting to elicit startle responses by appearing in public with nothing on head except a bow taped on top.

5.Have a great belly laugh at being mistaken for Demi Moore (GIJane), Sigourney Weaver (Alien) or better yet, Andre Agassi (tennis).

4. Save money on shampoo and conditioners and spend it on hot oil head massages . . . body massages if there’s enough oil.

3. Can entertain people sitting behind you by drawing pictures or writing messages on back of bald head.

2. Walk into hair salon and ask for a hair cut.

1. Have ample time to sit in front of mirror, watch hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows slowly grow back, and get priorities straight.

 

 

 

 

BCA: Donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Challenge Part 14

Every year I have always donated to either American Cancer Society to Susan G. Komen.

OR to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

 

As you scrolled through those photos from St. Jude and looked at the faces of those precious children who are fighting cancer, there's no doubt you were affected knowing they are fighting for their lives. No child should ever have to do this. No parent should ever have to be in this position. 

That is why this October, I will be donating to St. Jude and the children and their parents who are there this very minute.   

At St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, no family receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all they should worry about is helping their child live.

That is ONE reason I will donate.

HERE IS THE OTHER REASON 

AND THE OTHER REASON

Again this year, I will match your donation. This time to  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Just send me the documentation for your donation, and I will match it up to $100.00 per person. You can contact me on this blog, on Facebook, text, or email.  (On the right side bar, below the zinc sunflower anode and above the calendar is a link that says, "email me."

 

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Above: Daniel learned to walk as a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital when he was an infant battling stage IV neuroblastoma.

At the 2017 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, Daniel will celebrate 25 years since he completed treatment, in a fitting way – running his first marathon, each stride taking him back to his days at the hospital where “I took my first steps.”

“I think it’s going to be a pretty impactful and emotional race for me,” says Daniel, pictured below, a New Yorker who works in finance.

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Updated with this suggestion from my blogger friend, Sandy:

If you use Amazon, use Amazon Smile because a percentage of your purchase goes to the charity of your choice. 
My choice is of course, St. Jude. 

BCA: The Faces of a Support Group Part 13

 

 

 

For those of you who have been following me on my journey through surviving Breast Cancer, thank you. For those of you who are here for the first time, welcome !

In an attempt to bring awareness to the importance of early detection, my goal is to post something about Breast Cancer every day the month of October. This post is near and dear to me because the faces above are just a few of the people who made up my support group. 

The photos were taken after I had just returned from Tulsa for my last, my very last radiation treatment of which there were FORTY-FIVE and my  four chemotherapy treatments prior to that during the summer. This Hat Party was a total surprise for me. I walked into my house to find it full of friends and family all wearing my hats and wigs. The party was hosted by  my next-door-neighbor, Jodi, who had 'broken into' my house, (she actually had a key). All the guests had donned an array of my head gear and greeted me at the door. 

Let me identify the Madhatters: (bottom row left to right) 
1. Peg - fellow middle school teacher
2. Bill - one of my middle school principals
3. Karole - parent of former student
4. Me
5. June - my daughter's 4th grade teacher (She showed up everyday to my classroom in case I couldn't make it through the day.)

Top Row left to right
6. Jodi - the next door neighbor who had a key to my house. Let everyone in and handed out my hats and wigs for everyone to wear.
7. MarshaMarshaMarsha - fellow middle school teacher
8. Gee - Yes, that's Pioneer Woman's mom
9. Margaret - fellow elementary school teacher
10. Virginia - good friend and also a teacher in a different school district

Several of my nurses and techs drove up from Tulsa to be a part of the celebration. Not everyone who was there is pictured, but this should give an idea of how much fun we had that day. 

A quick synopsis in fragmented sentences:

Diagnosed in March with aggressive Breast Cancer just before spring break during divorce proceedings.  Surgery and chemotherapy immediately. Spent the summer in a chemical comatose state.  My last chemo was administered in the hospital just a few weeks before school started. I remember Dr. Schneitzer saying as I lay on the bed with tubes and wires radiating out of my body, "We are taking you to the edge of death." Those words still reverberate in my head.  Lost all my  hair and about fifteen pounds. When I say all my hair, I mean ALL my hair including eyelashes and eyebrows! The ones you see in the picture are painted on.  Never lost my spirit or will to live. Was pushed and pulled through this by a wonderful support system. My two daughters were the bright light of m.y.e.v.e.r.y.d.a.y. Sometimes I learned that the light at the end of my tunnel was a train. Found that laughing was the best medicine. Began the school year in a very weakened state. Classroom was on third floor. Many mornings a fellow teacher, Mr. Forrest, would carry me up them. We laughed all the way to the top. My students would cheer when he sat me in my chair. My radiation treatments would also be in Tulsa. About a 50 minute drive to the hospital. That meant I needed to leave my last hour class about 20 minutes early. My principal scheduled someone to come in every day to cover for me. (June, the lady pictured above, came every morning just to make sure I made it through the morning classes.)  My youngest daughter would leave school with me. When we arrived at the house, someone would be waiting in the driveway to take us to Tulsa. I really wasn't in any condition to drive that far. Upon arriving home, my oldest daughter would have things in order on the days she didn't have a tennis match, tennis practice or was working. 

After my last, very last radiation treatment, I walked into my house and found it full of friends and family.  All donning my hats and wigs. They were there to celebrate with me the end of a very long bout of treatments. There were hills and valleys. Smiles and tears and fears.

I guess this post is just to say, "THANK YOU," to all those who were a part of my support system which includes all my docs, nurses, techs, etc. I don't know where they all are these days but the love they bestowed upon me still glows in my heart.

A special, "THANK YOU," to my two aunts, Lena and Sue,  and their families who never let go of me.

A very special, "THANK YOU," to my two daughters who played such a significant part of my survival. They provided me my will to live. They are my heroes. They are still my rock. I learn from them everyday. 

This post is to reach out with a hug to all of you who have been touched in some way by Breast Cancer.

This post is to also stress the importance of EARLY DETECTION. One of my doctors said, "Three months later, and there would have not been much of a chance to save you."  I found the b-b-sized lump during a self-exam.

I enjoy sunrise skies like this one. . . 

 

. . . the light at the end of my tunnel...and I am thankful for it everyday,  because of Early Detection and a wonderful Support Group of family and friends. 

 

 

BCA: Just Remembering `Part 12

This post was created in October of 2008.  It was my attempt to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.  As you read, you may recognize some of those honored here:

Many of the links do not work anymore, as some of these bloggers no longer blog.

The educational links should still work.

 

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For the last two years during October, I have posted my personal journey from the day I was diagnosed over many hills and through many valleys of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and FINALLY remission.  (See Categories:  Breast Cancer Awareness)

My objective was to bring attention to the fact that
Early Detection Saves Lives.

This year, I plan to approach this subject a little differently.

I would like to honor the memories of those we have lost to this disease and to also celebrate the lives of those like me, who have been lucky enough to survive it. I tried to come up with a catchy name for this "EVENT" and since these were already taken...

Relay for Life

Race for the Cure

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

and many more

. . . I decided to call my event,

Swampy's Stomp Through Blogville Against Breast Cancer 

If you are a breast cancer survivor or have a family member or friend who has had breast cancer or is being treated for it now, and would like to honor them here, please give me their names and any information you care to share in the comments. 

I especially want to honor the memories of those who we have lost to this disease.

And. . . to celebrate the lives of those who survived this disease. 

  You are welcome to send your own creation to:  

  swampwitch06 at gmail dot com       

and I will add it to this post. (Be sure it is sized for the web.)

Your creations can be sunrises, rainbows, drawings, photographs, whatever you want to use...

OR, just leave me information on the comment page and I will try to honor them in my own way.

If you are not a blogger but want to be a part of this, just leave whatever information you would like to share in the comments and I will post it here.

I will update with new information and "re-post" as often as possible so that you can see the continuing list.

For each person who is honored here during the month of October, I will donate $1.00 to Breast Cancer Research.

 

Join me for . . .

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"Swampy's Stomp Through Blogville Against Breast Cancer."
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1)

 

This pink flower is to honor my life-long friend, Nancy, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in February of 1999. She has just recently retired from her teaching career in Southeastern Oklahoma and is enjoying playing bridge and book clubs.

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2)        

 

These pink tulips are to honor my life-long friend, Aletha, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on April 20, 2005. She received her treatments at M.D. Anderson. Presently, she is the principal where we both taught together and enjoys her grandsons, Truman, Carter, and Jack.
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3)

  

This photo of Western Skies from my balcony is for my blogbud Slick's, Mom.
Be sure to read his Monday, October 1 post.

It can get fairly "R" rated over there, so cover your eyes as you scroll down to that post.

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4)    This is Equoni's grandmother, Elizabeth "Betty" C.  (As most of you know, Equoni is a guest writer at Willowtree's Place on occasion.)  Her grandma was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the early 1980's and survived it. After her mastectomy, one thing she was sad about was that she was not able to play tennis anymore. This photo was taken on her NINETIETH birthday. She passed away this past August at the age of 90. Equoni says, "I'm sorry I don't remember exactly when she had breast cancer...I was a kid and she just took care of it the way she always did, no fuss."

  

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5)  

This photo taken close to Box Canyon Falls in Ouray, Colorado is to honor Hertha Wakefield. Hope Marie Carlton submitted her name for us to remember.

  

 

  

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6)      This photo taken in Seattle, Washington, is to  honor Donna Hovland of Red Wing, Minnesota. She has battled cancer three different times for the past fourteen years.  She was dignosed terminal in September of this year. She has three loving children and a husband. Her name was submitted by her daughter, Kayla.                                                                

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The next five, Aunt Beth, Fiona, Mary Ellen, Aunt Mary, and Kim were all submitted by my blogbud, Alison.

7)

 

Aunt Beth is a TWENTY-FIVE year survivor. She is an incredible woman with a wonderful sense of humor.

This is a photo of our beautiful golden aspens of Colorado.

  

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8)

Fiona is a seven year survivor. She is the woman who will come over for a cuppa tea in the morning and stay for dinner...we never know where the time goes and our voices are hoarse from chatting and laughing all day.

This is a photo was taken at The Blue Mesa, Colorado.

  

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9)

Mary Ellen is in the battle of her life right now. She has had a mastectomy and chemo treatments the past year. She recently had two ribs removed from her metastasis and is beginning radiation treatments next week. Her son is six years old and her spirit and strength are amazing.

Photo: Pike Market bouquet
Seattle, Washington

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10)

Alison's husband's Aunt Mary lost her battle last year.   She was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to her children, especially her developmentally delayed son.

  

This photo is the sun rise on Mt. Garfield, Colorado. 

  

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11)

KIm lost her battle with Breast Cancer this past April. Kim's love of life and her spirit were inspirational. Her positive outlook was commendable. I never heard a negative word come out of her mouth. Everyday I still miss her. Her sons are in high school.

Photo: Blue Mesa Colorado.

  

Honors 7 - 11 were submitted by Alison.

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Thanks to Paulette Allard for the $10.00 donation to Breast Cancer Research.

Current tally:
Swampy owes          $11.00
Paulette's donation = $10.00

Total =                     $21.00

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12)  Heather honors her Aunt Louise who is battling Breast Cancer right now. She was diagnosed in December of 2007 and has had surgery and has undergone chemo. She is still receiving treatments and doing well. She is a nurse and Mother of four. She is married to Heather's Uncle Dave and is a Grandmother to many. She always made Heather feel special growing up. They are praying for her remission every day.

This photo was taken at Fallen Leaf Lake close to Lake Tahoe.

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13)

This photo taken over the Great Salt Lake at sunset is to honorMike Golch's Grandma Helen HIrt who lost her battle with breast cancer in 1985 at the age of 75.

  

  

  

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14)

  

Honors 14 & 15 & 16 were sent to me by my blog friend, Chaotic Lisa.

  

  

Photo: ducks on a pond in Grand Junction

  

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15)

  

Marilyn survived Breast Cancer for ten years but was lost to another type of cancer just recently.

  

  

Photo: Sunflower in Swampy's yard planted by her daughter.

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16)

Lisa's, Grandma Jean survived Breast Cancer in the late 1990's but passed with Alzheimers in 2006, while Lisa herself was undergoing chemotheraphy.

Photo: The beautiful snow of Westcliffe, Colorado.

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17)  Deb asked that we honor her Grandma Darlene who not only survived her original battle with breast cancer, but two recurrences. She is a strong woman in body, mind, and soul. Deb says, "May many more women be blessed as she is."

Photo: I chose this rose from my garden in honor of "Grandma Darlene"...strong and beautiful. It is one of the last roses of the season that bloomed gracefully and beautifully, probably just like "Grandma Darlene."

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18) 

Equoni asked that her friend and former neighbor, Linda, a five year survivor be honored.

  

Photo: A view that Equoni enjoyed so many times when she was my neighbor.

  

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19)  This is to honor my dear friend, Angela, another Breast Cancer survivor (SOS) who lives on Staten Island. Her family members are all heroes in my eyes having helped so many during the tragic days after 9/11. The 'men-folk' are either policemen or firefighters and the ladies are...well, ladies...graceful and lyrical just like these beautiful Trumpeter Swans.

Photo: Taken at Bloedel Reserve

Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

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20) My friend, Karra, honors the young motherof a twelve year-old girl who did not have  health insurance. By the time she admitted to having some problems, there were lumps everywhere, and she was in Stage Four Breast Cancer. She died four months later.I wonder how many more there are like this young girl who have no insurance and are afraid to go to a doctor in fear of what will be found.

Photo: Sunset over Lake Powell


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21)     

 

Karra also honors her beautiful sister-in-law, Liz, who is an eighteen year survivor.

Photo: Mountains at Telluride, Colorado

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22)  

Karra also honors me.

I found my b-b-sized lump during a self-examination of my ta-ta's. Now, if you don't do Ta-Ta-Exams, start today. Here's how. (Clink that link)

 Photo: One of my favorite places in the World...Akumal, Mexico.

 

 

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Current Tally for Breast Cancer Research

Swampy owes =        $22.00
Paulette's donation=  $10.00
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Total =                    $23.00
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23)  Wendy knew Connie from E-Bay and fast became e-mail friends. She lost her battle with cancer last year on her third go-round with it. She was passionate about sharing her survival story and never lost her positive mind set that she was going to beat it AGAIN. She was hilarious, loved rolly chairs, and they both always joked about the tricks the "man behind the curtain" (OZ) would play on them when they were looking for lost items or when things became out of sorts...it was the man behind the curtain who was to blame. Wendy says she was a very, very funny, loving lady and was survived by her hubby, Freddy and her children.

Photo: Taken from a plane of Mt. Ranier
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24)    Jenny only knew her a Mrs. Rose. She passed on almost ten years ago from Breast Cancer. She knew her sweet husband and children, including her young daughter who decided to have a preventative double mastectomy after seeing both her mother and aunt die from the disease. Jenny says, "The courage of that family inspires me."

Photo: Reflection of Colorado Aspens

     

  

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25)   Mental P Mama (whose real name I don't know) asked that Ramsey Lee who lost her battle with Breast Cancer in 2003 at the age of 53 be honored.

  

  

Photo:  Taken at Newport Beach

  

  

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26)

  Megan says in her e-mail to me, "Good evening ! I'd like to honor my mother who lost her battle with Breast Cancer in 1973. She was 29 and in the clinical trials for chemotherapy...But, I'd also like to thank her because I've had mammograms since I was 25 and last year, they found something itty bitty. I was able to have it biopsied, and it turned out to be nothing.  THANKS MA ! I miss you !"

  

Photo:  Newport Beach, California

  

  

  

  

  

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27) Kate, honors her sister-in-law, Mary. She is a survivor. She was clear for three years, then diagnosed again the the other breast. After a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy, she is in remission for seven years. Kate repeats, "She is a survivor !!"

  

  

Photo: Windmills Somewhere in Wyoming

  

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The next two photos were sent to me by my, "old-timer" blog friend, KARMYN R. She was one of the very first commenters on one of my very first posts way back in August of 2006. Even though we've never met, I feel like I know her...I mean, I've hosted a baby shower for the girl and watched her have a baby boy not long ago. Well, I really didn't watch her, but seemed as though I was pregnant with her during the nine months she posted the progress reports. Thanks, Karmyn for taking the time to share these two beautiful photos honoring your loved ones.

 28)                                          

Karmyn says, "Myra was my step-mother who died May 2001. She had a very aggressive form of Breast Cancer. She valiantly fought for three years before it took her. Her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean, just outside of the San Juan Islands, her favorite place in the World."

  

  

  

Photo:
Provided by Karmyn R.

  

  

  

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29)  Donna was Myra's sister, Karmyn's aunt. In 2002, a year after Myra passed, Donna found a lump. Fortunately for her, the cancer was diagnosed early and after a year of treatment she was CANCER FREE. She has been in remission ever since. She kept her discovery and treatment a secret until after she was cancer free. Only a few family members knew what she was going through...and the whole reasoning? She didn't want the news to reach her mother...it would be too hard on her to think she was losing another daughter to the disease.

Photo: Provided by Karmyn
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The next two photographs were sent to me by another long-time blog friend, PamelaPamelaJamela. She is Karmyn R's mom. Just like Karmyn, Pamela was one of the first to ever land on my Glob, and has continued to visit for over two years now. She shares some very important infomation that I hope you take the time to research.

30) Pamela writes, "My sister Sandra is the mermaid waving on the left. SHE IS A SURVIVOR...over TWENTY years. My hope is that her gandchildren and my grandchildren will live in a World that has conquered this scourge. I am a participant in The Sister Study. The program has had an amazing response but is still looking for sisters in the following categories:  African-American, Latinas, Asisans and Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans between the ages of 35-74. Caucasian women between the ages of 65-74 or with a high school degree of less. If your sister had breast cancer and you fit into those categories, please follow the link I provided and sign up now. A cure is waiting and you might be the answer.     

Photo:  Provide by Pamela, the Mermaid
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31)  And then, there is this one. Because Pamela would always e-mail updates to me about her, I feel like I knew her...

BRENDA
buried Saturday, October 4, 2008
A daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a teacher, a friend
This is the photo her daughter placed in a heart-shaped flowered wreath by her casket.

Pamela says, "This is how I want to always remember her."

Here is Pamela's post about Brenda.

Photo: from Pamela
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32) Equoni want to honor her mom's cousin, Betty. She had a rare form of Breast Cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and it was very advanced before she was properly diagnosed. Her chances for survival were around 10%. She went through grueling chemotherapy, maybe radiation, too. But she BEAT IT !! Equoni thinks that this was about 15 years ago and she is as healthy as can be now !!!

Photo: Bug and Bubba...because I know how much my friend, Equoni, loves my dogs. 
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33) Tina asks that her mother-in-law, Carmella be honored. Tina says, "She fought this horrible disease for five years and just when we all thought she had it beat. Cancer decided it wanted her and spread throughout her body. She lost her battle with Breast Cancer on December 25, 2005. She was a wonderful Mother, Mother-in-Law, Grandmother, and woman. She is remembered dearly and missed beyond words. "

Photo: Clouds above Seattle, WA

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The next three tributes are from my very long-time Blog-Bud, Robin.  We "met" over two years ago and have continued to correspond on a regular basis.

34)             

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

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35)

  

  

  

  

  

 

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36)

 

  

  

  

  

 

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37) The next two tributes come from a Brand New Blogger, Maggie. She wants to honor her friend, Robin, who was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer, 1 1/2 weeks ago. 

 

 

 

Photo:  Angel Trumpet, Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, Washington

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38)

Maggie's other friend is Denise, who has been cancer-free for F.I.V.E. years.

 

 

Photo:  Emerald Island, Lake Tahoe

 

 

Be sure to go visit Maggie and tell her Swampy sent you. There are some precious photos at her place.

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My donation has been matched with an anonymous donor !

Current Tally for Breast Cancer Research:

Swampy owes                          $38.00
Paulette's donation                   $10.00
Anonymous matching donation   $38.00
TOTAL                                     $86.00

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The next three tributes come from Toni at 3AM Designs. She has donated $10.00 for each of her tributes which include:

39)   Toni says, "The first person I want to honor is Pam, who was recently diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer, after being cancer-free for 10 years. Pam is married to my cousin, Woody, and I've loved her from the first time he brought her home when they were dating. I'm so glad he chose to add her to our family. Pam and Woody have three daughters: Natalie, Erin and Meghan. Everyone is holding Pam in their hearts, knowing that she will beat this thing again. "

The photo was taken at a fresh market in Nice, France when we visited our son at the end of his semester abroad.

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40)   I would also like to honor Donna, who lost her battle with breast cancer in October, 2007, after a courageous battle. Even though I didn't know Donna personally, I felt as though I did because she was so loved by my very dear friend, Anne. Donna loved teaching high school math and was loved in return by her students. She is survived by her husband, Gene, and her children: Chris and his wife, Jessica, and Heather and her husband, Gary. Donna is missed by many friends, but Anne asked that I mention Drexel and Becky who have been especially supportive to both Donna, during her illness, and Gene in learning to cope with the trauma of losing his love and best friend.

The photo was taken at Atlantic Beach, NC. Donna enjoyed spending time at the beach with her friends and family each summer.

 

 

The photo was taken at Atlantic Beach, NC. Donna enjoyed spending time at the beach with her friends and family each summer.

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41)  I saved my Grandma, Mary Carter Starling, for last, not because she's the least important, but because I wanted to write a bit more about her. My Grandma had breast cancer twice, but she still lived to be 85 years old. This amazing woman raised 18, yes 18! children. My grandmother was 20 years old when she married my grandfather, who had 5 children from his first marriage. What was she thinking!?! She then had 12 of her own children (one died when she was 5 months old). Her youngest son was just 4 years old when my grandfather died, which was 3 months before I was born - yes, I had an uncle only 4 years older than me! A couple of years later, Grandma married my step-grandfather, who had 2 young sons. Again, what was she thinking!?! Grandma actually helped to raise even more children. Her sister was 9 months old and Grandma was 12 years old when their mother died, so she had to take care of her baby sister. Then there are all of us grandchildren who were sent to Grandma's at some time or another. Some of them stayed with Grandma most of their lives. I spent about 6 months with her when my mother was going through a divorce. In other words, it's hard to say, how many of us she helped to raise, but it was a lot! The woman was BUSY!  To read Toni's entire story about her grandmother, CLINK THIS LINK.

The photo is a lilac tree in my yard.

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42)  

 

 In memory of Ellon St. Croix's friend, Shauna Harbridge, who lost her battle with Breast Cancer on December 30, 2008.

 

 

 

 

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43)    

 

One of Lori's tributes is for her mother, Eler Dowell, who beat Breast Cancer when she was in the sixties after having a mastectomy. She will be eighty-five in December.

She is truly a success story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: A Pink Scarf knitted for me by a Blog Bud from another continent.

 

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44)   

  Another of Lori's tributes is posted with sadness. A friend of her family's, Julie Meador, lost her battle with Breast Cancer two months ago. Lori says, "We miss her greatly."

 

 

Photo: Lake Tahoe

 

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45)

Jeanne of Bermuda Bleuz's tribute is for her thirty-one year old cousin, Nancy, who passed away of Breast Cancer.

Her baby is only nine months old and her oldest is four years old.

 

Photo: Clouds over Colorado

 

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46) 

Sally Lomax's tribute is for everyone who is suffering with Breast Cancer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo:  A Trail through the Colorado Aspens

 

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Current tally for Breast Cancer Research:

Swampy owes                     $46.00
Paulette's donation              $10.00
Anonymous match               $46.00

Total                               $102.00

I know that $102.00 is not much, but it might just be the HUNDRED dollars that is instrumental in finding a cure, and there won't be a need for these sad tributes that you've just read.  There are still several days left to send your own tributes.

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 47)  Faye at Summit Musings has two friends of over twenty years who have both passed the five year mark in their fight against Breast Cancer.

Sherry is busy helping her only son and daughter-in-law adopt little Quenton from Guatemala.

 

Photo: Taken from the Colorado National Monument looking into the valley where I live.

 

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48)  

 Faye's other friend, Kathy, who has also passed the five year mark in her fight against Breast Cancer is involved with an on-going love/hate relationship with her new boob.

 

Faye says that neither Sherry or Kathy slowed down through this whole process even when, this year, both of them had a scare that the cancer may have come back. Thankfully for both...not.

 

Photo: Independence Monument atop The Colorado National Monument

 

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49)  Heather says, "I wanted to add Rick's wife. She is my  husband's coworker's wife. She was diagnosed about three weeks ago after going in for her first mammogram at age forty, and they found a lump. She has two small children at home and, of course, Rick. We are praying and pulling for her, and I thought of what you are doing here and had to add her to the list at the beginning of her journey with this terrible disease.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Pike's Market, Seattle

 

 

 

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50)

 

Jo Beaufoix's AUNTIE. A ten-year survivor !

 

 

 

Photo: Pansies at Ft. Worth Stockyards

 

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51) Marie says, "My friend and coworker, Shirley Q., was just recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She has a very aggressive form of Breast Cancer. She recently underwent a bilateral mastectomy and had eleven lymph nodes removed from her left breast. Please keep Shirley and everyone battling this disease in your thoughts and prayers."

Photo: Flowers at Bloedel Preserve
Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

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52) Passionately Pink says, "My best friend, Julie, lost her battle with Breast Cancer in 2005. Julie was a loving and caring individual and Mother figure for those in need of a Mother figure. Julie had a hard life because of bad choices in men. She was a battered woman and became a single Mom at a young age. She never lost her spirit though. She always looked for the positive side of life. Julie taught her children to appreciate life and be grateful for what you have. At age 40, she decided to go back to college and received her bachelor's degree. After finishing college, she gave back by working for a women's shelter for battered women and their families. I think about Julie in some way everyday. I recently had a baby of my own. I thought to myself if only Julie could see this. I miss her greatly for all the motherly advice that I will not receive from her and her smile and joy for life.
We need to find a cure for this disease and as women, support any organization that is actively seeking a cure.

Photo: Colorado Sunrise

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53) Kila's first tribute is for her co-worker, Denise. She says, "Denise found out she had Breast Cancer in September of 2007, the same day her granddaughter was born. First we had the call about the new baby--tears of happiness. Then a couple of hours later rang the other call from the doctor's office, which brough different tears. One year and one month later, she is done with all her treatments and is doing well !!"

Photo: Lake at Elk Mountain Resort
Telluride, Colorado

 

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54)  Kila's second tribute is for her friend, Krista, who had Breast Cancer several years ago, at about the age of thirty-seven. She defeated it and even went on to have another baby ! She was able to breastfeed the baby with her remaining breast. Once the baby was weaned, she had reconstructive surgery. She's been a survivor for at least five years now.

Photo: Sunset on Liberty Cap Trail
Colorado National Monument

  

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55) Who will be next?

Many of you have asked if it's OK to link this post to your blog...OF COURSE it is. I would be honored.  I would also be thrilled if anyone else wants to match funds for my donation at the end of October.

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For those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time, you are welcome to leave comments. Just click on the itty bitty word comments with the number by it and follow the directions.  Also, any word that's a different color than pink is probably a link. Place your cursor on it, click, and you may end up on the other side of the World.
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BCA: Love, Medicine, and Miracles Part 11

When my eyes would focus, I would read. One of my favorite books was "Love, Medicine, and Miracles" by Bernie Siegal.  

My life had been catapulted into a frenzy of doctor's appointments, blood tests, x-rays, injections that made my pee glow in the dark, tubes that drained a freakish-looking fluid from my armpit, new vocabulary words like lymphadenectomy, and adriamyacin, and cytoxan, and zofran, decisions about whether to have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and on, and on, and on.

I would wake up from a nightmare and find myself living it. Just when I would see the light at the end of the tunnel, the train ran smack-dab over me and flattened me into nothingness.

My life had been invaded by cancer. And not only MY life had been invaded by cancer, but my two daughter's lives had been invaded as well.

I had cancer. It did not have me. 

My new best friend was a man by the name of Dr. Schneitzer. My oncologist. At the time, that seemed strange to say, "My oncologist." Why the hell do I have an oncologist? Only people who have cancer have oncologists. That made it real.

He was a very nice man in a white coat. Very methodical. Very smart.  Very kind. The examining room was cold. My body was cold. When he talked, I could see his mouth move. Where were the words? My aunt seemed to hear his words because her mouth was moving, too. Why weren't my ears working? He smiled. I grimaced. He shook my hand. I asked him if he had ever read "Love, Medicine, and Miracles."  He shook his head "No."  We left. My life was in his hands.

My first chemotherapy session had been scheduled. In the meantime, I continued reading "Love, Medicine, and Miracles" cover to cover . . . several times.

Dr. Schneitzer, in his white coat, greeted me and shook my hand. The needles with The Red Devil were inserted into my vein. When I left, he shook my hand again. My appointment to have my blood cell count check was scheduled. Several days later, I returned.

Dr. Schneitzer, in his white coat, greeted me and shook my hand and reported to me that the chemo was working. So much so that I was to have no contact with people except my aunt for a week.  Not even my daughters. He told me he had bought the book. He shook my hand and I wobbled out the door.

Three weeks later I returned for my second chemotherapy session. I had learned the meaning of muscositis. Just 'google' it. I'll not go into detail. 

My shivering body was sitting in the examining room when Dr. Schneitzer entered the room. He hugged me.

I said, "You read the book, didn't you?"

He smiled.

If you are receiving treatment or ever do receive treatment, it is important that your doctors know to "Treat the Patient...not the Disease."

*****

Do you know about Abe Books ? Here's where you can save a lot of money on books. I always compare the prices there with Amazon, but most of the time, the prices here are exceptionally lower, plus most ship free. Just set up an account like you would for Amazon. 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness My Story Part 10

I started the school year with the same excitement and anticipation and apprehension that I always started a school year . . . just without my hair. I decided that my students might not learn much about literature, but they would learn a lot about determination, perseverance, attitude, and anything else it took to survive. They would watch their teacher beat this thing. As crazy as it sounds, as sick as I had been, I did not miss one day of school that first nine weeks which included an hour-long trip to Tulsa for 45 radiation treatments. 

My goal was to go to school everyday with a different 'accoutrement' on my head and with a sense of determination that I would try to greet everyday with the same exuberance as the lady who only had one leg greeted me that day in Oklahoma City at the tennis tournament. I wore everything from rainbow clown wigs, rock star metallic wigs, turbans, wraps, bandanas . . . you name it, I wore it.  I looked like everything from a Ubangi Warrior to a Las Vegas show girl (well not quite from head to toe, but at least my head), to a Flapper to just a teacher with a hat on. 

Then, when I started running out of ideas for creative head gear, I started a sign up sheet for my students to bring their ball caps and I would wear them. One of my teacher friends asked me if I was afraid of getting lice. I wasn't. There was nothing on my head for it to stick to. The kiddos had a lot of fun with me wearing their favorite caps. I supported every team from the OU Sooners, the OSU Cowboys, the Atlanta Falcons, the NY Yankees, and on and on. I even made lesson plans incorporating the cap I was wearing on that particular day. Everything became a teachable moment. 

My radiation treatments started. The hospital was an hour away. That meant I had to leave school early in order to make it to my appointment. My principal lined up someone to be in my classroom so Brooke and I could leave early. We would drive to the house and there would always be a car sitting in the driveway with a friend or two who would take us to Tulsa. One of my school teacher friends created a car pool list, so I never had to drive myself to treatments. Brooke made almost every trip with me. Leigh Anne was involved in tennis and had a job. She would have things in order by the time we arrived home. We made quite a team. 

There were FORTY-FIVE treatments. That's a whole 9-week period. Not one parent who had a child in my last hour class ever complained that there was a 'substitute' every day. 

By this time, there was something akin to peach fuzz growing on my head. It was exciting. 

Life was beginning to feel normal again. I was gaining some weight. 

Now, there would be the milestones along the way for tests to see if I was in remission: 6 month checkup, 1 year checkup, 18 month checkup, 2 year check up . . . and finally, that all important FIVE year checkup.

The comment above is from one of my sixth graders that she posted. It brought tears to my eyes. 

***to be continued***

Breast Cancer Awareness My Story Part 9

 

My summer was filled with chemo and doctor's appointments. I celebrated my 40th birthday with a bald head. I had a wonderful support system. My two daughters, Leigh Anne and Brooke, were my rock. My Aunt Lena and Aunt Sue and their families pushed and pulled me through every day. Some days I hung by a thread, but they hung on tight. I even lived at my aunt and uncle's house for several weeks. I missed softball games, tennis matches, senior pictures . . .

Being a teacher has many perks. One of which is all those students have all those parents and all those parents lined up at our door. There was a dinner on our table every night. A gallon of milk was left on our doorstep every Friday.  Brooke always had a ride to all her sporting and school events. My house was regularly cleaned. Cards and letters came everyday. I was chauffeured when I was too sick to drive.

Another perk . . . all those teachers I had taught with over the years became part of my support group. In fact, they were the backbone of my support group. I never had to drive myself to Tulsa. Not even when I had to go everyday for 45 days, Monday through Friday, for NINE weeks  after school for my radiation treatments. One of my teacher friends coordinated a car pool and lined up drivers for every one of those 45 trips. 

My last chemo was at the very end of the summer, just before school started. Yes. As sick as I was most of the summer, I had to start school.

Dr. S told me I would have to be hospitalized for my last treatment. I was just fine with that. 

The reason though rocked me to my core. I was weighing in at a whopping 98 pounds, (I looked like death warmed over and felt even worse), but I still had to take the full dose of chemo even though my weight had dropped. 

The reason for the hospital?  Dr. S's exact words:  I am taking you to the edge of death. I have to monitor your vital signs for 24 hours.  The chemo might kill you.

He explained one more time: You have a very aggressive cancer. We have to treat it aggressively. And that he did. Thank goodness. 

He also told me there was good news and bad news. The bad news: if the cancer was going to recur, it would do so very quickly. The good news: if it didn't come back within a year or so, it probably wasn't going to come back, as breast cancer. It might come back in some other way, though. 

About that 24 hours of chemo in the hospital:

I remember I wore red Keds and white socks.. Why I remember that, I have no idea. Hopefully, I had on more that just Keds and white socks.

I remember my Aunt Sue taking me and spending the night with me in the hospital room.

I remember that Leigh Anne and Brooke stayed with my Aunt Lena and Uncle Eudell. 

I remember the room was so very dark and the beeping of that machine recording my heartbeats was so loud. But, I was so thankful it kept beeping. 

I remember going home and being very sick . . . again. 

I remember knowing that was my LAST chemo. I hoped it wouldn't be the last of me. 

I remember school would be starting in a few weeks along with my 45 radiation treatments. 

I remember being so thankful for my two girls, my family, and my friends. 

. . . to be continued . . .

Breast Cancer Awareness My Story Part 8

 

. . . continued from previous post. . .

I can remember very few things that happened on Chemo Monday, but the following memories are as vivid as if they happened yesterday:

-getting in the car to leave for Tulsa

-sitting down in a chair in a cold room

-IV bag with lots of red liquid in it

-nurse telling me how important it was for her to get the needle in my vein and keep it there (I didn't have a port.)

-that if the liquid got out of the vein, it would kill the tissue in my hand 

-going to Steak & Ale for a lunch, had a filet and baked potato (I was supposed to eat lots of protein.)

-falling into bed

-getting very sick

-nurse calling to find out my condition (Report was needed for the double-blind study.)

-crawling to the bathroom to rid myself of the filet and baked potato

 

-lying on the bathroom floor for most of the night. (It was easier than crawling back and forth from my bed to the toilet.)

-understanding what bile was

 

*I'm not sure when I was able to get back into bed or get out of bed . . . sometime the next afternoon

*Life was a blur.

*I had obviously not gotten the anti-nausea drug, Zofran

*What I had gotten was a very short hair cut. My regret is that I didn't get a pink mohawk. My hair started declaring mutiny from my head very quickly.

*About the time I began feeling like a normal human being, it was time for another chemo-cocktail. 

. . . to be continued . . . 

Breast Cancer Awareness My Story Part 7

. . . continued from previous post . . . 

The trip home from the tennis tournament seemed like it took forever. Did someone move Bartlesville to the other side of the world? Long story . . . short . . . I went straight to the ER. There seemed to be a problem with the drains and my little container attached to them.  'Nuff said.

Friday rolled around rather quickly and I found myself at Cancer Care Associates in Tulsa waiting for my first chemotherapy treatment. The nurse greeted me with my records which already looked like an unabridged dictionary. After perusing through several pages, she looked up at me and said, "I don't see the results of your pregnancy test."

No pun intended, but there was a pregnant pause that lasted more than just a few seconds. 

"My what?"

"Your pregnancy test."

"No one gave me a pregnancy test. Was I supposed to do one of those at-home things where you pee on a stick?"

"No, there were orders for you to have one. I guess that was overlooked."

"OVERLOOKED? What the heck? So, what does that mean?"

"It means you can't have chemo until we know you aren't pregnant."

"Ma'am, I can assure you I AM NOT PREGNANT!" (Did she not know I was in the midst of a divorce? Did she not know I was not fond of men at this point in my life? No way was I pregnant!)

"I'll  need you to pee in this little cup. If the results are negative, we will reschedule your chemotherapy for Monday. We'll be in touch."

By the time I returned home, the result was already in. I was pregnant.  Ha. No, I wasn't. I was just seeing if you were paying attention. I couldn't figure out why I couldn't have just waited on that result while I was there and get the chemo over with. (I just ended a run-on sentence with not one, but two prepositions.)

I decided I would not be going back on Monday. No one could make me. I would run away. No one could find me. 

I guess I was hallucinating on fear, (see image of  *red devil above) but quickly came back to my senses and knew if I wanted to live to see my girls play more tennis and softball, graduate, go to college, graduate, get married, have babies . . . and all the things that made my world-go-round, I had to have the chemo. Dr. S's words kept reverberating in my head, "You have a very aggressive cancer. We must treat it aggressively. If there is one little cancer cell floating around in your body, it won't take long."  He later told me my chance of survival had I not found that b-b-sized knot and acted on it so quickly, would not have been a high percentage. 

I think I've mentioned that EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES !

That weekend was about fifty-three days long, but Monday morning finally did arrive . . . 

*Red Devil=Adriamycin

to be continued . . .

 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness My Story Part 6

. . . continued from previous post . . . 

Just a few days after my surgery, my oldest daughter was playing in the state tennis tournament in Oklahoma City. Determined to watch her play, even with tubes still sticking out of my side and armpit, I made the trip with my usual side-kick-friend whose daughter was also playing. My chemotherapy was scheduled for the following Friday. This was weighing heavily on my mind. I kept thinking about my first appointment with my oncologist, Dr. S a few days earlier. He explained to me what I might expect after the chemo.

Zofran, the anti-nausea drug, had not been approved by the FDA yet. Dr. S told me that I had qualified for a double-blind study, meaning that either Zofran or a placebo would be added to my chemo-cocktail in the IV bag. If I received Zofran, the effects of the Adriamycin (The Red Devil) and Cytoxin might not cause too much nausea. If I received the placebo, I could probably expect to throw up my toenails. 

He also informed me to maybe go shop for a wig because I would lose my hair. I explained to him I had read that if you placed ice packs on your head, it might help to curb the hair loss. Dr. S's exact words, and I quote, "Kathy, you could sit in a walk-in freezer 24/7, but you're going to lose you hair. All of it. So, go find a cute wig. Your hair will start falling out a few days after your treatment on Friday." 

Well, there were no cute wigs, but I bought a couple anyway.

Dr. S also talked about other important things like diet, hydration, sores in my mouth, weight loss or weight gain, etc. Too much information to process. 

Needless to say, many things were bouncing around in my head when we arrived at the tennis center, so I was looking forward to just watching my daughter play tennis and put everything else in a box. 

Sigrid and I found our room and did the usual preparing for a few days of 'Tennis Mom' activities. We took the girls out for dinner that night and enjoyed being a part of the excitement of finding out what the draws looked like . . . who played who . . . who was seeded what. . . who played where . . . who played when . . . strategies . . . and the usual giggles that accompany a tableful of high school girls. 

The next morning I found myself in the throes of depression. I had not slept well. The entire left side of my body was aching. I couldn't lift my arm. The bag attached to the drains seemed to be filling up quickly. Visions of losing all my hair filled my soon-to-be bald head. I was a hot mess.

I quickly took my shower, dressed, threw on some war-paint, dried my hair and told Sigrid I had to get out of that room. As soon as I was out the door, I started running. I didn't know where I was running to, I just needed to run. Maybe run away from my thoughts and what was getting ready to happen in the next year.  My hair was going to fall out. No thirty-nine year old woman ever expects to be bald. But, within two weeks, that was going to be my new look.

As I rounded the corner of the motel, I almost ran smack dab into a lady who was returning to her room from the reception area.  Thank goodness we didn't collide.

I looked at her startled, smiling face as she said, "Well, good morning. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

Not exactly what I was thinking, but I managed a good-morning back to her.

That's when I looked down and noticed . . . 

. . . she was on crutches . . . 

. . . she had one leg . . . 

As she went on her way, I leaned against the wall and slide down it onto my butt.  Put my face in my hands and cried. And cried. And cried.

All my war-paint washed down my face and dripped onto my legs. 

Sitting there on the ground, at some motel in Oklahoma City, was where I decided I needed to get my $hit together.

My friggin' hair would grow back. That upbeat, smiling, beautiful lady's leg would not. 

I stood up. Pulled myself up by my boot straps even though I wasn't wearing boots, threw my shoulders back, and decided hair wasn't all it's chalked up to be. Hair was overrated. 

I had tennis matches to watch.

More importantly, I had two daughters who would watch me model how to survive. The next year of my  life would be an entire teachable moment. They would not watch their mother go down without a fight. 

It ended up being a successful tournament for our team. I think they came in second place. Who knows? All that matters is they had fun.

And, I got my priorities straight. Not to say I always kept them straight because it seems I was always rearranging them, but for the time being, there was that light at the end of the tunnel that I kept my eyes focused on.