My Angel Assignment

A few entries back I posted about applying to become a ChemoAngel. Well today I was assigned my chemo patient. Due to confidentiality I won't reveal any of her information, but I am thrilled to be "angeling" someone that is going through similar struggles as me. I just finished my first letter to her that I will drop in the mail Monday morning. Now I am on the hunt for those special little gifts that will brighten her day and hopefully send some of the the cancer shadows running.

Also I would like to send a collective thank you for all of those that have donated to my Race for the Cure page. You don't know what it means to me to have your support. Thank you again!

I will try to post a picture this week of my new hair growth. It is coming in dark after all and is thicker than ever! It still isn't long enough to "style", but I'm just thankful to have it up there to wash again.

No other cancer news to report--praise the Lord. Life is returning to normal and it's almost like cancer was just a really bad dream. I know as December looms closer (testing time) I will begin to feel anxious again, but for now I am living happily in ignorant bliss.

Race for the Cure

We registered last night for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It is being held here in Houston on September 30th. We are going to participate in the Family Walk that way Emma can walk with us. I am really excited about it for some reason. I guess just knowing I will be among the survivors somehow makes me proud. I can't explain that though...it's not like I did anything to "survive". Those that didn't win their battles didn't fight any less than I did. I guess I am really looking forward to seeing so many other survivors. It gives me hope.

I sent out an email yesterday about donating in my name. Again, please don't feel obligated. I just wanted to share this positive aspect of cancer with everyone. Maybe someday they will find a way to prevent breast cancer all together--hopefully in Emma's lifetime.

Below is a link to my personal fund-raising page.

My Page

If anyone would like to come and walk with us, we'd love to have you! You can register on-line here.

Come and celebrate with us! This is a great way to end this cancer journey--victorious!!

Follow-up appointments

I went for my follow-up appointments this week. I saw my plastic surgeon on Tuesday and she said everything looks great. I don't go back to see her until January, so I'm now officially cleared and my life is mine again.

I saw my oncologist yesterday. It was really rather pointless, but a necessary evil I guess. He asked how I was feeling (fine). Was I having any problems (no). He did ask if my appetite had returned and as I answered yes he said (while looking at my chart), "yes, I see you've put on a few pounds". Um, hello....rude. Like I don't choke each morning when I step on the scale and see the little needle heading the wrong direction. I keep wanting to blame it on my new boobs...surely they must be the reason for my extra weight. Somehow though I don't think they weigh THAT much. Since my surgeon cleared me, I guess I'm obligated to start exercising again so now I don't have any excuses (that bites!).

I also had blood drawn and gave a urine sample to check my liver function on the Tamoxifen. He wants to see me back in December for a chest X-ray and CT scan. He said a follow-up mammogram is pointless since there isn't any breast tissue to examine. I see where he's coming from, but it still makes me nervous. I guess the CT scan will show anything they need to see. So now I don't have to think about cancer until December. Uh-huh, like that's going to happen....

My Angel Wings

Today I applied for my Angel wings. What in the world am I talking about? A wonderful opportunity to support other cancer patients. If my application is accepted I will be assigned a cancer patient. I will become their ChemoAngel. My job will be to send a card or small gift each week for the duration of cancer treatment (no longer than 18 months). I think this is a FABULOUS idea!

I'll find out within 10 days if I have been accepted and will be assigned a patient thereafter. I am so excited. Here is the link so you can check it out for yourself.

ChemoAngels

They also offer the opportunity to "angel" senior citizens that need a friend.

Will I ever escape it?

Most days I don't think about cancer. It oddly enough seems like it never really happened most days. I look in the mirror though and I'm reminded that I didn't do this to my hair--cancer did. Even that will be corrected in the months to come though. I will then just look like a normal woman and no one will be the wiser to what I've been through. I like not thinking about cancer every single day. Here is the big BUT...but, I've found that cancer has invaded even aspects of my life pre-cancer. I am going through all of our photos and putting them in albums. Each picture I pick up I don't think about the memory it represents--I think, "Did I have cancer when this was taken? How long was I sick before we found out?" I HATE this!! Yet another thing that cancer has taken from me. Yes, I can push beyond these thoughts and remember the sweet things about the picture, but will this always be the process? Cancer first--sweet memories after? It makes me angry that a little tumor can change your entire life forever.