fourteen years!!!!!

Well good evening all. Life sure is funny. 14 years ago today  I was at Carbonear Hospital giving birth to my beautiful daughter, Emily ( Her party on Saturday night  was a huge success) & now 14 years later today I am back there for my first chemo treatment. Today went wonderful. I got started at the hospital at 8:30 and was greeted by two very friendly nurses, Shari & Glenda. These ladies are absolutely awesome. I feel like I have known them forever. They never stopped a minute all the while I was there. They are so patient and kind and very willing to answer all my questions . Linda was with me as well. Glenn is still laid up  but will see a neurosurgeon on the 25th of this month. Guess we will know then what his prognosis is. He very much wanted to be at the hospital with me today but I wouldn't allow it- too hard for him to sitting there just waiting and watching.

I was a little anxious yet in fighting mode on arrival, but things got started rather quickly. With  the professional hands of Shari, the port worked like a charm again today and I never felt a thing. The needle went in and I did not even feel it. After a bag of fluids  and a few pills I got introduced to the "Red Devil" ...this is the one that will make my hair fall out but will also help me get better. My good friend Kellie came for a visit on her coffee break and it was great to see her. Then it was another bag of  chemo and finally a  third bag. The third bag required me to put my hands in ice water for an hour. This was not as bad as I thought. I got thinking about mom and Myra when they used to work in the crab/fish plant and would have to have their hands in icy water for most of the day. If they could so it for all day then surely I could stand an hour. Also Jean told me if I could think happy thought my heart would be warm and I'd forget about the cold hands. I also thought about Nellie and realized that if I could muster half the strength and courage that she has then I would be ok. Having Linda there for support meant a lot too. Cold hands Warm Heart indeed.  Like Buddy Wassiname  says in the story about the yammy when his crotch collided with a rock, "I just put it outta me mind" and before I knew it the gloves were off and I was done at 1:30. Man I was busting ...all that fluid.You know ladies how you feel when you have to have a full bladder for an ultrasound! Man oh Man just made it to the washroom....felt 10 pounds lighter when I came out! All in all ,it was a good visit. My next visit was scheduled for Feb 7th . I laughed when she told me and said great that is my husbands birthday. So she changed it to the next day.

Got home around 2 and was feeling quite tired ( never slept last night ...very restless and I don't know why cause I promised myself I would never worry about tomorrow again). Maybe it was from all the laughing I did from the Betty White birthday special and her new show Off their rockers. It was hilarious.

Since it was Emily's birthday we carried on the family traditon of going out for supper ( although it wasnt the same without Luke but we will do that again next week when we go in for Glenn's appointment with the surgeon) . We went to Jungle Jim's and had a delicious supper . Emily was glad to see two guys who were her camp counsellors at Burry Heights this summer and was blushing a little ( hahaha) and I can tell that by th time she is 16 Glenn's hair will be grey...he is not liking all the attention on boys!!!

Now it is back home so I can write this blog and share my good news with you. I appreciate the calls messages and emails. They all make me feel so loved, supported and special. Thanks agin. I am addding a few pics of some of the wonderful things I have received. My good friend Pat Ivimey made me a breath taking quilt wchich I carried with me today. She is an amazing seamstress and made this to keep me warm in the coming days. The pictures do not so it justice at all.  Corinne also popped in with a lovely angel bear . I seem to be surrounded by angels and am enclosing a picture of some of them too ( thanks Courtney, Mom Welsh, Rhonda, Debbie Marsh) In time of sickness it is so comforting to know that people truly care. I know I also have some special angels in heaven who are watching over me today.

Now enough of the serious sappy stuff - it's time for some good medicine- laughter. so here goes ....this one is for my brothers Ed & Eric who always appreciates my jokes ( This ones a clean one Ed cause you never knows who could be reading this ya know!!!!)   Things You'll Never Hear A Man Say:
Here honey, you use the remote.
You know, I'd like to see her again, but her breasts are just too big.
Ooh, Antonio Banderas AND Brad Pitt? That's one movie I gotta see!
While I'm up, can I get you anything?
Honey since we don't have anything else planned, will you go to the wallpaper store with me?
Why don't you go to the mall with me and help me pick out a pair of shoes?
Aww, forget Monday night football, Let's watch The Young and The Restless
Hey let me hold your purse while you try that on.
We never talk anymore


Now it is time to sign off....there's a special girly waiting to curl up with me and her new Justin  Bieber movie

The beautiful jigsaw pattern quilt

In fighting mode sheilded with my armour

Me & Sister Linda

Me & Kellie(who always makes me laugh)

My Angel Bear

Earthly angels who remind me that I am loved and have many prayers being said

My B eautiful Baby Girl hwo is all grown up...enjoying a strawbery non alcholic daquiri

Thelma & Louise's Good Hair Day

 Well what a day it was.......left the house around nine and never got back until nine last night. Got lots of requests on facebook for some pics so enjoy them all and try not to laugh too hard at the red head ( done just for you Kellie Crummey) and the blondie ( don't worry Emily & Luke I am not going with that one). It was a great day indeed , did a lot of laughing and a little bit of crying but overall would give the "Thelma & Louise Remake Day" two thumbs up. We arrived in downtown, St. John's just after ten and made the short walk up the street ( don't worry mom I wore a hat & scarf so as not to catch a cold in my face!!!!) to Karma, the beautiful salon where my amazing neice Nadene works ( thanks for the haircut & the beautiful gift basket filled with goodies...my favorite things of all were the breast cancer chia head and the sweedish berries!!!!) . Here I  got treated like royalty, loved the hot towels and got rid of some hair with a smile on my face. Linda says I have the Halle Berry style and Myra agrees. Wasn't really sure what Glenn and the kids would think but they all loved it too. Thanks Nadene for your special touch and making me feel so good!!!!! The scalp massage was just super.  Next we were off to the mall and went to see Lorraine at Fredericks Hair Salon at the Village. This woman was awesome...gave me two and a half hours of her time and then encouraged me to check out other salons before I made a purchase ( not going anywhere else though- she was too good) . She is a ten year breast cancer survivor herself and could really appreciate what I am feeling. She also volunteers at the Cancer Clinic with the look good, feel better campaign and invited me to a free two hour session where I would learn all kinds of  makeup tricks to mask the loss of hair, eyelashes and brows. Here I will also learn lots of tricks with the wig I am buying.....wow new boobs, new teeth, new hair style AND new makeup ...move over Pamela Anderson I am going to be hot to trot!!!!!!! The whole experience was very enlightening and I really appreciated the time and advice Lorraine shared with me. Linda& I had some fun as well trying on all kinds of wigs..... Myra says the blonde is not becoming on us but I think we could do alright on a night out with a few touch ups ! hahhaha.  Well I started sending pics to Denise for her opinion and without realizing it I sent one to the wrong cell number and got a lovely message from a guy who, when I asked "who is this",   told me he was "just some punk looking for  a job" . He commented on the wig , without knowing it was a wig and said :' nice salon, nice hairdo
miss " Hahhahhah I nearly died and and for a second was fightened that I may have sent it to a student or former student and it would end up in cyberspace in God knows what website  but then I though ahhh what odds maybe the poor young guy can show it to his friends and say "just look at this cougar!" Next it was off to Daffodil Place resource centre.  Here I tried on other wigs, got a new temporary prostheis ( again just like trying on shoes...they only went to a certain size and that one didn't fit!) But the lady was kind enough not to gasp when I told her my bra size and she is going to order a new one in for me to fill out my bra in the right size and shape to ensure maximum comfort...not to worry though I still have two back up ones that my wonderful mother in law designed especially for me , her favorite daughter in law ( ok so what ........I'm her only one but I'd still be her favorite if she had two). I also got some turbans and head coverings here too....was feeling pretty tired by this time and a little more emotional becasue I couldn't realy believe that I
was there picking out such items. Next it was off to the mall to pick up a few things for Emily's party on Saturday night . I know I must be nuts inviting a crowd of teenage girls into for the night .... but truthfully I am looking forward to it. Emily is so excited about it and can't wait for them to come. Her 14th birthday is on Tuesday, which is most likely when I will have my first treatment. Luke went to the mall with us and as soon as I picked him up he said " nice hairdo mom" which was no surprise cause I can never remember a time when he didn't compliment me on my haircuts. After a little shopping it was off to the Price club ... you know the hundred dolalr store...man I thought it would be slow in there but no the place was a buzz. I managed to get some fresh fruit and a few treats for us all and then it was time to hit the road. Linda offered to take me to Penningtons but I just didnt have it in me....I was tired, cold and pretty much wiped. so Thelma & Louise hit the road and made it safe and sound back home again.It was a great day indeed..I feel so lucky that Linda was able to go to this with me. She was with me for my biopsy, my mastectomy and my first visit to the chemo unit. I know all my others sisters would like to have been there but unfortuantely they are working & could not be at all events but I know they are always with me in  spirit , thought and prayer. Being the baby has a few perks you know. I am looking forward to Myra visiting with me tomorrow and I am sure she will help get things ready for the big party tomorrow ...oh by the way for all you mothers of teenagers did you know that once you get past grade 7 having a party at a swimming pool or bowling alley is SO LAME !!! I didn't but I do now!!! So the party is a go here!! Now as tradition states I will conclude with a joke  but before I do I just wanted to mention that a number of people have messaged me on face book and have said they wanted to leave a comment on my blog but could't I think you have to set up a google account first (according to Carletta ) before you can actuallly post a comment. Anyway here goes my joke for today:

While my friend was working as a receptionist for an eye surgeon, a very angry woman stormed up to her desk.."Someone stole my wig while I was having surgery yesterday," she complained.
The doctor came out and tried to calm her down."I assure you that no one on my staff would have done such a thing," he said."Why do you think your wig was taken here?""After the operation, I noticed the wig I was wearing was cheap- looking and ugly. It surely was not the one I came in wearing!""I think," explained the surgeon gently, "that means your cataract operation was a success."

January 9

Well hello all.!!!! Hope this past week has been a productive one . I had a relatively great weekend ( even though my boy did not come home from MUN)  and had a fantastic Sunday. I got to see my newest great nephew Jake Micheal being christened and welcomed in to God's family. What a beautiful service....saw my sister in law Paula wiping a few tears from her eyes and thought " Gee that what being a grandmother must feel like - heart bursting at every milestone your grandchild reaches" ...... so happy for them all and even though I'd love to have a grand baby to spoil I am nowhere ready for one yet!!!!!  Then after church we went to the hall for a family luncheon and  to celebrate my father on law's 80th birthday. Had a wonderful time and got to see some family and friends I havent seen in a while. Was heart warming to hear about all  who are praying for me still.  Got to spend the rest of the afternoon with my mom which was nice....she's so cool. She wanted to get on Skype so we could chat with Luke at MUN and Eric in Darthmouth. It was fun. She is right into facebook and is learning lots which goes to prove you are never too old to learn. Eric informs me that he is flying home to see me at the end of the month and I am so looking forward to that.... he is my nephew for those who don't know,  but is more like my brother. He makes me laugh so much and is great at rubbing the calves of my legs.... I wonder will he still make me pay him $2.00 to do that  like he did when he was a boy!!!!  Looking so forward to spending some time with him  and hoping his wife Colleeen and daughter Charlotte can make it later to see me as well.

 I just got back from the hospital so I thought I would post this update. I saw the dr and he was speaking to my oncologist at the cancer clinic so here is the plan: get bad tooth out asap and leave all other dental work for fear of complications. Then back to hospital on Monday for reassessment and will start chemo as soon as blood work indicates it is safe to do so , which may be Tuesday or Wednesday.  But the  REALLY GREAT NEWS is that the port in my chest is still in the right place so I do not have to go back to O.R. to have anything done with it. That is my prayer from yesterday answered....I tell you I prayed some hard for that while I was kneeling in church yesterday morning but no surprise all my prayers have been answered thus far and God is listening indeed........... I often think  how blessed I am to have so many people praying for me. Keep them coming guys!!!

So at 9:00 a..m. tomorrow I will sitting in the dentist chair. Now I have to tell you I have the most amazing dentist in NL. Dr. Noel is so patient and gentle and does not make me feel one bit embarassed about the fact that out of all his patients I am probably the bigggest scaredy cat. I can't help it but after having a bad dental expereince years ago I can't seem to get over my fear of the dental office. However I am in fighting mode again and will take whatever he gives me tomorrow.  Now I have to tell you something funny ( which some of you may not find funny but I do have a warped sense of humor on times so I think it is funny!!!!) On the way back from the hospital I was discussing my fear of dentists with my friend Helen who went to the hospital with me this morning (Glenn is still in major back pain and I would not let him go for fear of making it worse sittting around for 2 -3 hours) . I said to her "Tonight  I am going to pray  and ask God for peace of mind so I''ll  be ready for the dentist tomorrow"... well then I pulled into the post office to check my mail and lo and behold there was only one little piece of mail ....a card from Blue Cross Life Insurance that had the words PEACE OF MIND in big letters at the top of the little info. Well I started to laugh and could not stop!!! People must have thought I was foolish as I walked out of the post office but as Helen said it is just as well to laugh and that is what I plan on doing.

I guess that's about it for the updates. Hope all is well with all of you guys...now don't forget to keep me in your prayers ... add Dr. Noel and his assistant in there too as they will have their work cut out for them no doubt. Just imagine not only am I going to have a great set of boobs at the end of this journey, I am also going to have an amazing set of teeth!!!! I may be ready for Hollywood indeeed!!! Nahhh I don't think so.  I want to go back to room  209 and Ascension and teach all those hormone crazy teenagers who keep my spirit as young as they are. Missing all of them this week as I know they are in pre exam study mode  ( or they better be!!!!) Missing my colleagues too as I know they are all to their ying yags now trying to get review done and exams made up!!! I ' ll try to send in some treats for the staff room table to help your sweet tooth during exam week!!!

Now to end off with a joke for today ( just in case you did not think my life insurance story was funny enough!!!)    Here goes :  George was a thoughtful husband. He wanted to give his wife something special for her birthday which was coming up soon. As he sat on the edge of the bed, he watched his wife turning back and forth and looking at herself in the mirror. "Reta," he said, "What would you like for your birthday?"
His wife continued to look at herself and said, "I'd like to be six again."
George knew just what to do. On the big day, he got up early and made his wife a bowl of Fruit Loops. Then he took her to an amusement park where they rode all the rides. Five hours later, Reta's stomach felt upside down and her head was reeling. Never the less, George took her to McDonald's and bought her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake. Next, it was a movie with popcorn, soda and her favorite candy. As Reta wobbled into the house that evening and flopped on the bed, George asked her, "Well, Dear, what was it like to be six again?" Reta looked up at him. Her expression changed. She said, "I meant my dress size!"

Day 1

First of all let me explain why I am blogging: Two reasons really: 1 becasue I want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement and as much as I would love to chat with you all some days it is hard to do so. For example yesterday ( one of my real bad days in a awhile) I had almost 30 calls. This venue will keep everyone updated. I'm not saying I don't want  you all...having no voice contact with you would be worse thatoo much but I know some o you may just want to see how I am and be busy yourselves so I thought this would be an easy way to keep you up to date. Yesterday was a rough one as I had a very bad toothache, went to the dentist to discover that I have an infection .

Today I was supposed to start chemotreatments but becasue of the infection I could not startThe nurses had trouble accessing my port for blood work so I had to have a chest Xray to make sure all that was fine. I will be back to hospital on Monday for reassessment and have been given a eavy dose of antibiotics to clean up the tth infection. After that it should be smooth sailing.

My friend Denise stopped by with supper for us so that means I dont have to cook tonight. I have to say I am overwhelmed with the support : food gift cards, clening services, emotional support & every other thing we have gotten since Nov 4 when I was diagnosed. I cant fully explain how I feel ablout it...most days "unworthy" seems the right word but people keep saying no it's just payback. I don't really feel that becasue I don't ever consider the things I have done for others in the past....I just did what I thought was needed and never gave it a second thought.  But thank you does not seem enough but it is all I can offer right now. When this journey is over and all is back to normal I will be hosting a big celebrationa nd you'll all be invited to celebrate with us,. Many of you may have heard about Glenn as well. He has two discs out in his back and has been laid up since Dec 19.... not easy for a man who never stops. He will see a neurologist assap and hopefully get things back in place. I 'd ask you to keep him in your prayers as well. He is my rock and strngth and I am so blessed that he picked me to be his wife. Many of youmay not really know the ral Glenn but let me tell you I am so lucky to have him by my side. I used to tease him and tell him that if every man at The Dept. of Transportaion had it as good as him the world would be a better place. However I know teh worls is a better place simply becasue of him!

The second reason I am doing this is becasue I decide that laughter is teh best medicine so I am going to use this blog to share my humor. I thougt about many names for this blog and had it called the one boob wonder but then I thought I am only going to have 1 boob for a while and in a few months I will have the "hollywood rack" that women would have to pay thousands of dollars for . In teh end I tried several names but they were all taken so I ended up with tough and strong since everyone tells me that is what I am. Thought about using
 " you looks some good" cause I've heard taht a hundred times ( nobody ever told me that before I had breast cancer so I figure it is is one of the perks along with all the otehr attention I have been getting!!!!)

Now back to the real humor: