Things are going well

At the beginning of this whole process, I said that I would never do a blog but alas, here I am eating my words and announcing that I have created one – LOL.  I decided it would be the best way to keep in touch with all of my awesome friends and family who are praying for me and doing so many things to support me through this journey.  Please feel free to connect here and just know that with Chemo starting soon, I will need to rest a lot and may not be able to respond but please know that I do read your notes and love you dearly! 

It is now over 2 weeks since I had surgery.  I am feeling so much better and I’m thankful to have the most painful part behind me!  I can now sleep on my side, which is my favorite and I am seeing some improvement in the skin healing and hope that my surgeon agrees.  I’m going to see my surgeon and my oncologist on Friday, so I should know more then on the start date for Chemo - but I think it will probably be around the 6^th of July.

Last week I was able to get out and do some shopping for post-surgery things that I needed to buy (who knew that surgery would create a need for retail therapy :)).   They even have special stores for people like me and give awesome discounts :).  Tomorrow I am going to check out one more wig store – just to get another option in addition to what I already found.  I am determined to have the best hair in town as I go through all of this :).  My mom is frantically trying to line up a family picture before I lose my hair and I am gearing up for my Chemo kick-off party where my family is planning a Chemo trivia game, a cancer piñata and pink accented food choices to complement the theme :).  I’m really excited to have this to look forward to, especially since it is also my birthday coming up.

I think it finally hit me on Friday that I have cancer (or maybe I should say “had” cancer, since technically they removed it in the surgery).  From the time that they gave me the news I never really cried much – I guess it all seemed surreal and I was in action mode trying to figure out a solution.  My family and friends were wondering why they were crying but I wasn’t?  For some reason the delayed emotional reaction finally caught up with me this weekend. I think it is important to have an emotional release as long as you don’t get stuck in it and allow it to bring you down.  So I had a good cry and then ordered a pizza and watched a movie :).  I'm doing fine now, so don't worry - I had a great weekend!

Saturday I got to visit with a wonderful new friend and Sunday I made it to church and made an appearance at a social function.  It was so good to get out and feel more like myself as I talked to friends I hadn’t seen in awhile. I have decided that I need to put a sign on my left side when I go out in public though, that says: “do not hug me here :)”.  For some reason people always pick that side and want to give me a squeeze and then I have to explain myself.   

A funny thought occurred to me – last year when all the women were posting the color of their bra in their status update on Facebook in the apparent support of breast cancer awareness, I was one of the few who didn’t do it.  I thought it was silly and kind of weird.  Well, look where that got me – LOL . . .  next time I’ll think twice about not following the latest trend on Facebook :).

Thank you for taking time to read this little update and know that I love and miss you!