They've really "smooved" 'em now!

When my adorable nephew, Adam (who is now 28) was approximately three years old, he climbed into my lap and when he realized where his head had gone during the climbing process he said, "oops, sorry NaNa, I smooved your boob"!

Adam's phrase has been a family joke for 25 years now but early yesterday morning it certainly took on new meaning as I underwent a double mastectomy. I'm sitting in my hospital bed with my dad's laptop typing this post and feel pretty okay. I'm not sure what I expected, but I have considerably more mobiity with my arms than I expected to have at this point.

I went through the unveiling about an hour ago....not the most fun I've ever had but you do what you have to do and you learn that you can get used to anything.....especially when you have no choice. There are many more details, but I'll spare those for now............

As I have been since I was diagnosed with breast cancer last September, I continue to be astounded by the outpouring of love, concern, food, well wishes that have truly gone from coast to coast! Evan and I will never be able to put into words our immense gratitude.

I'll post more later......I'm feeling a little nap coming on.....

More prayers please!

I'm doing fine right now, but please add my Aunt Lene to all of your prayer lists. She was just diagnosed with lung cancer and unfortunately there's been spreading to the brain. She's is my only aunt and absolutely one of a kind!

I have no doubt that prayers have played a huge part in getting me through chemo, so please keep them coming!

A Little Lost...

I went in today for my weekly Herceptin treatment and met with my oncologist, Dr. Jordan. She concluded with my other doctors that the treatments have done amazingly well! She suspended my Herceptin treatment until after I finish surgery and radiation. Both herceptin and radiation have the potential to cause some heart damage, so she said that typically you don't do both things at the same time. My surgery is three weeks from today and she said I could start radiation about four weeks after surgery. I'll be able to do the radiation here in T. Club so that's GREAT!!

I have to admit that leaving her office which has been my home away from home for these past four months felt pretty strange, but I'll be back in April to continue Herceptin until October. I am thrilled to be done with chemo and have no treatment for a while but it sure feels strange!!

She also said "you can be assured that any microscopic cancer cells were eradicated by this treatment.??!"

Anyone know when I can expect some hair to grow back on my head??!!

Life LONG Before Breast Cancer

It dawned on me today that I have about three weeks before surgery with no chemo to dread, etc....not sure how to approach this, so I've been doing my favorite thing in the world: looking at and editing photos on the computer. I came across a few that reminded me just how old my babies have gotten. These three pics are among my absolute all time favorites of my kids. The one of Polley should be an ad for GAP. The one at the beach was when we went to Disney in 01. And, the one of Sam's first day of school absolutely makes me cry just thinking about it.

SURGERY...

...is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th at Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth. After recovery of 5-6 weeks, there'll be six weeks of radiation followed by a hysterectomy early summer and reconstruction surgery late summer...............I'm thinking I should throw in some dental surgery just for fun!! ha!

Chemo is over.

What A Week!!

Well, it's been a week today since my last big blast of chemo. I'm feeling mostly okay....food still tastes strange, but that'll pass soon I hope. I managed to sleep through most of these side effects so round 6 was definitely the easiest on me. (NOT FUN, but nowhere near as bad as some of the others!)

Round 6 was made considerably easier by the generosity of so many friends who supplied WONDERFUL meals for our family. Among the things we enjoyed this week were:

Teriyaki chicken
Frito Pie Bake
Cococonut cake
Chocolate cake
Cheesecake
Cookies
Shepherds Pie
Chicken Alfredo Lasagna
Chicken Enchiladas
Central Market Pork
Beautiful salads

I know I'm forgetting some marvelous dishes, but THANKS to all who helped this week:
Kathy C, Sandi N, Libby D, Kindall D, Elaine V, Toni N, Linda G.

You all have made the chemo experience so much more bearable!

A Million Thanks.
Karen

One of my Favorite Days

Today is January 20, 2009, a date that will forever be a part of our history in this nation. As a follower of politics and one interested to a degree in all things historical, I am certainly enjoying following the events of this great day.

AND, today I am taking my 6th and final BIG round of chemo. Feels pretty good! Although realistically I may need chemo again someday, at least this is it FOR NOW!! Thanks so much to everybody for everything...especially the thoughts and prayers! I have no doubt at all of their significance in this journey.

FINALLY, January 20th has long been a great day for me. It started on what was a cold Saturday in January during my senior year in high school. Late in the day on this dreary weathered day, my life was forever changed: I became an AUNT! I had no way of knowing how altered my life would be. I consider myself so very fortunate and blessed to have seven wonderful nieces and nephews (four more counting those acquired when I married).
One of the coolest parts about these awesome young individuals is that they all possess their own uniqueness! Our family is never boring! And, my children are so fortunate to be the youngest of their cousins – on both sides!

Back to today-- Happy 30th Birthday Cabo, Sabo, Rabo!!!!!!!!!!

You changed our lives forever!

Love,
NaNa, WahNa, Pahna…………………