Graduation...the journey is only beginning

 I know I have been away from blogging for way too long and I apologize. I have exciting news though...I graduated! Yup, I completed my final dose of Xeloda (just in time...the skin on my hands and feet were really taking a hit)!  I took 8 cycles which took a little over 6 months and I am officially finished.

This chemo was by my choice, after much research, and was a proactive way to throw a curve ball to any possible left over cancer cells (which I am sure there were NOT!). A lot of women in my position with triple negative breast cancer make this choice even though the only study at the time had been done in Japan. Well guess what? Since so many of us did that there are now studies being done nation wide on this chemo for triple negative cancer!

I also graduated from regular oncology appointments and won't go in again until next April. That is a happy thing and a little bit scary to tell the truth. I am going to do my best to put "scary" aside and go with the "happy" part for sure. ;o)  

I am now in the final stages of having my skin on both my feet and hands come off. It is so ugly, I feel like a snake shedding it's skin. I still don't have finger prints yet, 24 hour fitness just loves me with checking in. Now I am the lady they all know can't do the fingerprint scan lol.

Blessings

God is such a great painter!

As I look back on this last year and a half I can't believe how much my life has changed, how much I have changed and even how much my relationships with God, family and friends have changed...all for the better. It is so hard to realize that many blessings are going to come your way when you get news like mine. It is hard to see out of your own thunderstorm to recognize or believe that. Although I must say is hasn't been a walk in the park, I am so very thankful that my body sustained itself so well during all of this. It was by no means a coincidence, it took great faith, a good attitude and a commitment to not give in to it all. 

In hindsight (which I pray is where it will stay) I must say that this journey of mine has been filled with many more blessings than difficulties. I learned so much about myself, I found so many ways to improve myself, I deepened so many wonderful relationships (and could see clearly which needed to go or at least take a less important role in my life), our beautiful family grew even closer, and most of all I know what it is to leap into God's arms and put all of your trust in Him. Blessings are always tucked away for us amidst troubles, we just need to put our own pity aside and look for them. 

I do NOT feel God gave me cancer but I do feel He made the most of it! Thank you Lord!

Fun is a MUST in life!

I love working with my small
group at confirmation. These kids
truly touch my heart!

I was able to return to Mexico and see my lovely daughters
learning to be hairstylists. I LOVE these girls so much!

Hiking Idyllwild with Don and Rob <3

Tight squeeze with my
"adventure girls?

A"mazing" time with Wendy and Catie

Prayers

In my last post I asked you to pray for my friend Sherry that was in surgery to remove some of her tumors in her liver. Unfortunately Sherry did not survive her procedure and is now in the Lord's hands. She fought such an amazing fight for so many years and was actually cracking jokes and helping others right up until the week she passed away. I miss her funny text messages and her kindness.

I need you! Although I will not be posting regularly I humbly ask for your continued prayers. I need them so much even now. I am told THIS is the tough time for triple negative survivors. It is the time you are no longer actively fighting it since all of the treatments and surgeries are over. The waiting game starts and the finish line awaits. Will you be part of the 40% this comes back for (usually at 2.5 years and within 5 years) or will you be in the 60% that will continue life here. Well, I am certainly aiming to be in that 60% and am doing all that I can to help that. I am eating a low meat, high vegetable diet, being careful with the products I use that touch my body, working out regularly, going out and having as much fun as possible, and spending a lot of time talking with God! Please keep me in your prayers and I will certainly do the same for you. I appreciate all of you sticking by me with your love and support and I need you now as much as ever!

Oh yeah...forgot to mention a slight set back. After a fun night at Diner en Blanc with these characters I fell and got a hairline fracture on my left wrist and a 11pm-6am visit to the ER! Just didn't have enough going on I guess. LOL

Something to Share

I picked up a book I have had for awhile. It is a beautiful book on Mother Teresa called The Joy in Living. I must have gotten this back in 2014 (8 months before I was diagnosed). I had written something in the back. I am not sure why I wrote it but it is amazing for me to re-read it now. Little did I know what was going to happen 8 months later! Here it is:

"When I kneel quietly and talk with God it open my heart, my ears and stimulates my brain...sometimes it leads me to truths God wants me to face about myself. Yes, that can be a bit painful but I always thank Him for the chance to grow. If He doesn't show me my inadequacies then I can't improve. BUT the best part of my talking to Him is the listening! I get messages of enlightenment that I would never have during a busy day or laying in bed falling asleep. The are amazing messages of direction, comfort and love. It deepens my knowledge that I am never alone and that He stands beside me.

Now I need to work on realizing that each and every moment of my day while the world tries to distract me. When I succeed at this I say fewer things to regret, feel so much happier and my heart is full of gratitude. 

I am a work in progress and I appreciate His patience!" 10/14/14