Is fat the worst thing ever, or what?

This week I managed to turn 38 years old!  Thank you very much.
Having a birthday gets better every year.  You are so much more appreciative of what it takes to make it through another year with a smile on your face and good people in your life.  Even better, you are amazed at the number of people who reach out to wish you a happy birthday and who join in the celebration that you are alive.
I was astonished at the birthday wishes I received via social media, including through LinkedIn.  People I wouldn't have anticipated left best wishes and compliments about how I am living my life.  - That is what is on my mind tonight.
Most of the time I really don't think I am doing anything too magnificent.  When you think about it, like everyone else, I have two choices.  Deal with my life with a smile and can-do attitude or not.  But, there are those moments of reflection when I take stock of what is happening right now, or has happened in the last 8-10 years and I think  
WHOA!  Someone stop this ride, I want off! Really, the dumbo roller coaster is more my speed.

But, this is it. My cancerous life.  I am very flattered that people find me an inspiration and example of living well. 
I have reflected a lot on what I believe of myself (that I am incredibly average and shamefully overweight) compared to what other see in me.  I realize, I have a distorted view of myself.  How did this happen?  Who is to blame?  I don't know the answer to that, but I do know I spent years in relationships that were poisonous without seeing it.  The situation and the way I handled it let me to accept horrible self-talk. 
So, this year, I have to make a change. I have to learn that I am amazing just as I am, and I have to learn to treat myself that way.  That very personal confession probably sounds silly to those people who love me just they way I am.  It is silly, silly to feel so unworthy of the good things in life because of a body type.
I am more than my weight.  I am smart, hard working, loving, dedicated, loyal, thankful. 
So, here is the plan. (putting it out here makes me feel more accountable) I got new sneakers and a fitbit for my birthday. I have committed to enjoying better-for-me food and moving more.  I am also not going to allow myself to say things about myself that I wouldn't allow my children to say about themselves or others.  No more reasoning that I don't deserve good things because of one aspect of me.
Learning that I am an inspiration to people who I think are amazing is going to change me.  I am going to let it change me.

News on the cancer fight: It is test week.  I have been denied authorization for a PET scan. They have decided to authorize a bone scan.  I am frustrated by this because a pet scan will look at both bone and soft tissue for any signs of cancer and obviously a bone scan will not.  The scientific logic behind the decision is sound, but given that this is my life we are talking about, I don't care about logic too much.  Since my blood counts are up again (although slight) I want to use all tactics to find these cancer cells and blast them to hell. 
Anyway, I will get my bones scanned.  I will then see what they find. And, if there are any oddities, I will fight for more tests.
Dr. J and I both think the scans should come back with good news.  We are hopeful that I will get to take some time off from chemo.  Maybe a month.
When this all started, 3 years and 6 months ago is when I was diagnosed with stage 4, I was so confident that God was going to let me be one of his miracles.  I couldn't wait to tell the world how God saved me, He took away my cancer when science said it couldn't be done.  But, I have had to give up that dream.  I have been hoping for years and years without chemo or any treatment for cancer.  I was sure this is what God wanted for me.  I mean, what else could He possibly have in mind?  Now I am seeing that I may have to get crazy excited about having even one month off chemo.
Last time I met with Dr. J and she suggested I may get a month off my heart was crushed.  I was depressed for a couple days and didn't know if I wanted to keep fighting.  But, even though my near teen age children aren't as enthusiastic about me as they were when they were young, I still am the right person to raise them.  And, even if it takes too much to keep this all up, I can do it. 
I must say, I am so thankful for the people I can help because of my cancer.  I sweet woman was in the waiting room when I left the chemo pharm the other week.  She asked where I had gotten my headwrap.  She was having such a rotten time finding one that would stay in place.  I am so so so blessed.  If I didn't have cancer, if I wasn't getting chemo, if I wasn't bald - she wouldn't have been able to ask me.  I couldn't have helped her.  After we talked head scarves and turbans I talked to her about ways to handle the nausea she was having.  I was able to tell her, yes, I too once had some balance issues from the drugs.  Sometimes, having someone say...yes I have that... makes it seem more manageable.  And, since her food tastes so strange, she can't stand to eat.  I suggested using plastic and not silverware.  I have learned a thing or two in these years with cancer.  And, what good does it do for me to keep all that to myself?

BTW - I have to write a post about how much I LOVE this company, but not tonight.  If you need a head wrap go to www.goodwishesscarves.org This amazing company provides a free head wrapto anyone going through cancer.  These wraps are super cute and fit so well.  They are shapped to stay in place and have minimal seams so they are comfortable.  I wish I had 2 dozen of these.  The one I have is a favorite of all my head covers. 

Thanks all for your beautiful support.  

Kel

10 Months!!!! Can you believe it?

I have a PET/CT scheduled for next week.  Then the week after that I will get the results and we will see where the last 10 MONTH OF CANCER TREATMENT have gotten me.  

10 Months!!!! Can you believe it?  

Here is where it all began.  Well, really it began back in June 2006 when I was first diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  Stage IIIB and an original tumor greater than 10cm and 18/24 lymph nodes involved.  I powered through A/C chemo followed by Taxol, perception, Arimadex, Aromasin and nearly 5 years as a survivor.  I had survived a mostly broken marriage, divorce, moved across America and even a period of unemployment during our recent economic crisis that plagues many.  I had put a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction behind me.  After all that, I believed I would be taking on the world, or at least Disney World.

Instead, last October, nearly 1 year ago, I failed a blood test and ended up in Cancer-Detention.  (lol, I think that is a good name for a repeat cancer patient.  Maybe it should be Remedial-Cancer)  Now, each month I get a re-test.  Some months I pass, some months I fail - like this month when I had to start a new treatment plan because of my bad score.

I really have been able to continue on, at least on the outside, as always.    However, at home it can be a different story.  I spend many weekends sleeping or resting the entire time.  I have struggled with joint and bone pain that makes me want to cry or scream.  And, today, with rain storms brewing I had some moderate discomfort.

BUT, I haven't missed a day of work, besides surgery one day to have a port placed, because of my cancer.  I haven't missed one soccer game or swim meet because of cancer.  I have been truly blessed to fight with power, even when I am weak.

I have been so blessed.  I try to always see the things I have and the power I am given to do so much, because I believe it is your attitude that governs you satisfaction with life.

Be positive, be beautiful
Love, Kel