It's Cancer - Unexpected biopsy

Big Daddy Nick took me to MDA this morning for what I thought would be a quick visit. I was supposed to have blood work and an ultrasound today in preparation for tomorrow's chemo. Something on the ultrasound made the doctors perform a biopsy. I still a big bruise on my breast from the biopsy that was performed at the end of September. Today I came home with my breasts wrapped to help with the bruising.

When Big Daddy came back to get me I was in tears. Some potato soup and a pain pill later I was asleep. Then everyone came home and now I'm awake, but still sleepy.

Today I'm celebrating family. They treat me so well, even making me eat when I don't want anything!

It's Cancer - A field trip

Right on time this morning Mitzie was here to chauffeur me to City Centre. It was a great day for shopping because it was cold outside and uncrowded inside. I made it about an hour and a half walking around before we called it quits and went to lunch.Yummy Mexican food. Thank goodness my distaste of onions has passed.

Tomorrow is prepping for chemo on Friday. I have blood work done and then a mammogram. This is the easy part. Friday, Sweetness will be with me at MDA for an appointment with my oncologist, port access and chemo.

Today I'm celebrating Mitzie. I honestly don't know what I would do without her.

It's Cancer - What a beautiful day

I'm feeling so much better today. Only a little bit of a couch and runny nose. Topo Chico is taking care of the scratchy throat. No mouth sores. Ha! I thought the cold/chemo combo was going to kick my butt, but I got this.

I put on one of my favorite shirts this morning only to discover (after removing the cleaning tag) that there is a hole near the hem. I hate it when that happens.

Today I'm celebrating a beautiful day. Girlfriends Chris and Kelly took me to lunch and we were able to sit outside at Hunky-Dory. Nothing surpasses catching up, eating a yummy meal, and receiving positive energy from for these fine ladies.

It's Cancer - A gloomy, rainy day

Mitzie and I were going to take a field trip to the Town & Country area, which I think is now referred to as City Centre although it's nowhere near the center of Houston. Anyway, it was raining so much this morning that we rescheduled.

On the health front, I'm once again somewhat audible and my nose is barely running. Unfortunately, I'm coughing so much my throat and chest are very sore. Recovery from this round of chemo has been very difficult because of my cold. Or maybe a truer statement is that getting over my cold has been more difficult because of chemo. Whichever, I'm tired of hacking.

Today I'm celebrating a brand new grand-nephew. Austin Clarence Pettit was born on November 29 to Byron's nephew and his wife, Matt and Kristina Pettit. The baby's pictures are adorable. We've never been to Atascadero, Calif. where they live, but I read: Close to everywhere you want to be, the City of Atascadero offers access to hundreds of wineries ... and the Pacific Ocean is just minutes away, as is stately Hearst Castle. Sounds like a great place where we should visit!

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It's Cancer - Repurposing the Astrodome

After watching the Texans play football against the Packers in the snow, I'm thinking the Houston Sports Authority should make a deal to move the Astrodome to Green Bay. How is it that Green Bay, where it snows often, doesn't have an indoor stadium and Houston has multiple?

The family was going to get a Christmas tree today, but the weather has kept us indoors. I'm still in bed not feeling well with Puffs at the ready, but smiling every time TLP has run into the bedroom or passed the door. He is still in his pajamas and continually singing Christmas songs. The tree can wait.

Today I'm celebrating the angels. I feel them surrounding me today, lifting me and helping me feel better.

It's Cancer - Mouth sores are back

I have things to do, but maybe not today. It's damp and cool outside, and I don't need my cold and stuffy nose getting any worse. I think the best thing to do is stay indoors and take medicine for my sore throat and mouth sores.

Climbing on my soap box, I'm tired of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan referring to Social Security Benefits as an "entitlement." I've paid into Social Security since I was 19 years old. I look at the Social Security statement that comes to the house and realize how much I've paid into the program. How can they cut back on the benefits?

Today I'm celebrating Mexican food. It's Friday and Mr. B likes to bring Mexican food home. I'll be ready.

It's Cancer - Normalcy

I'm sometimes forwarded articles about breast cancer such as the one I received yesterday from Kathleen. It was written by an oncology nurse who, after working with breast cancer patients, got the diagnosis herself. It was a beautifully written blog about how the nurse came to understand the feelings of cancer patients. 

In one example of what she came to understand she wrote about something that hit home with me. I've heard from so many friends since I announced I had breast cancer, yet there are still people (who I consider my friends) who have never acknowledged my diagnosis. The blogger explained this behavior very well: "You certainly couldn't blame them – you have even done the same to others when traumatic life events happened – and no you didn’t want to go out for drinks anyway because you don’t feel good. But you need normalcy." To those who haven't contacted me, it's fine to say something as simple as, “I’m so sorry this happened to you.” If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of interacting with me it’s OK to say, “I don’t know what to say.” But when you say nothing at all or avoid me entirely, I feel abandoned and think you don’t care. This is what people need to understand.

Today I'm celebrating awkward moments. To those people who haven't contacted me, you don't have to assume the role of cheerleader, saying things such as “Don’t worry about it,” or “You’ll be fine.” I just need normalcy, which includes past friendships.