The Adventures of the other Pancho and LeftyCancer is a jerk. This is my story about living with it.

Oct 15th 13 days

I am trying really hard to not panic. It isn’t working. All that positivity I had is disappearing pretty quick. I think it is because I felt like my surgery was to be the beginning of the end of this, and now it seems like this will stretch out for who knows how long. More uncertainty. And the thought of having this in-between boob thing just freaks me the eff out.  I donno. I think that it would be easier mentally if it were a regular mastectomy, and not as skin-sparing one. I know it has to be skin-sparing so that I can have the reconstruction I want, but it is still weird. I advise that you do NOT do an image search on the internet to see what I mean. I kept saying that breasts did not make me a woman, and I know they don’t, but I just started to realize how attached to them I am. I am not sure I will ever get past grieving for them, and they are not even gone yet. If it were an arm or leg, I think it would be easier for me, but maybe not.

I have a better understanding of how my mother feels now. I thought she was crazy to not have her leg amputated 20 years ago (and I still think it would have been better in the long run) but I completely understand her desire to save it by any means she could. And I am so proud of her for that. By agreeing to an experimental internal prosthesis, she helped shape modern limb trauma care, especially for our military service members. But she would have been able to recover much better from the amputation had she had it done at that time instead of 3 years ago. I know I am doing the right thing for my health to have a prophylactic mastectomy on Lefty, but it doesn’t change things emotionally.

This weekend was nice though. My wonderful parents came to visit and brought me an “old” recliner to sleep in after my surgery. Our bed is on the floor since we haven’t built the hanging frame yet, and getting in and out of that would be impossible. They also brought a new stove for us!

Our old stove was original to the house, and didn’t work quite right. It was groovy, but in dire need of replacement. The top oven only kept things warm, the oven required me to rotate everything halfway through, the front large burner did not work, and there was not much space between the stove and top oven, so making large pots of anything was difficult.

It was just nice to spend some time with them though. I miss them all the time and really wish they lived closer. They drove up in one of the worst storms we have seem in years, and will be driving around and home tomorrow in what is supposed to be just as bad. I hope they make it home safely. I wish they would just move here.

My hair is really starting to come in, and so are my eyelashes! LOOK HOW TINY THEY ARE!

Pretty excited about them! I don’t think anything made me feel less feminine than not having eyelashes. At least I will have those! HA!

I am so glad we are getting cooler weather now. It will make having to spend a ton of time laying around easier at least. I do wish I had more vacation time saved up though. I would be taking the next 2 weeks for myself if I did. I have a lot to get done around here, and really just want to spend time with my loved ones, but I did use most of it up and enjoyed most of my time when I did. I am not sure I have enough to cover all my time off right now, but all that matters is that I take the time I need to recover. When I get back to work it will be just in time for crazy holiday work, and I will need to be fully rested and pain free.  Working 12hrs a day 6 days a week is hard, even if you are just sitting at a desk.

Ok- I need to get some rest, so I wish you all a wonderful week.

Love to you all!

jeni

Oct 8th scrambled.

It is the opinion of the surgical oncology team, as well as the radiological oncologist at the Temple S&W that I will very likely need radiation.

I will not be getting immediate reconstruction, and if the radiation does have to happen, the recon could be up to a year away. In the meantime I will have what the surgeon and her nurse called “shar-pei boobs.” Doesn’t that sound awesome? Doesn’t that sound like something you want?

I am not even sure what to feel right now. This blows.

Oct 3rd Chickens aren’t hatched.

I really should not count them before they hatch, correct?

Good news is my MRI came back and they did not see any cancer there. YAY! This really had me on a high for 22 hours!

And then I went to see the breast surgeon.

I was running behind, got a little lost, then there was no one at the first info desk I stopped at. Then the nice volunteer at the next one (really cute senior gentleman) didn’t have any idea where her office was or how to look it up.  He did inform me that the actual info employee would be back in just a moment. The fellow that was chatting with him happened to be the golf cart driver for the hospital, so he drove me all the way over to the other side of the hospital to the main info desk. (I was worried that he was driving me away from where I needed to be, but that was not the case.) I was still pretty far from where I needed to be, and ended up being 10 minutes late instead of the 20 minutes early I intended.

Then her student intern was obviously uncomfortable.  I am not sure if it was the fact that I was a woman and he was in a room alone with me, or my henna, or tattoos, or the topic of conversation, but I don’t think that working in a surgical oncologists office that specializes in breasts is the right place for him. He is from India, and I am not sure if that has anything to do with it, like if it is a caste issue, or religious, or general cultural  differences, but he was really having a hard time. It got worse when the exam happened. He tried so hard to leave the room, and not look at me at all.  Or maybe he just thought I was hideous. Either way, I feel bad for him.

Anyhow- during the exam, we were talking about my tumors, and she says “Hmmmm yes- I remember now, you have a very interesting case.” It seems like people in my family hear that a lot and it never ends well. So then we sit down and she starts talking about the surgery, and that she is concerned that even though the MRI shows complete clinical response to the chemo, there is still a chance that the lymph nodes may have cancer in them, and that she is concerned that I may have to have radiation, and in that case having reconstruction right away and then having rads would damage the recon work. The only way to know for sure if all of it is “gone” is by completing the biopsy after all the tissue and the few nodes are removed.

My inner dialog at this point was a lot like “Shit. What the hell am I going to do? This sucks. shit. I hate this all so much. Why is she saying these things to me? My ONC said that rads were not something I would need to worry about. Why is the surgeon talking about this? Shit!x10000”

I have a follow up appt next Tuesday after she takes my case to the tumor board at her hospital. She said they will give their opinion on whether rads are a possibility for me, but that there is of course no guarantee that if they say I should not need them that I won’t. (obviously)  Now I am really confused and scared.

Radiation scares the bejeezuz outta me. If I have to have it, I have to have it, but would really rather not. And that would mean more surgeries as well.

But – someone on the forums at breastcancer.org just told me that her surgeon removed the nodes about a week before her surgery to test them to see if rads were needed. I might see if my surgeon can do something like that.

On to better news:

My body seems to be starting to produce its’ own steroids finally. At least my joints are not hurting as bad as they were and the swelling in my face and neck is slowly going away.

My face is still pink and I am fatigued as all get-out. I miss the energy. I have also gained 5 pounds since stopping them even though I am eating 75% less than I was and getting to eat fresh salads and fruit again, which seems backwards. Don’t most people gain weight while on them?? Maybe it is the loss of muscle that is doing it. I am really perplexed.

Also my hair is growing back. Mostly it is the hair I don’t want back, but at least that means that my body is healing. 🙂

I’ve gotten most of my Halloween decorations up! I love this time of year! And the weather is slowly getting cooler. Hooray!  Fall is my favorite season, even though it is only like, 2 weeks long here. Hopefully I will get to enjoy some of it before and after my surgery. I suppose it will all depend on what I have done.

This has taught me a valuable lesson- do not get excited or have any expectations about anything when it comes to cancer. Just try to be in the present and mindful of yourself, those around you, and of the joy that exists within your sphere of existence. And take a pill if you have to to do that.

Sep 26th surgery news

OK- I have my surgery details!

I’ve never had surgery before, so have no idea what the experience will be like. I do know that I will be laid up for a long while, and have a lot of down time, so once I am feeling good enough, I sure hope to get some visitors!

The big day is: Friday October 25th

This is the surgical plan: First, the double mastectomy, then DIEP reconstruction. A muscle-sparing TRAM flap  may be done if my arteries are not in the right place. This surgery can take anywhere from 8-12 hours.

Here are some links for basic information the procedures I am having if you are so inclined to look:

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/mastectomy/plus_reconstruction

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/diep

http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/reconstruction/types/autologous/tram

About how long I will be in hospital: 3-5 days

Recovery time estimate: a total of 8 weeks.

There is still a lot of information that I will be getting from the surgeons over the next few weeks.

I will do my best to stay connected via email to let everyone know how I am doing, and of course I will be updating my blog as I go. I will probably post some photos there, so be warned if you are a weee squeamish (and again- it is full of sailor humor so not suitable for work or more sensitive dispositions.)

Please let me know if you have any questions about my surgery, or anything else! I will do my best to answer.

Now I have a request that I hope no one thinks is inappropriate or rude, because that is really not my intention:

In lieu of any flowers (as I will be highly susceptible to infection and not allowed any flowers or plants in my room,) balloons, bears, or any other of the usual items you might want to send to the hospital or home, I could really use Amazon gift certificates so that while I am in recovery I can work on a very special and project for my family and friends (that my doctors have told me I am allowed to do.)I need very specific supplies to do this, and can order them all from Amazon with ease and working on this will really help me pass the time I will have and make me feel productive in some way. Please note that I am not asking for anything! Just saying that if you were thinking of sending anything- this would make productive use of your funds.

Anyhow, as I get more information about the surgery or if anything changes, I will keep you informed.

Thank you again for all the support and love I have gotten from all of you. It means the universe to me to know that there are so many wonderful people in my corner.

I love you all very much.

Sep 24th Am I the only one that falls asleep during an MRI?

Not kidding about that one. I don’t know if it is because you have to be perfectly still and I have to focus extra have on my breathing, or the fact that the last few have had me laying face down, but I fall asleep every time now.

Anyhow, that was my MRI to see what, if anything, is left of the tumors in my breast. I am hoping both were obliterated by the chemo. I get my results next Monday.

In the meantime I am dealing with the aftermath of decadron. I was weened off, and am still having terrible withdraws. My body has not yet started producing its’ own steroids, and the swelling and pain in every joint in my body is excruciating. I also feel like I am getting sick, but am not actually getting sick. These are apparently normal symptoms. I feel like I am 115.  I am taking the same tramadol I have been taking for pain since I started chemo, but it does nothing. I have emailed my ONC to see if I can take Tylenol or something for the inflammation. Hopefully she will get back to me tomorrow.  Had I known about this, I would have refused it. It was prescribed for my hand-foot syndrome. I am not sure it ever helped it. I am still swollen like a freaking tick too. That will last for a few more weeks apparently. It is oh-so attractive.  I can tell you I will never take any steroid for any reason ever again. I advise you to try any and everything before allowing your doctor to give it to you for any reason.

On to some good news- my hair is trying to come in! The initial while peachfuzz has arrived- you have to look really close to see it:

This falls out- and I actually shaved it a I was getting new henna (pics later) and some other stubble was coming in. That will all fall out too before any real hair growth happens, but all the hair I don’t want has started coming back in (of course.) They say your eyelashes and brows are the last to start regrowing, so I’ll  know for sure the chemo has left the building once they come back in.

Also- my body has started producing mucus again! YAY!  (see TMI PSA for a refresher if you need it.) Just in time for all the molds to be high, but that is okay with me!

John has returned from his trip to visit his family and pick up a bunch of stuff. He flew up and then he and his best friend Wes drove back in a moving truck. They started in Illinois where his dad’s side of the family is, stopped in Missouri to see his mom’s side of the family, then drove all the way back here on Sunday. I missed him terribly while he was gone. I did however get a ton of things cleaned up. Since he was bringing some tools back with him, I cleaned up the woodshop and organized it as best I could. I worked my behind off for sure and think it turned out nicely.

Still waiting on word for my surgery date. Apparently the scheduler for the BS did not call the PS office as she said she would. So I called the PS office last Wed. and asked about it, was told- oh dear- she is booked till Nov 14th- way past my done-with-chemo window. But she talked to the PS and she is willing to move some things around and that she was going to talk to the BS scheduler to find a day they could both do. I was supposed to get a call by the end of business today. Guess what didn’t happen. I am feeling a bit less confident in both offices in general. If they can’t get something as simple as a schedule together, then how will everything else go? I admit- I am freaking the fuck out right now.

Also, my parents may be coming up in a couple of weeks to bring a few things instead of waiting for when my surgery is. I am trying to not freak out. I had all my cleaning planned out through the 20th of October so I wold be all prepped for any visitors and for my surgery. Now I need to move my schedule up a bit.

As my friend Bob would say WoooooooSaaaaaaaaahhhhhh.  🙂 Gotta keep myself calm- I have too much to do and I know that I am creating more stress for myself, but you have to understand that my parents have an immaculate home. All the time. I’ve never mastered that.

But you know what? I am grateful I have a home to be worried about cleaning. And grateful my parents are alive and want to come spend time with me. So, I will remember that every time I start to stress out over the next few weeks.

Tryin’ to keep my perspective in check..

xoxoxo

jeni

Sep 12th I need some #RTs and FB sharing on this please!

Fellow BC- asskicker Carlin is having an amazing benefit on 9/21/13 and we need some help spreading the word!

#RT, Share on your FB, Myspace, whatever social media you use! You can just RT my twitter post if you wish – it will come straight here!

She does not have a separate blog or site- just Facebook and a Fundrazr page.

FIRST- HER FUNDRAZR PAGE

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3Zk32

This is the link to her FB Benefit Event page.   https://www.facebook.com/events/421277311316665/

On there she is listing all the rad auction and raffle items available as well. CHECK IT OUT YO!

Please be sure to RSVP if you can make it. Those numbers going up will make her feel awesome- and fighting cancer is 99% attitude and how you are feeling emotionally.

(This is why Sweet Brown’s autotune jam is still my battle cry!!!)

Here are the deets:

SATURDAY 9/21 STARTING AT 7PM

Benefit show, raffle and art auction to help Carlin fight her cancer battle. Donation at the door.MC: Jeff Stachowski – https://www.facebook.com/ComedyJeffUpstairs DJs: 7:30-8:30 Wild in the Streets – https://www.facebook.com/djwildinthestreets 8:30-9:30 Josh Hammertimez 9:30-10:30 DJ Tigerbee 10:30-12 Jessicka Luther 12-1 Gabe Mendoza 1-2 DJ Sista Whitenoise – https://www.facebook.com/djsistawhitenoiseDownstairs Bands: 7:30 – Ornaments – https://www.facebook.com/ornaments.banda8:15 – Ape Hangars – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ape-Hangars/2409458059376339:00 – Casa Magnetica – https://www.facebook.com/TheCasaMagnetica9:45 – Street Arabs – https://www.facebook.com/StreetArabs 10:30 – New Science Projects – https://www.facebook.com/newscienceprojects 11:30 – Tame…Tame & Quiet – http://tametameandquiet.bandcamp.com/ 12:30 – Notfugazi – https://www.facebook.com/Notfugazi Raffles: 8:15 to 11:30 – Raffle tickets can be purchased upstairs. Items will be previewed there as well. Winning numbers will be drawn throughout the evening and posted at the raffle table to be claimed. Must be present to win. Any items not claimed by midnight will be stored for a future benefit event. Look for Jennifer Bovee, Mary Moore or McKenzie Lamm to purchase your tickets! ($3/ticket or 2 for $5, etc… Arms length for $20!) A Few of the Raffle Items: AllGood Cafe – Gift Certificate http://www.allgoodcafe.com/ Carlin’s Amazon Store Movies – 2 gift baskets ($50 value each) www.amazon.com/shops/carlinny; Curiousities – Gift Certificate – http://www.getcuriosities.com/; Good Records – Gift Certificate – ($50 value) http://www.goodrecords.com/; Kessler Cookie Company – 6 tins of cookies ($27 value each) http://www.kesslercookies.com/; The Kessler Theater – 2 GA tickets, winner’s choice ($100 value) http://thekessler.org/; Kitchen Dog Theater – 4 tickets to any 1 show in KDT’s 13/14 season (up to $120 value) http://www.kitchendogtheater.org/; Loaded Cakes’ Cake Gift Certificate ($250 value) https://www.facebook.com/LoadedCakes; Lovers Lane Animal Medical Center – Gift Certificate for Exam & Annual Wellness Vaccinations (up to $200 value), http://www.llamc.com/; Oak Cliff Bicycle Company – T-Shirt ($15 value) http://ocbicycleco.com/; Patricia Rodriguez – 2 art prints ($22 value each) http://www.tigerbeearts.com/; Pinky Diablo – 10 silver skull spoons ($45 value each) http://www.pinkydiablo.com/; Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio – Gift Certificate ($50 value) http://rubberglovesdentontx.com/; Shae Blankenship Design – Rose Quartz Necklace ($29 value) https://www.facebook.com/shae.blankenship; Sir Scott Mac – DJ services for up to 3 hours ($400 value); Shiny Around the Edges – 2 sets of CDs/albums/posters ($50 value each) http://www.shinyaroundtheedges.com/; Sweet 200 Salon – Gift Basket ($204 value) http://sweet200.com/; Tachito’s Mexican Restaurant – Gift Certificate ($25 value) http://www.yelp.com/biz/tachitos-mexican-restaurant-dallas; Ten Bells Tavern – Gift Certificate http://www.tenbellstavern.com/; and many more to come! Art Auctions: 8:15 to 11:30 – Art pieces will be auctioned between band sets on the downstairs stage. Items will be on display downstairs as well if you’d like to preview them. Art Auction Items to Date: Paintings (3) by Brian Keith Jones & Brian K Scott ($850 total value) https://www.facebook.com/chuckandgeorge Collage Art by Kevin Parmer ($55 value) Painting by Mark Shane Nelson http://www.markshanenelson.com/ Record Art by Patricia Rodriguez ($100 value) http://www.tigerbeearts.com/ Painting by Richard Ross ($125 value) http://www.angrypea.com/ If you can’t make the event, you can contribute a donation here: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3Zk32. All contributions of $20 or more, will be entered into a special drawing, at midnight. Need not be present to win this drawing. You can read more about Carlin’s Cancer Battle here: https://www.facebook.com/carlinscancerbattle.

Please help support this sweet woman. She has serious medical bills mounting and we all know how that can be.  Even if you cannot make it to the show- please consider donating a few bucks- as much as you can, even just skipping your special coffee or dessert for the day. Every penny will help her out.

Thanks!

I love you all!

Sep 10th My friends are so badass.

It is true.

I asked for some help, they came right over, worked their behinds off, and were done in a matter of hours. They took time out of their busy lives, on a Sunday, when they could have been relaxing and hanging out with their families. They all drove way the hell far- just to help.

I am super grateful and lucky to have these people in my life. I was before all this started, and will be even more so every day.

Here is what we had:

The evil that is nandina! Root balls on both sides of the entry.

My out of control roses. 🙁

Crazy overgrown groundcover.

Super weedy rockbed.

Bricks that needed moving and the planter under needed seeding.

The rest of this decomposed granite in the drive needed moving to the back.

And this huge pile o’rocks needed a new home.

And this is the awesomeness that happened in less than 4 hours!!!!

Seriously! It would have taken us weeks to get all of that done, even if I were at full health. As it was, I figured we would just be working on it next spring, or even summer as I am still unsure how long my actual recovery from each surgery will take.

So to Shayne and Johnny, Jenny and Jay, Sarah, Erin, Brettany, Brandi and Corey, and Wendy, thank you from the top of my bald head to the tips of my numb toes.

Sep 7th A REALLY BIG SIGH OF RELIEF

*SSIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH*

And I mean that!

Yesterday I had an amazing consult with a reconstructive plastic surgeon that specializes in Natural Tissue, Breast Reconstruction – TRAM/DIEP/SIEA/S-Gap Flaps.  She really understood my needs, discussed my weight loss goals and how to proceed, answered every question with candid honestly, and was completely impressive in every way. She told me I was a great candidate for the procedure and that once it was all said and done (total of up to 3 surgeries) that I should be very happy with how my body looks in general. She explained all the risks and possible complications and unwanted outcomes in detail so that I understood clearly what could happen, and all the percentages that went with those (very low) and I could not be more pleased with the fact that she is only an hour away.

I have a consult with a breast surgeon that she works with regularly, which is actually the one that Brettany’s nurse friends recommended to begin with, on Oct. 1st.  They will be my team and I am really excited about it!

Also, my visit with my oncologist determined that my chemo is OVER! Due to the continuance of my neuropthy unfortunately. The benefit of the taxol with would have been much reduced in dose  did not outweigh the possibility permanent nerve damage and the possibility that I could lose total muscle control in my legs and hands if we continued. She explained that the last treatment is more protocol than need considering the rapid dissolution of the palpable tumor and my general health. I will have to be diligent for the rest of my life about every test and every symptom that may seem unrelated, but I should be doing that anyway. I will have a contrast MRI in the next week and an half to view both breasts and nodes, and then another follow up with her the next week to review. Then throughout the next few years there will be several follow ups and checkups with her. But basically after this- I am being handed off to the the surgical team.

I am very excited, and honestly afraid since surgery has never been something I have experienced first hand. Plenty of folks I know have had major ones, and things turned out fine. It is just an unknown. There is a reason I have been doing so much research, and will do much more before the actual operation.

And now! This means I get SALAD AND FRESH FRUIT sooner! and BEER! and GORGONZOLA!  WOOOOHOOOOO!!!

At least in another week or two. But still- way sooner than I thought I would be able to. And I will be able to garden again! I can’t tell you how excited I am to start pulling weeds!!!!  OMG!!

I just want to thank you all for all the well wishing and support you’ve sent my way. I feel like all the love really got me through this all, and helped me get where I am right now.

I can’t express to you how much I love you all.

xoxoxox

Sep 4th Fun!draising for fellow BC Warrior!

Hey guys!

There is a lovely lady in Dallas that needs your support! Her name is Carlin, and though I have not met her in person, she is really nice and could use a  helping hand.

She has a few fundraising activities happening this September in Dallas and if you could make it to them or at least donate to her so she can pay for her life-saving treatments I would be extremely grateful!

She does not have a separate blog or site- just Facebook and a Fundrazr page.

FIRST- HER FUNDRAZR PAGE

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3Zk32

and then:

 GARAAAGE SAAAAALE!!!  https://www.facebook.com/events/568492996541370/

SATURDAY 9/7 STARTING AT 7AM!!!

Some items for sale:

– Art
– Bar Light Displays
– Bar Supplies
– Blues Posters
– Board Games
– Books
– Cameras (Nikon SLR & Panasonic Digital, etc…)
– Collectibles
– Comics
– Computer Desk
– Household Items
– Men’s Clothing – Tops, Khakis, Novelty Tees, Ties (all sizes)
– Mirrors
– Paintings
– Pet Supplies
– Portable DVD Player
– Rugs
– Scanner
– Shelves
– Storage Units
– Toaster Oven
– TV Stand
– Vacuums (including 1 Hoover Wet Vac)
– Vases
– Water Cooler
– Women’s Clothing – Plus Sizes & more
And the big show!!

https://www.facebook.com/events/421277311316665/

SATURDAY 9/21 STARTING AT 7PM

Benefit show, raffle and art auction to help Carlin fight her cancer battle. Donation at the door.MC: Jeff Stachowski – https://www.facebook.com/ComedyJeffUpstairs DJs: 7:30-8:30 Wild in the Streets – https://www.facebook.com/djwildinthestreets 8:30-9:30 Josh Hammertimez 9:30-10:30 DJ Tigerbee 10:30-12 Jessicka Luther 12-1 Gabe Mendoza 1-2 DJ Sista Whitenoise – https://www.facebook.com/djsistawhitenoiseDownstairs Bands: 7:30 – Ornaments – https://www.facebook.com/ornaments.banda8:15 – Ape Hangars – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ape-Hangars/240945805937633 9:00 – Casa Magnetica – https://www.facebook.com/TheCasaMagnetica 9:45 – Street Arabs – https://www.facebook.com/StreetArabs 10:30 – New Science Projects – https://www.facebook.com/newscienceprojects 11:30 – Tame…Tame & Quiet – http://tametameandquiet.bandcamp.com/ 12:30 – Notfugazi – https://www.facebook.com/Notfugazi Raffles: 8:15 to 11:30 – Raffle tickets can be purchased upstairs. Items will be previewed there as well. Winning numbers will be drawn throughout the evening and posted at the raffle table to be claimed. Must be present to win. Any items not claimed by midnight will be stored for a future benefit event. Look for Jennifer Bovee, Mary Moore or McKenzie Lamm to purchase your tickets! ($3/ticket or 2 for $5, etc… Arms length for $20!) A Few of the Raffle Items: AllGood Cafe – Gift Certificate http://www.allgoodcafe.com/ Carlin’s Amazon Store Movies – 2 gift baskets ($50 value each) www.amazon.com/shops/carlinny; Curiousities – Gift Certificate – http://www.getcuriosities.com/; Good Records – Gift Certificate – ($50 value) http://www.goodrecords.com/; Kessler Cookie Company – 6 tins of cookies ($27 value each) http://www.kesslercookies.com/; The Kessler Theater – 2 GA tickets, winner’s choice ($100 value) http://thekessler.org/; Kitchen Dog Theater – 4 tickets to any 1 show in KDT’s 13/14 season (up to $120 value) http://www.kitchendogtheater.org/; Loaded Cakes’ Cake Gift Certificate ($250 value) https://www.facebook.com/LoadedCakes; Lovers Lane Animal Medical Center – Gift Certificate for Exam & Annual Wellness Vaccinations (up to $200 value), http://www.llamc.com/; Oak Cliff Bicycle Company – T-Shirt ($15 value) http://ocbicycleco.com/; Patricia Rodriguez – 2 art prints ($22 value each) http://www.tigerbeearts.com/; Pinky Diablo – 10 silver skull spoons ($45 value each) http://www.pinkydiablo.com/; Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio – Gift Certificate ($50 value) http://rubberglovesdentontx.com/; Shae Blankenship Design – Rose Quartz Necklace ($29 value) https://www.facebook.com/shae.blankenship; Sir Scott Mac – DJ services for up to 3 hours ($400 value); Shiny Around the Edges – 2 sets of CDs/albums/posters ($50 value each) http://www.shinyaroundtheedges.com/; Sweet 200 Salon – Gift Basket ($204 value) http://sweet200.com/; Tachito’s Mexican Restaurant – Gift Certificate ($25 value) http://www.yelp.com/biz/tachitos-mexican-restaurant-dallas; Ten Bells Tavern – Gift Certificate http://www.tenbellstavern.com/; and many more to come! Art Auctions: 8:15 to 11:30 – Art pieces will be auctioned between band sets on the downstairs stage. Items will be on display downstairs as well if you’d like to preview them. Art Auction Items to Date: Paintings (3) by Brian Keith Jones & Brian K Scott ($850 total value) https://www.facebook.com/chuckandgeorge Collage Art by Kevin Parmer ($55 value) Painting by Mark Shane Nelson http://www.markshanenelson.com/ Record Art by Patricia Rodriguez ($100 value) http://www.tigerbeearts.com/ Painting by Richard Ross ($125 value) http://www.angrypea.com/ If you can’t make the event, you can contribute a donation here: https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/3Zk32. All contributions of $20 or more, will be entered into a special drawing, at midnight. Need not be present to win this drawing. You can read more about Carlin’s Cancer Battle here: https://www.facebook.com/carlinscancerbattle.

OK folks- I know it is a drive for those that don’t live there- but it looks like she has some really awesome things at the sale- and the benefit show looks KICKASS!

If you can make, that would effing rule!

Thanks everyone!

Aug 30th Feelin’ all right

Hey guys!

Just wanted to pop up a quick update.

Monday I had an infusion, an had another, but very slight allergic reaction again.  This time I didn’t have to say a word! My fav nurse Jen was looking right at me and before I even flushed she ran over with the oxygen tank and switched me right off! I love that girl! Other than that, it went really well.

side note- Looking for ideas for gifts for my ONC team. If you guys have any good ideas please give them to me. There are 11 people on staff and I really love them all for everything they have done for me and want to show my appreciation for all their hard work.

While I was there, a wonderful woman and friend of Brettany’s mother came to visit me. She is a 15 year BS survivor with a LOAD of wisdom and advice. She’s had it all. Chemo, rads, multiple surgeries. I had so many questions and she was so helpful and I love Suzie! She made me feel so much better about a lot of things.

My hand-foot syndrome and neuropathy is still going strong. Because of this, I have an appointment 9/6 (after my DIEP surgery consult) with my oncologist to discuss if I will even be receiving my last Taxol infusion. Neuropathy can be permanent and literally crippling. So there will be deep discussions about it all. Part of me is just fine with skipping that last infusion. But I also have questions about how that affects the cancer-killing. I don’t want any stragglers in there!  Though- surgery should theoretically get all the rest out- all it takes is one rogue cancer cell to move into the rest of my body. I guess I can’t focus on that too much. I have had a wonderful response so far to all the chemo and feel pretty confident that pathologically- we got it.

I emailed out a call for help around the house for Sunday 9/8   – If you did not get the email, please let me know. We need some yard help and I really don’t think it will take more than a few hours. So if you can help- please let me know!!

K- have a great day everyone! Love you all!!!