And the summer just keeps flying by...

So, I'm beginning to think that I'm a lot like The Hockey News... able to churn it out on a regular basis during the "regular season" but when it comes to summer it's pretty hit or miss. Here's to hoping that you are all frankly too busy to care! ha ha...

A LOT has happened since the trip to Deep Creek with the posse. Two days after returning, I had my last monthly Zometa infusion - or, almost didn't. When I saw the PA on that visit she was quizzing me, as they do, about my current status and I happened to mention that I thought I may have broken my foot when I launched into the pool to save Neely's life (when she plummeted head first out of her flotation device that is not intended - as it says right on the side - as a lifesaving implement). I breezed right past this but my PA was saying, "wait, wait... did you get an x-ray?" Well, no. I was getting by and I know just enough about the human body to recommend such things to others but not to follow my own advice (which is exactly what you are thinking Shawna!! and everyone else who knows me... ha ha). So who knew that the drug that they are giving me to combat bone loss (therefore, a bone builder) inhibits fracture healing. Intuitively that doesn't make any sense. At any rate... they shipped me upstairs to get an x-ray, which turned out to be negative (yay!) and added a good hour or so to my visit (thanks again Shawna for still letting me go to Whole Foods after that!). ugh. It is never simple and I should at some point, just expect that to be the case!!! Regardless, I am now on an every 3 month Zometa regime for the next 18 months.

I also returned to my physical therapist to discuss my lymphedema progression - or, lack thereof, thank goodness. I have had a lot of pain this summer due primarily to the humidity (but working out with Kelly & Gina is probably not helping me either... ha ha) and weeding (have to do something about that...) and cleaning (and that...) so I wanted to just check in to make sure that I wasn't really overdoing it. It seems that I have not progressed, which is good, but there isn't much that I can do about the pain besides what I am already doing. As a side note on this subject... I am constantly amazed by the amount of total strangers who notice my sleeve and ask me what I did to my arm. Initially I was so surprised that I couldn't come up with a succinct answer. Now I say that I have lymphedema and some people get a completely blank look but nod and smile because they are aware that they have stepped in it, while others just keep charging right along with a follow-up, "oh, what's that?". So, I just very calmly say, "it's a complication of breast cancer". Imagine their expression then... Let this just be a word of caution. When you see a contraption on someone that you don't recognize and you don't know the person very well (or at all...), be sure that you want to "go there" before you ask "what's that for?". And this is not to say that I am necessarily upset about talking about it with complete strangers, it is just very odd that they feel the need to ask!

Unfortunately, I have also run into some new issues that have required me to have a whole new rash of doctor's appointments, bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc. It seems that I may not actually be staying in my chemo-induced menopausal state which means a new review of options, side-effects and treatments. I shouldn't really be surprised being that I am only 37 and this was bound to happen, but I can't help but be annoyed by the fact that I can't escape this medical roller coaster! Additionally, I have booked surgery for the week of Sept. 20 (actual date to be determined when Dr. Gimbel returns from vacation). It has been an incredibly difficult decision and I can't say that I am 100% settled with my choice. Even though Darin and I have discussed all options and have placed it before the Lord... I don't get an overwhelming peace and I'm not sure that is a reasonable expectation. Your prayers for His best in this whole mess are so appreciated!

I will leave you with the words of Sarah Young...

"Come to me continually. I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul. Your mind will wander from Me, but the question is how far you allow it to go..."

Get yourself a POSSE!!!

A word to the wise... if you do not currently have a posse, start recruiting worthy candidates immediately. It does you no good to attempt to assemble one once a tragedy or disaster or bad haircut (they do happen to good people, after all...) happens. You need to have your posse solidly in place when you look into your radiologist's eyes and see the word "cancer" before she speaks it. They need to be ready when one of your parents is deathly ill, when a baby is born, when hair is falling out and when there is just no other time except the middle of the day when you can schedule an appointment. And then, every so often you need to slip away with your posse to hike, kayak, shop, eat, drink wine, LAUGH, cry and dance. I've always said that I am not a "girls weekend" kind of girl, but I've come to learn that that time is sometimes the very best thing for you (and, by the way, there is a lot of truth to that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" stuff...). Although I may never own a Upole of my own (and you all heard Halley say it was mine should she meet an untimely end...), I have the greatest posse ever and I love each of you so much!! Not to mention the wonderful husbands who stayed at home to watch over our combined 15 children... we are lucky and blessed to be yoked for life with you!

Today it is back to reality and the "cleanse" that Kelly has talked me into (that and a beating at the gym with she & Gina... maybe I'm not so happy that you have those free passes, Kel... ha ha!). It should be interesting to say the least! The best part is that it is full of the foods that I eat already (so, I'm secretly thinking that I'm probably pretty cleansed to start with...). However, I'm struggling to eat the prescribed amount of fruit (I'm more of a vegetable girl) and feeling a little deprived by the sparse amount of coffee. Darin decided not to let me walk this path alone so we'll see how a few days of rice, beans and green leafies serves us all! I actually think that it is a great way to get (back) on track with healthy eating. Thank you Kelly!

I am making an appointment to see my physical therapist for a lymphedema check-up. I can hardly believe that it has been over 6 months since the first time that I went! And I will likely be scheduling surgery this week for some time in late September (with the hope that I will be all healed up for the holidays!). My final monthly Zometa treatment is tomorrow morning (which I will combine with a trip to Whole Foods - I got some moldy pancetta there last week and they very graciously offered me a gift card for my disappointment... very impressed with the rapid email response and the offering. If I wasn't already such a huge fan, I would be now!!). I can hardly believe that I have been through 6 months of that as well. Now I will begin doing them every 3 months (for 18 more months... which, sadly, means that I will not be having my port removed during surgery in September... ugh). Sometimes it all seems very never ending! I'm still not 100% sure about what I want to do surgery-wise but I have to say that the summer has reinforced my reluctance to remain like this for the rest of my life... please pray that I will have some clarity and peace about the situation. It has been a very stressful phase.



It has been lots '0 summer fun around here for the past month or so and I still feel as though I haven't settled into a good summer "rhythm". Before you know it we will be on vacation and then thinking about heading back to school (I've already received "Back to School" shopping brochures... what is up with that???). Maybe I should just give up on a rhythm... it's over-rated to be so organized. :)