Friday, July 30, 2010

Good Bye to You....Radiation all Done!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Finally..........Tamoxifen does make it hard to lose weight?

Well finally a nurse let me in on a secret- although the oncologists tell you that Tamoxifen does not cause weight gain or make it hard to lose weight - A LOT of women say it does!  So who do we believe- the doctors or the WOMEN WHO ARE ACTUALLY TAKING THE DRUG?

Just having the nurse tell me that I'm not alone and if all these women claim it- there is probably some truth to it makes me feel a lot better.  I have been trying to lose weight and it's just not budging.  When I get back home I will have to start a intense diet and exercise program.

I'm excited a friend has moved back to town and she seems to be up to the challenge of working out together- YEAH KRISTA!    

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Update

Well so far radiation is going well.  I am pretty red/burned, but it seems like my implant is holding up well.  Crossing my fingers.  I am not receiving as much radiation to my skin as I had previous treatments so my skin should start to feel a bit better.  I was using Aquaphor and that worked well, but my mother purchased me some ,Miaderm and I love it.  The Miaderm is very soothing to me.  I used it only once a day for now, but after my fast treatment I will use it all the time.

The city is very hot and yesterday I crashed for the 1st time since being here.  I have not noticed much fatigue.  Yesterday could have been hard because I purchased a little mini sewing machine for $20 and ended up carrying it for a while.  My father has been with my for the past few days and it's been great just hanging out together.  I am excited to be done with treatment and able to move on.  I did try and purchase a bra and insert yesterday, but I was turned away from the breast center shop because they said it was too early and that I should not push myself.  I am still not even - and it does bug me.  I wanted to purchase a bra insert and stick-on nipple!  Yes they do sell those- how nice.

Staying in the city has left me with some great memories.........my 1st cockroach, the bum who scared the crap out of me and Leann, the people that ride the bus.  Living right next door to a gentleman's club and watching as the girls and bouncers walk to work.  The wonder people I have met in treatment.  The rude guy who made fun of my hair cut, the teller at the bank who after seeing my license told me NOT to cut my hair again.....lol.  I decided to give up on correcting everyone on my name so at the radiation office I go by the name everyone likes to call me MRS. PADRAZZLE.  I will miss Rob going to appointments with me and weighing ourselves and me wiping my arm pits before the doctor would come in......hOt Flashes...suck.

I am writing this from my plastic surgeon's office so I'm a little rushed- please forgive any errors.  I do a bad job even when I'm not rushed.  I'm hoping I have the balls to tell the doc I don't like my recon being so uneven.  I have realized that no matter what man can accomplish it will never be as beautiful as what God created.  It's amazing all the things we can do we really can't recreate such beauty.  My reduction looks good and it's nice having a smaller breast.....but it's still bigger that my implant.  I'll see what he says.  I am starting to feel like I can maybe loose some weight.....after not budging at all.  I have walked, walked and then walked some more everyday and nothing.  I have noticed my eating getting better and not craving as much bad stuff so things should be looking up.

So things are getting better EVEN the whole menopause CRAP.  I hate that breast cancer has taken so much fun girl stuff, but I'm learning to be happy inspite of it.  My mother gave me a great book and I will post the title later, but if you go on the No Surrender website you can see it there.  It has helped me A LOT.


     

Monday, July 12, 2010

I love my husband's friends!









Thanks for being there for Rob and I and thanks for a GREAT WEEKEND!
We love you guys!
XX

Sunday, July 11, 2010

People are so kind!

JenJen from Tatortots&Jello made me these and I love them!  They are pink and pretty and just right for someone like me (feeling more manly than girly).  I attach these to my keys, my purse and even my jeans when I want to spruce things up.

The earrings are great because are light so I can wear them without my earlifts (my earring holes are huge from the 80s and all the huge earrings I wore).   


My brother-in-law's relative, a survivor I never met sent me this coin.  I heard about these coins and I was so
happy to receive one!   I later ran into to her at a survivor dinner and gave her a big hug.




My sister-in-law' mother gave me a mass card and this beautiful heart for my end of chemo celebration!  It's so pretty!

I'm so blessed!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Wedding shoes???
This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.
It's official.....its a hot 101 in NYC.
This message has been sent using the picture and Video service from Verizon Wireless!
To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.
Note: To play video messages sent to email, Quicktime@ 6.5 or higher is required.
Back again. Miss Luky but Rob will make me smile. Suppose to be 100degrees today....yikes.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th

MUSIC ISSUE

I'm loving my July Issue of Elle- it has a lot of music lovelies in it!



I am officially loving Melody Gardot- you really need to read her story truly inspiring. 
You can read it HERE


I really think she should give up the cigs, but other than that she's pretty cool.


She has a beautiful voice

I love her style.



Another thing I LOVED in my ELLE Miu Miu Maryjanes!




Here's the pair in Elle======>

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Back Home and Outdoor Living

My cute little toms! 
Well Lucas went with me and mom last week and pretty much hated it!   He is definitely an "outdoors" type of kid.  When we arrived at my parent's home he was out of the car before it stopped and he ran like a deer out back towards the woods and laid down on the grass looking up at the sky.  How sweet it is to me back in the "country".  I myself love the city, but I did miss the mountains and outdoors.  I guess I love where I live.

I did walk my 2 miles when I got home after..............kissing Karl to death, reuniting with my hubby once he got home and watering all my plants!

My mom taught me how to root my basil and it was as easy as she said.  I had a bunch of basil die so I am trying to get some going again.  Just clip off some basil and put it in some water and presto- Make some Pesto!


Rob made me planter boxes last year and I this summer I filled those suckers to the rim!!!!!!  I was so happy to see Rob watered my plants while I was gone.





While I was away I enjoyed my my scallions and parsley from my garden.  In the city I made a pot of gazpacho soup and it was yummy.  I think I'll make another this week coming.
2 lg. Toms chopped
1 Cuc peeled and chopped
1 Green Pepper chopped
1 Celery Stalk chopped
2 Green Onions shopped 
1 Avocado chopped
1 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Oil (Olive)
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
2 (12 oz) Cans V8 or Tom Juice
Chives to garnish

Combine 1st 6 Ingredients
Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper

Combine Oil, Vinegar and Tom Juice

Mix with Veggies   
That's the recipe I started with I increased the amounts to make more and it was fine- also I didn't have green onions or I just increased the number of chives I used.  It was yummy.  I would have liked to added a little dab of hot sauce, but I didn't have any.
I really need to get eating my lettuce, brewing some Lemon Balm tea, and maybe enjoying some baked potatoes with chives.  I'm determined to eat all my garden : 9

One thing that is great about living in the northeast is that when summer comes we get to set-up our outdoor living spaces.........we're not spoiled like some other warm locations!  We cuddle all winter and then start shedding our clothes as the spring flowers start showing up.  And eventually we set-up outside for some fun.

Rob being the "think ahead type"  saved some wood a few years back and this year he made a little deck to put our table and chairs on.......




How sweet - He made a wood container out of one of his sealer containers!

My mom in law bought me herbs and I'm trying new recipes- this weekend I'm going to try Lemon Balm tea!

I'm learning to deal with my body and how different it is.  Sometimes I really get down on it- BUT God sent me some wonderful people this week with messages.

I met a woman in the changing room of radiation who loved my hair and told me how not everyone can wear their hair like that, but that my spirit comes through.  That was very sweet of her.  Met a survivor at dinner one night who hugged and encouraged me with her story of survival. 

While at Sloan your eyes see things you'd rather not............children with no hair and IVs.  I hate seeing the children.  I started to see it as a gift to realize my blessings and not feel sorry for myself and also an opportunity to give the gift of prayer to someone who really needs it.

My favorite healing mass is done!  Father G. was given his own parish out of town- God Bless.  I did get a call from a sweet woman Anna from the healing mass and we were able to talk and I will be able to visit father at times when other people like herself make the trip to see him.  Anna made me laugh............she said "God wants something from you Danielle.....don't know what, but I hope it's not just your breast."  Whatever God wants from me I'm happy to serve up with all my heart.

Thank you God for a great week away from home.