My hair started growing back in September. Now there's enough of it that I need my first hair cut in a very long time. I'm going this afternoon at 2:00! I don't know what I want now or in the future, so I hope miracle-working Jen has some very good ideas.
It's very curly now, and poofy in the wrong places. I have duck-tails around my ears and on the back and top of my head. Kind of like Betty Boop, I guess. But it's fun to have hair, and it still doesn't take too much time. I can't make it do anything besides what it wants to anyway.
It's been a year since my surgery now. I have so much to be grateful for. Everything is still looking good. I'll continue to see the oncologist every few weeks for various tests. My arm continually stiffens up due to the radiation, but I'm exercising regularly, and that should keep it healthy and limber. Some ladies aren't able to do much serious exercising after all the treatment, so I'm thankful I've recovered well. So far, I've had no incidents of lymphedema (painful swelling in the arm due to having lymph nodes removed). Changes in altitude can sometimes cause the onset of lymphedema. We are planning to travel to Greenville, SC for Christmas and that's quite an altitude change. I will be holding my breath.
I'm planning my annual day-after-Thanksgiving shopping trip! I can drive myself all over town! Last year, Teresa (my sister) and I went out for the day, in spite of the fact I had just had a mastectomy. We had a fun, fun day, and I felt pretty well. But it sure will be nice to be feeling normal on such a busy day.
my experience with breast cancer and other life events
Amy and Gilead
True Breast Cancer Awareness
November 2010
January 2008
A Little History
I was diagnosed with stage III, metastatic breast cancer in October 2008. At about the same time, we discovered I was pregnant. Initially, the prognosis was bleak, but after detailed analysis of the cancer, successful surgery, and treatments, the picture brightened considerably. I completed nine rounds of chemotherapy, twenty-five radiation treatments, and took Tamoxifen until October 2010.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
How You Can Pray
Please pray for Jon and the kiddos - this is much harder for them than it is for me. I would appreciate prayer that my pain would be insignificant. Even more than that, please pray that I will be able to think clearly all the way to the end of my life. And even more than that, please pray that I will accept the grace from God to deal with anything He chooses to bring my way. You may also pray for my healing, but I have to be honest - I am more mentally and emotionally invested in seeing Jesus right now than I am in being healed. If God chooses to heal me, He'll give me the grace to wait a little longer to meet Him "whom having not seen, [I] love."
6 comments:
That's great! Can't wait to see what Jen does with your hair! :) And I hope you have a fun day of shopping next week, not to mention a wonderful Thanksgiving. We love you and are praying for you!
Cousin Cynthia
I am so happy for you, Amy. I praise the Lord for such great recovery and for His goodness in giving you strength to carry on with your wifely/motherly duties so soon. What a blessing! Have a great Thanksgiving and a great time with the family over the Christmas holidays. We wish that we could be there as well. :-(
We trust that it will be a wonderful family time (even without us). We continue to pray for you and send our love.
Jess
I know you'll have a blessed Thanksgiving there. We thank God on your behalf, that he is a God of miracles and that he has answered our prayers. We pray for continued blessings on you and your family.
Hope you have a great day shopping, and a safe trip down here to Greenville! Keeping you and Gilead in my prayers!
Your post makes me smile! I remember feeling dreadful when I found out about your grim diagnosis way back when you first found out...and since we are close to the same age and with several children (although I don't know you personally) I felt awful...and I am SOOO happy that God has spared your life and that you are doing so well! May God continue to bless you and your family.
I am so glad to hear you are doing so well. I hadn't checked in on updates in a while but you are on our prayer list at church. A lady in our church, that just had breast cancer 2 years ago, has been praying for you and asked about you. I hope you all have a good trip back here to the south! Are you driving? I remember oh so well the LONG trip. Have a great Thanksgiving!
Tammy Carter
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