The results are In......

Some things you don't forget

February 20th 2008

Radiation begins

February 28th

Chemotherapy

May 28th 2008

My cell phone rang. I looked at it and couldn't answer it. It was the hospital calling me about the results of my  Pet scan. I couldn't answer it.  I looked at Paul and just couldn't imagine us going through any more of this.  How would I tell my family, what would I do next..more... chemo & what about my life...I want a family, children. I just couldn't answer it & I didn't. 

We had the top down driving to a Ct scan  & I just wanted to stay happy.  I couldn't breathe. It was a moment that I wasn't going to let cancer steal from me. I was enjoying a beautiful day with my husband.  Then the phone beeped....a message. The message she left was clear......My scan was fine. My body was clear of any horrible cancer cells, nothing was lighting up.

I went through  Surgery,Radiation, Chemotherapy...complete and utter sickness to get to this point....to say that I am Cancer Free!

Time to Celebrate, time to breathe

Barbie

I plastered " The Eyebrow" on, glossed up with Barbie hot pink lip stick and Rocked out with Bono! It was a friends birthday & was the closest to rockin that I am going to get. 

Rock on,

Barbie

Plastic

A Friend sent me this email and I wanted to share it with everyone. Something to change & stay aware of. Things are so much different now than 20 years ago, but we should still consider what these changes are doing to our environment and body's. Check out the link.... I have been searching the internet for BPA-free plastics. Here is a basic  website that gives the names of brands that have bpa chemicals in them. I  already threw out my plastics that are on this list in red.  http://www.checnet.org/healtheHouse/pdf/plasticchart.pdf Rubbermaid website http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/bpa-info.jhtmlnobpa Health concerns about BPA relate to its ability to mimic the hormone estrogen.  During such "endocrine disruption," chemicals can interfere with or mimic the  action of hormones, in ways that can upset normal development. Hundreds of  studies published over the past decade suggest a connection between exposure to  BPA at levels typical in the U.S. and increased rates of breast and prostate  cancer, reproductive abnormalities, and—for infants exposed in the womb—problems  such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and diabetes.

Rasberry Yummm Water

Light me up!

Journal Entry 10:30 am

Mmmm Raspberry! I just got my injection, I still hate needles.  Now I hang around for a hour and down this cool-aid concoction  that has a lovely paste-like after taste. 

I asked the nurse to take a picture of me for my blog. Her face froze & then told me she had to make a phone call to see if it was o.k....what???! I made the nice nurse take it.

I have this great picture of my Aunt Mary Anne that I have carried around with me to every treatment & scan. She was my support, my team mate throughout this journey. Just talking with her helped, she understood what I was going through. It's days like these that I miss her so much.

This stuff is delicious, I am almost done. I am actually excited to get this scan. I feel so positive & healthy. I am very curious to check in and see how my beautiful organs are doing.

My day is filled with memories of my Aunt. I know she is watching over me, giving me strength.

One scan  down.....2 more to go!

300 Units left. Bottoms Up!

My Healng Moments

The Plunge

Hello Friendly Blog Readers,

I am proud to say that I am now not afraid to Let It ALL Hang OUT!

With the summer approaching I have been so scared of bathing suit season. Me being the blonde tan beach bum that I am, I needed to get over my fears quick. I did!

I went to the Bahama's with my brother for a few days. It was the first time the that I have been away..minus an eyebrow. I packed lightly, but couldn't figure out the whole swim wear thing-a-ma-do. That's long  for, Bikini or One Piece???? 

I went back and forth trying on suits  and checking out my 12 inch scarred up stomach, chemo port and eye brow-less face. I kept thinking about people looking at me, I know I'm vein.  I stuck with what I felt comfy in....I rocked the  Bikini! Hey, my butt is still awesome. I thought I would just shake that around and the whole "how'd you get the scar thing" wouldn't come up. We'll it did and my answer was....A Shark Attack!

Highlight of the trip....The water slide.

I threw the one piece bathing suit on, put my hair up and painted on enough water proof eyebrow makeup that the little mermaid would be jealous. I picked up my tube, hiked up a thousand stairs and flew down the  slide, screaming  into a huge pool of water. It was great and for the first time in a long time I felt like myself. I shook my hair and proudly walked out of that pool, tube in hand and eyebrow streaming down my face. I wiped the rest of the eyebrow off and hit a few more water slides and  the  NOT so  lazy river( it's a ton of work, people just bump right into you,  your hitting walls...it's a job to stay on your float!)

I was me, one eyebrow, scars and all. This was big for me and I am now not afraid to show my battle wounds. I am a Survivor and very proud of myself for what I have been through.

Watch out Jones Beach......I am rocking out the Bikini this summer!

Love,

The L.I.  Mermaid

Time fly's by

Hello Fellow Time Travelers,

I was reminiscing with a friend about the past & for the first time realized how quickly the years have gone by.  We say let's live every day to the fullest..but do we???

Nana & I were in her kitchen one evening, everything happened in her Kitchen! She looked out her window and said, "Good by today, see you tomorrow".  Happy for every day on Earth. 

The month of May to me is Dr's appointments and stomach turning answers for my future. I don't want it to be that way. I decided to not look at my appointment book this morning. I want to look back on this year & say...this was a great year. Even though the beginning really stunk...I received other fantastic things that made it great. 

I refuse to be the SAD  SICK GIRL. Yes, I get sad, but I am thrilled to move on from it. The neon sign above my head will now read," Living Happily & Fancy!"

Watch for my sign,

Fancy Pants

The Sun!

It's almost time to throw on a pair of shorts with your beautiful pale legs! 

I love to be tan & use to jump in a tanning bed every other minute. I know, I know it's bad for you...but I looked so pretty!  After going through the Radiation I am 10 times more likely to get skin cancer.  I hate being pale ( doesn't work with blonde highlights!), so I researched the next best thing. Air Brushing! I tried it last week and loved it. I have an even tan that looks so natural. No orange, so streaks, and it only takes 15 minutes. It lasts about a week. Fantastic! It's not the Spray machine thing. It's applied by a person..Yes..your butt naked. Until It's warm enough to sit at the beach, I'm taking it all off to get Airbrushed!

HOt Spot in Huntington does it...ask for Allie. 

Tips 

Exfoliate your body before hand

Go early in the morning or evening 

Don't apply lotion to your body, keep the skin dry

Wear Baggy clothes ( no white's)

Let it dry, don't rush

Exfoliate your palms and Bottoms of you feet as soon as you get home

Don't shower for 5 hours  or more ( I do it at night and then sleep with it on, It's sticky)

Enjoy,

Sun Goddess