This is something that I firmly believe in, especially in the people that cross your paths in life.
Most of you know I have begun working with a Pug Rescue Group. If you are a facebook friend of mine you get to see all these sweet pups and may remember Bam Bam the sweet blonde boy that was surrendered on my birthday last month.Well, his "step-mom" was recently diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer I had. In speaking to her during the process of them surrendering Bam Bam she knew I was a survivor. When he was adopted I dropped her an email to let her know we had found the perfect family for him and her reply was grateful because of her very recent diagnosis. Me being me I offered to be there if she needed anything and we have become friends because of this and I will be going to some appointments with her and be able to pay it forward. Turns out Bam Bam's new Grandma is also a BC survivor. I knew he was a special dog when I met him and I think that he was meant to bring us all together.
I also have a friend that really kept in touch with me during me treatment, sent me cards, books and fun things to pick me up. We used to work together and when she and her family visited Disney I was able to go down and meet her parents and brother and his family. Her Dad is now involved in a battle of his own...sadly we now have this in common, but after meeting her family I know he will fight the fight and be surrounded by love and positivity while he does so.
I am still finding time to do a few things I enjoy and have found a way to combine them, check out the link below to my new etsy shop!
As always thanks for checking on me!
<a
href="//www.etsy.com/shop/RescuedandRecycled?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_2"><img
width="500" height="500"
src="//img0.etsystatic.com/site-assets/badges/en/en_isell_2.png"></a>
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Cancer just sucks ......
I can not believe I have not blogged in over 5 months. Things have been a bit busy. Today I update with a heavy heart and for reasons I hate. Yesterday I lost a dear friend to this horrible crummy disease. When we were younger Kenneth was like the little brother I never knew I wanted. You see I am the the baby of my family and I have an amazing brother, one who offered to shave his head when I lost my hair, one who drives around with a pink ribbon on his vehicle and who does all the things I need him to do that I can no longer do.
But Kenneth and I grew up together from the time I moved here at the age of 10, there was my brother and I, my two cousins, "the twins" and Kenneth in my age group...and we explored our little dirt road heaven together. The boys showed us city kids the ropes..I was 14 the last time I got a "spanking" from my Dad (which I deserved) because I was off riding my bike with Kenneth in the "sinkhole" where I wasn't supposed to be. When I got my first car, he quickly told me he would be riding to school with me (I didn't mind), he dated my best friend (the one I call my sister) off and on and still rode with us to school even when they were off. When he was heading off to the Marines he and I went to pick up the beer for his going away party (at the request of his Mom) and it ended up being the foamiest beer ever because we totaled her truck on the way home (not our fault thank God!) and every time I drive through that intersection I smile at the memories. I am beyond grateful to Facebook for bringing him back into my life on a regular basis and HATE that we had the "C" in common.
Kenneth found the loves of his life and Sara and his two daughters, my heart breaks to think of their loss.
As the 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis looms tomorrow it just makes me wonder why someone like Kenneth, who has a wife and kids that worship him, has to go and I get to stay around. I know that God has a plan and everything happens for a reason, but right now it just seems awfully unfair.
I am still helping to rescue/foster pugs for Pug Rescue of Florida and am now the official Gainesville area Coordinator. This brings me more joy that I can explain to anybody. It makes me feel useful and I look at these dogs (especially the one eyed boy I have right now) and know that they love me unconditionally, something that some people did not do, which slapped me in the face this weekend as well.
So in closing just let me say....don't hold grudges, tell the people in your life how much they mean to you and above all else. Make time for them because life is short and the good die young.. and Kenneth was one of the best!
Thanks for checking in and I promise to try and better about blogging.
But Kenneth and I grew up together from the time I moved here at the age of 10, there was my brother and I, my two cousins, "the twins" and Kenneth in my age group...and we explored our little dirt road heaven together. The boys showed us city kids the ropes..I was 14 the last time I got a "spanking" from my Dad (which I deserved) because I was off riding my bike with Kenneth in the "sinkhole" where I wasn't supposed to be. When I got my first car, he quickly told me he would be riding to school with me (I didn't mind), he dated my best friend (the one I call my sister) off and on and still rode with us to school even when they were off. When he was heading off to the Marines he and I went to pick up the beer for his going away party (at the request of his Mom) and it ended up being the foamiest beer ever because we totaled her truck on the way home (not our fault thank God!) and every time I drive through that intersection I smile at the memories. I am beyond grateful to Facebook for bringing him back into my life on a regular basis and HATE that we had the "C" in common.
Kenneth found the loves of his life and Sara and his two daughters, my heart breaks to think of their loss.
As the 3 year anniversary of my diagnosis looms tomorrow it just makes me wonder why someone like Kenneth, who has a wife and kids that worship him, has to go and I get to stay around. I know that God has a plan and everything happens for a reason, but right now it just seems awfully unfair.
I am still helping to rescue/foster pugs for Pug Rescue of Florida and am now the official Gainesville area Coordinator. This brings me more joy that I can explain to anybody. It makes me feel useful and I look at these dogs (especially the one eyed boy I have right now) and know that they love me unconditionally, something that some people did not do, which slapped me in the face this weekend as well.
So in closing just let me say....don't hold grudges, tell the people in your life how much they mean to you and above all else. Make time for them because life is short and the good die young.. and Kenneth was one of the best!
Thanks for checking in and I promise to try and better about blogging.
Friday, February 21, 2014
Link to Pink
So my goal to be more present on my blog is not going so well. Sorry about that.
Tonight is the annual Link to Pink event with the Florida Gator Gymnastics team. There is a reception pre-meet for survivors and their families and/or friends, then the meet with the survivors forming a tunnel for the team to run under as they take the floor.
I am planning on attending but so far have been unable to find anyone to go with me. I have discovered one thing through this process is that celebrating surviving is something that helps me. I am not sure why, but I think it is because everything happened so fast for me after my diagnosis and I did not really have time to think about much.
The people who would really go to something like this with me are there...unfortunately they live way to far away. So I guess I will go by myself with the understanding that I am still going through this alone as the people that are my real support system are just not geographically close.
As always, thanks for checking in on me.
Tonight is the annual Link to Pink event with the Florida Gator Gymnastics team. There is a reception pre-meet for survivors and their families and/or friends, then the meet with the survivors forming a tunnel for the team to run under as they take the floor.
I am planning on attending but so far have been unable to find anyone to go with me. I have discovered one thing through this process is that celebrating surviving is something that helps me. I am not sure why, but I think it is because everything happened so fast for me after my diagnosis and I did not really have time to think about much.
The people who would really go to something like this with me are there...unfortunately they live way to far away. So I guess I will go by myself with the understanding that I am still going through this alone as the people that are my real support system are just not geographically close.
As always, thanks for checking in on me.
Monday, January 6, 2014
New Year, New Stuff!
Wow, have I really not posted since June!?!?!? I am so sorry, I am going to try really hard to be more consistent with the new year.
Let me catch everyone up!
The summer was filled with trying to heal and recover from the first step of reconstruction. It took 5 months, but by November all of the openings had finally healed, after 2 infections and one new hole opening up from the skin breaking down under the tape that was holding the packing and bandages in place.
September brought some changes for me at work, I went from working from home to being in the office due to some unexpected staffing changes. The move was temporary, but ended up lasting through the end of the year. We had one of our busiest holiday season ever this past year, a good problem to have..but it sure did kick my butt! MY body just does not sustain like it used to.
October I tried to do the breast cancer walk again, much different from last year..it was very cold that day, I only made it a few blocks before the back spasms tarted and I had to walk back. Next year...I am doing it! I also went to a couple of survivor events this year...a lunch with my Dad by the ACS, a lunch and learn and the Link to Pink event at Florida Volleyball. I will be attending more of these as the opportunity arises as I have realized they are an important part of the healing process. I am also going to try and be better about attending my support group meetings.
November and December were filled with lots of thing for work, weddings and holiday parties...and LOTS of paperwork.
Another change in my life came in the fall when I decided to become a foster home for Pug Rescue of Florida. My first little guy was Mooshoo Dumpling, a very active 1 year old...he only stayed a week as he kept running across my chest and I was still healing so he had to go to another foster home. The weekend after Thanksgiving Jeffie joined our home, he will be 3 in April and we began the new year by sending him to his new furever home in Philly of all places! His new Mom has had a rescued pug prior and after losing him in the fall she knew life with out a pug was just too quiet. As I type they are road tripping back to the snow filled state!
His Mom is a blogger (professional unlike me) and after visiting with her on Sunday I was motivated to return to my blog and be better about updating. I do believe I also made a new friend!
So, with that being said... here is the new stuff. Began the year by buying a treadmill and elliptical from a friend and have started using the with the new year. The goal is to get rid of some weight as well as this damn fluid that my body now retains on the right side due to having no lymph nodes. I think being back at home will help me do this.
Bella and Ralfie and I have done a little bit of improvements on the house, a new roof was installed by my wonderful neighbor (metal..so nice when it rains), new tile floor in the main bathroom (thanks to Lydia) and the stuff purchased to do the master bath as well, starting in the next couple of weeks. Also, have taken up the carpet in the bedroom and am painting that floor for now and the walls too, fabric has been purchased back in August to recover the headboard too.
Next will be the replacement of the living room flooring, thanks to Home Depot gift cards received as Christmas gifts..thanks family! Working on reorganizing my home office so I can be more efficient now that I am back home.
Been purging a bunch of stuff and taking the clothes that are now too big or I am unable to wear due to the lopsided chest to the consignment store and getting this place in order.
Whew..it sounds like it has been busy, but I do pace myself.
I promise I will be better about updating and thanks for keeping up with me. While on the outside I do appear to be doing well, most days are still a struggle of some sort, but as always..I am thankful to still be here and be vertical..so I won't start complaining now!
xoxoxo,
Me
Let me catch everyone up!
The summer was filled with trying to heal and recover from the first step of reconstruction. It took 5 months, but by November all of the openings had finally healed, after 2 infections and one new hole opening up from the skin breaking down under the tape that was holding the packing and bandages in place.
September brought some changes for me at work, I went from working from home to being in the office due to some unexpected staffing changes. The move was temporary, but ended up lasting through the end of the year. We had one of our busiest holiday season ever this past year, a good problem to have..but it sure did kick my butt! MY body just does not sustain like it used to.
October I tried to do the breast cancer walk again, much different from last year..it was very cold that day, I only made it a few blocks before the back spasms tarted and I had to walk back. Next year...I am doing it! I also went to a couple of survivor events this year...a lunch with my Dad by the ACS, a lunch and learn and the Link to Pink event at Florida Volleyball. I will be attending more of these as the opportunity arises as I have realized they are an important part of the healing process. I am also going to try and be better about attending my support group meetings.
November and December were filled with lots of thing for work, weddings and holiday parties...and LOTS of paperwork.
Another change in my life came in the fall when I decided to become a foster home for Pug Rescue of Florida. My first little guy was Mooshoo Dumpling, a very active 1 year old...he only stayed a week as he kept running across my chest and I was still healing so he had to go to another foster home. The weekend after Thanksgiving Jeffie joined our home, he will be 3 in April and we began the new year by sending him to his new furever home in Philly of all places! His new Mom has had a rescued pug prior and after losing him in the fall she knew life with out a pug was just too quiet. As I type they are road tripping back to the snow filled state!
His Mom is a blogger (professional unlike me) and after visiting with her on Sunday I was motivated to return to my blog and be better about updating. I do believe I also made a new friend!
So, with that being said... here is the new stuff. Began the year by buying a treadmill and elliptical from a friend and have started using the with the new year. The goal is to get rid of some weight as well as this damn fluid that my body now retains on the right side due to having no lymph nodes. I think being back at home will help me do this.
Bella and Ralfie and I have done a little bit of improvements on the house, a new roof was installed by my wonderful neighbor (metal..so nice when it rains), new tile floor in the main bathroom (thanks to Lydia) and the stuff purchased to do the master bath as well, starting in the next couple of weeks. Also, have taken up the carpet in the bedroom and am painting that floor for now and the walls too, fabric has been purchased back in August to recover the headboard too.
Next will be the replacement of the living room flooring, thanks to Home Depot gift cards received as Christmas gifts..thanks family! Working on reorganizing my home office so I can be more efficient now that I am back home.
Been purging a bunch of stuff and taking the clothes that are now too big or I am unable to wear due to the lopsided chest to the consignment store and getting this place in order.
Whew..it sounds like it has been busy, but I do pace myself.
I promise I will be better about updating and thanks for keeping up with me. While on the outside I do appear to be doing well, most days are still a struggle of some sort, but as always..I am thankful to still be here and be vertical..so I won't start complaining now!
xoxoxo,
Me
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