This picture was taken last September in Paradise Valley in Montana. It was a family vacation we had taken..and horseback riding was on the list of things to do! So much fun! :) From left to right: Dustin, me, my mom, and Georgie.Happy Birthday to my beautiful, loving, amazing mom today!! :)
Wow.. I just realized it'd been awhile since I last posted!! Sorry guys! My first week of chemo had me feeling pretty anxious, tired, and nauseated. I had something similar to a panic attack my first night of chemo, more because of my fear of the unknown. I had no idea what side effects I would have, and I expected the worse. And lucky for me, I really can't complain! Other than the anxiety, my side effects have been pretty minimal!
Before I forget, I just want to remind everyone of how important it is to do self breast exams every month and mammograms every year. It doesn't matter if you think you're too young. I've heard of a girl as young as 14 diagnosed with breast cancer!! And I've heard of two 18 year old girls, a 20 year old, a 23 year old....and me at 26. It doesn't discriminate based on your age or race or family history. Seriously, the sooner you find it, the better chance you have of surviving!! The statistics say that 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed in their lifetime. So, please be careful!
On April 16th, I celebrated my 27th birthday and am going to embrace every single year that I am older! I spent the day with my uncle and my second cousin. We went out to a restaurant, I had a salad that had a little bug in it..so I stopped eating it after that. haha Then we went exploring at this park. It was so nice to get out and enjoy the sun. I felt good that day. And when we got home, my aunt brought Chinese take-out (because I love Chinese!!). My mom sent me flowers, a brand new camera!! with the help of her co-workers at the port as well as a coloring book and crayons as a joke, my brother bought me an ipod and a $25 gift card for itunes, my sister gave me a Burberry bracelet, Alan sent me into tears with his very sweet, well-thought gifts including a card, a cd he had made for me, two pillowcases with pictures of us on them, and a few other things, my friend Jaclyn sent me a card and gift card, JoAnne and Dan sent me a card with 2 books and a dress, my cousin Standish sent me an adorable tanktop and card, my aunt Colleen gave me a gift card, Dayna took me to get my wig styled and out to lunch.... Honestly, I had a great birthday and I can't thank you all enough!! And for all the birthday wishes I recieved on Facebook, all the calls and texts, thank you so so much!!
On Monday the 19th, I had my second round of chemo. MUCH easier going into it now that I kn0w what to expect. My neulasta shot had kicked in, thank God, otherwise I would've had to wait a week for my white blood cell count to come back up. It was abnormally low when I went in for my follow-up the week before. They told me I had no immune system and that I had to be extremely careful. And I guess I was, because I felt fine. And I found out yesterday when I got my second shot that.... the Neulasta shot costs $9,400!! And I have to have it 8 times!! Craziness.
So, how am I feeling? I'm feeling better. I feel fortunate that I'm not suffering from the major side effects. The one difference I can feel this second time around is my scalp is sore. And I think it's because my hair will begin to fall out soon. Probably next week it'll really start to thin and when that happens, I'm heading back to the salon to get it shaved! But my wig is styled and I have two hats, so I'm ready. :)
I eat so much healthier now and exercise (walking) when I feel up to it. Diet plays a huge role in your health and it can make a difference when protecting against or fighting cancer. My mom sent me an article about eating healthy as a means to help my body fight this. Thanks mom! :)
My anxiety level is back down. I continue to pray a lot and think of ways that I can help out other cancer patients when this is all over. I've gotten some good ideas from other breast cancer survivors on thebreastcancersite.com website. Reading their stories is so inspiring! I've also found a support group for young breast cancer survivors here in Minnesota. I plan to attend next month's meeting. Actually, the lady who talked to me about the Neulasta shot is an 18 year survivor! She was stage III advanced cancer when she was diagnosed..and she's still going strong! It gives me hope. I won't let it get the best of me.
A lot of people have been asking about donations, as well. I keep forgetting to mention that my mom and I have set up a benefit checking account. I was advised not to work while going through treatment. And I haven't been able to work since February. So, if anyone does want to donate, contact me and I can give you the information for that. Please don't feel obligated!! It's ONLY if you can afford to do so. Prayers and positive thoughts are just as helpful. :)
On Sunday, I went to my second cousin's Baptism. And at mass, the priest spoke about how too often we don't find the good in our misfortunes. He spoke of needing to find the "Silver lining" in our hardships. God is there when we suffer. And I have to say that I've learned so much about myself in these past few months. I've learned what I can handle emotionally, and it's a lot more than I ever thought I could. I often hear how strong I am. But I never knew I could be until I was put in this situation. I think we're all a lot stronger than we realize. Of course I started out extremely fearful. But the more I prayed, the more people I have reaching out to me, the more I think about what I can do for other's going through this, the better I feel. I have decided to leave my life in God's hands. I will do what I can while I am here. And I hope that's a LONG time!!
In other good news, Alan is going to be staying with me this summer to help me while I go through treatment!! He's driving out here with his mom on May 21st and will stay until I'm done, which should be the first week of August. Then he and I will drive back to Utah..and from there I'll have my surgery and then radiation. But I just wanted to say how happy I am to know he will be here for me. :)
I have an amazing support system. My family, my boyfriend, and my friends have all shown me love and support from the very beginning. My brother and his hockey took a team picture after their benefit hockey game for me.. and in the front of the team was a poster that said in pink letters, "Stay stong Annie!" and it had the breast cancer awareness ribbon on it. Some of the guys even used pink tape on their hockey sticks! I was immediately brought to tears. I called my brother crying because I couldn't believe that these men I had never met, we're supporting ME. It's incredible.
I can't even tell you how much strength and courage I have because of all of you!! And I mean that in the most sincere way. You have all shown me that you care, that you love me, that you support my fight against cancer, and you continue to give me that hope that I WILL BEAT THIS. I couldn't do it without you. And for that, I'm forever grateful. :)
I will be okay. :)
Positives!
- I am feeling really good even with chemo in my system!
-I had a great birthday! Thank you!!!!
-I know I'm loved and that people are thinking and praying for me daily. :)
-Lots of people want to to fundraisers for me! So awesome!!
-I know God is with me every step of the way.
