Time for a Cupcake!

12 of 12 D.O.N.E.!!!! :) Made cupcakes for nurses. They are very special and took good care of me during these last 18 treatments all together. Wow. I can't wait until the chemo washes out and I become YET another new person. Thanks for meeting me here during this. I will be starting radiation as this saga continues...so stay tuned for updates. What you can do for me? Go out and get the best cupcake you can find and enjoy it to the max!!!! Love and prayers, Amanda

Siked! Tx 11 of 12

One more after tomorrow!! "tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow...it's only a day (andaweekandoneday) awaaayyy!" (from 'Annie')

So some girlies and I were talkin'... October 6 is Susan G Komen race in Lexington, KY (www.komenlexington.org). You are invited to be a part of Team Amanda- we will get a more creative name to this, but we will have tshirts. :). And I want us to run at the front of the pack, consider this early notice. However, maybe you want to walk, maybe you just want to finish...this is great!- regardless, let's just do it! I'm siked the moment, so I feel like I could run a marathon tonight while I sleep. :). The point is, put it on your calendar. I will get an RSVP site going with information and so that you can get your tshirt if you want it.

Switching gears, last week I mentioned my momma and just little bit on just how much I love her and how she has been so good to me. I want to post here just how much I love my husband and how supportive he is in this journey. He has done so much around the house, with our son, and for me. He has been patient, loving, listening, spiritual, funny, sweet, gentle, optimistic, easy.

I love my family and my friends so much. I can't imagine this life without them (you) and without Jesus leading it. I knew this all before... now in this journey, I've really just gotten to put these relationships in overdrive and learn more about them, and just how important they really are. What a gift this journey really is. :). Wrapped in fuscia pink with a beautiful fluffy bow!!

Update on schedule--Tomorrow is treatment 11 of 12! Chemo final 12 of 12 is a week from Tuesday. I have a CT scan on June 4 that should confirm cancer clear. I meeting with Radiation Oncologist, Dr Marta Hayne on June 7 to layout radiation area. Hope to start Radiation on June 11 that will consist of 37 treatments at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington that will be completed August 4 or so. Treaments will include park, walk in, 10 min appt, leave. Short appts and I anticipate little side affects- much easier than chemotherapy.

2 left! whooo hooooooooo

I had treatment number 10 of 12 (or number 16 of 18 total) yesterday!!  I didnt have my nice sleep.  It was nice and quiet in the chemo suite so it was good to just stay awake and visit with my momma.  Dr. Harper came out to visit.  The treatment went well.  I can't even tell you about how my Mom has been such a support to me.  She goes to every treatment, drives me around, takes me where I want to go after treatment, brings me snacks and water, reminds me of important things. I love her so very much.  I love her so much that I couldn't pick out a Mother's Day card this year, out of all years.  I am one of those that will stand there for 2 hours until I find just the right card.  Well, I was losing it everytime I went to pick one out.  So I signed my brother's card. :)  It was a nice card. 

I am so excited to have 2 left.  It is a bit overwhelming is so many ways.  I had a normal, then I had a new normal.  In 2 weeks, I will yet have another new normal as I step away from what I know life with chemotherapy into a new, new normal as I step into radiation the next week.  It makes me a bit anxious, nervous, emotional.  I am convinced that radiation will be easier treatments, so that isnt what really provokes the emotion.  Its just may be that I am so stinking happy to be so almost done with this.  It may be that I have had such rework done in my priorities, my perspective, my heart that I am just feeling vulnerable stepping into new terrritory and eventually much of where I left off. 

These are the areas I pray for God to continue to work to show me the next that He has for me. He does not intend for me in a place saying "God if you just do this, then I will do this".  God will always do His will for me regardless of my actions and my performance. I just need to listen to what He has in store and take each day to live in that truth.  He has provided His ways of grace and peace through this journey.  I have learned more about his unexplained peace and power during this journey.  He has provided me strength beyound comprehension, peace beyond what I could have ever expected, support and angels beyond what I ever could have imagined.  The funny thing is He was just as much there for me before cancer in these ways, and it was always a choice in what I wanted to believe what I could do on my own verses what He was wanting for me.  The action of picking or choosing God over self has been the ultimate learning experience and the most rewarding.

Love, Amanda

Tx 9 of 12

This treatment was last Monday on 5/7.  I met with the doctor as a check up.  All going well, except for the burns in my veins (whcih is normal for taxotere-it burns inside out) and the fact that I had a skin burn on my hands as well with nail grossness (which is also normal).  Bottom line, is she switched my Taxotere to Taxol, like going from Coke to Pepsi.  Taxotere is derived from a plant and is 2-3% more beneficial over Taxol.  The Taxol works but is manmade.  She is happy that I got 2/3 of the Taxotere and the switch will help my skin.  She had only seen the skin rash one other time and she discussed Stephen Johnson's Syndrome which is a deadly skin disease syndrome caused by a drug reaction.  Um, yes, lets switch!!

The side affects from the switch seemed easier.  Thursday was a good day, but Friday seemed to catch up with me.  Managed through it.  Travelled to see family and my niece graduate from college.  Did well for the weekend and had a great visit. 

Only 3 left!!!  Thanks for stopping by and checking on me!  Thank you for your love and outpouring of support! 

There is a meeting coming up in June that I will be handing out awards.  My theme is "Champions".  I really feel like in this lifetime we are meant to be Champions for others and we recieve Champions in our lives who step up and go to bat for us through prayer, support, love, good thoughts, and just having a real sense of connection during a time like this especially.  God places people on our heart in this way and I believe I have been placed on your heart as you are my Champion.  Until now, I thought they were very few in a lifetime, but this is not the case.  Champion could also mean angel.

Love, Amanda