Paper Christmas Mugs

These are the Christmas Mugs that I made for the ladies that take care of me at the Cancer Center.  These ladies are extraordinary examples of the spirit of love that it takes to be in the health care field.  They are always compassionate, caring and kind and I wanted to do something to show my appreciation!  I love making these and have made them several times.  I made 32 of them in 3 days....I will post the directions on how to make them soon.  They are super easy to make!  You will love the ease of making these in large quantities so that you can give them as teacher gifts, people in your office, maybe a wedding shower, baby shower etc. 

I filled them with hot chocolate, cookies, chocolates and a candy cane.  Thanks for stopping by

~Rebecca

Love...blog challenge

In this blog challenge you were asked to think about something uplifting for the ones you love and share it on your card.  I chose to do a card for my friend who is at the end of her chemo but will be beginning her radiation about a month later.  We have been keeping each other company since my first chemo.  I was nervous and upset and she really helped set me at ease.  I'll still have 2 more treatments left when she is done, I'll miss her so much and wanted to convey my love, friendship and thankfulness with this card.

The inside will read... Love is what gives us hope, keep the faith, find the strength and have the courage to continue to fight the fight!  Don't forget to FIGHT LIKE A GIRL...wishing you all the love and support that you've given me for these last few months.

I just realized that the picture didn't post.  Here it is!  :)

~Rebecca

If you'd like to check out the blog challenges here's web address.  Click on the HOME button and you'll see all the cards for the past week.  Enjoy!

365 Cards: Day 318 Love is in the Air

On the Bright Side of Pink

Today I had my 5th of 8 chemo treatments.  I'm so happy to be nearing the end.  To be past the halfway point is a reason to celebrate.  For the past 3 weeks I have dreaded this day.  The last few have really been hard on me and I've had a lot of people tell me the that further I got into treatment the harder it's going to get.  I was fighting an internal battle because I also couldn't wait for this day to get here and then to be over.  The countdown to the end is getting smaller with each treatment. So this was a big day in both ways.  I arrived at the center late, which if you've had more than on treatment at my center you'll understand why it's not a big deal.  They're always behind.  I've never not had to wait to be seen or to have a treatment.  In the beginning I was very frustrated but quickly realized that that was the least of my worries! :)

We waited 40 minutes this time but it's really no big deal.  I'm very talkative but from the first time I entered that building I was quiet as a church mouse.  I worried that people were too sick to talk or wouldn't want to talk about their illness, what I have come to realize is that they are just waiting for you to look in their direction and then they are open, friendly and sharing.  In such an unlikely place, I've made so many friends!  It's so inspiring to look across the aisle to a lady who is so evidently sick and have her smile at you.  I don't know her name and we've had some of the greatest conversations.

Even though it's been a rough road, I wouldn't have the experiences that I'm having if not for this illness.  The chemo was terrible today.  I've had so many hot flashes that I feel like I'm on fire.  But it was still a great day.  I know it sounds crazy but I laughed through chemo!!  My hope and prayer is that everyone going through this can find the bright side of pink!  I hope that you can laugh through it!  Laughter, after all, is the best medicine!  Keep your head up and smile across the aisle...

Have a good night.  I'll probably be off the computer for a while for the next several days.  But I'll be back with more, thanks for stopping by

~Rebecca

Breast Cancer Awareness

As some of you may have already caught on...Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  It doesn't run in my family and I was in a very low risk category as I had nursed all 6 of my children.  However, I did not know that if you have fibrous tissue in your breast after the age of 40 that your risk of breast cancer significantly increases.

My brother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer earlier this year and I was in New Orleans visiting so that I could be there for his surgery.  His surgery was on Tuesday and I stayed till Thursday.  I woke up on Friday morning to my grandson jumping on my bed.  He accidentally grazed my right breast.  It didn't really hurt just shocked me and I flinched and winced.  On Sunday morning I woke up to find my breast swollen, tender and red.  Still it didn't really hurt.  So I figured that it was no big deal and would call my GYN on Monday. 

On Monday it was much worse and I put a call in to the GYN.  He was booked for the day so I made an appointment for Tuesday.  He checked me sent me for an Ultrasound and said that I had a broken blood vessel and significant bruising, that my body would absorb the blood and I would be fine. During the ultrasound I saw what appeared to be several more lumps in my right breast.  After I left the doctor's office, I call my husband.  I was very concerned about the other lumps that showed up in the ultrasound.  He asked me if the doctor had checked my other breast as well...he hadn't.  When I got home I gave myself a Self Breast Exam and found that I had several more lumps in my left breast as well.

I call the doctor immediately and tried to get back in the same day but he was all booked up so I had to go in on Wednesday.  After another ultrasound I was reassured that everything was fine and I would get my results by lunch on Friday.  On Friday at lunch still hadn't heard from the doctor's office so I called and they were gone for the day.  Long story short, I got the call on the following Wednesday that my lumps were suspicious and the doctor wanted to send me to a surgeon for a biopsy.  That night I didn't sleep and I did a lot of research.

The following Wednesday I went for a mammogram.  I had had one about 18 months before this happened and my doctor told me that everything looked fine even though my breasts were both filled with fibrous tissue.  The  following Monday I went to see the surgeon we scheduled my biopsy for Thursday.  He would have the preliminary results of the biopsy/excision on Friday.  It was the longest night of my life.  I remember going to Starbucks with my mom and my sister in law and telling them that I knew I was going to be fine but in the back of my mind I already knew.  When we saw the doctor the next day it took forever for us to get called back.  The nurses wouldn't look at me and that just confirmed my suspicion that it was bad news. 

We got so much information at that visit that I was on information overload and was crying and exhausted by the time we left the office.  Days later I made arrangements to see the doctor again so that I could get more clear information.  I made appointments to have second opinions and then made a trip to FL to see some doctors there that would give me my second opinions.  All of the doctors were on the same page.  I had breast cancer and would need more surgery and possibly chemotherapy.  It's been a long road.  I've had a double mastectomy and I'm now halfway through my chemotherapy.  Tomorrow I have my 5th treatment out of 8.  I'm so happy that I'm halfway through.  My husband has been my rock and my comforter.  Without God and my husband I don't think I would be where I am today.  I've had so many blessings on this journey and so much to be grateful for. 

The reason I posted this is to remind all of you ladies out there to have regular mammograms and do monthly Self Breast Exams.  If you notice anything suspicious see you doctor immediately.  I had noticed for the past several months that my left breast was itchy.  It's a symptom.  The summer before I has some slight leakage (also a symptom).  I had no idea.  I was so complacent about having nursed my kids and to my knowledge no one in my family had ever had breast cancer.  As a matter of fact, out of my extremely large family the only ones that have ever been diagnosed with any cancer was my maternal grandmother, my brother and I.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.  Thanks for stopping by

~Rebecca

Pink for the Cure, Tic Tac Cover

Loved making this one.  I'm going to be making and sharing dozens more for the upcoming, October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Going to donate them to the cancer center in our town.  Remember to BSE, ladies.  Early detection is key!  Thanks for looking

~Rebecca