Just something to think about.....

Something to think about.....If you died today...would You be completely satisfied with the way You lived your life? Or are there changes you wish you would have made?? Too many people look at death as a taboo topic, but if you are satisfied with the way you live/are living your life then there should be no fear in death. To Me, death will be a welcome embrace when the right time comes...when God decides it is my time to be with Him forever. I know that when my time comes I will be at peace with my life and be ready for eternal life in Heaven. I'm writing this because now ,while we are still on Earth is when We should want to be the change that we want to see in this world. If you don't like something, change it. If you aren't happy about the path your life is taking, take this time to find a new path. Explore life, take in each and every moment. Life as we know it on this Earth is extremely short. Make the changes now. It is never to late to better yourself. Forget about what media and society thinks is right. Too many people in this world are materialistic... but in the end will the clothes we wear, the car we drive, the fancy things we own  really matter?? No, they won't. What will matter is the genuine people who You choose to keep in your life. It doesn't matter how much stuff you have if that is all you end up with does it? Be grateful for the people in your life and the kind things that they do for you. Don't be selfish. With this said, Now is the time to really figure out the type of person You want to be. How do you want people to remember you? It is your choice....until next time....

Hope

 Hello! Wanted to share my next sunshine bag I received. This awesome sunshine bag was from Denise Weiss. I do not personally know Denise but I believe she is a part of my Sister-in-laws MOPS group....Thank You soo much Denise for the beautiful Hope bag filled with goodies!

Life Savers,lotions,body wash, lip balms and an awesome book!

The Beautiful Hope tote it all came in!!

Hope tote up close!

I am still on cloud nine from yesterday's good news...it puts the biggest smile on my face...I got a lot accomplished today in my eyes...I cleaned pretty much the whole house, which since starting chemo has been a challenge for me to find the energy to do that....so it makes me feel good that I was able to accomplish that task today!

 My rash is still going a little crazy....I'm afraid to say it but I def think its gonna get worse before it gets better....I noticed that keeping my skin very very moisturized helps a lot...I'm probably going to need a 40 gallon tub on lotion by the time this rash goes away but I'm just glad something gives me some relief and I'm going to have to live with this new rash because most likely on the chemo I will get it probably the whole time in different areas...Oh Joy!! :P
  I'm getting a hold of my stomach issue by eating A LOT healthier....i completely changed my lifestyle and how I ate before since starting this chemo. So far I lost a total of 10-12 lbs in about 2 1/2 weeks...I am glad I am losing weight but I also need to be careful that I don't continue to lose too much too rapidly....I never in my life thought I would write those words, "...losing weight too rapidly" It has always been such a battle for me my entire life to lose weight and now its just melting off....If only it could be because of something else besides chemo but I feel that I am also dropping it because of changing my eating habits...so I guess its a good thing?? Soo all in all things still continue to go well ....I ask for continued strength from God to keep me feeling as good as I am and to help my body continue to tolerate the chemo. Until next time....

Happy Dance Time!!!!

Doing the Happy Dance right now!!! Just got wonderful news! My blood work numbers are showing that my tumor markers are going down, which in turn means the medicine is most likely working to shrink the tumors!!! And here today I was being depressed and sad over a rash...I will take that rash any day if my tumors are shrinking!! I feel soo blessed .....I want to thank all of you for keeping me upbeat and positive throughout all of this....i truly feel that because of all of you is another huge part why the chemo is working like it is! THANK YOU, THANK YOU,THANK YOU....from the bottom of my heart, I can't thank You all enough........I think this calls for a celebration....till next time my friends!
 Oh also I got a new wonderful sunshine bag...I will take pics soon and hopefully get another post up about it tonight or tomorrow!!! :)

Praying for Boston...

All I want to say today is God Bless everyone involved in the Boston Marathon bombings yesterday....this world is getting scarier and scarier to live in....remember to hug your loved ones today and everyday and cherish every moment. My Husband and I will continue to pray for all of the families and victims in this horrible act, may God be with them in their time of need.

Yay for Sunshine Bags! :)

Hello, Hello! Just wanted to share my next sunshine bag with everyone! My next sunshine bag was from Jen...I met Jen at the chiropractic office where my Husband and I go! Jen works there as a receptionist, and since day one she has always been so sweet and since being diagnosed has always reached out to us to lend a kind and encouraging word. Thank You soo much Jen for the wonderful sunshine bag and being the wonderful person that You are!! I love the garden stepping stone and it is perfect because Jon and I will be starting our first garden this year and I can't wait to display the beautiful stone in it! Also LOVE the devotional journal, coffee mug, angel pin and really funky pen!! It was such a thoughtful gift and I appreciate it soo much!! Thanks again!!!

Miracle Angel pin,Miracles happen travel mug, devotional book, funky pen and beautiful stepping stone!!

P.s- Sorry about the color on this one I couldn't get the right flash setting on my camera!!


I had a wonderful day yesterday....I felt soo good yesterday ...I felt a little bit like my old self again. Our friends Corey and Kristin invited us over for a cookout and it was delicious! There is nothing like being surrounded with great people to make you feel better! We then played a couple of fun card games and just laughed and had a wonderful time like usual! I am so blessed to have some genuine, caring friends in my life! Thank You Corey and Kristin for just being You! We ended the night with a fire at my Sister Kelli and Brother-in-law Jeff's house...what a great ending to the night...we sat around the fire and just chatted away and enjoyed the evening together...it's never a dull moment when We are together...I love them soo much!!!So all in all I had a fabulous day yesterday!! Till next time...

Kristin Nicole x 2 and Corey!!

Myself and My awesome Brother-in-Law Jeff!!

Me & My Best friend

I'm not crazy...it's just chemonesia....

So today was another good day....I had my 2 week follow up appointment at Penn and everything went well...all the side effects I have been having are pretty minimal and normal....my EKG was also very good and shows that my heart is still in good working order :) Like I've said many times before my biggest annoyance is the chemo brain....It literally makes me feel like I am a nutcase at times... my Husband tells me that I am actually sweeter and kinder on chemo...I guess that's a compliment right? lol ...I think I just realized that I don't ever want to take life for granted again

I was at Walmart today and I was looking around at all the people and soo many of them just looked miserable....I tried smiling at as many people as I could...sometimes people cracked a smile but most just looked at me like I was looney.....More people need to realize how precious life is and really cherish it....our lives are soo short and many of us take that for granted...I know I did before cancer came into my life. I have said this many times too, but I am glad God woke me up with the cancer diagnosis....its a kick in the ass that I think I needed...I'm not saying I'm happy about having cancer but I know this is all a part of His plan for me. So on another note ...my parents got me this queasy drops for nausea and upset stomach and they are great so far....they really helped to take the nausea away...would recommend them for anyone who gets nausea with either chemo, pregnancy or they help with many other things!

 I want to end this blog by just saying how much I love my parents....I am so blessed that God gave me the parents that I have....They have been there with me for everything...all of my doctor appointments...emotional...physical and financial support...I am so lucky to have them in my life. I can't count how many times we all laughed together today...they know how to put a smile on my face....so I just want to say Thank You Mom and Dad...I love you both soo much and I want to just thank you again for being such wonderful parents and doing everything you both possibly can to support and love your children like you do. Thank You...Thank You...Thank You!!! <3 Till next time.....

My Mom and Dad <3

Thank You Mom and Dad for teaching me to become the person that I am today..I love you!

Carpe Diem!

I had an excellent day today....I've been having more energy lately so I decided to go with my sister and our dogs for a walk...it was such a beautiful day out and I really enjoyed myself....the dogs were a little crazy walking together but I think they had fun too! I don't have too much to write about today but I wanted to share my next sunshine bag from my Brother, Sister-in-law and niece Mccartney....Thank You all soo much for the fun gifts and the beautifully decorated card from McCartney! I love everything and I'm sure I will have fun and stay occupied with all of the silly gifts! Love you all and Thank You soo much! Well that is all the exciting news today but I hope all of You got to go out and enjoy the beautiful weather and sunshine today!!...Till next time...

Elway ( on the left) and Indy...this was a while a go ...Elway is MUCH bigger now :)

Fun putty , ice cream smelling bubbles, paddle ball and a really cool soap with a loufa built into it!

My awesome and sweet card decorated by my Beautiful Niece McCartney!

 

In time, answers will come.....

Still trucking a long with the chemo....it really hasn't been too bad at all so far...so I am happy about that! On the other hand, about 3 days ago I did something kinda stupid....I was worried about a few breakout spots that I have been getting ...so me being so smart decided I am going to use an acne treatment on it. Now this seems pretty typical of what someone would do if they had a breakout right??well I go above and beyond typical I guess. I grabbed the treatment that has benzoyl peroxide in it which in the past i had a slight irritation to....but no extreme reactions. This time was definitely different..I ended up with a huge rash all over my chest and my face swelled up and all that ....another lesson learned...I guess I need to realize that this chemo is going to make my skin a lot more sensitive...definitely making a mental note in my head... :P

 So beside that little incident there is some great news...My hubby went back to doing masonry. We are both so excited and couldn't be happier! God always listens to your prayers...as my hubby says, He always has an answer...it may be yes, it may be no or it might be wait but either way He always answers in time..we just need to have patience.We have been praying for a while for God to show us the right path that Jon needs to take in his career and it took a few jobs to go through and different experiences but I think the job Jon started is the right path for him and I am so happy for my Hubby... he deserves nothing but the best and I am so ecstatic that things are looking up for him and for our future.

 

Until next time...

Through Thick & Thin.....

  

I had a wonderful day today....my Cousin Alyssa had her bridal shower today and it looked beautiful and was such a nice time! I am so glad that Alyssa, Kelli and Myself stayed close...I know sometimes family can separate and drift a part, but I am just so blessed that we all stayed in each others lives and I know will continue to do so...I love you Lyss and I hope you had a wonderful time at your shower...I can't wait for You and Tyler's BIG day and to be there to celebrate with You both, it will be here before You know it!

 

On another note and this in no way has to do with anyone in particular just something I often wonder about ...why is it that cancer completely can change the way someone looks at you...I'm not trying to bitch or complain here because like I have said before I have a great support system but I've seen this in other situations when people get sick...people who you thought would be there for you just seem to disappear...it's like the word cancer masks the complete person that You are and people just seem to change. It's sad to Me that people have to do that. You are still the same person...still the same friend/loved one that you have always been. I personally don't understand it...I couldn't imagine knowing someone going through a medical issue or rough time in general and just completely stop talking to them or being able to go on with my life and not even try to reach out knowing what that person was going through....I have definitely felt this way at times during my diagnosis...people who I thought would be there ..just aren't anymore..I realized that in the end I will always have my Husband & Family and I am completely happy with that...it's just something I guess that I wanted to talk about because it completely boggles my mind...I just know in the end the people who truly are there for me will be the ones who really matter and will be the ones that are supposed to be in my life.Trust me I know cancer or any kind of sickness in general is a very scary thing...many people probably don't know what to say or how to approach someone...but just remember, they are the same person that they have always been...maybe a little weaker, maybe more tired...maybe even in some ways not as fun as they once were but that doesn't mean they should be treated any differently..does it? I would think you would want to cherish as many memories as possible with that person but I guess sometimes people feel that's not what is important..oh well what are you gonna do?

Also want to share with you sunshine bag #3 from my Aunt Kath! I love it...and I am wearing the cozy socks right now as I am typing :) Thank You soo much Aunt Kath!! I love You!! Till next time my friends....

A journal, awesome inspirational book, a beautiful beaded pink Rosary, fun picture frame, and super cozy monkey socks!

The Lydia Project, Chemo, and Wilma & Fred.....

I wanted to blog today to not only share the picture of my next sunshine bag, but also to give you more of an update of where things are since starting the chemo...first off sunshine bag #3...another gift from my awesome sister but this is also from The Lydia Project. The Lydia Project is a foundation started for women who are coping with cancer. They provide free services for any woman anywhere going through any type of cancer.They send out words of encouragement, little pick me up gifts and financial help. They hand make totes and send them out to women who are fighting. I received my tote just the other day and I love it! Thank You Kelli for finding this amazing foundation! Also if anyone knows a women who is fighting cancer and thinks that She needs a pick me up( which I don't know any cancer patient that wouldn't!) Please visit www.thelydiaproject.com to request a tote. Here is a picture of my tote and a few little goodies inside!

My awesome tote, lotion, tissues and a journal

So this chemo business isn't terrible but not the greatest either but I can't complain. All in all I am feeling okay on it. My biggest complaints would be upset stomach and finding many things that I loved before to be unappetizing...although I look at this as a good thing because I am tending to eat a lot more fruits and veggies and healthier stuff so i guess that isn't a complaint. Also, I am in a fog all the time which really sucks...I used the word cancer brain before but this takes it to a whole different level. I now have what they call chemo brain. I have heard about this before but thought maybe since I wasn't taking the traditional chemo that I wouldn't have that side effect but since it is still chemo that comes along with it. I was scared at first because I thought something else was wrong with me but then I asked a few of my other medullary thyroid friends who are on the caprelsa if this is a normal feeling and they assured me that it is, so that made me feel better and that I wasn't just going crazy! I also definitely noticed how sensitive my skin is to the sun...yesterday I was out for just a little bit with my dog when I was over at my parents house and totally forgot about sunscreen...so when I got home I was like shit...it feels like I have freaking sunburn and I indeed did...I was fully covered too but just that little bit in the sun with my face exposed was enough. Lesson learned. So besides these little hiccups, like I said all in all I am feeling well and I know it could be a lot worse so again I feel blessed.

I want to share one more picture with all of you...this is totally random but this morning I was outside replanting some daffodils and a few months ago Jon and I put up a bird feeder and these 2 birds always come around....I'm pretty sure they are boyfriend and girlfriend because whenever we see them they are always together :) Jon and I named them Wilma and Fred. I caught them together this morning right outside my door so snapped a quick picture. Until next time....

Wilma & Fred

Sunshine Bag #2!

Wanted to share what I got in my next "sunshine bag"....another wonderful gift that makes me smile and encourages Me! Thank You soo much Melissa!!

My Sister and I with our matching bracelets!

Love it!!

A charm that I can add to the bracelet or to a necklace!!

Feeling so free...

I feel so free...I got all of my hair chopped off today and I haven't felt this good in a while...I am just meant to have short hair I think....I feel a little bit more like myself again...

I am feeling OK on the chemo....so far just very tired and having some stomach issues but all in all so far so good...It's only been 3 days so it is probably too soon to see any real side effects but so far I can't complain and continue to feel blessed. I had a great day today....Thank You Christy, Kelli and Jon for making it such a wonderful day for me! You guys are the best :) Until next time my friends.....