The motto "how time flies when your having fun" seems quite fitting at this moment. I just read the last blog I posted and can't believe it was July 13, almost a month ago that you heard from me last. Wow! So much has happened.
Let's start off with something very fun, for those of you not connected via facebook the last blog entry ended with my last chemo day and also me telling you that my cousin had just had a baby and how I couldn't wait to meet her. I left her name out of the blog, because my cousins and sister Sylvia were in on a very nice "prank" when the baby was born. The told me a fake name, her dad sent me a fake text and all! They were waiting until I could meet her in person the next day, to tell me what they had known all along....
It is with great honor that I share with all of you that have been following my journey, one of the most precious moments of this year, a picture that was taken seconds after I met my cousin, Lupita and David Moya's daughter....
Zeeny Leticia! I was left speechless and yes the tears started pouring. How special is that?
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| Zeeny Leticia Moya |
Another exciting blessing that happened was a call from a dear friend who said "I have a surprise for you and your family. Would you be available to go on the radio in a few days?" Not one to shy away from the media, I said sure! A few days later Brian and I met Diana and Robert Blake at the radio station. After reading my last blog, Diana Paredez had called her favorite radio station 96.1, told them our story and DJ Robert Blake, presented our family tickets to one of Texas largerst waterparks - Schlitterbahn on air! They were hoping that during my break between chemo and radiation, we could take the family to the park, so we did! Again, we are so blessed, beyond words.
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| DJ Robert Blake, Diana Paredez |
Before we went on our trip to Schlitterbahn, I had to make a trip to Dallas to see several doctors. A check-up with my Breast Cancer Oncologist, Dr Osborne went well. She did tell me that while my weight gain was typical due to the level of steroids that had been given to me during chemo, one thing she wished I would have done was exercise atleast five days a week during chemo to lessen the fatigue. Really? Yes, she was serious, I did tell her how I could barely function at times, but she said, "studies have shown that cancer patients who exercise atleast 30 minutes a day, lessen their fatigue by 50%". I asked her if what we were doing was working, she replied "your cancer is microscopic at this point' and we have attacked it with everything we have to minimize the chances of it ever coming back from 30% to 1%" We can't guarantee that it won't but we can minimize the chances and that is what we have done. Atleast that is how I understood what was said.
We also saw a Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Cheek. He concurred with the Radiation Oncologist in Midland, Dr. Corwin on the number of treatments needed for the amount of micro-vascular tissue that had remained and the additional lymph node under my rib cage that could not be surgically removed, at 33 treatments. While this was more that the estimate than had been give to us initially, we will do what is necessary to get the job done - and they didn't ask for my opinion! Now it is on to trying to minimize the side effects of radiation.
A visit to a Plastic Surgeon was next. Dr Deuber was very kind but did let us know two things. 1. Re-construction surgery will not be able to be done for atleast 6 months after radiation is complete (not in the December time-line I had hoped for due to insurance and financial reasons) and 2. There are very limited number of surgeons who do the type of re-construction I was looking for, what is called a TRAM, and he was not one of them. It is a 12-15 hour surgery and he did go over the pro's and con's. His recommendation was to have spacers implanted prior to radiation, but in the end, after meeting with my surgeon and radiation oncologist I decided that it was in my best interest to proceed with the plan of taking care of the cancer first and dealing with the reconstruction at a later date.
I would like to Give a HUGE THANK YOU, to Martha Smart for all of the unconditional support she gave Brian and I during these visits. Your entire family has been amazing, but it takes somone pretty special to sit with you and listen and play referee when needed! We were also able to go to a Texas Rangers Game with Amanda and John B. while she and John S. babysat their new granddaughter! After all of those doctors visits, a Baseball game, fireworks and a night of laughs was just what we needed and got :)! It was also great to get to see my cousins Lucy & Julio and their triplets while enjoying dinner in the famous Dallas West End District. Family and friends - we couldn't do this without you.
Where were the kids? Back at Mimi and Papoe's, where they love to be! When they got there we skyped with them and they were all so excited to be at the ranch. I asked them who was going to take care of mommy while they were all gone, and they quickly replied "all your facebook friends can"... so cute! They didn't get to stay for too long, but it was the last trip before school starts again.
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| Texas Rangers Game |
We returned from our visits and then went on our mini vacation. San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, Dallas. Schlitterbahn was AMAZING! We all had a blast. Brooke and I were talking about the trip just yesterday when she said, "mom, I haven't heard you laugh that much in a long time". I guess I needed that more than I thought! We went back to Dallas becasue I went to a lymphedema clinic at Baylor that Dr. Cheek wanted me to attend before I started radiation. Luckily the scheduling worked out and we were able to extend our vacation by a day and drive up to Dallas. We were able to see more friends and cousins on that trip. Nate, Marco & Olivia Cunnigham and Jesse & Jennifer Solano and their kids. Jennifer was a big help because she took the kids while we went to our appointment at Baylor.
The day after we returned from our trip I started radiation. Last Wednesday, Aug 3. I go in every weekday, one of their first appointments and am finished in about 20 minutes. The actual radiaiton takes about 2 minutes but from the time I walk in to the time I walk out is about 20 minutes. So if you are keeping track, 3 down, 30 more to go! I have been told that the worst side effect is fatigue- AGAIN? It is not due to set in until 2 weeks into treatments, but I am taking Dr. Osborne's advice and have started walking 5 days a week. We will see how this goes - 6 1/2 weeks to prove this theory. Another side effect is the burning of the skin, I have purchased every cream from every store we walked into that is made for radiation. And have started applying!
We were able to go to Rock the Desert here in Midland this weekend. "The Whosoevers" played one day and are pictured below. We met the lead singer and guitar player in Nashville during Thanksgiving, Brian Welch, it was nice to see him again and get to introduce him to one of Midland's most well known eating establishments - Rosa's! He now knows why people fly back with dozens of tortillas for my sister Angie :). Lincoln now wants an electric guitar and asks for one daily after watching them play. He walks around playing his acoustical guitar all the time, I can't imagine what we would do with the sounds of an electric guitar of a four year old.
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| "The Whosoevers" |
I leave you with one last picture of me at Baylor Medical Center. I had to wait for a copy of some records to be made so I walked into the chapel and sat and listened two of my favorite songs that have gotten me through this journey
"Strong Enough and Surviors". The hat that I am wearing say's "I Am Second" because that is where I get my strength and courage in knowing that I don't have to come first, He stands before me, guiding the way. I just have to "go second", like Lincoln said. My faith is in knowing that He always has and will.
