Hot flashes

Really, I how many 33 year olds can say they have been through menopause twice? I can! First time about 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, I was but on medication that put me into menopause for about 6 months. It was bad because it was instant. I went from being a normal 22 year old, to having no hormone production.

At least this time it has been more slowly, more like "natural" menopause. It's a side effect of the chemo. And since I will have my ovaries removed at the end of treatment, this will be my last bought with menopause. So now I'm in the heart of it, with nightly hot flashes that start in the core of your spine and heat you through. At least I have no hair this time, it keeps me a little cooler. Oh well, and at least I'm not nauseous all the time...

My pretty card

to view my Avon Walk page click here

"moon face"

Part of my chemo regime includes getting iv steroids to help with side effects from chemo, and I am grateful because I feel great, but there are some side effects that are driving me crazy, but like the weight gain, no matter what I do, I am gaining weight, and along with that comes moon face... a side effect where my face swells, and I guess as I am researching, I am learning that it is a common side effect of the steroids I am on. But it's bad enough to be bald, but bald with moon face is awful, I mean I have never had a thin face, but I now have like 4 chins... I guess the good thing is that, like everything else, it's only temporary. I am also having a hard time sleeping, but I do have a lot more energy.

Changes

Some changes at home, my 3 year old took scissors to her hair, and so she got a Dora inspired haircut today. I and my 6 year old lost her top tooth today!

Relaxing

So I finally made it out to a yoga class and it felt great! Very relaxing. Now we're taking some time to test the boat. No lake Powell this year, and but a few days in havasu later this month. I have been boating for nearly 25 years and for the most part its always relaxing, and with the exception of a few great Powell stories...

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

As some of you know, last year to celebrate my mom's completion of treatment, my mom, sister, sister-in-law and I all participated as crew for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, a 2 day event in Santa Barbara. I was so moved by the event that Ii signed up to participate in this year’s event before the weekend was over. Little did I know that only a few months later I would be diagnosed with breast cancer. I was not sure if I would be able to participate due to my treatments, but I feel great, so I have decided to follow through with my commitment and crew again. I have been in touch with the volunteer director and she is aware of my treatment and is more than willing to accommodate any needs I may have. I am very excited to be able to once again help such a great cause, and as I realize now more than ever how important research is in finding a cure and preventative medicine to stop this disease before it begins.

So now comes my plea, I have set a fundraising goal of $1000, but will take whatever I can get. Please visit my fundraising page by clicking here and please forward either this blog or the link to anyone you know that may want to donate.

Thank You!!!

visit my youtube

My happy place

Sitting, waiting for chemo, looking at pictures of my water baby and my sand baby, thinking to myself... I'm doing ok, I don't cry as often, I'm not as sad, I can see my future, and I just feel better than I did a few months ago. I am beginning to feel like me again.

My new suit

I don't know if I've mentioned my new bathing suit, but the last few times we have been out somewhere in suits, like Vegas, I have felt very uncomfortable. It's bad enough being bald at a pool, then add having to worry about a fake boob falling out. So a few weeks ago my mom and I were walking through nordies when a bathing suit caught my eye. Now, I have not bought a new bathing suit in like 3-4 years, and I would never pay Nordstrom prices for one, but, Nordstrom sews in a pocket for my fake boob free of charge, and that's a big deal when your worried about your boob falling out. So back to the bathing suit, so I hate bathing suits, all bathing suits, they never look good, but I tried it on, and low and behold, it wasn't bad, not good, but not bad... and the weird blue patch over the left side of the bathing suit actually helps to camouflage my fake boob! So I bit the bullet and spent like 2 weeks allowance on a new bathing suit.

Staying cool at the library

And happy birthday Susie! Yes, we are terrible friends meeting up, on your birthday, and forgetting it's your birthday! We love you though! And eventually we did remember...

Towanda!

A Fried Green Tomato reference... so I have decided to remodel our bathroom. I started last week tearing out the floors, two layers of linoleum later, I now have my husband on board. We're still demolishing, so I apologize in advanced to anyone who will be visiting, my timing is kind of bad... but hopefully soon we will have a nice new bathroom! But my husband is right, I can only do so much, then the rest falls in him, but I am trying and working hard. And it keeps me busy.