I’m sorry you found my blog.
HA! What a funny thing to say on a blog!! But seriously, if you landed here, you either know me, or know someone that has cancer. That’s why I’m sorry!
Cancer.
I hate that word.
I remember sitting in the oncologist’s office in my early 20’s listening to the Dr. tell me that while it was not likely I would get Ocular Melanoma like my Mom, 3 out of 4 people would be diagnosed with some sort of cancer in their life. Since all of my Grandparents and my Mom have died of some type of cancer, I knew my day would come. I just never thought my diagnosis would be the day after my 41st birthday and as a mother of a 10, 7 and 6 year old.
Fast forward 4 years (October 2019) and the cancer has returned in other bones. So here we are, ready to fight again…and looking to be on some sort of treatment for the rest of my life.
This blog is my journey as I fight to leave cancer behind and move on in my life.
I should probably back up and introduce myself . . . my name is Jennifer. I’m a Christ follower, married to an amazing man (who happens to be a chef turned Co-CEO of a restaurant), have 3 beautiful daughters and I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer which originally spread to my sternum, but has now spread to quite a few other bones and one of my lungs as well.
I know it can be confusing when you stumble upon a new blog, so let me help you get started.
- I have a blog to keep track of my thoughts and to let friends and family know what’s going on.
- You can get to know our family or read my personal testimony here.
- As I’ve been going through different procedures, I’ve written down what it was like. You can find a list of those over in the side bar (or down at the bottom if you are on a mobile device).
- Click here to receive an email when I publish new posts.
- And finally, if you noticed above that I’m married to a chef and think that must be the MOST AMAZING THING EVER, click here and browse through my blog about what it’s really like to be married to a chef. (I love blogging. Can you tell?)
Here’s what’s going on with me right now . . .
A Birthday and a Request
Today would have been my Mom’s 69th birthday. I miss her so much! I’m doing fine today, just thought I’d mention it. 🙂 Happy Birthday in Heaven Mom! (Here’s a post I wrote a few years ago if you are interested.)
The real reason I’m writing today is to ask you to pray for me as I await my appointment on Friday. I have a check-up with the oncologist at 11 am.
3 weeks ago I started having sciatica pain. I tried to manage it with stretching and exercises but ended up at the Dr. as it wasn’t getting any better. She prescribed steroids and muscle relaxers which helped. However, as the steroids are tapering off and now ending, the pain is coming back, even though I continue to do all the strengthening and stretching exercises. 🙁
Mastectomy – 1 Year Later
A year ago right now (4:14pm), I was done with all the surgery prep. and was waiting to go into surgery.
I’m so glad I’ve kept a blog through this journey. As I read back through my post from 2 days after surgery, there are so many things I have forgotten after just one year.
This morning as I looked in the mirror, I was reminded of how different my body looks today than it did a year ago. Most days I don’t think about it, unless a scar is bothering me. But this morning was different. I’ve been feeling down all day. I don’t really feel like I’m dwelling on memories from last year, but I must be a little. (And I’m exhausted from keeping up with 6 kids at the Great Wolf Lodge the past 2 days! So much fun but I’m pooped!)
A week from today I have a check-up with my oncologist. I don’t think it will be a very eventful appointment…the bone pain I was having is gone. However, I’ve been having some sciatica pain for the past few weeks. I didn’t do anything to injur it and am a little concerned about it. I have been on a steroid and muscle relaxers. With those meds and exercises and stretches, it’s getting better slowly, but in the back of my mind is still the concern that the cancer has spread to my back. When I saw the Dr. last week, she was glad to know I had an appointment soon with the oncologist so we could talk about my back if the pain has not improved.
At the risk of being too much of a downer, I’ll end here and go make dinner. 🙂
MY PORT WORKED!
The title says it all. My port worked perfectly on the first time. I guess baby aspirin is the answer!!
I was still there for 2 hours as it took a while for the medicine to come after we got the test results back.
No time to write more as the girls are getting ready for Trauma night at AWANA!
Flare up?
A friend asked the other day if I was still blogging or if she had missed the emails…nope. Just not blogging as much. I’m still here. 🙂
Unfortunately I’m struggling with pain right now.
My Dr. is calling the pain that I’m having a flare-up of side effects from the hormone blocking pill I’m taking (for the rest of my life…ugh…). He said sometimes that just happens and it’s hard to know what triggers it. Wish I knew because I would MAKE SURE to stop whatever is triggering this pain. read more…
No News is Good News
It’s been a while since I’ve written…but no news is good news, right?
YES!
So here’s a quick update: read more…
#notconsumed
I’m not a big printed t-shirt fan, but when I saw this one late last year, I knew I needed it because of this cancer journey I am on.
This verse is printed on the back:
Lamentations 3:22-26
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.”
On the news and upcoming appointments
First of all, Happy Valentine’s Day. Tonight is a busy night for our family, so we celebrated on Sunday evening. The girls decorated the dining room and we enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner prepared by our favorite chef. 🙂
I’m feeling good most days. About once a week my body hurts a lot…not sure why. It’s that same pain from the inside out. Sometimes Tylenol helps. Sometimes it doesn’t. I can’t pinpoint it to anything I’m doing, but it’s annoying. I usually end up in bed early on those days. Other than that, I’m keeping up with our crazy busy life and am so thankful to be feeling great and healthy enough to keep up with the girls. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I finished chemo.
Yesterday, I had the privilege of supporting the oncology certified esthetician I’ve told you about before. She operates out of the Breast Center at Valley Medical Center and while she has many regular paying clients, she also donates some of her services to cancer patients. She was being interviewed by King5 News and asked a few of us to come be part of it. read more…
Meet Jennifer
Breast Cancer Patient, Chef Wife and Mom
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