Tag Archives: Aortic Insufficiency

Ode to my Lost Hormones

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A breast cancer diagnosis, brought questions flooding in,

After the process was explained, one tiny question remained,

scores of specialist could not answer, I was scared silly of what was to come.

 

They called me “Lucky”, to have the tumor caught so early,

The treatments that followed were easy to get through,

Thanks to my cousin, Cindy, for sharing her secrets of survival,

What could have been unbearable, became tolerable,

Thanks for the info cuz, it was much appreciated.

 

Once the lumpectomy was over and the chemo began,

I found myself awestruck of the millions that have gone before me!

all  of the fight, strength, love and passion that has gone before me,

I persevere to continue the fight!

 

Thank you, Ladies for the inspiration to keep going.

I am a survivor, I refused to let this bring me down.

My chemo was coming to an end and I knew radiation was the next step,

 

Little did I know my journey was just beginning.

My sweetheart became seriously ill and needed immediate surgery to survive,

The same night my father went home to be with the Lord. As Barry slept, I told him to be strong,

I knew he was a survivor, Several family members and our Pastor helped me through the hard parts.

 

Life started to calm and a routine began, while Barry was being cared for at the hospital,

I left daily for my radiation treatments and returned just before supper.

Our Jeep had to be on auto-pilot to get me, from the hospital and back daily.

 

Once the oncologist suggested we turn my ovaries off,

first thing I pictured was a little switch that needed to be turned on each ovary, she had other things

in mind, once I knew my options,

 

I took the injection until I could schedule the surgery needed,

I knew the minute I woke from surgery, that my Doctor had been successful.

My first official hot flash was in the recovery room! 

 

The Estrogen and other things produced by my ovaries are now gone, the surgeon had a wee surprise for me,

Soy can mimic Estrogen in the body, soooooooooo…..no over the counter remedies for me!

Now the brown spots, the “hot and cold” flashes and mood swings were just around the corner,

On March 28, 2014, I was thrown face first into MENOPAUSE!

 

Pumphead

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In August 2013, my sweet husband passed out cold in our living room. In the process of falling, he struck his head on our front door and appeared to be having a seizure. Later we discovered the seizure-like activity was due to hitting his head. He had a concussion. The Cat scan showed he had swelling in the right lobe of the cerebrum. While I made sure he was safe, I got mom to call 911. The ambulance arrived and swept my sweetheart of to the hospital. We spent the next five months in and out of the hospital. Six months later, he is home, healthy and running circles around me. God is good! Numerous doctors tried to tell me that Barry would not survive. They did not know my hubby. Barry and I are strong-willed people and we do not give up easily. I was not about to let him give up! Once we settled into a routine,  I started to notice subtle differences in my sweety. At first, it put it off to what he had been. I then realized his body was full of medications floating around his body. He needed to flush his body with healthy food and fluids. His thought processes were slower. He lost his inhibitions. For the first few weeks, it was like I had married a seventeen year old boy trying to discover the world in 24 hours. It was hard to keep up with him. He is closer to normal now. When I had a chance to speak with his cardiologist,  he educated me on “pumphead”. The link below will go into more detail. I will miss the comical antics, but thrilled I am to have my Barry back. We spend our time in the kitchen discovering low-sodium dishes to keep us healthy. Mom lives with us. She needs the low – sodium dishes more than we do. http://www.heartdisease.about.com/cs/bypasssurgery/a/pumphead.htm

Echocardiogram Update

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echogram

 

Jill was with me when I saw my Cardiologist “Dr. B” a couple of weeks ago, and he said the echo looked good and in his words “you are cured”, I praise God for that comment.  As God is the only reason I am alive today.  He also said that doctors get what they call a “save” maybe once every seven to ten years,  he considers me as one of those statistics. Well I was so tickled that all the surgical repairs have held up,  “Dr.B” also mentioned that there was a time that the Doctors did not know what to do.

 

 

Writing through Cancer for week of June 2, 2013: Hope is a thing with feathers!

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This is a continuation of our post earlier this week:

That sweet little boy at the Birthday Party, looking and hoping he could find more presents hidden within the gift wrap piled on the floor. He was frantically searching; he was positive, he would find one more present. he was showing he had total faith in his situation. His thoughts alive with the feeling of hope.  He just knew he would find one more present. So adorable searching.

Before we had wrapping paper all over the house, we got a bag and played gift wrap basketball. Making a game out of the cleanup, let him see there were no more presents. he was able to focus on the gifts he received and the house full of people who came to celebrate with him and his sister.

Hope covers many aspects of  our lives.Dealing with a serious illness brings hope into your life in several ways. you hope the illness will not get bad, you hope to live through whatever illness you are going through, you hope your families will be there for you and not change their minds as you get worse, you hope the people you have called friends for years will be there when you need them.

There is so much hope involved in illnesses. It is hard to deal with hope, when you are fighting so hard to stay healthy and you find yourself surrounded by people you cannot count on. You need to remember that God is always there. Giving your troubles and burdens to God must be done with total faith, then we can continue our walk in life with the assurance that when trouble comes; we know God is there and that whatever the new trouble is,God is never surprised, for He is with you.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the middle of the sea. If your faith is not strong, we lose hope and start looking for a quick fix.

Psalm 46:1-God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble

Psalm 31:24-Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord

Psalm 33:18-Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 33:22-Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

Psalm 38:15-For in thee, O Lord, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.

                 King James Version (KJV)     

It is that faith,  is our Hope and knowledge that God knows when we are on this rocky bumpy road, and holding that faith is when God puts his loving arms around us and smooths out the road ahead.

Though we may never know the why, but really do we need to know, because this is where we gain Wisdom as we talk to God and, no matter what comes our way, you know God will see you through it.

Through my illness, I have struggled with worry, stress, and anything else that made me worry. It wasn’t until I started praying for hope, mercy and understanding that I was able to but my health in God’s hands. I recently went through a breast cancer ordeal that I had no worries about I knew it would be ok. God was doing the hard work for me.

I am currently struggling with another issue. I am handing it over to the good Lord tonight hoping he can lead me in the right direction with re-motivating my partner in crime, I’m wearing my husband out. Barry suffered a stroke a few years ago and is doing wonderful, but he’s worn out. I need to see what I can do to give him a break. We both need a break, but that will have to wait a little longer. I do not know what I would do without him.

One day at a time!

UPDATE…UPDATE…UPDATE…UPDATE…UPDATE…UPDATE…

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It is with since pleasure that I post the facts I received today at my doctor’s visit. They caught my breast cancer early, Stage 1 Invasive (Hormonal) Ductal Carcinoma. It is definitely cancer, but it was caught early enough to not be a big deal to deal with. I’m having surgery on the 30th to remove the lump. Once the lump is out, she can tell me what type of treatment I need.  I told myself, I wouldn’t spend the weekend worrying myself sick about the diagnosis, but I apparently did subconsciously. When we arrived home after the appointment, I slept for six straight hours. Me thinks I was stressing a little more than I realized.

Related articles

Daily Prompt: Judgement Day

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If you were to judge your favorite book by its cover, would you still read it? 

My favorite book is a toss up. I do most of my reading on my Google Nexus 7. I picked out a nice bright teal cover, so the cover is interesting, but it is according to what strikes my fancy on the Kindle App that gets me reading.

I never have a problem reading my  bible. Whether it is on then OliveTree App on my pad or my old faithful Study Bible at home. The OliveTree App is a biblical version of Kindle. They have everything available to you; as well as, books to purchase and a free section.

Although we have gone digital, no matter which cover, I can always find something of intrigue in the Bible. I would never hesitate to pick the Bible up to read. Whether the digital version or my old faithful black and silver version on the shelf at home.

 

A ” New Barry” Moment

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When I write post like these, you all need to realize that Barry is aware of what I am posting and is fine with it. 

Mr. Baynes let something slip tonight while at the store. I do not think he intended to tell me. Over the weekend, he went to Lowe’s by himself. This I was aware of.

He left out his side trip to the beauty shop across from Lowe’s. He actually walked in the salon and asked if they had any beads he could clip in his hair. From what he says, he stopped all work going on in the shop and the place was roaring in laughter, with a side of shock.

Any of you that have looked at our pictures are aware that my sweet, sexy husband is as bald as they come. Is it safe to let him out of the house alone? His stroke took every inhibition Barry had. I never know what to expect next.

Barry ready to celebrate

Barry ready to celebrate

Yearly MRI √

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With Cowden’s Syndrome, you have to follow a set schedule to keep up with which screening is next. Then, of course, if there is a problem, the screening and recheck can run together. 

Today, I went for my yearly MRI, about the brain tumor on Monday at 1pm. This is where screenings can run together.

I had a breast issue last year that caused them to redo my mammogram, which has led to other mammograms, ultrasounds and now, 6 months later, a biopsy. Scheduled Monday, one hour before my neurosurgeon appointment. At least they are within walking distance of each other.

The sad thing is, my next yearly mammogram is due in April. But I guess my mammograms are about to put a kink in my set schedule. In my schedule thus far, gynecologist, endocrinologist, neurosurgeon, neurologist, neuro-oncologist, gastroenterologist, dentist, urologist, dermatologist, psychiatrist, counselor, genetics counselor, general practitioner, breast specialist, otolaryngologist, cardiologist, massage therapist, and acupuncturist. 

Now, that I have boogered my knee up, I have to add an orthopedic doctor in there. I am sure surgery is in the future for that, which will add physical therapy into the mix.If surgery is in the mix for the next few months, I need to see about getting the lump taken out of my right wrist while they are at it.

The fancy MRI on my left knee next Thursday, then see the doctor Friday. The endocrinologist is in the mix next week somewhere. I’m getting tired thinking about next week. 

Barry is my riding buddy. I’d be lost without him. I can’t drive long distances, so he gets me to the long distance rides. I’m tired of being organized. I never considered myself organized, but with all of this, you have to be. All of the above is just me, included in my mix are Barry’s appointments, as well as several I take mom to. I’m not making light of their appointments, mine takes up more calendar space than their’s does. We should hire a good personal assistant……

Daily Prompt: Sliced Bread

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Most of us have heard the saying, “That’s the best thing since sliced bread!”What do you think is actually the best thing since sliced bread?

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At first, I was going to say the Bible. It is one of two things that I can count on using daily. I realized more than likely,  the Bible has been around longer than sliced bread, so that kinda put it out of the running.

Of course, I’m not sure whether anyone sliced bread in the Bible or they just broke pieces off. I’m a constant student of the Bible, but I am afraid this is one thing I cannot quote book and verse on. 

According to Wikipedia: 

Sliced bread is a loaf of bread which has been pre-sliced with a machine and packaged for convenience. It was first sold in 1928, advertised as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped”.[1] This led to the popular phrase, “the greatest thing since sliced bread“.

I refuse to say that the cell phone was my second choice and they, in my opinion,  are definitely not the “best thing since sliced bread”. Although, they are handy. We would all live without them! Yes, kids, you can live without your cell phone. Believe it are not, you can actually have a conversation with another human being. 

My personal opinion is that current medical technology qualifies as ” The best thing since sliced bread“. New innovations in every field of medicine improves the life of numerous people daily!

Barry and I are both still alive today, by the Grace of God and modern medical technology. I would have lost Barry twice  if someone hadn’t figured out how to replace the aortic valve and how to go into an artery of a patient, actively having a stroke, to manually remove the clot and stop progression of the damage that a stroke causes. 

The brain tumor I have was only diagnosed at autopsy before 1985. I thank God for giving someone the knowledge to invent the CAT Scan. I’m ready to take my place in heaven when the time is right, but for now I plan to enjoy every moment of life. Good or bad…..

Letting things go…..

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Can anyone out there tell me how to do this?

The bible says to give it to God and not to worry.

There are certain things in life that are radically difficult to just put aside and not worry about.

  • Friends, eh, you learn who your true friends are when times get tough.
  • Family will always be family, no matter how much worry they cause, they are family. You love them anyway.
  • A brain tumor diagnosis, a stroke, cancer diagnosis, any life threatening illness that could lead to a major life change…

How do you not worry about things like that?

I do my best to give things to God, but I feel like I struggle daily with this issue. I pray and ask the Lord to strengthen my will and give me the knowledge I need to be able to understand how and be able to turn things totally over to him.

Hopefully the stronger my faith and knowledge about Christ and the bible, will help me find the peace I feel like I am looking for. My support system worries as much as I do.

God, help Barry and I figure out how to give it all over to you. We are your students……