November 27. 2009 by Lindy.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.   We’re thankful for many things including the fact that Boston Market is open on Thanksgiving.  :)  It was a long day at home and it didn’t feel like Thanksgiving without seeing the whole family.  There is always next year. 

The kids are finally turning the corner and feeling better.  So much, in fact, that my parents watched them today so Dusty and I could go out and shop.  We went to Target and then got rear ended.  That’s right rear ended.  The first time we’ve been out together in weeks and we got in an accident.  Thankfully no one was hurt.  While we were waiting for the police to arrive we had time to reflect on our lives.  All we could do was laugh.  It is what it is. 

Dusty and I came home and were humbled and I was brought to tears over the card and generosity we received from a group at Herman Miller.  Thank you so much.  That was unexpected and incredibly kind.

I’m feeling better.  I’ve been doing my arm exercises and the pain and range of motion is improving in both arms.  For some reason I cannot stand anything touching my skin where I was operated on.  I don’t know what that is or why.  Maybe it’s the nerves coming back to life?  If anyone knows what that is or what makes it more tolerable I would love to hear from you. 

P.S.  Did you know Target sells a 3lb bag of Wint-O-Green Lifesavers?  That made my day.  I love them and ate them while we waited for the police. 

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November 25. 2009 by Lindy.

The traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family is not happening for us.  Unfortunately all three kids have fevers.  Samantha has an ear infection and cough.  I took Brooklyn to the doctor today because we couldn’t get her fever down after 8 days and she was diagnosed with a sinus infection that developed from having the flu.  Max has a fever, but hasn’t been to the doctor yet so we don’t know what he has.  Both Samantha and Brooklyn are on Amoxicillin so I was hoping that out of pity the doctor would give me a prescription for Max too, but no such luck. 

Jill and I saw Dr. VanderWoude today and she is very happy with my pathology report and the way I’ve progressed.  We gathered that she was surprised by how well I responded to chemo and surgery and she didn’t expect me to do as well as what I have.  She commented that by the size of my tumor she didn’t expect all my lymph nodes to come back clear.  God still works miracles.  It’s great to be cancer free. 

I start physical therapy next week for my arm and see Dr. Edlund (radiation guy) to get the game plan going.  I think I’m getting my tattoos.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

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November 21. 2009 by Lindy.

I saw Dr. Hoberman on Thursday and she said my incisions look good and I should be out of the woods for any infection.  The only cause for concern is that I can’t raise my right arm very high at all.  The muscle in my armpit is so tight and bruised it feels like a rock and is extremely sore.  She said it’s because she had the retractors so far up and in there because she needed to get around all the scar tissue.  I can raise the left arm with a little soreness, but nothing to complain about.  She is prescribing physical therapy for my right arm.  I’ll be happy when I have the use of that back again. 

Brooklyn is fighting a fever and the flu.  Max and Samantha both have coughs.  Dusty is doing great being super dad - he should have a cape.  You should’ve seen him last night.  He doesn’t do well with vomit and Brooklyn was vomitting.  I’m usually the one who deals with it, but he didn’t have a choice.  He looked like a deer in headlights at first.  Thankfully Brooklyn knew to use the puke bowl and Dusty quickly snapped out of it and got her to the bathroom.  He goes back to work on Monday (I bet he can’t wait!). 

I can’t believe it’s going to be Thanksgiving next week!  I see Dr. VanderWoude (oncologist) next week so I will probably find out when radiation will begin.  I’ll let you know how that goes. 

Thank you for your prayers, cards and emails.  I will never tire of receiving them.  I still run to the computer like Christmas morning whenever I do a post.  I know it’s silly, but hey I don’t get a lot of thrills right now. 

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November 16. 2009 by Lindy.

Wow.  I’m glad I was warned that the second week after surgery is worse than the first.  Boy is that true!  I am really sore.  I’m sore all over and especially on the right side where they took the lymph nodes.  Yowzers.  I’ll be okay.  Just a matter of time. 

Max and Samantha came home Saturday night.  It was good to have all the kids home again, but very stressful.  They were tired and very insecure.  They wanted to be held all the time.  They didn’t want anyone out of their sight.  Sunday was spent with a lot of tears.  Poor little kids. 

Samantha spent the day at Jill’s house today.  It looked like they had fun together:

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November 11. 2009 by Lindy.

I am cancer free!  Cancer free!  Did you hear me?  CANCER FREE!!!

We just got back from Dr. Hoberman and praise God I am cancer free.  She removed eight lymph nodes last Thursday and none of them had cancer.  They found no cancer from the left breast and removed stage zero DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ) cancer on the right side.  Amazing.  Relieving.  Thank God. 

Not only that, but all three drains were removed.  It didn’t hurt too bad pulling them out.  It was uncomfortable.  I feel like a free woman.  Free from cancer and free from those annoying, gross drains. 

Last May, just six months ago, I had a large tumor and aggressive cancer.  I spent a suffering summer doing a dose dense version of chemo and today I was told I’m cancer free.  We did it!  I say we because I was not alone.  I was cheered on and pulled through by my family and friends.  This is proof that God hears and answers our prayers.  Believe it.  I am blessed to have a God loving family and friends. 

Another bonus:  My hair, eyelashes and eyebrows are growing back! 

Have a wonderful sunny day.  My goal for the day is to walk a couple houses down and back again.  I think I can…I think I can…I think I can….

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