Wow - has it really been 3 months since I have blogged. I actually thought it has been longer. At lot has happened. I had my follow up with my doctor and my glucose numbers are good. I don't always check my daily numbers like I should. I really need to start doing that. I had an appointment with my oncologist and she said everything is good. She did have some bad news for me though. She has resigned at the office she is at and will be leaving in December. She is not quite sure where she is going yet, but said for me to definately look her up. I will see her again in November so I hope to know then what she will be doing. I decided to call a plastic surgeon in Gainesville I had heard about, mainly to find out what time frame I was looking at for appointments and surgery. Knowing my appointment with the radiologist was in November and I would probably have to wait until then to do anything. Well, to my surprise, the girl told me it was better to plan early rather than later. I was able to get an appt for an evaluation and consultation this past Tuesday. So I go to see him, super nice guy and great office people. He said I was healed well enough to move forward as long as I had a letter from my oncologist. Good thing my appt was with her the day after. So they had a few openings for surgery over the next couple of months. I ended up scheduling my reconstruction surgery for 9/20 in Gainesville. I will end up being there Mon-Fri. It is a very long surgery (mostly all day), so I am quite nervous but excited at the same time. So I have 2 months to prepare and look forward to a new me.
Ok, well my son has turned 16 and passed his drivers test. He was really nervous, but he did great. He has not taken the car on his own yet - he is not quite comfortable. That is fine with me. And I celebrated my birthday yesterday.
Hopefully I will be back into the swing of blogging and keep you updated on the happenings.

Dear Blog,
I am so sorry I have neglected you lately. Seems like other things are taking my time.
Today is milestone, so to speak. One year ago today I called my surgeon to find out the results of my 2nd biopsy and heard the words I never wanted to hear. It was a very emotional day, one that I had to come home and let sink in until I went to her office the next day to find out my fate. I can't believe it has been a year. Looking back at that day, I wondered how I would ever get thru all that was ahead of me. I am so fortunate to have great family, friends, work support, church support and others that have prayed for me along the way, prepared meals for my family, sent cards or well wishes and just offered support in every way. As my brother responded to me today in an email - to think this time next year, I should be done with reconstruction and the last of the healing. It seems like so far away but I know it will be here before I know it and I will be writing a similar message.
Ok - so to update from where I left off, I went to my 6 week follow up with my primary doctor and she was happy with my glucose numbers and I had lost 7 pounds in those 6 weeks. She said I could go from testing 4 times a day to only 2 times. Yay. I never thought I would think pricking my fingers 2 times a day would be a good thing but it sure beats 4. I will follow up with her in May. On a side note, my prayers are with my friend Debra who had a lumpectomy last week, and no positive lymph nodes. I hope I don't stay away as long this time. Until then - Enjoy each sunrise.

So what's new? Well, the blood testing is going ok so far. A bit of a hassle but I'm trying to keep up with things. I've been to 2 classes so far. The first one on what diabetes is and what it can do to your body if you don't stay on top of it. The second was on nutrition. What to look for on lables, what I should and shouldn't eat. It was actually quite informative. One more to go. Ok, so I went to the orthopedic doc yesterdy for a check up on my shoulder. Had an x-ray and the doc was pleased with how things have healed. The fracture seems to be healed for the most part, and he said there was a crack across the bone that is healing well. I told him I didn't know there was a crack. He said he didn't notice it last time but could see the new bone growing. OK. News to me. Any way he said to still take it easy with the arm and I will probably still feel some soreness for awhile. Next I go to my oncologist today for my 2 month follow up. My son had made brownies for me to take to her office. She was very appreciative for the goodies. She was happy with the healing as well. A lot better from last time. Still has a little more to go but the swelling is much better. I told her about the diabetes and she was not surprised due to the chemo. She was surprised I was put on medication already and said to make sure I have my blood checked frequently. If I could get back to my pre-chemo weight and work on exercise I could probably drop my sugar level back to what it was. She gave me the indication that it most likely is not a permanent situation. Gave me a bit of hope. Don't have to go back for 4 months.

I am such a slacker. Ok so here's the latest. I finally got my tester last Tuesday and started testing my blood sugar on Wednesday. It took a few days to get used to but I have managed to keep up with it so far. The morning fasting levels seem a bit high but the rest of the day seems to be ok. I have done pretty good with food choices so far (at least I think I have). I went to a class tonight that that was 3 hours long. I have to take 3 classes to learn about the disease, nutrition and how to keep my blood sugar in check to prevent future problems that can be caused by diabeties. It was long but quite informative tonight. Actually it was quite scary. To hear what can happen if you don't keep your sugar level in check. I guess I will be doing as much as I can to control it. I came home and my son had done the dishes and even made dinner. What a great kid. Then we took a long walk with the dogs. The biggest things that will help is exercise so I should try to walk some everyday. Ok, so while we were walking tonight something pretty funny came up. I am not a runner but sometimes I jog just a little with the dog. Well Suger and I were trying to keep up with Nick and Harley and I realized (for the first time since surgery) that my boobs didn't hurt when I ran. I would usually have to hold them to stop from bouncing so much. Well, not outside where people can see. It was quite a funny thought. Humor goes a long way and sometimes you just have to see the funny in things. Thanks to the church ladies for bringing me food this evening. They heard of my shoulder issue and thought it would help for me to have food. How very thoughtful. You should always take the opportunity to pay it forward. One thing I haven't mentioned is: a girl I work with was diagnosed with breast cancer a few weeks ago (maybe 2 months ago). She had never had a mammogram and finally went. They found a small spot that needed to be biopsied. Come to find out, it was bigger than they thought. I had referred her to my surgeon and come to find out she needed to have a mastectomy. However, it was caught early enough and it was a type that did not require further treatment. She was able to have immediate reconstruction. So many people were very generous with me by bringing me and Nick food that I felt I needed to do the same for her. I coordinated meals from those at work to keep her and her family supplied with dinner the last 9 days. I know it seems like a simple gesture but it makes the world of difference on the receiving end. I'll keep you posted on my food and testing progress.

I guess I am overdue for an update. Lots going on and have not been insistant on updating. So, let's see, I went to the doctor 2 weeks ago and reported that I am not classified as a diabetic. Yay me. As of today I am still waiting on my testing supplies to show up. They are ordered thru a medical supply company and gets shipped. The good thing is my insurance covers it so I won't have to pay for strips or lancets, which I understand can be quite expensive. So last Monday I go to the diabetic center my doctor sent me to for one-on-one appointment on what I need to be doing, how to use the blood glucose meter and sign up for a class. So we talked about what I should be eating and how to keep my sugar in check. It's not really as bad as I thought, I just have to be selective. I can have bread if I want but I am limited on the grams of carbs I can have at each meal and snack. So, if I eat the bread, I can't have other starch. I should have some carbs at each meal. Even though I don't have my meter yet, I have tried to start eating the way I should and starting to walk some so I can make the transition. So I have 3 classes I have to go to that are 3 hours long. For real?? They do serve dinner so at least I'll get a free meal. Ok, so one thing that I haven't had checked yet - my eyes. Something some people might not know is I do use eye drops for a type of glaucoma known as pigmentary glaucoma. I don't have any effects from it yet so right now I am just doing preventative treatment. So my eyes are normally checked every 6 months. Since all this started last March I have not had my eyes checked. I thought the chemo and meds my have had an effect on my eyes (as it had everything else) and I also was not using my drops for awhile just out of inconvenience. I had a check up on Friday and things look great and my eye pressure was down 4 point from the last time. Pretty good I would say. And on top of that, my prescription had not changed. Yay, something that improved. I imagine I will get my meter on Monday, hopefully, not that I am anxious to prick myself 4 times a day, I just want to get this started. Oh yeah, I also went to my hairdresser for the first time since she shaved my head in May. Believe it or not my hair has grown in very even and has gotten a bit long. She trimmed the top and back to match the length of the front and then cut some on the side and gave me a few whisps by my ears. It now has some kind of style to it. Well, that's the update for now. I'll post more once I get going on my blood testing.

Just when does it stop?? You would think that all i had to deal with last year was enough for anyone to deal with for awhile. Then I have to deal with a fractured shoulder. Which is slowly getting better. It is hard to sleep at night but I am able to manage during the day. Well, then this past weekend my son was having groin pains. So yesterday I take him to the doctor. It is a guy thing that just happens sometimes, however they take it serious and want to make sure there is no other problem. So off to get an ultra sound. And to top it off, he had 2 ladies in there due to one in training. Of course, they didn't tell me that. Thirty minutes later they were finally finished. Good thing is - he is normal and things are find but he is on an antibiotic. Ok, so today I go to my doctor to follow up on blood work I did last week. Well, she doesn't like my sugar numbers. I have been put in the diabetic column. After much conversation, come to find out, the steroid I was given during my chemo can increase the sugar levels. So now I am on medication for diabeties and have to start taking my blood sugar levels 4 times a day. And see my doc and do blood work every 3 months. What joy. Back on a special diet, exercise and hope that I can get my sugar levels on track and not have other problems. Ok, so the chemo kills the cancer, but can elevate your sugar and make you gain weight. The Tamoxifin will help prevent cancer from returning, but promotes osteoperosis and slows your metabolism, which makes you gain weight. A little good with the bad - kind of like 2 steps forward and 4 steps back. I don't remember signing up for this journey and I think I would like a refund since I am not satisfied with the events. I need continued prayers to deal with all of this and also to get thru whatever challenges may be ahead. I need strength to get thru the day to day choices. I hope I can get thru this.

Has it really been that long since I have blogged? Well, I went to the ortho last Monday. Good news - if you want to call it that. It is only a small fracture that does not require surgery. It will heal on its own but will take awhile. He gave me an immobilization brace and a sling and also some exercises I need to do. Told me to come back in 6 weeks to re-check it. The brace he gave me is a piece of crap and doesn't really work. It has been challenging at work to say the least. I often rotate wearing the brace in the morning for a couple of hours, then my sling, then nothing. At night it is hard to sleep and be comfortable. I try to keep my arm stationary and in the morning it is quite sore and stiff. I have also worn my lymphedema sleeve a few times and it is tight on my arm so it keeps things somewhat stable. My son has been a great help. He does the dishes, helps me cook and he even scrubbed the kitchen floor. I am very proud of the young man he is becoming. I have to pat myself on the back for doing a great job raising him. (if I do say so myself). Well, on to another week of healing. Check back for the latest news.