More Tests!!!

I am going for an x-ray today.  Finally on the ribs that have bothered me since surgery but the doctors believe its nothing to worry about. 
A person with TNBC (triple negative breast cancer) gets tired of all the tests and the worrying whether or not that pain is the cancer coming back.  I am sure all cancer patients have that fear. 

I have a friend going through Lymphoma and when she goes for chemo I take a photo of myself in purple to keep her smiling!  It's my way of trying to let her know I am here for her.

So today I post this photo for ME to make myself remember to always smile and laugh and most of all to LIVE!!!!

Here's my kick butt photo that I took for my friend Kim a couple wks ago - I like this selfie of myself.

Today is a good Day

I had a 6 month follow up for Mammo and Sono today - can you say OUCH!!!   if you ladies think it hurts normally trust me it is much worse once you have had surgery and Radiation on a breast.

As I sat in the waiting room after the Mammo collecting my thoughts and getting copies of my Magazine article out to leave, I sae a lady come out of room 1 and thought Bless you my friend - she was there to have wire put in and head over to the Hospital because her journey had just began.  I wanted to run after her and say stay positive, eat healthy and LAUGH alot!!  but I felt overwhelmed with memories of June 28, 2011 - my surgery date.  

I left 2 hours after entering and with great news - NDD (no disease detected) or NED (no evidence of disease) - woo hoo!!  this triple negative BC lady is happy with that news.  I will go back in 6 months for a follow up.   

the sun was coming out as I arrived and almost made a heart in the sky - that's a good sign!!

the lovely gown you get to wear during your appointment.

 here's the shot I took of the machine we all dislike!!

yep these were placed on my breast before the Mammogram and taken off for the sonogram - forgot I had them in my pocket

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month - I had my 6 month Mamo and sonograph done, wore my eco and got a new tshirt - what did you do???

Love and Prayers

Yesterday I got good news that my mamo and sonogram were clear - that's a good thing for someone with Triple negative Breast cancer.  I felt the love when I posted this on FB

I am a warrior and will continue to on my journey to take photos and inspire as many people as I can

I left my story from the Fort Mill Magazine and Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine at the Complete women's center in hopes that someone is inspired. 

Today I am saying prayers for my Aunt Polly that all is ok with her - she had to go have biopsy on back 2 lymph nodes were swollen.  She had Breast Cancer over 25 years ago and has been fine since.

Zombies in Long Beach, NY - trying to catch up on posts

Zombie crawl was so much fun to be at and take photos of - I met great people and wish I could have stayed for the walk on the Long Beach boardwalk but I had to go walk a dog I was pet sitting for.

and those are just a few of the photos I took

One year ago today!!!

It was one year ago today that I got the call to confirm I had breast cancer. Hearing those words nearly knocked me off my feet but me being me just said " ok so what do I need to do now"!!! I started my journey and even though I am still on it I will not let it knock me down!!!!!! I made a post on FB this morning about the one year anniversary and a childhood friend started posting memories with me about our childhood - which I thought meant more to me than him but I was wrong - thanks "Chucky" for making my day a lot brighter!!!! I shot the image below in front of FIT in Manhattan - actually asked a guy to move (he was standing on it) so I could get a photo of it - this is true my Photography(art) is my weapon!!!

Home is where the heart is.

I am home this week with my parents. I haven't lived in Fort Mill in 20 years but it will always be home for me

my Dad and Mom

it was bitter sweet this visit - it is the first time I have been home since starting Chemo in August of 2011 and my parents beloved dog passed away 2 weeks before I came. I miss seeing Ginger but she had good life she was 15 yrs old.
coming home is also very busy for me so many friends want to see me but I can see everyone and I need to spend time with my parents. my dad is 81 and is not in best of health. I want to move back more than ever now to be with them but I haven't finished all the follow up treatments - I have to stay in NY until I get the ok and until insurance pays my bills.

Met with a fellow Pink sister who also had cancer in her jaw. She asked me how I have stayed so positive - I cant really answer that question. Its just what I do. I have fear but I can't let it take me over. I just take it a day at a time and live my life the best I can. I have never been a complainer so why start now.

I have a photo session today. Yes I am the model as a photographer I like being behind the camera not in front of it but it should be fun. my photographer is from a network of photographers I joined Shoots for a Cure. I chose Diane because I liked her style and she lived in Charlotte. I thought it would be fun to do the photos while I was home for a visit.
we are shooting in NODA - a cool area in Charlotte. photos will be posted as soon as I get them.
I love brick walls, especially when an artist has made their mark on it. I am so excited for today.
Diane and I have connected so I know this is going to be a great shoot.

Today was my last Radiation treatment

Yes!! I am going out to do something fun tonight - going to a fashion show. I will celebrate on my five year anniversary - for now I will just be happy that I don't have to see doctors for 6 wks - oh wait I have on EKG tomorrow morning!!!!!

Present from Paris today - I got a lotion for my burn from a friends parents who were there. How sweet is that

Will post photos tomorrow

Went to a fashion show in Long Beach then out for ladies night with 2 good friends. Great night to be happy.

the Burn from Radiation

3 more treatments left and I am still dealing with the burn from Radiation - it itches and I am hoping the skin doesn't crack.

New tattoos, radiation, and therapy dog!!!

So I started Radiation today went in with a smile on my face and a positive attitude. Radiation is easier than Chemo - thank goodness and only last 15 minutes. I will be getting treatments everyday but Saturday and sunday until Feb 9 - I am so glad the technicians are happy people and not sticks in the mud robots - I like to be able to joke around and talk to the people I am spending time with.

I got a card today to scan in at the Cancer place so they know I am there for my appointments. So tomorrow for my 7:30am appt I will take the card to scan in, the aquaphor lotion to put on after the radiation so the skin doesn't get damaged I hope, and the pink van to shoot at the radiation/cancer center.....

I met two of the greatest technicians S and R - they were great and let me take photos and even posed for one. I already feel connected to them but S will be rotating to work at the hospital on Tuesday - hope the other technicians are just as friendly


here's a shot of a sign in the dressing room - I love the dog!! I only had to take my clothes off from the waist up so no worries about the back side showing

of course had to have 2 new tattoos put on - tiny as a pin head - I told S and R that the tattoos should be big if they are going to be there for life. I really did expect something larger than a pin head!!! ha!!


when I got home I took some photos around the house

I also got to visit with my favorite Therapy dog - her Mom dropped by when they were walking outside - mom had just had major surgery (thank goodness it wasn't cancer but it was crohns diesase)

CT Scan, Tattoos and photos - oh my

this is the Ct scan machine

Yes I had to take a pregnancy test and may have to pay $80 to $100 for it - are you kidding me!!!

this bag will have something put in it that will get very warm and then forms to your upper body to make a mold.

Lots of tape required to hold mold to your arms during scan....

this was the Tech getting the liquid around the garbage that will make the mold!!

Nurse A took this photo of me on the CT Scan table....I blacked out some body parts - but I wanted to show how I was taped to bag and how I had to lay on the table. I couldn't move at all - it was weird.

5 days until Christmas eve!!

It's bitter sweet for me I can't be with my family for Christmas but I was there last year
I miss my family and living in South Carolina
this was a photo from my birthday present this year that my sister made for me... she is so crafty!! She made a photo album with photos of the family holding up signs and photo quotes for me - love her - it was the best present ever.

My dad is not in the best of health and I really want to be home but I have to stay here in NY to finish my journey. Radiation is the next step.

this is a photo of my dad.

here's a fun photo - notice my sister spelled Photography wrong - gotta love her!!!

The Sunday after chemo treatment

Taxol the chemo drug I am on causes body aches and of course I have that side effect - I hurt from head to toe!! I usually handle pain well but when this ache starts it is a painful ache in the joints and muscles. It effects my bad back, knees and arthritis in my hands - there is no getting comfortable when you sleep - the ache doesn't go away. I take fast acting advil and it kind of helps but not really - I can't get comfortable but I try to go on with my life!!!

Breakfast was waffles with real maple syrup - I wanted something fast - I will make my smoothie later.

Sitting on the couch with one of our cats Cali - he is my buddy!!! He likes to snuggle up close to me!!!

So much to do and yet I don't have the energy to do anything with this pain/ache. Pumpkin to crave, bedroom needs to be cleaned and my little office space, Christmas card photo to be taken - yes need to do that now because i send out over 100 cards!!!, thank you cards and packages to be packed and mailed out!!!!!

I want to read this book - "Breastless in the city". it was written by a woman living in nyc who discovers she has breast cancer. i believe she is 25 when diagnosed. I have so many books I need to read!!!

I am approaching things (or at least trying to) one day at a time with a smile on my face. But the idea of cancer recurrence has weighed heavily on my mind this weekend. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s due to everything i’ve been through over the past six months. It’s not easy to handle the idea of your own mortality. Life seems even more precious now from this vantage point. I’m bombarded by thoughts of my past, present, and uncertain future. I keep a smile on my face and face everyday as it comes.......

Making Strides for Breast Cancer walk was today!!

I did it - I walked the 5k along the boardwalk with my friend Linda, her sister in law and some ladies she works with at St. Catherine's.
I got to Jones Beach at 6:30 (I am always the early one) - I knew there would be alot of traffic later...in the morning.
below are photos from the morning - enjoy

below is a shot driving in - no one on road but me!!

Below is one of the welcome flags from the event

Below is Bart and Maria - great Volunteers at the event - Bart really helped me out when I got there!!

Below is me and Anthony - he asked if I would be interviewed since I had just started my Journey into breast cancer and had inspired some one - I just have a positive attitude and will beat this Cancer!!!!!

Below is Cherose and Jen - they were the ones doing the Interviewing for positive promotions and Breast cancer awareness.

Below is a photo that show some the walkers that were there!!

Below is what I call Tunnel Vision and it is how chemo makes me feel!!

Below is me and Chuck Schumer - U.S. Senator from NY

Below is me and my friend Linda - what an awesome lady she is!!!

it was an incredible day for walking and being with friends - what a wonderful experience I will be back to walk next year and will do the one in NYC and Charlotte, NC too.......