~My Breast Cancer Update~ Implants Being REMOVED~

~I am sick of being sick~ I don't even know where to start, I am sick once again, the stomach flu started Christmas Day early evening and am slowly getting better.
I have truly given my breast implants plenty of time to adjust and all of that. It has now been over one year since I had the actual implants put in and 18 months since I first had my bi-lateral mastectomy. OH SO MANY THINGS THEY DO NOT tell you when you have breast cancer and get implants.

My implants are after just 12 short months ALMOST COMPLETELY CAPSULED. No one ever told me about that side effect. On a scale of 1 to 4, 4 being the worst, my right breast, the one with the cancer, is at a scale 2, 2 and 1/2. My left breast, the breast that didn't have cancer is at a scale 3.

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I want these out. You know that kernel of popcorn that got stuck under your tooth and you can't get it out. THAT is how my implants feel, and it's getting worst everyday.

I can't even begin to tell you how PISSED OFF I AM that they didn't tell me that this could happen and that NO IMPLANT IS SAFE.....WHAT IN THE HELL ARE THEY DOING???? YOU ARE GOING THRU CANCER AND THEY ARE SO QUICK TO STICK A FOREIGN OBJECT IN YOUR BODY AND TELL YOU HOW GREAT IT IS GOING TO BE???? SALINE OR SILICONE, IT DOESN'T MATTER, I AM MAD AS HELL!!!!

10 days and counting......I will once again GO UNDER THE KNIFE......this time, at least 2 hours, to have my breasts cut in half, the implants taken out of the MUSCLE that has formed a capsule over the implants, then hopefully, he can STITCH the muscles back together and take off tons of skin (including the NIPPLES and TATTOOS that NEVER TOOK) and stitch me up.

I am seriously starting to think that maybe my IMPLANTS might be the reason for my continued pain in my back and leg, my madness and spurts of depression, my continued unhealthiness and seeming to NEVER GET BETTER. I also have constant pain in my entire chest, sternum and shoulders, which continue to get worst every single day. I have shooting pains in my hands and fingers that just started all within the past 6 weeks.

So PLEASE PLEASE, if you can find the time to say a little prayer for me. I AM SCARED TO DEATH to GO UNDER ONCE AGAIN. You know how I am about that, I am having horrible dreams that I die on the table. I am going to IOWA CITY, to Dr. Cram, one of America's TOP 100 Plastic Surgeons. January 9th is my surgery, in the morning, and I will keep you updated. I don't mind being flat-chested, I just WANT THESE IMPLANTS OUT....

HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!! God knows, I am ready for a healthy year!!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy

~My SOLDIER GIRL is HOME~

MY GIRL GOT HOME FRIDAY DECEMBER 19th, 2008 at 10:15AM CST

OUR FIRST GLANCE AT HER IN THE AIRPORT AS SHE CAME DOWN THE STEPS AND AROUND THE CORNER!!!! I couldn't help myself, I snapped the picture, threw the camera down and ran towards her and hugged her, cried and couldn't let go. I told myself before getting to the airport that I would WAIT and let everyone else hug and kiss her first. I have no idea what got into me but I totally forgot about that and couldn't wait to get my girl in my arms and hug her and tell her how much I love her and missed her. And to let her know HOW PROUD I AM OF HER!!!!It is going to be hard for me to "Share" her with everyone else while she is here. She has to go back Jan 2nd and these next 2 weeks are going to fly by. WHAT FUN THIS CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO BE!!!! Have a Wonderful Blessed Happy Holiday Everyone, Hugs and Kisses, Amy
AT HOME, STANDING AT ATTENTION!!!! I quick snapped this pictured because I knew I wouldn't see her in her uniform at all while she was home. The first thing she did was change and put her hair down. That's My Girl!!!!

~LOTS of CHRISTMAS~Maddi & My Hair~

~My 1st Ever Shabby Cottage Christmas, I'm Loving It!!!!~I had Bob take the Grape Wreath Topiary that was in here off and make a hole for my 3 foot tall White Christmas Tree. I just wanted the base and I bought it for under $5.00 at a consignment store before the flood.
This is the cupboard my Dad built. I added a little bit of Christmas to each shelf

I just love "little things"

I LOVE My White Sparkle Glitter houses that I have been collecting for a couple years now. They are all metal (I just can't bring myself to alter them or paint them pink) and from the White Barn Candle Company. Each one holds a tea light candle. In the back I have a VERY OLD heavy Wavy Glass Apothecary Jar filled with mercury and shiny bright ornaments.

Here is the view from Bob's Chair and the finished 3 foot white tree

This is looking East from the Northwest corner of the living room, I can't wait to paint the hallway doors all white.

Another View

All decked out with VINTAGE Silver Garland along with Aqua and Pink Old Shiny Bright Ornaments. Topper is new but made to look old.

I leave the lights on 24/7 because they make me smile

~AND NOW FOR OUR MAIN TREE~

I don't have the money for a big white tree so I used the pitter patter table and put up a nice 4 foot white tree on it. I think it turned out DARLING and you can see it from the highway.

All decked out with VINTAGE Ornaments

The GLITTER SANTA I bought last year from Mary Rose and Isabellascloset can you believe she MAKES THESE!!!! I am so happy I got one!!!! Click on her name and see if she still has any left!!!!

YES....we have SNOW and are expected another 7 to 12 inches by Tuesday Night

My Collection of vintage and new ribbons. I found the vintage wood gesso frame at a junk store for $10.00 and painted it a watered down pitter patter but left the ORIGINAL SILVER BARBOLA ROSES. It turned out so cute.

Mom thought of this idea.....the sign is from someone on eBay but I found it at a junk store for UNDER a Dollar!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT???? Also, the snowflakes came from Mary Rose at Isabellascloset. I think they look ADORABLE, and added a Christmas look to the vanity that holds the TV.

Okay, this is the first year EVER that I cared about what my wrapped packages looked like. I used a lot of PINK tissue paper and Cellophane paper. I especially love the LACE Cello paper. It's from Current and I bought it a long time ago (1980's) and was going to sell it but I ended up using it. I LOVE IT!!!!

NOTICE the NAME TAGS....OH MY GOODNESS!!!! Listen Girls, there is this sweetest gal, Peggy, from SoShabbyPink, who makes these and I am thrilled to have bought from her. She is a WONDERFUL and GENEROUS GAL and you need to get some of her cool stickers. I have bought some for Valentine's Day and Easter to add to my glass jars and some wood boxes I have. I am even going to try a little train case with them too. Tell her I sent you if you can. You WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!

This is the Cupboard My Mom made. I just love it and those BIG HUGE PINK ORNAMENTS are HUGE!!!! I could only fit 3 of them in the double layer cake pedestal.

LOTS OF PRETTIES that will eventually go on the website

Just a few close ups of my Vintage Ornaments on the Main Tree

A Full View of the Cupboard Mom Made

LOOK AT MY TREE TOPPER!!!!

A TOTALLY UNEXPECTED SURPRISE!!!!

Tree Ornament, I made into my Tree Topper. From a VERY DEAR FRIEND!!! Barbara, I cannot thank you enough, you have no idea how much this means to me, especially right now. HOPE....that says it all. All handmade, with love and EXACTLY what I LOVE!!!! This will forever hold a special place in my heart

Another Close up of the Glitter Santa and the Sticker Tags

Just a little Christmas on the 9 foot long Fire Place Mantle

I think I want to add a string of white lights weaving them in and out of every thing sitting on the mantle. I haven't decided yet.

One of my favorite little spots. I was going to turn the silver glitter box into a cake but then I ended up using it to hold this sweet little silver tree instead.

Our first Snow....First week of December. Miss Maddi went out and went sledding and then made this little Snowman all by herself. She came running in the house looking for raisins. And yes, we had them. She says, "Oh goodie, I will eat what I don't need." She makes me SMILE!!!

Doesn't She make you smile????
My Sweet Miss Maddi....what would I do without you????

AND NOW FOR MY HAIR....it has OFFICIALLY BEEN 11 months of growth!!!! Here it is dried naturally, YES, that is all natural curl and thickness. JUST LIKE MY HAIR USED TO BE!!!!

I NEVER WEAR IT LIKE THIS ANYMORE....IT'S CRAZY CURLY and drives me nuts!!!!

AND NOW.....I love it straightended and I feel more like a girl!!!

Can you believe how fast my hair is growing....THANK YOU GOD!!!! ALL GLORY BE TO YOU!!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE....Kristi Graduated Friday WITH HONORS and is now in San Antonio, Texas. She is coming home on the 19th of this month and we are all so excited!!!! We are expecting lots of snow this week and I have lots to do to get more treasures on the website.

ALL MY LOVE TO YOU!!!!
Hugs, Amy

~PS~

LOOK WHAT I JUST FOUND ON THE INTERNET....MY KRISTI GIRL WAS TALKING ABOUT MY BREAST CANCER TRYING TO HELP OTHER KIDS OUT. I HAD NO IDEA!!!!

Just click here and scroll to the bottom of the page!!!! WOW...It made my day and makes me so proud of her~!!!!

She is doing GREAT at basic training, she is now in charge of 58 males and females and is Platoon Leader. They EARNED their "REAPERS" FLAG which they are the first in a very long time to have earned their UNIT FLAG. She sounded great on the phone last week, she got to talk to me for almost 35 minutes as she earned it.

GOD BLESS AMERICA and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR TROOPS!!!!

Love and Hugs, Amy

~My Hair~Goodbye Fall and THANK YOU'S~

IS THIS CRAZY OR WHAT???? >
This is my hair after washing and blow drying it. I promise to get a picture of it straightened....it's almost to my shoulders. This is only about 10 months of growth. My hair DOES grow fast, always has and everyone is asking me if I bought a wig....LOL

GOODBYE FALL.....I HATE WINTER and tend to stay inside because the cold cuts me to the bone. See how I still have PINK toenail polish on.....I just can't accept that summer is gone and winter is on it's way. THIS IS MY VIEW.....FROM THE "RED" SWING in the TREE looking out into the corn fields of Iowa. This is our front lawn that points to the North.

Yet another view....to the EAST

And the View to the West

This is from a sweet customer of mine (AND A TOTAL SURPRISE) Sara Sweet!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Below is the YUMMY HONEY and the BEST CANDY I HAVE EVER TASTED IN MY LIFE from winning a contest from JUDY at BROCANTE and ETC.

THIS IS HONEY FROM DENVER!!!! and HONEY STICKS FOR MY TEA....and guess what, LOL.....I just SUCKED the honey out of the sticks because it was so darn good!!!!

THE BEST TOFFEE in the WORLD and guess what, I could actually eat it with how bad my teeth are and it didn't hurt at all!!!! See the big bite out of the top of the piece!!!! YUMMY!!!!

ANOTHER SURPRISE!!!!

And to my surprise came the SWEETEST LITTLE FALL CUPCAKE pincushion from BETTY and SHE'S SEW PRETTY!!!!

A QUICK UPDATE ON ANNA.....She went home yesterday from the hospital, there will be more surgeries but they needed to get the bones fixed first. Bill has been keeping me updated and I haven't been able to talk to Anna yet. I so understand about needing your rest when you go thru something like that so I will let you know the minute I find out anything. If you would like to send her a get well card, PLEASE email me at FourSistersInACottage@msn.com and I will give it to you. She sure could use some cheering up.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for your THOUGHTFULNESS, PRAYERS and ENCOURAGEMENT!!!! You mean the world to me!!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy