~Me with My Hair Cutting CREW~

GOTTA LOVE MY ENTHUSIASTIC HAIR CUTTING CREW

NO GLAMOUR HERE WE ARE MIDWEST COMMON FOLKS

From Left to Right: Kristi, Alli, Nick, Alex, Maddi

What's Left of My Hair (remember, I have enough hair for 3 people...LOL)
Braided by The Hair Cutting Crew for EASY CUTTING

LOOK HOW MUCH FUN THEY ARE HAVING!!!! Nothing like Making Lemonade out of Lemons!!! LOVE THOSE SMILES ALEX and KRISTI!!!

~GO MADDI GO~

~TADA~ THAT'S A BIG BRAID~ TOO BAD I CAN'T GIVE IT TO LOCKS OF LOVE as it has been COLOR TREATED and they WON'T ACCEPT IT~

~HEY....I don't look so bad in short hair after all......~

~THE CUTTING CREW couldn't WAIT to do the FAMOUS BOWL CUT....ROFLOL~

~THANK YOU NICK for PLAYING ALONG WITH US~

~ MY EYES ARE CLOSED so I don't GET ANY HAIR IN THEM....SILLY GIRLS that KRISTI and ALLI~

~GO MADDI GO.....KEEP CUTTING BABY~

WHAT A DORKY PICTURE OF ME.....but like I said before...NO GLAMOUR HERE!!!!

~THIS IS TOO MUCH....TIME TO CUT IT OFF PLEASE......I think at this point it was already over an hour of FUN...AND I AM STILL DORKY LOOKING...LOL~

~THANK YOU BOB for GETTING THE BALL ROLLING~

TO BE CONTINUED......TOMORROW MEET G.I. JANE aka G.I AMY

~My HAIR is Officially FALLING OUT~ PART II

Just a quick picture to show you how much of my hair is coming out at a time....this piece is from this morning and I still have a head of hair left but then again everyone has always told me "YOU HAVE ENOUGH HAIR FOR THREE PEOPLE!!!"......

Happy Hair Day to All of You......Amy

~My HAIR is Officially FALLING OUT~

THE LITTLE GIRL ABOVE HAS HAIR LIKE ME!!!

Just a quick update to let you know my hair officially started falling out in strands of 50 to 100 yesterday afternoon. I am shedding like a dog....LOL

And so.....THIS AFTERNOON we are having a "HAIR CUTTING PARTY" with the kids!!!
I will post all the pictures this evening for you to see...

I just wonder, is my HEAD going to be LUMPY???? I wonder if I have one of those BIG MELONS of a head because it was always hard for me to find hats because of all of my hair. At least that is what I am hoping that it was ALL MY HAIR and not because I have a big head!!! LOL

I came out to the bathroom yesterday and had an ENTIRE GALLON SIZE ZIP LOCK BAG full of hair and I said to my Mom, "Hey Mom, LOOK AT THIS!!!! I have MORE HAIR in this Zip Lock Bag than Dad had even with his COMB OVER!!!" We laughed so hard I thought I was going to wet my pants!!!!

Have a HAPPY HAIR DAY!!!!
~Amy~

~I'm HOME~

BREAST CANCER PATIENT PROTECTION ACT

There's a bill called the Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act which will require Insurance Companies to cover a minimum 48-hour hospital stay for patients undergoing a mastectomy. It's about eliminating the 'drive-through mastectomy' where women are forced to go home just a Few hours after surgery, against the wishes of their doctor, still groggy from anesthesia and sometimes with drainage tubes still attached.Lifetime Television has put this bill on their Web page with a petition drive to show your support. Last year over half the House signed on. PLEASE!! Sign the petition by clicking on the Web site below. You need not give more than your name and zip code number. http://www.lifetimetv.com/breastcancer/petition/signpetition.php

I GOT HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL late last night....I AM SOOO HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!

I am very tired and my WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT went up to 4.6....YIPPY!!!
Still not good BUT BETTER THAN IT WAS!!! I am too weak to do my own hair so MOM braided it for me.......I LOVE as I said when she was done.....

(In my CUTE LITTLE SWEDE ACCENT)....."My name is Anna, I'm from Sweden"....and everyone laughed. BUT LOOK AT ME!!!! STILL ALL OF THAT HAIR and I AM STILL SMILING!!!

I will write more tomorrow as I really should be in bed.
My cousin Nancy sent the above information to me the day I was in the hospital and Joy also posted it in a comment on my blog...THANK YOU GIRLS!!! I have been too busy trying to stay well that I haven't been able to surf to much. I LOVE all the info everyone finds and sends to me!!!!

I AM SO BLESSED!!!! THE CARDS AND GIFTS CONTINUE TO AMAZE ME and makes me realize what a difference one person can make in someone else's life. YOUR PRAYERS, HUMOR, THOUGHTS and ENDLESS SUPPORT AND LOVE FOR ME is one I cannot even find the words for or comprehend.....I am truly humbled.....

All my love, Amy

~Amy's doing better~

Hello this is Mary Amy's friend from IsabellasCloset. Amy just called me. Her voice sounds a bit better. She may get to come home from the hospital tonight. She said she will post a comment on her blog when she can.
She laughed and said "I still have my hair!" What a funny Gal she is.
Bless her heart! Hang in there Amy..

~I'm in the Hospital Since 1:00pm July 4th~

I am writing this at 2 am Iowa time (CST) on Thursday July 5th as I can't sleep and the hospital has a nice service that lets you borrow a laptop. OH HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY DANCE!!!

I ended up in the hospital July 4th around 1:00 in the afternoon.....

I am way sicker than I thought as I ended up with a high temperature and my white blood cell counts are only at 1.2 (YES, ONE POINT TWO) and they should be around 25 (and they are afraid they might go even lower......also, that $6000.00 SHOT they gave me to help prevent this, didn't work so they are going to have to totally redo my entire chemo treatment. )
I have no idea how long I will be in here, depends on how fast my blood count and go up and also my blood pressure is low and my heart beat is very very faint......I am in a sort of quarantine until my counts go up......so....Here I am....Just trying to get better....I just wanted everyone to know that I am still here, just really sick but the REALLY COOL thing about all of this is I got to see the FIREWORKS out my HOSPITAL WINDOW LAST NIGHT!!!! So you see, it really wasn't so bad getting sick on the 4th of July!!!!
THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH for your CONTINUED PRAYERS!!!! THEY KEEP ME GOING MORE THAN YOU KNOW!!!! ~Amy~

~HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA~

~GOD BLESS AMERICA~LAND THAT I LOVE~

STAND BESIDE HER, AND GUIDE HER~

THRU THE NIGHT WITH A LIGHT FROM ABOVE~

FROM THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE PRAIRIES,

TO THE OCEANS, WHITE WITH FOAM.

GOD BLESS AMERICA MY HOME SWEET HOME

THIS IS MY FAVORITE FAVORITE HOLIDAY OF ALL TIME.....No obligations to buy gifts, you get to eat lots of good food and there is a BEAUTIFUL EVENING STILL AHEAD and we don't lose sight of the TRUE MEANING of the HOLIDAY!!!

THANK YOU to ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEN and WOMEN and especially to our VETERANS for giving ME the FREEDOM I HAVE TODAY!!! A special THANK YOU to My DAD, (a year ago today we took you home from the hospital, I still think about you every day Dad) who served in the Korean War in the Army. And to my BIG BROTHERS who served in the Army and Marines during the Iran Iraq Wars and my nephew Jeff who is home this holiday from Iraq!!! THANK YOU GUYS!!!! I AM TRULY BLESSED!!!

"GOD BLESS AMERICA....MY HOME SWEET HOME!!!!"

~HAPPY MONDAY~

~LAST MONDAY'S MADDI'S 6th BIRTHDAY PARTY~

WHEW!!! What a difference a week makes. These pictures were taken LAST MONDAY as we celebrated Maddi's 6th Birthday. (her birthday was actually Thursday the 27th but I knew I would be in no shape to host a party after chemo) Sweet Carole from http://scoundrelsandrogues.blogspot.com/

sent Maddi a VINTAGE ORIGINAL TASHA TUDOR Fairy Tail Book for her birthday. Which she LOVES because Tasha Tudor is one of our FAVORITES. THANK YOU CAROLE!!! (the pictures are not in order as it is still hard to concentrate with this chemo stuff in my body)

WHAT A WEEKEND THIS WAS!!!
Well, I know that on the Wednesday's I have chemo, thru the entire weekend, I will be in bed!!!
Nothing worst than a migraine and nausea for 4 days straight. My spirits are still up, THANKS TO ALL YOUR POWER OF PRAYER and GOOD THOUGHTS and.....TODAY, is the first morning I woke up without nausea or a migraine. TODAY IS A GOOD DAY!!! The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and I am typing on the computer. WHOO HOO!!!

I STILL HAVE MY HAIR...although it feels GROSS, it's all dried out and feels like a big stack of hay.....LOL and MY WIG got here this weekend and everyone has been trying it on and having fun with it.....(THAT'S MY MOM with the WIG ON!!!! Now you know where I get my humor)

Above is a picture taken the day before my chemo with MISSY and KAREN.....(all 3 of us hate this picture but I had to post it anyways)

WHAT WONDERFUL ANGELS we have WALKING IN PEOPLE CLOTHES!!! Unknown to me, they DONATED MONEY for me to get a WIG and with the GENEROUS AMOUNT they gave to me, I will be able to get 3 of them!!!! MISSY AND KAREN.....YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THAT MEANT TO ME!!! Not only do I have you as my friends but I am now going to call you my "PERSONAL HAIR REPS".....THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

I thought I might "ESCAPE" the mouth sores in my mouth but they started showing their UGLY SELF yesterday morning. I can feel them crawling down my throat and it's getting hard to swallow, taste or enjoy eating. (I DO LOVE FOOD....especially anything with potatoes, sauces, gravies and BUTTER....LOL) I have to gargle with warm salt water and that seems to help. Other than that....I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER TODAY!!!!!

Enjoy the pictures and HAVE A HAPPY MONDAY!!! (The above picture was taken YESTERDAY, JULY 1st 2007....it's of Me and Bob....and I'm STILL SMILING!!!!)
All my Love and Hugs to ALL of YOU, Amy

~I'm Very Weak...but I'm STILL SMILING~

Just a quick note to let everyone know that ALL of YOUR Thoughts and PRAYERS WORKED and I did not cry or melt down when I went into my first chemo treatment.

I slept thru most of it....can you believe that????

I am very very very very tired and have pretty much slept since getting home on Wednesday. BUT I'm STILL SMILING!!!

The above picture of me in that DARLING HAT is a GIFT from Betty over at SHE'S SO PRETTY that her daughter made for me. I think it is ADORABLE and my girls are already trying to snag it from me.....(I had to hid it from them....LOL) Oh, and I still have my hair BUT it FEELS GROSS, like a BIG HAYSTACK of CRUNCHY HAY!!!!

I have only been slightly nausea and have not thrown up at all....THAT IS A GOOD SIGN!!!
I did have to go into the doctor's yesterday to get a $6000.00 shot to decrease infection and try to avoid having to go into the hospital. I HAVE TO HAVE ONE EVERY CHEMO SESSION......$6000.00.....YES, that is $36,000.00 for just six shots. I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED!!!

Well, my body is telling me to go back to bed...it's hard for me to concentrate as I do have a mild migraine but other than that....LIFE IS GOOD!!!! BLESS US EVERYONE!!!! I am humbled by ALL OF YOU....EVERYDAY.....Love, Amy

~Email from Amy about her Chemo~

Hello Gals! This is Mary from IsabellasCloset.
I just got in the door from work.
This email from Amy was waiting for me ..
Thought you would want to see it ASAP.

Mary, I did have a reaction to one of the medications and I have never seen doctors and nurses come running so fast in my life 3 doctors and 4 nurses WOW....BOB WAS EVEN IMPRESSED....they stopped my IV and started shooting all these shots into my IV to get me better....worked like a charm and I will just have to have it all the time now when I go in to chemo. I couldn't swallow...it was scary to me and I just couldn't swallow....I felt like I was choking. But they knew exactly what to do so that was great!!!!Starting tonight and over the next 3 days will be my nausea and vomiting stage.....and I got 4 of the RED Hair Cut Treatment Cocktail SHOTS so my hair will be gone in 2 days to 2 weeks......WOW...I never saw so much stuff shot into my veins in a day as I did today.
I am going to go to bed....I feel like I am getting the flu and the veins in my arms are cold.....almost like I can feel the chemo moving thru my blood stream...it's weird.....hard to explain....I am weak and very tired....
If you get a chance, can you post on my blog that I am doing great and the fear of the chemo is completely gone from me and every one's THOUGHTS and PRAYERS WORKED!!!! Please tell them THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and I will blog as soon as I can.
(Mary, feel free to cut and paste anything I said out of this email to make it easier for you.....LOVE YOU!!!! Amy)

~My First Chemotherapy TODAY~

Well, It's 7:30am here in Iowa....I have been up for a while and only started to cry when my Baby Brother Jeff called me from his business trip in Chicago to wish me luck and let me know he will be praying for me and he will see my on Monday.

I actually woke up not afraid this morning because JILL spent the night with me last night. First time since High School that we had a "sleep over".....we had so much fun and didn't go to bed until midnight. THANK YOU JILL for being there for me!!!

I wanted to THANK EVERYONE for your prayers, your thoughts and your wonderful emails of encouragement. WHAT A GODSEND ALL OF YOU HAVE BEEN!!! I will go in to chemo today thinking of each and everyone of you holding my other hand and talking and praying with me....

I AM HUMBLED and EACH OF YOU have TOUCHED MY LIFE and MY HEART in ways you will ever know.....ALL MY LOVE, Amy

~I'm SCARED~

Well, today is 24 hours and counting before I start my first chemotherapy treatment. I am SCARED TO DEATH. Over the past week I have been having horrible dreams in my sleep that I go into cardiac arrest while I am sitting there getting my chemo treatment. I think it all started with the reason they needed to do the Muga Heart Test.

I don't know if I told you but I bawled like a baby when they took me into surgery for my double mastectomy. I was scared that I wouldn't wake up after they put me under. THAT IS ALWAYS my BIGGEST FEAR when I am put under. But I did wake up, yet I was still crying when I came out of surgery. Funny huh???

Today I have to start a huge dose of steriods, something to do with my veins and I just don't want to go into that chemo room tomorrow. I told Bob, I know I will cry when I have to sit down and start but he will be right there with me, holding my hand and talking me thru it. Thank you Bob, I really don't know what I would do without YOU!!!

I am sitting here crying while I try to write this because I am truly so scared. It really SUCKS that I have to go thru this....that ANYONE has to go thru this and I just don't want to be sick anymore. So far, I've kept a pretty good outlook about this but today feels like the beginning of the end. Hard to explain but I am having a MELTDOWN....I am HAVING A PITY PARTY....but I have to do this....if I don't, I only have a 40% chance of living.

On a good note, I have lots of friends coming over today and tonight and I am hoping to get some good pictures with them before my hair falls out over the next 2 weeks. I just want that memory as I don't think I will ever get my hair this long again. Even tho, losing my hair is the least of my worries, it has always been my "trademark". Everyone Loves My Hair.....Everyone always tells me, "Don't Ever Cut It"....even strangers tell me that and how beautiful it is. Not sure how I am going to handle it when it really does fall out.....so we will see.

If you have the time, please say a little prayer for me that I don't lose it when I get there tomorrow.....I AM SO SCARED and I wish I didn't have to go thru this!!!! ~Amy~

~NEW Photos~ My BANDAGES ARE GONE~

~MY BANDAGES ARE GONE.....YIPPY SKIPPY!!!~

OH I AM SOOOO EXCITED...ALL of my Post Op Bandages have fallen off. YIPPY SKIPPY!!!

THEY ARE GONE and I am AMAZED at how well the scar looks. If you want to see my PHOTO JOURNAL just click here BUT PLEASE BE WARNED...THESE ARE ACTUAL PHOTOS of my Breast Reconstruction

TOMORROW I GO IN for my FIRST fill...LOL...sounds like car maintenance. Normally they would fill each one with 60cc of saline solution but I am doing so well they are going to add 120cc in EACH BREAST....I AM SO EXCITED to see what happens to all this skin and see how things look after tomorrow.

Of course, I will take pictures of that too.

HAPPY SUNDAY!!! Make it worth your while....Love to you, Amy

~WHAT A DAY~

I JUST GOT HOME!!!!
WHAT A DAY!!!
THEY LOST MY PAPERWORK at the Hospital so I had to WAIT to be "squeezed" in.....WHAT???

SO, I am just now home, I am EXHAUSTED.....BUT MY HEART IS GREAT!!!! SO...off to CHEMO I GO on Wednesday.....
Bob is making Grilled Hamburgers with Cheese, Pasta Ranch Salad and Chips for supper...

I NEED SLEEP and will be going to bed after dinner.....

UGHHHHHH!!!! I will catch up with all of you tomorrow....I have lots to catch up on....HAPPY SLEEPY~Amy~

~MUGA HEART TEST~

~MUGA HEART TEST TODAY~

I go for my MUGA Nuclear Heart Test today to make sure my Heart can take the Chemo. I have no idea how long it takes but when I get back...I will post more and be working on the website. I didn't sleep too good last night so I am sure a NAP will be in order.

HAVE A HAPPY DAY TODAY ~Amy~

~TODAY I FORGOT I HAD CANCER~

THIS IS MY 4th POST TODAY!!! WOW WEE!!!

MY HAIR like it NATURALLY IS EVERYDAY.....THICK AND CURLY

My HAIR STRAIGHTENED by my Daughter ALLI the night before my surgery

WOW!!! WHAT A DAY!!!
For the first time in weeks...I FORGOT I HAD CANCER!!!
Mom came over and helped me work on stuff for the website and for the FIRST TIME I felt like my old self....we never once talked about my breast cancer and what is going to happen a week from today. IT FELT SO GOOD TO WORK!!!!

WHAT A WONDERFUL FEELING....THANK YOU MOM!!!! And thanks for telling me about those WIGS on QVC!!!! LOL...I'm going to be checking that out soon.....Amy

~STAGE II TYPE B and CHEMO~

I HAVE LOTS TO WRITE ABOUT SO HERE GOES:

I didn't realize how tired I was going to be after my 2 and 1/2 hour doctor appointment with the Oncologist. WHAT A NEAT GUY MY DOCTOR IS!!!
HE is Straight to the point yet soft spoken and kind. It is TRUE what everyone has said about him...He DOES ACT LIKE YOU ARE HIS ONLY PATIENT!!! WHAT A GOD SEND and to think , I wasn't going to get him because he was not accepting new patience. More on that story later.....A TRUE BELIEVER IN BALANCE!!!

I START Chemo next Wednesday June 27 (the day before my Sweet Maddi's 6th Birthday) at 9:40 am

I HAD NO IDEA I HAVE TO SIT THERE FOR 5 HOURS and HAVE CHEMO.....I honestly thought I went in and got a shot like you go to get the flu shot or something. I was shocked and I am also in a panic. I am a very hyper girl and I don't even think I can sleep for 5 hours without getting up let alone sit in a chair for 5 hours. AND THE CHEMO ROOM......OH OH OH.....I can't even begin to tell you how I felt going in and seeing all those different stages of cancer in the people sitting there getting chemo. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THERE FAST ENOUGH. It WAS SOOOO SAD I have to quit talking about it!!!

I will have to take chemo EVERY 3 WEEKS for 4 MONTHS.....then I will have to take a chemo drug by mouth everyday for 5 (YES FIVE) YEARS starting the day after my chemo is done.

IMMEDIATE SIDE EFFECTS of my Chemo:

HAIR LOSS (yep, any where from 2 days to 2 weeks into my first chemo treatment)SO....I WENT AND TRIED ON WIGS.....OH WAS THAT FUN!!!! I have picked out 2 of them one being BLONDE (of course I would...LOL) and one being a RED HEAD!!!! And I have yet to order them...

TIREDNESS and FATIGUE I figured that one.....everyone talks about that. LOL....oh well, what's a girl to do except take a nap.

NAUSEA and vomiting and that one I figured too....LOL

LONG TERM SIDE EFFECTS of my Chemo:

Leukemia and Heart Failure (these are both possibilities, highly unlikely but needed to be mentioned by the doctor)

LOCKS OF LOVE and USING MY HAIR FOR A WIG

I cannot give my hair to Locks of Love because I have chemically treated it with hair coloring. BUT, my Sweet 15 year old Alli gave 13 inches of her STRAWBERRY BLONDE Hair to Locks of Love last year. So that's pretty cool I think.

Also, IT"S WAY TOO EXPENSIVE to have my own hair made into a wig.....AND It will be 9 MONTHS after chemo before I have any type of workable hair to work with so I will be wearing hats, scarves and wigs for a little over a year depending on how fast my hair grows back. The basic wigs I would like to get are $140 each. I am buying them locally because you can try them on and the guy "Jeff" is a TOTAL SWEETHEART and treats you with dignity and respect. Plus, that way, if I ever have any trouble with the wig and need help with it, he's right here to help me.

I DROVE FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY

Oh what a BIG MISTAKE that was....I am paying for it now and I never realized how much you use your chest to turn the wheel. Looks like driving is still a no-no for me. (Amy, you dummy!!!!)

Tomorrow I go in for a NUCLEAR Heart scan to make sure my heart can take the chemotherapy. ALSO, Friday I go back to my Plastic Surgeon to get more solution in my temporary expander's. I don't want to gross anyone out but I have had some requests wondering what my surgery looks likes post op. I do have a picture and am HAPPY TO SHARE, it sure takes away a lot of guessing and puts a girl at ease to see it's NOT SO BAD. If you want to see a picture, just click here for my PHOTO JOURNEY....remember, they are ACTUAL PHOTOS and I don't want to offend or upset anyone. I just have so many women interested and thought I should share so I could take away some fears anyone might ever have about Breast Cancer.

I am going to get this posted and write more later today as I remember things. I do know I will have highs and lows and I can continue to work as long as I feel up to it. I WAS SOOO EXCITED to hear that as I am going to try to work on the website and get it all ready before I start chemo next week. ALSO, about the 10th thru the 14th day of chemo I will be at my lowest blood count point and my immunities will be at their lowest. I figure that will probably be when I am the most tired too. We will see!!!

MORE LATER TODAY......HUGS TO ALL OF YOU, Amy

~To CROCHET or KNIT~

~TO CROCHET OR KNIT.....HMMMMMM, I NEED YOUR HELP~ The girls and I have decided that we want to learn to make HATS for me (and them too) since I was told today, I WILL LOSE ALL OF MY HAIR. (more about my appointment in the next post)

So, which is easier, to crochet or to knit AND.....which looks better, crocheted hats or knitted hats. I will need some for the winter (Iowa gets below zero) and if we can pull this off I would love to make quite a few because I like to match my outfits with my shoes, hats, gloves, you get the picture....LOL

Also, any tips on books, patterns and yarn???? I have no clue as we are the blind leading the blind in this new adventure.

Please drop me a line as I will be waiting anxiously to hear from you.

Hugs to all of you.....Amy (My appointment went GREAT today until I saw the Chemotherapy room.....I had a MAJOR MELTDOWN...I will post all about it Tuesday)

~Dr. Appointments Today~

Well today at 10:00 am I will finally get my last drainage tube out. YIPPY SKIPPY.....11 days is LONG ENOUGH!!!!

AND.....at 10:30 am will be my first visit to my Oncologist Doctor.

Today I will find out what kind of chemotherapy I will need, when I will start and for how long I will have to take it.

I am starting to get COLD FEET and I said to Bob this morning....I was all okay with this at first but NOW I AM STARTING TO GET SCARED. I CHANGED MY MIND......(it is a woman's prerogative to do that you know) and

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY HAIR,

I DON'T WANT TO BE TIRED,

I DON'T WANT TO BE SICK.

I didn't sign up for this and I don't want to do it.

I think the whole reality of all of this is finally sinking in...

Please don't think for one minute I haven't had my MELTDOWNS and CRYING SPELLS....because I have!!! I'm just don't want to think about going to get my first chemotherapy treatment.....It's already making me sick to my stomach....Amy

~MY DAD~

~MY DAD~

Today marks the first Father's Day without my Dad

~He was such an adorable little kid~

~My Dad in the Army at the time of the Korean War~

~Dad and Mom's Wedding Picture....WHAT A HOOT~

This week Tuesday June 12th was his birthday....also the first year without him for his birthday.

And Yesterday marked 11 months since he passed....I literally watched him die of CANCER....I HATE THAT WORD!!! I never left his side for the last 3 days....Crazy what happens in a year....

I MISS HIM SOMETHING AWFUL!!!

Love you Daddy, Can't wait to see you again.....Love, (the only girl who was wrapped around your finger) Amy

~STIR CRAZY~

~I'M GOING STIR CRAZY~

~Why is it when we are tired, exhausted or not feeling well we dream up all the things we wish we could be doing????~

~I'M GOING STIR CRAZY~

I can't read anymore, I can only watch so much tv (which I never watch to begin with.....idle time to me) and I think of all those "FUN PROJECTS" I would love to be working on but can't seem to get that going.....Anyone else feel this way??? Does anyone have any suggestions for me??? I started to write thank you's but my right arm started hurting so I had to stop. I wish ALL OF YOU LIVED CLOSER so you could stop by and see me.....have some coffee or a pop and brainstorm of all the things we would like to do......

Other than being stir crazy....I'm feeling better than I ever imagined I would. Can you believe 9 days ago I had cancer.....and today it's gone??? HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN???? IT IS TRULY AMAZING GRACE!!!

LOVE TO YOU ALL......Amy

~GOOD news from Amy !!!~YEAH!!

Hello! Hello! Hello! Amy just called me.. It's 9:00AM est.. The news is GOOD! Yeah!!!! The bone scan was good, no cancer. The tissue taken from around the lump is cancer free!!! The only other test that needs to come back is from the lymph nodes around the nodes that had cancer in them.. Amy said she cried like a baby when she got the news about the bone scan.. Needless to say she is soooooo happy. She had 2 of her drainage bulbs removed & the tubes. She said she cried when the tube from the left said was removed, it was so painful.. She still has one drainage bulb left. It's on her right side (the cancer side). She goes to the doctor again on Thurs. She is now able to shower. She is slowly being taken off her pain medication. She has pain. She was able to sleep 8 hours last night. She again thanks everyone. She still is unable to type so she said please understand. So a HUGE thank you to everyone.. Prayers do work!! I truly believe it. God bless all you caring loving supportive people.. Can you tell I am sooooooooooooooooo very happy! What a GREAT day...~Mary~ IsabellasCloset
I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest! Thank you God :-}

~No word from Amy yet~

Good morning. This is Mary IsabellasCloset
It's now 8:00AM est here in Ohio
I've not forgotten about Amy or about all you kind caring people.
I just wanted to let you know I've not yet heard from
Amy about her test results.

Amy if you do happen to read this please contact me.

Amy has now been able to get to her computer (a l ittle bit)
and read some of your comments and emails.
She just can not type yet..
As soon as I do here from Amy I will add another post..
Lets just keep praying!!

~Amy is asking for your prayers today~

Hello this is Amy's friend Mary IsabellasCloset.
My email address is IsabellasCloset@aol.com. If you need to contact me.
I can give Amy a message next time she calls me.
Amy called me this morning and asked that you please say an extra prayer for her today.
She will be getting the results of her bone scan today. God bless her.... she is scared.
So please find it in your hearts to say yet another pray for this precious Gal.
She still is not able to type but when she can she will be back on her blog and emails.
Her pain comes & goes...she is resting as much as possible.
Thanks again for the support you are giving Amy.. she sure is well loved!
God bless you all ~Mary~

~Amy says "There's No Place Like Home!"~

This is Mary IsabellasCloset.

Our Gal Amy just called me and we talked and talked! It's now 8:00AM est..We laughed and had such fun!! She is doing fine. She getting lots of rest and sleep.

She said she's glad to be home

& that "There's No Place Like Home"

She truly is my hero.. what a wonderful attitude she has, we should all that lessons from her!

She says as soon as she is up to it she will be getting to her emails and blogs.

She again thanks everyone for their thoughts, prayers, flowers, and cards..

I too want to thank everyone for all their love and support for Amy..

She is an amazing Gal and so are ALL of you too!

Hope you have a lovely Sunday :-} ~Mary~

PS I keep forgetting to add that: Her wonderful hubby Bob

and Mother are taking such very good care of her!

~~Amy's home!!~~

Hello it's Mary IsabellasCloset. Amy just phoned me at 3:15PM est...She is now at home, how wonderful!!! Each time I talk to her voice gets stronger, she now sounds like the old Amy to me. She says she is resting and doing a lot of sleeping. Her pain is getting better. She said she would love to check her blog and emails but can't just yet. She sends everyone her love and thanks for the thoughts, prayers and cards that were waiting for her when she got home. Also thanks from me for the out pouring of love you have given Amy. She is such a sweetie! Again if anyone needs to email please do so at IsabellasCloset@aol.com. God bless you all :-} ~Mary

~a laugh from Amy!~ :-}

Hello to all! This is Mary IsabellasCloset Amy's friend. I talked to Amy twice this morning at 6:00AM est. Her voice was stronger and she sounds much better..What a difference a day makes! Her spirits are good. She laughed, I laughed and oh what a great feeling that was!! She said they will know the results of her bone scan on Monday. She is pleased that she will get to come home this afternoon...Thanks again and again to all of you for your emails, comments and prayers. Both Amy and I are so very grateful. Amy truly has such wonderful caring friends!! God bless you all :-} ~Mary~

~more about Amy~

Hello everyone this is Mary from IsabellasCloset Amy's friend. I just got off the phone with Amy at 10:30AM est. She told me she is in so much pain. I feel awful for her and so helpless! We only talked a few minutes. She could hardly speak. They found cancer in 3 of her nodes. Today at 2:00 she goes in for a bone scan. She asked me to please thank everyone for all their thoughts & prayers. If anyone needs to email me please do so at isabellascloset@aol.com. My heart goes out to Amy. I am in tears...She is scared and needs our prayers more then ever. God bless all you wonderful Gals & (Guys too) out there for supporting Amy!

~I just talked to Amy~

Hello again this is Mary of IsabellasCloset.
It is 9:00 PM est. I just got off the phone with Bob Amy's husband and Amy too.
I was so very shocked to hear Amy's voice!
Her voice was very weak and she said she is in a lot of pain.
Bob said they will know more tomorrow.
It was wonderful hearing Amy's voice.
God bless her! What this dear sweet Gal is going through....
Please continue to keep Amy in your prayers!
Thanks again for all your concern about Amy.
As I know more I will post it :-} ~Mary~

***Amy is out of surgery***

Hello this is Mary from IsabellasCloset.
I wanted you all to know.
Amy is out of surgery.
When I know more I will post it.
Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers for Amy.

~My Breast Cancer Surgery~

~4 DAYS AND COUNTING~

My radical bilateral mastectomy surgery has been scheduled and I have had all my pre-op blood work, paper work, x-rays and all that fun stuff done and out of the way. WHEW!!!! My cancer is already in STAGE II. I will be at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids Thursday, June 7th with my surgery starting at 1:30 in the afternoon. I have to be there at 10 am to start the work on my lymph nodes and to make sure the cancer hasn't spread to them. I will spend one to two nights there depending on how the surgery goes.

I want to thank EVERYONE for your words of encouragement, cards, flowers, gifts and phone calls. Please forgive me for not getting back to anyone right now as I want to spend this (normal) time with Bob and the kids before my surgery. I WILL WRITE BACK TO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU when I feel I can as I have received so many well wishes, prayers and letters of hope..... IT IS AMAZING!!!
Never in my life did I realize how a person can impact others. FOR ALL OF YOU I AM TRULY BLESSED!!!

I am not scared at all.....I want you to know. I just want this cancer out of me and I want to get on with my life. DYING IS NOT AN OPTION as I want to see my kids grow up and I want to become a Grandma someday. I want to retire and travel and see all of this grand place we call the USA!!! I HAVE WAY TOO MUCH STUFF TO DO and WAY TOO MUCH TO LIVE FOR!!! Please know, GOD IS GOOD......I have already seen the blessings in my life from my diagnosis just 2 short weeks ago. GOOD COMES FROM EVERYTHING and remember.....BETTER TO HAVE ROUGH DAYS, THAN TO HAVE NO DAYS!!! It was one year ago this weekend that my Dad started to die from cancer......he was in ICU for most of his last days until we took him home and he passed with all of us there. I think of him so much with what is going on with me and I am thankful he is no longer suffering and is in a better place. I am more worried for my family and friends than I am for myself as it's still so raw with what we went through with my Dad last summer.

I am strong.....I always have been and like I have said through all of my trials and tribulations...."God hasn't failed me yet, why would he start now???"
My heartfelt thank you, love and hugs,

Amy

This is the day that the Lord hath made,rejoice! and be glad therein! Psalms 118

THANK YOU MOM for these ADORABLE PINK MARY JANE Airwalk shoes from Payless Shoes. They are soooo comfy and they were under $15.00.

This is a picture of my hair taken on my Mom's Birthday last Saturday. I have already been told by the doctor and nurses that the chemo drugs I will be taking is called the HAIR CUT TREATMENT....LOL, I will lose my hair. More on that later....and I am OKAY WITH THAT.....I just want this cancer GONE!!!! And YES, my hair is NATURALLY that curly and thick.....I only have a little bit of leave in conditioner in it so it doesn't fly away. The girls and I have big plans for when it starts to fall out and of course, I will keep you updated.

On a footnote, my entire right shoulder, breast and arm feel like they have been punched a hundred times. It hurts to type on the computer and I look forward to the cancer coming out so I can type comfortably again. For those of you who need my address, I am just going to post it on here for you. 7543 Mt Vernon Road, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52403....

LOVE, HUGS and LOLLIPOPS......Amy

~I HAVE BREAST CANCER~

I don't even know how to go about saying this as I can't find any way to try to sugar coat it.
I have been diagnosed with Lobular Invasive Carcinoma Breast Cancer. I have to have a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy.
I will have to do chemo 3 weeks after the surgery and they will call me tomorrow to let me know which day I am going in for my mastectomy. My lump is the size of a golf ball in the shape of an egg. During surgery they will biopsy my lymph nodes to see if it has spread. My surgery will be at least 3 hours. This came on very fast as I do monthly breast exams and just had my yearly check done in late August.
I haven't had time to be scared as everyone else is worrying for me. (maybe that's a good thing)
And....I am still planning on listing on the website as I can, although it may be sporadic. I love my work with the site and eBay and I think it will help me through a lot of what is about to happen. Good therapy I hope!!!
I want you to know how much you mean to me and please hang in there with me. I won't always be able to answer emails and I plan on journaling all of this right here on the blog.

I am going to beat this, and Jill (my best friend who just lost her sister)said to me . "It's better to have rough days, than no days at all."

If anyone can get thru this.....It will be me!!!!
PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS HAD THIS TYPE OF CANCER.....LET ME KNOW, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and GOD IS GOOD!!!! Love and Hugs, Amy