~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

~When it RAINS~~~It POURS~

It's been a crazy week here at our house. Bob was diagnosed with Plantar Fasciitis, where the muscle in the arch of his foot is tearing away. He has been put in a plaster cast from his toes to his knee. (he of course, can't work being a Firefighter because he can't get his fire boot on.)

Then, our 14 year old son was running his last race in track and tore some muscles in his leg and is now on crutches for the next 6 weeks.

I had a biopsy on Friday and will find out the results this coming Tuesday and boy am I sore, I can't hardly move my right arm.

We are also trying to get ready for our 17 year olds CNA Graduation Ceremonies which we volunteer to host (over 100 people will be here on Sunday and it's not the party...IT'S THE CEREMONIES!!!! )

So needless to say, I have been a bit busy this week. Isn't is funny how when it rains...it pours. Have a great weekend and I will be back posting soon.... Amy

~CAMP FIRE IN THE COUNTRY~

~A FUN TIME had by ALL, The night before MOTHER'S DAY~

Sitting around the camp fire outside in our back yard....We had 15 kids here Saturday Night and it was a BLAST!!!!

WE NEED MORE WOOD!!!!

THE KIDS KEEP COMING......

HOW MANY MARSHMELLOWS CAN YOU SHOVE IN YOUR MOUTH.....SIX according to BROOKE

WHEN CAN WE DO THIS AGAIN?????

We had so much fun and it was one of my favorite Mother's Day weekends. I love having all the kids here with their friends.....I can honestly say "We are the Kool-aid House".....which is what I love.....

Hope everyone's Mother's Day was as fun as mine......Amy