~Hanging in there~

~Hanging in there~

~I made it thru Chemo # 5 with a few blown veins and some nice left over bruises and I am already wiped out, Maddi was home sick yesterday with a head cold and slight fever, but by the end of the evening she was doing better, that's a good thing!!!~

I think I am more happy to know that I just have ONE LEFT and then I am done. I did have a bit of a meltdown before going into chemo as my oncologist said I might want to go to The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics to talk to the top breast cancer radiologist there to see about having radiation.
We had lots of stuff to think over along with medical documentation that Bob sifted through (Medical lingo I don't understand) and I am not going to do it....so, no appointment to Iowa City next week and I actually have a higher percentage of having heart failure or getting Leukemia from the chemotherapy than I have getting the breast cancer back from not taking radiation. SO, that has put my mind at ease!!!! And I can honestly say, mentally and physically I could not bear the thought of having to drive down to Iowa City every day for 6 weeks to get radiation treatments. I JUST CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE....I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!

So, the picture you see above is not so glamorous....It was taken the day before Chemo # 5....It's AMAZING what Cancer does to a person, not only in the physical outward look of a person, but to a spirit, to a personality, to the outlook on life as a whole. I'm not quite sure what I'm suppose to be doing with my life, I think I have something I am suppose to do with going thru this cancer, but I haven't figured it out yet. I know this for sure....It sure has made me less quick to judge, less quick to complain or criticise, and made me love and respect people more than I ever would have....It has given me an appreciation and love for people I didn't even know and those that I do know. It has been an AMAZING JOURNEY and most of all, I have seen THERE REALLY ARE WONDERFUL GOOD PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD WE LIVE IN!!!
KEEP SMILING....LIFE IS GOOD....

BETTER TO HAVE GOOD DAYS, THAN NO DAYS

~Amy~

~Leaving for CHEMO # 5, Not CHANEL No. 5~

CHEMO # 5 will be starting in about an hour.....Just wanted to let everyone know that I am FEELING GREAT and I am DONE swimming in my pity pool, where I have been for the last 3 weeks or so.....I'm ON THE DOWN HILL SLIDE and I ask that you pray for some veins to work as most of them have collapsed or blown from the last 4 chemos....YUCK....but enough about that....

I hope to post tonight and also give a recent picture of me as I haven't had one for awhile....I have almost lost all my eyebrows and eye lashes.....goes with the bald head.....and hey, I still don't have to shave.....YIPPY!!!

Also, I was so excited to list ONE THING ON EBAY last night.....10 pages of that awesome 1930's Miniature Sheet Symphony Music. Click here to check it out if you get a chance and it's FREE SHIPPING TOO!!! It only took me 55 minutes to list it...LOL...as my brains wouldn't remember how to list on eBay....I thought that was FUNNY!!! THIS TOO SHALL PASS

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE for all your thoughts, prayers, cards and gifts....YOU NEVER CEASE TO AMAZE ME!!!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Hugs, Amy

~Please Forgive Me~

~PRETTY FALL FLOWERS....THANK YOU BECKY from COE COLLEGE~

~Please forgive me for not posting the past week....I really hit rock bottom and I have been nothing but a puddle of tears~

I'm trying everything I can to get over this hump and this whole cancer/chemo thing has finally taken it's toll on me.

Not only is my body hurting, all the way to the bone but emotionally I can't bear the thought of 2 more treatments. Even though I only have 2 more to go, I have been informed that IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS to get my full strength back and feel myself again. THAT IS A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW for someone like me who is used to doing anything she puts her mind to.

The chemo is POISONING MY BODY and most days I am so tired and weak I just want to go to bed and not wake up for a year. The nausea is getting worst, my entire jaw and teeth hurt so bad that I can no longer "chew" anything. Can you believe it, I DRINK WARM JELLO because it feels good in my mouth and it doesn't hurt, same with cooked noodles...LOL...Yummy combo huh???? My sternum, hips and femur bones in my legs feel like someone hit them with baseball bats. Sometimes when I walk, my hip gives out where it's connected to my legs and I stumble, not to mention I give out a YELL because it hurts so bad. (and all I can do for that is take Tylenol with Codeine, like I want to be drugged up all the time, I'm already tired as it is)

THEN THERE IS THE WEIGHT GAIN....HOLY COW BATMAN....Just imagine taking steroids (like I am) and not working out....zippo zero exercise (I am to weak and tired to even think about exercise) I am retaining water so much that I can no longer see the bones in my feet....and it's gross. Now, most of you would probably never share this but since this is my journey thru all of this, I am going to share. I have gained 43 pounds....YEP....THAT'S A SMALL CHILD...and I don't think gaining that weight has helped my demeanor either. I have gone up 5 jean sizes. That alone is DEPRESSING!!!

So, I have been out of sorts the last week and I am sorry I haven't kept in touch, I just couldn't even look at the computer, let alone blog. But with encouraging words from you....I am going to COWBOY UP and get going again.

I LOVE ALL OF YOU!!!! I REALLY REALLY DO....I don't know what I would do without YOU!!!!
Love, Amy

~I want to CREATE and NOT have CANCER~

~I WANT TO CREATE and NOT HAVE CANCER~

SO, this is my newly improved room.....it's ALL MINE...to do with what I want. It's what I see when I walk in the room to go to my computer. (notice the other side of the room is not pictured because, well, it's a DISASTER!!!! LOL)


IT MAKES ME WANT TO CREATE....and NOT THINK about my CANCER!!!!
I have been really sick this time around. TODAY I THREW UP!!!! OMG!!! IT WAS HORRIBLE as I forgot to take my nausea medicine. I totally spaced it off and did I ever pay for it.

I DO NOT WANT TO GO THRU THAT AGAIN. It was a pain from the deepest part of my gut and I have never puked like that. I'm sure some of you out there that have gone thru chemo know exactly what I am talking about.

Another thing is MY entire body gets wet and clammy....my body feels like it just puked...it's the strangest thing ever, My Mom watched it happen and said I get all WHITE in the face and look faint. I FEEL FAINT too when it happens. I do believe it's the white cell count as it makes me dizzy too. Then I get the shivery shakes....I start to get cold.

And you know when you have been at a movie theater and you walk outside into the sunshine after the movie is over. It seems sort of SUR-REAL, sort of like everything is either really small or really big, well, that is how my entire days are for at least 7 of them following chemo. It's like you can't take one more step or look at one more thing, you just need to shut your eyes and go to sleep. And so, that's what I have been doing.....BUT I WANT TO CREATE!!!


~MIRRORS MIRRORS and MORE MIRRORS....Another OBSESSION of MINE~ ~NEW but made to look OLD and VINTAGE GLITTER RABBITS~
~ANOTHER DOWNFALL.....HAT and STORAGE BOXES~

~MY LOVE OF VINTAGE RIBBONS~
~MY LOVE FOR VINTAGE BUTTONS AND VINTAGE JARS~(Close ups TOMORROW....more of my COLLECTIONS like VINTAGE GLITTER and OLD OLD SEASHELLS)
So all of you out there, PLEASE CREATE and DO SOME FUN STUFF FOR ME....Let me live thru you while you make GORGEOUS THINGS!!! I LOVE ALL OF YOUR BLOGS and THEY ARE BETTER THAN ANY MAGAZINE I COULD SUBSCRIBE TO.....KEEP IT UP.....BECAUSE I AM YOUR FAVORITE FAN!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy
DISCLAIMER OF PICTURE ABOVE....LOL It IS THE "OTHER SIDE" of MY SHOP/ROOM.....TOLD YOU IT WAS A DISASTER but I wanted you to see that it's NOT ALWAYS BUTTERFLIES AND ROSES.....Just LIKE LIFE!!!

~AND THE WINNERS ARE~

....AND THE FOUR WINNERS ARE for VINTAGE GOODIES

MARY @ CRASH N SMASH

STEPHANIE @ ANGELIC ACCENTS

CAROLE @ SCOUNDRELS and ROGUES

BETTY @ SHE'S SO PRETTY

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ENTERING.....and those of you who won, PLEASE e-mail me with your address!!!!Love and Hugs, Amy

~4th Chemo Kickin' My Butt~

A quick note (as I am up from yet another HOT FLASH and NIGHT SWEATS) This fourth chemo treatment is very very tiresome, it is kickin my butt and I have never felt this TIRED IN MY LIFE...not even after giving child birth. They told me this might happen and I feel like I am in a totally different world. You know when you walk out of the dark movie theater and everything is bright and sunny and just off....well, that is how I have felt since I got home Wednesday from chemo. I am very light headed and weak and all I am doing is sleeping.

Hang in there with me, I will answer every one's emails sometime tomorrow and please know, we tried this entire 4th treatment without any kids and it's been the BEST THING FOR ME!!!
I am on 3 NEW different medicines to see if we can keep me out of the hospital...YIPPY SKIPPY!!!
Until Tomorrow (well, I guess it is tomorrow but, I am going back to bed, yet again)
Hugs and Love, Amy

~Don't Forget about the give away~

~Now thru Labor Day~Don't forget to sign up in the below post~

Please be sure to add your email address or a way of contact in case you don't have a blog.

If you want to email me (contact info is on the right hand side of your screen) you can enter that way too.

HAVE FUN!!!
Amy

(Oh and everything on the website is 50% off......time for a clearance sale)

~A FUN Vintage GIVEAWAY~Paying it Forward~

~A FUN VINTAGE GIVEAWAY~ FOUR....YES, 4 GIVEAWAYS THIS TIME!!! Everything you see in the above picture is what I am going to give away to four lucky winners. Now thru Labor Day just leave a comment on my blog and I will add your name to the drawing. I will pick four winners late Labor Day evening or first thing Tuesday Morning (depending on how I feel after chemotherapy). Lots of fun stuff for any kind of projects. Read the list below.....HAVE FUN!!!!
BIG Christmas GLITTER POSTCARD TAG, Red MERRY CHRISTMAS WORDS, Reproduction 1800's FRENCH TUDOR ROSES GIFT WRAP, 3 Brown Acorn and Maple Leaf Gift Tags, 1 Grungy Cinnamon and Cloves Star Tag, & 4 Vintage Gold Leaves.
8 Darling Reproduction CHRISTMAS GIRL GARLAND, 1 Foot of Vintage Gold Self Adhesive Rick-Rack, 1 Foot of Vintage Silver Self Adhesive Ribbon Tape, 1 Foot of Vintage Pink Beads, and 5 of the BEST 1935 Symphonies of Brahms and Tschaikowsky in Score MINIATURE Sheet Music. (this stuff is so cool as it is the size of a regular sheet of sheet music, only there is 4 scores on each page. PERFECT for making cards, alter art, tags or framing.
1 Reproduction Catherine Klein Mini Print, 3 feet of Vintage White Lacey Package Ribbon, 3 feet of Vintage Silver Lacey Package Ribbon, 3 feet of White Vintage Lacey Package Ribbon and 5 VINTAGE SHEETS from 1916 of CHOPIN'S Works for the Piano!!!!
The picture above is all the vintage items that I got this fun collection from. MY FAVORITES are the MINIATURE Sheet Music and the OLD Pink Beads on the spool.....GOOD LUCK and ENJOY.....Amy

~So Disappointed, BUT Still Honored~

~SO DISAPPOINTED, BUT STILL HONORED~Well darn it, I am so disappointed as we didn't get to go to the Lance Armstrong Presidential Forum as there was too much red tape involved and it just wasn't going to happen. I am really bummed out but they did thank us for being so accommodating and willing. Oh well, maybe next time....And it really was an HONOR TO EVEN BE ASKED in the first place. So that's pretty cool!!!!

On a POSITIVE NOTE, My Sweet Oncologist, Dr. Ghosh, was able to have lunch with Lance and speak with him then, I even seen them together on the news, so that's pretty cool. I will get the whole story when I go in on Wednesday for my next blood work, check up and chemo treatment.

If you can, please pray that my head cold that I am getting goes away and that the water I am retaining also floats away because I don't want to take any more drugs....I am pretty sick of that part of all of this. WHEW!!!!

It's been nice having the kids back in school however, I haven't done a thing. I am still sleeping whenever I can, which is most of the day....LOL. Other than that...just think....after Wednesday...ONLY 2 MORE TREATMENTS!!!! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE????

Is anyone in the FALL/WINTER MOOD YET???
I am going to have a FREE GIVEAWAY TOMORROW to kick off the FALL SEASON!!!

Love and Hugs to ALL OF YOU and I can't wait to give something away, Amy

~FIRST DAY of FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN~

~MY SWEET BABY MADDI~

~Pictured above, FIRST DAY of FULL DAY KINDERGARTEN~

MY HOW WE'VE GROWN FROM LAST YEAR at Alternative 1/2 day Kindergarten, I don't know who is having more fun this year, Me or Maddi!!! SHE LOVES SCHOOL!!! Although I have been sleeping this entire week, I know that once chemo is over (I am 1/2 way done) I should start to have more energy and feel like a real person again. I cannot WAIT for those days....somewhere around the New Year I am hoping and praying for!!! Have a GREAT WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!
Love and Hugs, Amy

~Last years picture of the FIRST DAY of Alternative 1/2 day Kindergarten~

~We've BEEN ASKED to go to the LIVESTRONG PRESIDENTIAL CANCER FORUM

I AM SOOOOO HONORED and HUMBLED as I received a phone call TODAY from Dr. Ghosh, my Oncologist, who asked if Bob and I would go with him to THE LIVESTRONG PRESIDENTIAL CANCER FORUM to meet Lance Armstrong and be part of the forum!!!! WOW!!! This might be my calling.....Please pray I am well enough to go!!!! BOB IS MY MEDICAL ADVOCATE and he and Dr. Ghosh talk their medical terms and in turn, Bob explains it all to me in laymen terms. THANK YOU BOB!!! You are my ROCK!!!

Hugs and Love to all of you, Amy (who has been sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day, as this last chemo treatment has really thrown me for a loop)

SIX CANDIDATES CONFIRMED FOR THE LIVESTRONG® PRESIDENTIAL CANCER FORUM; MSNBC BROADCAST ELEVATES CANCER DIALOGUE TO THE NATIONAL STAGE MSNBC'S Chris Matthews will co-moderate with Lance Armstrong; Iowa state elected officials to host - The Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) announced today that the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum, a two-day event featuring 2008 presidential hopefuls from the Democratic and Republican parties in Cedar Rapids next month will be co-moderated by Lance Armstrong and Chris Matthews of MSNBC. The forum provides candidates with an opportunity to detail their respective policy plans for fighting cancer, a disease that kills nearly 1,500 Americans every day.
"Cancer is non-partisan. It's the number one killer of Americans under 85," said Armstrong, founder and chairman of the LAF. "Each of the confirmed participants is demonstrating the importance of a national cancer policy in his or her platform. We greatly appreciate their commitment and invite all remaining candidates to attend."
As of today, and in alphabetical order, the following Democratic candidates have confirmed their attendance: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator John Edwards and Governor Bill Richardson; and the following Republicans have confirmed their attendance: Senator Sam Brownback, Governor Mike Huckabee and Governor Tommy Thompson.
In addition to the participant confirmations, MSNBC will be broadcasting the Forum. Each afternoon following the forum, MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews" will feature candidate interviews and comments, and on tonight's program Armstrong will discuss the forum and cancer-related issues with Matthews.
"The Presidential Cancer Forum is a critical step for the Lance Armstrong Foundation toward making cancer a national priority," said Doug Ulman, president of the LAF. "MSNBC will help elevate our nation's focus on cancer by shining a spotlight on an issue that takes far too many lives."
The Democratic candidates' forum will be held on Monday, August 27; Republican candidates will convene the following day, August 28. Both discussions will take place at U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 10 A.M. until noon CDT. Tickets for the forum are available, at no cost, at www.livestrong.org/forum.
Senator Charles Grassley, Republican of Iowa, and Iowa Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat, will provide welcoming remarks for the Republicans and Democrats, respectively, and comment on the future of cancer-related public policy.
"The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum will be an excellent chance not only for Iowans, but for people across the country, to learn more from the candidates about their efforts to fight this devastating disease," said Sen. Grassley. "Most of us have a personal story about the impact cancer has had in our lives, whether through our loved ones' struggles or our own. We have the opportunity to bring this disease to the forefront of the policy debate."
"Iowa is proud of its history as a bellwether in each presidential election season -- and we are equally proud to be hosting this discussion," said Gov. Culver. "We've all seen the yellow wristbands and witnessed Lance's tireless advocacy on this critical issue. Now, with the help of his leadership, the LAF is hosting the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum as a vehicle for us to see just where the presidential contenders stand on cancer issues ranging from funding for research, to survivorship services as well the hope to one day find a cure."
The LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum stems from a commitment by Armstrong and the foundation that bears his name to build and mobilize a LIVESTRONG Army that unites citizens, government officials and cancer organizations across the country to make cancer a national priority.
"The dream is that we get rid of this disease forever," Armstrong said. "The '08 elections and the LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum give all Americans an opportunity to ask the candidates 'What's your plan? And where does cancer fit into your policies?'"

Details for the event are as follows:

LIVESTRONG Presidential Cancer Forum:

Hosted by the Lance Armstrong Foundation

Democratic Candidate Forum, Monday August 27, 2007

Republican Candidate Forum, Tuesday August 28, 2007

U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

~SCHOOL STARTS THIS WEEK~

SCHOOL IS STARTING THIS WEEK....YIPPY SKIPPY!!!!

SCHOOL STARTS THIS WEEK and for the first time in my life, I AM EXCITED!!! I used to cry when the kids had to go back to school because I loved the summer with no schedules, no practices, no games and no homework. BUT.....this will be the first time in 6 and a half years that I will have all the kids in school. I AM BESIDE MYSELF to think I will have full days to myself to get stuff done that I have always wanted to get done. Just to be able to run to the store without someone tagging along will be soooo much fun!!! Please don't think I am a bad mom for feeling this way, I just never had my kids in daycare, pre-school, or to a babysitters since they were born and this is a new freedom I am looking forward to!!!!

I am still fighting my mouth sores, nothing is working and it's getting hard to swallow. I go to the doctors tomorrow to get more blood work done and get my red blood cell shot (that one is only $5000.00....LOL a mere $1000.00 less than the white blood/bone marrow shot that I have the day after chemo). And if this shot doesn't work, then I will have to have a blood transfusion. PLEASE PRAY they don't blow out any veins (it finally happened at my last chemo treatment and IT HURT. And pray this shot WORKS....I am scared to death to have a blood transfusion)

I finally felt good enough yesterday to go get Maddi's school clothes, yet it wore me out. So, I am taking this week off from the blog. The big girls start school tomorrow, Maddi has her dry-run on the bus tomorrow, then a half-day on Tuesday and then full days start on Wednesday. And Nick and Alex start school on Wednesday. Needless to say, I will be busy with all of them and need to take the break. Here to a FABULOUS NEW WEEK to all of you.

ALL MY LOVE, Amy

~FEELING BETTER***YEAH~

YIPPY SKIPPY!!!!
I AM FEELING BETTER

I have been drinking enough water to start my own lake, taking anti-biotics along with all my other medication and I got 8 and a 1/2 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. YEAH!!! My fever has broke and even though I still have my mouth sores (those usually go away 5 days before I go back for my next chemo treatment) I am HAPPY!!!

I am off to the sofa to drift off to sleep while watching a movie and continue to get better.

HAPPY HAPPY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!!
THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your emails and posts!

~Amy~

~Emergency Visit to the Doc this Afternoon~

~READ AT YOUR OWN RISK......I AM VENTING!!!!~

~Yes, as Louie sings, "It's A Wonderful World.....I still think so, deep in my heart...but NOT RIGHT NOW~

It started early last night....I am Sick to my stomach, low grade temperature, my bones feel like I am getting the flu, nauseated, cold sweats, shakes, mouth sores going down my throat, diarrhea and now constipation. Not to mention my sternum is about to explode and I have a migraine the size of Texas!!!! NEED I SAY MORE????

Just got back from an Emergency visit from my Oncologist, my white blood cell count is taking another dive....down to 3.0 already, I am dehydrated and need anti-biotics. They wanted to keep me there but I said, NO, we have kids that need to be places and stuff that needs to be done. (it sucks that Mom is gone to Minnesota, my other help is out of town and right now all we have to run the kids is Bob, big kids are at work and ex's won't help either<---Don't even go there with me on this one!!!)

....YES I AM VENTING as I don't feel good and I am tired of all this crap....You know, when you don't feel good, things just seem to be magnified and worst than they really are...I just wish for one day, someone could trade places with me and see how many times I have SMACKED A FRICKIN' SMILEY FACE on myself and said, "I'm okay, let's keep going". I am so sick and tired of feeling like crap more days than not and trying to push how MAD AS HELL I REALLY AM about this whole cancer thing back into some deep dark buried box I think is buried in the backyard, that I WANT TO SPIT, SCREAM or PUNCH SOMEONE!!!

THERE, I said it, No Grace here.....just right out said it.....I think it sucks too that IN LESS THAN A YEAR, I have had to deal with cancer, with both My Dad and now ME.....IT'S A BUNCH OF CRAP and I am P.O'ed!!!

SOOOOO.....they agreed to let me come home, DRINK TONS OF WATER, take the anti-biotics here at home and go to bed. I have the next 12 hours to get myself better or I am going to end up in the hospital.

And, well, I am JUST MAD AS HELL RIGHT NOW!!!
Hotter than a Hornet~Amy

~CHEMO REALLY SUCKS~

~THIS ROUND OF CHEMO SUCKS BIG TIME!!! My front tooth has a big chip in it, happened Wednesday evening...my teeth are just crumbling in front of me!!! I am tired as all get out, my mouth sores started Thursday afternoon already, Hot Flashes and Night Sweats are out of control and for the first time I feel nauseated and my sternum is killing me (where the bone marrow suppression is happening. I am NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!!!~

~Bitchy Amy~

~NICE MATTERS AWARD!

Because NICE MATTERS....and that's YOU!!!! I have been nominated by several "AWESOME Gals" for the Nice Matters Award!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
Now it is my turn to award the NICE MATTERS AWARD to some of my favorite gals....well, my NICE MATTERS AWARD goes to YOU!!!
YES, YOU!!!
You all know who you are.....Every single one of YOU that have written the most uplifting, inspirational emails and blog notes to me. To Every single one of YOU who have sent me cards, gifts, hats, chocolates, flowers, tea, jewelry, purses, cookies, meals, soaps, handmade pretties and just stopped by to give me a hug, and have stopped what they were doing to pray with me and for me and my family.....To my Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Emery and his sweet nurse, Bethany, you rock my friend. To Dr. Ghosh, my Oncologist and my own personal oncology nurse, Lanette, who is on call for me 24/7 and has a heart of gold, not to mention all those gals in the chemo room that always have a smile on their face and are full of laughter, to my surgeon, my pathologist, the girls from my radiologist (who first found my cancer) and the nurses on 5th floor at St. Luke's, to the girls at the St. Luke's Women's Health, you know who you are, Holly and Kimberly!!! oh, the list goes on and on....I am working on my thank you notes, so please bear with me. I am hand writing to each and every one of you so thanks for waiting on me!!!!

THIS AWARD IS FOR YOU!!!!

BECAUSE YOU MATTER TO ME!!!
I love all of you and yes, it's 5am in the morning Iowa time and I have not slept for 24 hours.....I go to chemotherapy at 11:30 am.....I'm just scared and I don't want to go....I would rather be reading YOUR BLOGS or just eating popcorn (with real butter of course) and watching a good movie!!!
All my Love, Amy

~More Hats for Amy~ 2nd Post Today

GORGEOUS HAND PAINTED PINK ROSE HAT from RHEA ROSES

SO NEAT and SO FUN!!! I am wearing this one to my doctors appointment today....The earrings are from my Dear Sweet Friend Anna from California....PINK FRESH WATER PEARLS!!!! OH SO PRETTY!!!!

I am wearing white capris with a pink undershirt and bluejean sleeveless shirt over it....and of course, the hat, earrings and pink rhinestone sandels.

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU KID!!!

THANKS SO MUCH RHEA!!! WHAT TALENT YOU HAVE and I can't wait to bid on some of your PRETTY ROSES!!!! Hugs to you and THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
~Amy~

(PS.....I had a CHEMOBRAIN accident when I originally posted this on my blog!!! Rhea, I am so sorry I confused you with another Rhea on e-bay and I had the wrong link. I have it figured out now and please forgive me for the mess up....Amy)

~8 WEEKS POST OP~NEW PHOTOS~DR. Appt. TODAY~

~HAPPY MONDAY~

I just love this picture of Bob, Alex and Me taken before my hair fell out!!!

Can you believe it..... IT'S ONLY BEEN 8 WEEKS POST OP!!!! WOW WEE!!! I'm doing great!!! My sores in my mouth are GONE and I have my appointment today with my plastic surgeon for a check up and possibly another fill in my expander's. They are already at 420cc each and I'm LOVING IT!!! I am not sure if I will go any bigger and I am anxious to talk it over with my plastic surgeon today. I am impressed how much the scars heal so quickly and are so thin. I have about 600 stitches on the inside that are now starting to dissolve. Sometimes they will poke out of my skin and I have to pull them out because they are annoying. LOL....Here's to another GREAT appointment today!!!!

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS and if you get a chance, take a look at the new photos of how wonderful I am healing. Click here and please be advised that these are ACTUAL PHOTOS and they are to be viewed at your own discretion.

~Hats for Amy mystery hat solved~

~MYSTERY HAT SOLVED~I love RHINESTONES, especially Vintage Ones....How was she to know???? And Yo-Yo's are another BIG Collection of mine!!!! TOO DARN CUTE!!!

This Darling Hat was from Ele at A BIT OF PINK HEAVEN.....WOW IS THAT WOMAN TALENTED!!!! You have to see her blog and see the GORGEOUS Altered Art Paper Dolls and other treasures she makes. THANK YOU SO MUCH ELE!!! You are now one of my FAVORITE BLOGS to read!!!! Hugs, ~Amy~

~LOVE THOSE FIREFIGHTERS & Hats for Amy~

EARLY THIS MORNING BOB WAS INVOLVED WITH PUTTING OUT SEVERAL "SUSPICIOUS" HOUSE FIRES.....HE HELPED 2 PEOPLE OUT OF A SECOND STORY HOUSE ESCAPE....I AM SO PROUD OF HIM AND THE OTHER GUYS THAT SO SELFISHLY RISK THEIR LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS. Below are just a few photos of past fires that Bob has helped put out. Our OLD CAPITAL in Iowa City was ablaze from some construction workers and Bob was even on CNN for climbing to the top and cutting a hole in the dome to let some fire escape. THESE GUYS AMAZE ME!!!! I LOVE THOSE FIREFIGHTERS!!!!

THAT'S MY FIREFIGHTER LIEUTENANT.....BOB!!!! LOVE YOU HONEY!!!! ~Amy~

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THIS MORNINGS FIRE......http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070804/NEWS/70804014/1002/NEWS

AND HERE IS HAT SCARF from BECCA of BlueBird and Roses...MADE from some of her FAVORITE FABRIC. She made me two and I have worn the heck out of them. By the way, I change my hats several times a day depending on how hot or cold I am, one minute I might be in a scarf, the next minute in a ball cap, then the next minute in a stocking cap. I AM LOVING THIS!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH GIRLS!!! I will try to get at least one picture a day of all these AWESOME HATS for AMY!!!! LOVE ALL OF EM and there is no way I can ever repay all of you!!! LOVE YOU BUNCHES, Amy

~Bald~Blue~Chemobrain~and Hats For Amy~

"> ~HERE I AM BALD and BLUE....this picture was taken today, August 2nd 2007.

~HATS FOR AMY....I LOOK FABULOUS IN HATS..BALD IS NOT ME!!!~

GO TEXAS A&M...THANK YOU MARY from Crash n Smash...She also sent some YUMMY TEA and my most FAVORITE candy I love to eat during chemo...HOW DID YOU KNOW???? and they are all gone....YUMMY!!! They are called Bob's Striped Mints!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU MARY!!!

GO TEXAS LONGHORNS....THANK YOU FROM MARY at CRASH n SMASH well, Bob has nabbed this hat from me. He LOVES it and he was feeling a bit left out so I guess I could share...LOL.....Thanks again Mary so much....WE LOVE THE HATS and all the goodies!!!!

THIS ONE IS TOTALLY CUTE....I've already worn it a few times and I will get a close up of it soon. THIS IS WHERE MY CHEMO BRAIN COMES IN......The girls have helped me open all of these "Hats for Amy" boxes and well, this one was put into a box with someone elses and I cannot for the life of me remember who sent it so, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME HERE.....It has 3 adorable yo-yos with a sweet vintage rhinestone pin on it....I JUST LOVE IT!!! Any help would be appreciated!!!! Thank you in advance!!!

~CHEMOBRAIN~

Yes, that is what they call this short term memory loss. I am so glad there is a real name for it!!! I found that out on the cancer website. So here is what is happening, I am mixing up numbers, I forgot Nick's name the other day, I sleep 20 minutes to 5 hours at a time....ANY TIME OF DAY!!!! I am starting to get my days and nights mixed up and I can't remember who I have e-mailed and what I e-mailed to them. OH, and I picked up 8 different glasses and coffee cups this morning as I set my water down and forget where I put it. THAT IS NOT LIKE ME!!!! And last but not least....I am going thru menopause....induced by the chemotherapy....YIPPY SKIPPY!!! That to me is a BONUS!!!! So there you have it.....lots to write about today and now I need a nap. I think I am emotionally and physically wiped out!!!
Hugs to all of you and I love ya bunches....~Amy~