2007, 2008, 2009

In February 2007, I had to have surgery on my right ankle. I had sprained it numerous times over the past 8-9 years and it had became very weak and did not have any support from my tendons, cartlidges, and ligaments. So, I have all of that reattached. In June 2007, I had a gall bladder attack and had to have it removed.
In 2008, I did not have any surgeries (Thank goodness)! I was working at Advance Auto Parts and Clemson First Baptist Child Enrichment Center. I left both places and moved to Greer (Feb 2008) for a live-in nanny job. Unfortunately, that did not work out just for 2 months then I moved back to Norris and went back to work at the daycare. In May, I had a bad wreck. I only got bruises, thankfully.
In January 2009,  I started back to school attending Greenville Tech majoring in Surgerical Technology. In July, I once again left the daycare and took a live-out Nanny job in Westminster for a family with 3 kids. I had to quit school because of my work schedule working late. I really love this job! In January 09, I had to have a minor surgery, had my tonsils and adenoids removed due to having a recurrence of tonsilitus every 4-6 weeks between August 2008-January 2009. In April, I was able to attend a Minnie Pearl Retreat in Nashville, Tennesee for Young Adult Cancer Survivors. It was a great experience and a nice get-a-way trip.
In 2010, June 7, I began school once more this time online through University of Phoenix majoring in Healthcare Administration. In June 4-6, I had my first time experience adventure. I flew to Boston for a Young Adult Cancer Survivors Retreat through LiveSTRONG and Next Step. I had an awesome time, meet new people, an old friend that I met in Nashville the previous year, took my first taxi cab. It was great meeting people that have been down the same road with cancer as I have. I moved to a new state, Georgia, in October. It has been a huge adjustment, but it is slowly growing on me. As of 11/27, I am almost finished with my first year at UOP. I am still working in Westminster, been there little over a year. Right now, I have 5 kids. 3 of them are bro/sis, one is a cousin and one is a foster child; all are boys except for 1 girl. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving 2010 has already came and gone and Christmas is fast approaching. It is hard to believe that I have been cancer free going on 5 years! I continue to thank God for allowing me the opportunity to win a battle that so many have lost. Well, I best close for now. It's getting late in the evening and I had some school work to work on and then a rivalry game between Clemson/Carolina to watch at 7pm. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more is sure to come....

2006 Diagnosis

I have finally decided to start a blog and I am going to go back a few years to begin. Back in the last months of 2005, I was having tingling and burning on my right foot. I went to my family doctor,  she nor did a fellow physician know what was causing this so she had a appointment made for a nerve test to be done to pin point what was going on. So, on Dec. 1, I was scheduled to have a Nerve Research Test after the test the Phys. Therapist said from what he could tell that this was coming from my lower back due to a bulging disc. Dec. 9, I somehow hurt my right ankle. I dealt with the pain long enough and on the morning of Dec. 10, my Dad took me to the E.R.  to have an x-ray that showed an old fracture and the tendon had pulled some bone off. Three days later I followed up with my Family Dr about my ankle; she ordered me some physical therapy. During this visit, she proved me the results from the Nerve test and again I was informed that the tingling and burning was coming from my lower back due to a bulging disc. She suggested that I have an MRI done. On Dec. 19, I went to Palmetto Medical Center (Easley Baptist) to have the MRI. Later that evening, I received a phone call from my doctor stating the Radiologist saw a growth or mass on one of my ovaries. She again schedules me another test, this time a CT Scan on my abdominal area (similar to CAT Scan). I go back to the hospital on Dec. 21 for the CT Scan; the following day I was notified by my doctor's office that it was not a growth or mass but instead multiple cyst. My doctor referred me to see an OB-GYN Dr; I went to see him on January 3, 2006. He tells me the cysts are very large and filled with fluid. He said he could do the surgery but would prefer an Oncologist too in case something more needed to be done. On Tuesday, January 11, 2006, I go to the Gyn-oncologist. He informs me of the size the cyst are, soccer ball (unbelievable) and I had 2, one on each ovary. He proceeds telling me that he is gonna be the bare minimum procedure which is preserve as much of the ovaries as possible; however, he could have to remove all of my female tools or do a colonoscopy. I had not been having any abdominal pain. Therefore, we scheduled surgery for the following Monday, which was January 16, 2006 @ 10:30 am. I had to drink a gallon of liquid the night before, which was the nastiest stuff ever. I arrived at the hospital on Monday, January 16 @ 8 am. I had a few visitors come in before I had surgery. The Dr was running behind schedule and I was beginning to get restless just laying there waiting, finally at 11:35 am a surg. tech comes and wheels me off for surgery. Upon entering the O.R., it was very cold. Therefore, I are transferred onto the operating table, receive an IV and oxygen, and most importantly warm blankets! Like always, I am talking to all the technicians as they prepare me, then I finally go to sleep and my family is informed at 12:10 pm, I am in surgery and all is going well. The procedure is about 2-2.5 hours. During surgery, my parents are given my room number and the nurses kept them updated frequently that it was going good. At 2:30, I am stapled up and shipped off to recovery. I was there until 4:40pm when I was put in my room. I have to move onto the bed in the room, which was painful having approximately 30 staples in your stomach. OUCH!!! Morphine becomes my best friend in the world that night. Numerous folks visited and called throughout the evening. I did not sleep much that night but I did rest well. The next day, Jan. 17, I became awakened before the chickens at the awful hour of 5:35 am to have blood drawn. Around 6am, one of the accompanying surgeons, Dr. Reed came by checked out the incision and put me on a clear liquid diet for the day. 8:15am Dr. Puls (oncologist), Dr. Reed, and Dr. Dixon drops in says all looks well and he wants me to sit in a chair at least 3 times that day. Visitors and callers throughout the day. Early in the afternoon, I start to run a low-grade fever of 100.9. I did not eat much had few bites of Jell-O and apple juice for breakfast, later had a popsicle and more Jell-O that evening. I sat in the chair couple of times during the day; it was very challenging getting up and down. I rested much better than the previous night. On Wed., 1/18, Dr. Puls came by says he wants me in the chair again and walking down the hall. I was able to eat normal people food. I finally was able to take a shower and afterwards I walked down the hall, sat in my chair for a while, and talked visitors. My best friend and her Mom came a brought me a milkshake! Later that night, I felt nauseated. Early Thursday morning, Dr. Dixon came by and told me that I might get to go home today. Later that morning, I took a long walk down the hall with my Mom. I had the IV and drain tube removed (thank god!). Another day of visitors and callers checking in to see how I was improving. I decided to say until Friday. Around 9am, Dr. Dixon dropped by and said I could go home. I was discharged around 12p and got home about 12:30pm. Once I was settled in, folks called and some came over to visit, and bring food. Saturday, 1/21 was not a good day. I could not sleep well and I started vomiting around 8am-had to get nausea meds changed. Later that evening, I started again. On Sunday morning, it happened again at 10:45am and went to the ER at 11:25am. Thankfully Dr. Reed was there doing surgery, he came done afterwards. It was the medicine; I was taking for nausea that was making me sick. I got home around 6:35pm. While at the ER, one of my Dad's sisters stayed at our house in case visitors came by and people called. Monday, 1/23 was a much better day! Tues, 1/24, my back was bothering me so I lay on a back massager. I went to the Dr at 3pm to get staples taken out. I had a very restless night due to my back hurting extremely bad. Wednesday was some better, my back still bothered me some. Many people visited and called throughout the day. Thursday was a good day! I had some visitors from Georgia come and brought some cookies, canned jelly, peaches, salsa, and maters. A friend of my Mom called about a recliner they did not want. Friday, 1/27, I went to town with Mom from 12:30-3:05pm. I went shopping at Cato and Wal-Mart (used a wheelchair). I was exhausted when I got home. I was visited by S. McClain and received a check from the Pickens County Fire Chief Association. I bought me a new mattress set and slept on it that night. Sat., 1/28, my Dad and one of his friends went to Commerce, Georgia to get the recliner. I was able to get a shower without any help! (YAY!!) Another good restful night in my new bed. Sunday, 1/29 I did not feel like going to church. I had some visitors and few callers. Monday, 1/30, My mom went back to work and my Dad's sister, Linda stayed with me all week while Mom worked. Some people brought supper a few nights. On Wednesday and Friday, a friend stayed with me. Friday, 2/3, a neighbor brought me some homemade peanut butter fudge (yummy, it was soooo good!) Saturday, 2/4, some family from Honea Path came to visit and we grilled steaks and hamburgers. Tuesday, 2/7, I got to the Dr at 3:30pm to get results from the pathologist. It was back malignant. I had to have all tools but my uterus removed including my appendix. It was in the early stages so I did not have to have much treatment. I had 1 treatment a month for 4 months. While there, I checked out the treatment room and talk with a nurse to get information about how treatments were. I was to start my treatments on 2/16 from 8:30am-2:30pm. Wednesday, 2/8, I stayed home alone except for my Dad sleeping due to him working 3rd shift. I went to church with Mom. Friday, 2/10, I went to Georgia with my dad. My best friend came over, brought pizza, and watched a movie. Monday, 2/13, I was taken out to eat at Ryan's by 2 women that worked with my Dad. Tuesday, 2/14, Mom took me to the daycare to see everyone. Then we went to Anderson to look at wigs. I went out with some friends for Valentine's Day, we went to Copper River. Thursday, 2/16, I had my first chemo treatment. I had a little reaction to Benadryl (gave me little too much, so lowered my dosage), I did great with my treatment. After treatment, went to Parisienne in Greenville to try on wigs. Later that evening, my neighbor called and said she had made me more PB fudge (she was a gift from God!) Friday, 2/17, I had to get a Neulasta shot to help boost my white blood cells. I felt so bad on Saturday and Sunday so I stayed home and lay around. Tuesday, 2/21, I drove to Liberty for the first time since my surgery. Saturday, 3/4, When I washed my hair, it was starting to come out since I had my first treatment. My parents took me out to eat for my 21st birthday went to Cracker Barrel. Tuesday, 3/7, I went and got my haircut. 3:15pm Dr appt with Dr. Puls since my fist treatment and my CA-125 was back to normal. Mom and I went to Parisenne to order me a wig. Wednesday, 3/8, I went back to work at Advance Auto worked from 8am-1pm, had a good day. Thursday, 3/9 I work 8-12 and had another good day. Saturday, 3/11, Mom and I went to Greenville to pick-up my wig and stopped at Krispy Kreme for doughnuts. Monday, 3/13, MY 21st BIRTHDAY!!! lots of callers wishing me a Happy Birthday! I worked another half day till 12pm. Mom called me while at work and told me to come eat at the daycare when I got off, little did I know they were having a surprise party for me. Many of the parents went in together and got me an iPod nano to listen to while taking my treatments. Thursday, 3/16, no work my 2nd treatment, it went well and no reactions. My hemoglobin was low so I was given a shot, Aranesp to help boost it up. the next day, Friday 3/17, I go back to Greenville to get the Neulasta shot to help boost white blood cells. Yet, another achy weekend after the shot. Therefore, I stayed home and relaxed. Monday, 3/20, I was scheduled to work all day 8:30-5:30, but called in sick. Tuesday, 3/21, I worked 8-5 no problem and started taking a head cold. Saturday, 3/25, some wonderful friends held a benefit for me in Central. They had a yard sale, sold BBQ and chicken plates, singing and a cake auction. (I could not thank them enough for what they did to help me out in my time of sickness). They raised around $7,000 that day and additional $3,000 in monetary donations received before and after the benefit. On June 7, 2006, I went to the Dr for a visit since my last treatment and was told that everything was gone and I was CANCER FREE and in remission. As of today, Saturday, November 27, 2010, I am still a survivor of almost 5 years!