Run for Your Hills

Here is a picture of my artful bra.  I need to get some better ones but this will give you the idea.  It is currently up in the window of See Jane Run in downtown Boise.  The "clouds" say Hope and Dream.  I couldn't have done it without the help of my dear friend Felice!  Which is appropriate since she has been by my side through the tests, surgeries, chemo etc.

Update on tests

Last Friday I had my follow-up ultrasound. One of the cysts is continuing to grow so I have to have them drain and test the fluid to make sure it is benign. Sigh... It is next to my implant so going in with a needle is going to be a slow and tricky process.

Today I had my other biopsy to make sure I am not developing other "girl" problems or uterine cancer related to taking Tamoxifen. Sigh... It will be a week before I get those results.

All this along with my "artful bra project", LiveSTRONG, soccer etc has me feeling pretty run down. And I am going to be traveling a lot for work over the next few weeks. The bra is done now and I will post pictures soon. Right now I need to try to get some rest and recharge. I need energy, a really good workout or two and, of course, I need to get through these tests and know that everything is okay.

Test results and everything else

Boy the back to school and soccer rush has me going a million different directions!

My birthday was a week ago and even though it was mellow I welcomed the fact that I am 38. Forty is just around the corner and I am really okay with that. Of course I might make that my 39 birthday for the second time like my 99 year old grandma has done for 60 years!!! It is only a number and it will not determine how I feel.

I also had my lab tests this week and a meeting with my oncologist. Everything looks great but I still have to have a follow-up ultrasound on those little cysts next week. And now I have to have a biopsy at the gyno to make sure the Tamoxifen isn't causing any cancer cells in my uterus etc. Don't you just love being a girl!?! Better to be proactive though and make sure nothing abnormal is brewing anywhere.

So much more to post about but it will have to wait. I hope people are still reading as I haven't had many comments but I think you are still out there!!!

Back to school

The kids are in bed trying to fall asleep for the first day of school tomorrow. It will be a bittersweet day for me. My son has moved to Salt Lake to be with his dad through high school. I have never missed his first day of school until now. But I have to reflect on the fact that I am still here to talk to him at the end of the day.

Dakota will be starting high school and driver's education (watch out!). I have been part of his life since he was 18 months old and now he can start driving, working toward graduating, working and even dating! It has gone by so fast but I am so thankful to be part of it.

Lastly but most certainly not least is our "baby girl". She will be starting in the gifted and talent second grade. We are so proud of our smart cookie - actually all of the kids are very smart. I think of how there was a time almost three years ago that I didn't know if I would here to send her off to kindergarten. I have been blessed to be able to take her to her classroom on the first day of school. It is always difficult to send them off but I will do whatever it takes to make sure I am there every first day of school and on graduation day. Cancer will not take that from me!!!

Artful bra project

Boise is holding its first Artful Bra Project to raise money for Komen of Boise. I have volunteered to be one of the artists and I think I have some exciting ideas. My creation will be hanging in the window of See Jane Run starting on First Thursday, October 1st. They will later auction all the bras off to raise money. These aren't ones you can wear but they are fun for sure!

Some people can't seem to handle it.

With the invention of Facebook etc I have managed to find many old friends. I always start out the chat with things about marriage, kids, work etc. Eventually I will tell them about my cancer. It isn't something I think I should keep under wraps - it is a big part of who I am now. Lately there have been at least two old friends that haven't responded back after I told them I had been sick. I don't know if it freaks them out or if they just don't know how to respond or what. It isn't like I am looking for sympathy but I tell them about it as part of my work at the YMCA and things like that. Then suddenly the emails stop. It is frustrating. Maybe they aren't the friends they used to be or maybe it is a harsh reality for them that they don't want to face. Either way it isn't fair to me!

Rained out

Well my first boot camp got rained out. What a bummer. At least it gives me another week to get more ladies there. Several people were out of town today so hopefully they will come next weekend. I am excited about this new adventure. I have come up with a business name and have to get it registered this next week and start setting up all the official business stuff.

I am also finally to a point where I should have time to work on more t-shirts. I have several new ideas in the works but haven't had the time to develop them yet. I have been working sub shifts at the YMCA and just finished up a round of LiveSTRONG. I haven't even had a lot of time to work out myself. That needs to change! Especially since I have been a bottomless pit this week! Luckily my little one is in swim lessons at the Y through next week so I can workout or swim while she is in lessons. That will help.

I am really trying to not take on too much but I am also trying to live everyday to the fullest. That can sometimes be a delicate balance.