What are platelets doing?

Hi. It's me and my sweet angel, Holley. I feel her presence and know I am covered with HIS love and grace. 

Today, I went to see my oncologist this morning to check my platelet levels to see if they've gone up. I prayed almost every day to give me strength and know that HIS will is my path. 

My husband was with me to receive the news at the same time as me and listen attentively to the doctor. She told me that my platelet levels went down to 70,000. There are several steps to find out what is going on with my platelets. This is NUTS! Then, there is no explanation why I'm still having a lot of bone/joint pain. Now I get to take steroids, after making sure my glucose level is under control and get another specialist added to #TeamNikki 

Item #4950 - Just when you think you are near the finish line, you have a longer way to run. Keep a steady pace. Smile. Just keep going. When things seem tough and hard, they probably are, so you need to push through. Be a winner. Give of yourself - smile, laugh or open a door for someone. Hugs are good too.

I love your guts!

Here we go again...

Three weeks ago, I went to my six month check up with my oncologist. Yes, Jeff was there by my side, because where else would he be on this day? A lot had happened in our lives since November 2015. Loss. Heartache. Tragedy. Illness. 

I will pick up on the last one. I got sick with an upper respiratory infection in the middle of January. I went to my doctor (general practitioner) to diagnose and treat me. This illness was tough and I had to get a few different medicines to get me through this to be well. It took weeks for me to feel better but I still had a hacking cough. Everyone said it would go away in weeks and not to worry. Fast forward to March 4. I still had the cough and share my news with my oncologist. She was NOT happy and said I should have called her. OOPS. I didn't think much of it because I was going to see her "soon". I know better. During my appointment I also told her about the pain in my hip that "comes and goes" since December. Again, she furrowed her brow at me and wasn't sure what I've been thinking. I told her that I just don't want to deal with this and thought things would be fine. Ha! I was wrong. She ordered a CT for my respiratory issue and a MRI for my hip. Then said, come back and see me in three weeks for results. 

Now that I had these tests completed, waiting is all I have to do until Thursday. I keep shouting out, "I AM WELL! GO TO HELL (cancer)!". I repeat to myself that my cancer is still asleep and I am well. These tests will reveal NOTHING. Shout with me that I am well and cancer is still asleep. 

I had a nice chat with my friend M, that is a breast cancer fighter, this morning. She encouraged me to see if I can get the appointment sooner than Thursday. She said out loud what I was thinking. I have a call in to the appointment department to see if I can get a time with my doctor on Wednesday.

Item #4311: Embrace today. Laugh. Giggle. Hug. Cry. Do it all and remember that you are blessed.

I love your guts!

Latest update

Many things have happened since November. I was busy at work in November which made the month go by fast. We decorated our lawn with inflatables from SpongeBob to a penguin. The kids had a lot of fun looking at the lights every night. 

Christmas break was nice, until my dear friend went to the hospital with a respiratory infection, just before the New Year. Then we got news about a tragic loss in my husband's family. My friend, HK, was a Stage IV breast cancer thriver. She was there for a week trying to get better so she could start the New Year off right. Just when she thought the doctor was going to let her go home, she was told that there were no more treatment options for her disease and that it was spreading. Oh how my heart broke into pieces. And into many more pieces when she drifted off to be with Jesus less than a week later. 

My sweet friend, M, surprised me a couple of weeks ago with a sign that is so fitting. She's a rock star and love her heaps. This sign has a place in my heart and my home.

 

Come on 2016 - be good to me. We need some good news. And.....nope, it hasn't gotten better. Another family has been impacted with a breast cancer diagnosis. I know God has this sweet lady and her family in His hands. We pray for strength, focus and fire to fight a good fight.

Item #766: Remember to say nice things to everyone you encounter, even those that you do not like. Smile. It's free. Get out there and make the world a better place. Please and thank you.

I love your guts!

 

Pinktober

This post is short and sweet.

I had a few people ask me about October. I want to share this note with you and ask you to pass this on to your friends.

As a breast cancer survivor, this is my opinion of Pinktober.

1. Health: If you are unsure about anything regarding your breasts or your health, please see a doctor. I don't want to lose you! I am here to be a resource for you if you have questions, are scared or just need reassurance. I am here for you, like you were/are here for me.

2. Pink purchases: Items/companies that state a portion of the sale goes to research, check out how much (%/$). If it is an item that you normally buy, need more of and it is wrapped in pink this month, buy it anyway. I want you to be an informed consumer.

3. Pink clothing: If pink is your color, wear it. In fact, wear it all year long. It's not my favorite color, but I sprinkled it in my wardrobe before I was diagnosed.

4. Volunteer/donate: If you want to do more, donate your time to a patient or local resource organization like the The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas_BCRC. There are many ways to volunteer. One small gesture makes a HUGE difference. There are many fighters that have no family or friends that are close to help and support them.

5. Metastatic breast cancer (Stage IV): This stage of cancer affects too many women and does not have a cure. These women need your support all year round. Follow and share stories about women taking this on every day. Holley Kitchen: And the Cancer Lifers is a great place to start. #lifer #researchnotribbons

As a survivor, we put up a strong front. Many days we just want to be alone, silent and undisturbed, but we push on for our families, friends and mostly for ourselves. We are unique and fantastic.

Now you have a little more information than you did a few minutes ago about breast cancer. Being educated and pushing for research is what this month should be about.

I love your guts!