Slow and Steady Wins the Race!

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while.  It's taking some time through this recovery, but I'm getting through it.  Slow and steady wins the race right?  That's what I keep telling myself.  It's day 16 and I still have 2 drains in.  I saw the surgeon yesterday and hopefully it won't be too long before they are out (maybe another week.) 

I got my pathology results last week from my surgeon.  They removed a 2.7 cm tumor from my left breast.  They also removed 11 nodes which one had a microscopic cancer.  The surgeon is very pleased with the surgery.  My official diagnoises is stage II -invasive ductal carcinoma, HER negative.  After I heal I will visit the oncologist and then on the radiation.

I have to say this past week my spirits did decline a bit, but that probably has to do more with not being able to regulate my pain.  My body has drastically changed in the past months it's hard to mentally catch up with the changes too.   I'm feeling hopeful now and ready to move a head.

Okay Jack is calling me to dinner! I think we are having hamburgers! Yum!  Thanks for the words of encouragement!  Keep them coming! :)

Hugs and Blessings to you ALL!
Jeanne

One Step Forward ...two steps back...

I wish I could report that I'm doing well.  I've been having a reaction to the medicine for the last couple of days and last night it just got worse (nausea and vomiting) yuck!  I called the doctor this morning and he took me off all medication except for tylenol.  Through this whole process I'm finding my body doesn't tolerate to many medicines so it's been difficult. 

I am offering up all this for you my friends and family.  May we all grow closer to Jesus.

Hugs and Blessings!
Jeanne

"It is not by sidestepping or fleeing from suffering that we are healed, but rather by our capacity for accepting it, maturing through it and finding meaning through union with Christ, who suffered with infinite love"  John Paul II, Encyclical Spe salvi

Hi - It's me Jeanne

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to sign-in and say "thank you" for all your prayers, love and encouragement through my surgery and recovery.   Jack has been reading your notes to me.  They mean so much to me, you have no idea.

I'm still a little weak, but I wanted to let you know I appreciate all the emails, facebook notes, cards and phone calls.

Thanks to my sistah Tina for updating my blog while I was out.  I will write more later when I feel a little better. 

Hugs and Blessings to You
Jeanne

Recovery Update :)

Good evening friends. It's me, Tina.  :)  I wasn't going to post, but I have had people ask me how Jeanne is doing.  :) So thought I would give you a quick update. Jeanne is doing quite well. She even said, she wasn't as sore as she thought she was expecting to be. She gets a lil nasuea, but meds are taking care of that quick! Other than that, she is resting and has read her blog, emails, and Facebook posts. She is still not quite up to par, and is tired to respond to each of you. But your warm wishes and love is truely helping her recovery. Jeanne appreciates each of you so very much.

I just wanted to add, since I am caring for my mom full time while Jeanne recovers and I can't spend the time I would like to helping Jeanne out, I too appreciate each of you with your prayers for Jeanne.  :)

May God bless each of you and your families. Psalm 107:1 "Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever."

Peace out.
Tina

Surgery Update

Good evening friends. It's me Tina. I just got an update from Jack and he said that Jeanne sailed through both surgeries fine. She is in recovery at this time, resting and doing well. Thank you so much for your prayers today. I know my sister is in awe by all your love and encouragement during this journey of hers. Isn't this how life should be? Lifting each other up in prayer, in good times and not so good times.  :)

I know at this point in her blogs, Jeanne likes to leave a positive scripture here. Well I just hurried up and settled down in the recliner with my feet up and the lap top to give you an update and the only thing in my reach (without getting up) is what I have been reading. The South Beach Diet.  :)  Fiber: Fiber is the Mainstay of the South Beach Diet. Dietary Fiber is what our grandmothers referred to as "roughage". Most fiber comes from the structual part of plants: The outer skin, stem and leaves.  :D

Ok, I can probably do a lil better than that. ;) May God continue to bless each of you and your families and keep you strong in your faith, so that we may understand the true love of neighbor, which is inseperable from love for God.

Until tomorrow. Peace out.
Tina

Testing...Testing....It's me Tina...not Jeanne :)

Good evening friends. Jeanne has asked me, Tina (her sister) to update her blog during her recovery. That's a big task considering I am not computer savy!  ;) So I thought I would test it out while Jeanne is coherant! Altho, she is busy getting ready for surgery tomorrow, so she may not being paying attention...Oh this can be fun!!   :-D  

Ok...I will be in touch tomorrow. May everyone have a wonderful evening.

I know Jeanne appreciates your prayers, thoughts, wishes and love more than you will ever know. We shall all pray for a peaceful recovery.

Tootles.
Tina

Tomorrow! Tomorrow! (In my Annie voice)

Okay tomorrow is the day of my surgery! I can't believe it's finally here!  Jack will be taking me to the hospital about 8 a.m. my surgery is scheduled at 10:30 a.m.  The surgery will last about 5 1/2 hours and I will stay one night in the hospital.  Tina, my sister, will be updating my blog while I'm out to keep you updated.  Thanks sistah!

How am I'm feeling?  A little bit of everything:  excited, scared, anxious, etc.  What is going to get me through is my constant focus on Jesus, my trust in Him, and your prayers.  So that brings to me to say "thank you" again for all your prayers, love and support.  You are teaching me how to be supportive, loving and most of all a prayer warrior.

Yesterday, I finally got my hair colored.  For the first time in a while I'm starting to feel like a normal person.  Thanks again to my 3 angels who made this possible for me.  (see picture below)

Well that's about it! We are finally on the last leg of this journey and soon I will be starting another.  Jack and I planning to get married in October of this year.  We are confirming the date after my surgery/recovery.  My love for him has grown stronger and I feel so blessed to have him in my life.

So my friends many hugs, blessings and love to all of you!   God is Good...All the Time!
Jeanne

Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things pass away:  God never changes.  Patience obtains all things.  He who has God finds he lacks nothing; God alone suffices.  St. Teresa of Avila

jeannesaintsfan@aol.com

Angels Among Us!

It's Saturday morning and my mom is sleeping soundly on the sofa next to me.  It's giving me time to reflect on how blessed I am.  Wonderful family and friends.

This week was wild with all the appointments for my surgery.  After a trip to Walgreen's I'll be pretty much set for surgery on July 12th.  The reality is setting in, I'm going to be cancer free in one week! (God willing).

I also had a very nice surprise from three women this week, they call themselves the "three amigos"!  I was talking with them about my salt and pepper hair and how a school girl called Jack my "son"!  That was the last straw!  I told the amigos I need to color my hair soon.  One of the amigos said they knew someone specializing coloring women's hair who has gone through Chemo.  She took a picture of my hair and asked this stylist if she can color my hair.  Well one of the 3 amigos had an appointment scheduled for July 10th so she gave up her appointment for me so I can have my hair done before my surgery!  They also purchased gift certificate for me!  I cried when I read the email about this special gift.  So officially I am renaming them "The Three Angels"!  Thank you doesn't seem to be enough for My Three Angels - Rosi, Nancy and Penny. O:-)  O:-)  O:-)

In closing, I want to thank all the people serving in our military (past, present and future), without them freedom would no be possible in America.  God Bless our troops!

Blessings and Hugs to All!
Jeanne