Our day starts with McCulla and Macie getting up early, getting ready for school, packing their lunches, making breakfast and they also make my green juice for me since the juicing requires a lot of pushing/prep and doesn't meet my new restrictions. They make a mean green juice cocktail! What a blessing that our friend, Chris Ostrowski, is picking up M & M for school and then I head back to bed after I see them off.
Macie whipping up my green juice!
For the most part, I've only had one night of being very uncomfortable that kept me up all night, otherwise, the pain is manageable and each day I get stronger, more rested, and am continuing to heal. I'm learning to ask for help and I'm so incredibly grateful that I have so much support! So many friends/family are helping with rides after school and after activities - especially this week with Jamie (M & M's father) and Jon being out of town for business. My daughters and Janet have also been a huge help with my showers/washing my hair and helping with my drain tubes. I'm getting totally spoiled by Janet...today a back rub, foot rub and my hair washed!!!! Oh, and some yummy vegetable stock soup! My sister Jody has done my grocery shopping and calls every day to see what I may need. My dad also stops by each day to offer help.
The scheduled dinners have been incredible and a huge blessing. It's wonderful not to have to worry about preparing dinner and they have been so fabulous!!!! We get so excited to see what the next yummy meal will be. Again, so thankful!
The scheduled dinners have been incredible and a huge blessing. It's wonderful not to have to worry about preparing dinner and they have been so fabulous!!!! We get so excited to see what the next yummy meal will be. Again, so thankful!
I've had so many calls and texts about helping out or stopping by to visit. Thank you! As much as I want to see all of you, chat. and give hugs - right now I really need to focus on the next phase of my journey and that is it get well rested and allow my body and immune system to be the best it can be for when chemo treatment begins. I so love and appreciate your notes, cards, encouraging words on Facebook, texts, etc...
I will be heading back to Cleveland Clinic on Thursday with my girlfriend Sandi for three post-op appts. that are on Friday. My first appt. is with My surgeon, Dr. Valente, to be sure my incisions are healing properly. My next appt. is with the reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Yatman, to, hopefully, remove my drain tubes and to have my first expander "saline fill" (sorry, my sweet Jon - no double DD's for me haha). The expanders are temporary until I'm done with all treatments and then I will have an additional surgery to insert the permanent implants down the road. My last appt. will be with the medical oncologist where we will go over the final pathology report and have a game plan on when chemo treatments will begin and for how long. The chemo will be at Lack's Cancer Center in Grand Rapids. I will also find out whether radiation will be needed.
So many answers to prayers - surgery went extremely well, the cancer had not spread, and wasn't in my lymph nodes...thank you God! Praying that radiation will not be needed.
Every year I do a vision board which is basically a collage of images, pictures, affirmations, dreams. I always put it where it's visible and a constant reminder throughout the year. I thought I would share my vision board with you since this year it has a different twist/meaning and many of the images/quotes were taken from pictures, kind words and images that you posted!
My vision board for 2014
In my love of God, I find strength and peace. In the prayers of friends, I find comfort and love!
Love you and God bless,
Jen, McCulla and Macie and my dear Jon and his beautiful kids
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