THANKSGIVING & CHRISTMAS

We had a great time for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also celebrated Kirk's 23rd birthday and Brexton's 4th birthday in November. Evan came home from California for Thanksgiving and Jared, Karli and boys came down to our house. I cooked a large thanksgiving meal and it felt good to have the energy to actually do that. Gregg did help alot, which was also nice. My sister, Anna and my nephew, Adam joined the rest of us for dinner. My Dad and Dot joined us for desert (they brought the pies - so yummy!) Later in the afternoon, Gregg, Jared, Evan, Adam and Kirk left to go hunting for a few days. Karli, the boys and I stayed home and enjoyed being together. Garrett and Brexton helped me put my snowman collection and Nativity sets out. It was fun, they were so excited to help me.

Evan came back home for Christmas along with all his belongings as he was moving to Boston. Well all spent Christmas at Jared and Karli's house since Christmas fell on a Sunday and Karli is the choir director in their ward and the choir was singing. They did a great job. While I was off to visit my sister in Texas, Evan and Kirk left for a road trip to Boston. They took five days to travel and spent the night with family and friends along the way. Then Kirk spent two days in Boston and then flew home. It was a very special experience for both of them. So Christmas holiday ended and it was back to school for Evan, Kirk and Me. I am taking Physiology this semester.

TWO VACATION TRIPS

While going through all my treatment, I told myself that once I was done, I would treat myself to a trip to Oklahoma to see my relatives there and to Texas to spend some time with my sister. I took a trip to Oklahoma the end of November. I had a wonderful time with my cousins! Spent a wonderful day with my Aunt Jewel and got to see my Uncle Jay. How I had missed them. I have taken a trip to visit them almost every summer since I was a baby. It had been more than two years since I had seen them last.

Vickie.............................. Nancy ....................................Aunt Jewell................... Uncle Jay

Then in December between Christmas and New Years I was able to go to Texas and spent 4 days with my sister, Mahonna, and her family. I enjoyed my stay there immensely!!

NEW PHOTO and UPDATE

As you can see I changed the photo for my blog. This was taken at Christmas time of all the Tompkinson males in my life. Aren't they the best looking group of males?! I cannot beleive that it has been so long since I last posted. I had my port removed on December 1st! It was done in the doctor's office with a local anesthetic, was a little uncomfortable but not painful. I asked the doctor if he could please make the incision look better than it did before and he said he would try. Not sure, but I think it is a little better. I had my first 3 month check-up on January 31st and all was well. I still have some lasting effects of the chemo - dry & irritated eyes, neuropathy in hands and aches and pains in my upper body - shoulders, arms, back. Evidently there is something called post-chem Rheumatism! Anyway, I started a medication for the neuropathy, Lyrica, and although it does not seem to be helping the neuropathy in my hands, it has really helped the aches and pains in my upper body. I hope all is well with all of you. Much love, Theresa

I HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE TUNNEL AND THERE IS LIGHT!

I have officially completed my "active" treatment for breast cancer. I had my last radiation treatment on October 20th. I had a genetics test to see if I had a mutation on the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene and the results were negative! If it had of been positive, I was going to need a mastectomy and removal of lymph nodes. So happy that it was negative. The reason that was needed was becuase my type of breast cancer was Tripple Negative Breast Cancer. I had an appointment with my onchologist a few days ago and was told that I can now have my port-a-cath removed from my chest!!! I will schedule that in the next few weeks and that will be my last surgery. I will have check-ups with the onchologist every 3 months for two years, then every 6 months for two years and then once a year for a few years more. Looking back it does not seem that this has taken so long to get to this point, but going through it there were times when it seemed that it would never end and times when I felt I could not endure or survive any further treatment. Thank you, thank you, to all of you who have listened to me complain and cry and who have given me much needed hugs and words of encouragment. My family has been amazing. They have endured my grouchiness and sickness, taken over the tasks that I would usually do and given me lots of love and encouragement. I am a lucky woman!

'GAINS OUT WEIGH LOSSES"

SINCE FINDING A LUMP IN MY BREAST ON JANUARY 2, 2011:
I HAVE HAD: 33 radiation treatments
14 chemo treatments (love the nurses at Arizona Onchology)
20 blood draws
26 doctor appts (besides chemo dates)
3 iv’s for nausea
4 injections to enhance white blood cell production
3 surgeries
2 CT scans
1 pet scan
2 MRI’s
1 mamogram
1 ultrasound
1 biopsy
1 EKG
1 echocardiogram
2 injections of radioactive dye
1 genetics test (was negative - yipee!)

I’VE EXPERIENCED: nausea, rash on arms and hands, loss of hair, eyebrows and eyelashes
neuropathy in hands and feet, loss of some fingernails, dry eyes, mouth and nose, sores in mouth and nose, nasty taste in mouth and all food tasted bad, FATIGUE, and achy joints and muscles.

I missed 30 ½ days of work - 18 of those without pay

BUT....... I’ve also received LOTS of love, hugs, kisses and prayers on my behalf; flowers; meals; cards; letters; phone calls; e-mails; pink breast cancer clothing and jewelry; "pink party"; beautiful quilt made for me by friends; foot rubs; cute knited hats to cover my cold, bald head; and words of encouragement.

I’VE GAINED a deeper appreciation for life, love and relationships; new friends; new perspective; more strength and confidence in my ability to deal with tough things; and a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

MY HOW TIME FLIES!!!

I honestly did not think it had been this LONG since I last posted!! I am doing well. I had my 16th of 33 radiation treatments this morning. I have them each morning at 7:10 a.m. and my last one is scheduled for October 20th. That day happens to be my oldest son, Jared's, 33rd birthday! Kind of strange to think back to the day he was born and how our life as a family was just beginning and we never could have imagined the joys and trials that were ahead of us. It's good that life is that way, no sense worrying about the bad things that might be ahead. We just wait until if and when they happen and just deal with them the best we can. Whoa, I did not plan on being so philosophical!! Ha

My eyebrows are back and I LOVE them! My hair has been growing back for about three months, but is still only about an inch long with lots of gray. It's funny becuase people who don't know about the cancer and chemo have told me that they really like my haircut. I just smile and say "thank you".

I finished my algebra class the middle of August and got a "B". I am taking an anatomy class at Pima College west campus on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:40 to 8:20. The class is intense and there is a lot to memorize, but I love it. It is so interesting and the teacher is such a good teacher that I am mesmerized the entire class period. My Radiation Oncologist thinks I am nuts for taking a class on top of working and radiation treatment, but I really function better when I am busy and accomplishing something. Some of you may not know that I am working on the pre-requisites to apply to the nursing program at Pima. I missed one semester and did not want to get any further behind. If I make the grades necessary, I have two more semesters after this one to be able to apply.

My grandsons are as cute as ever. When I am feeling a little down or that I don't want to get exercise or eat right, I remind myself that I want to be healthy and strong because I want to always be an involved grandma who can run and play with those little guys!

I love and appreciate all of you, my friends. Each one of you add something special to my life.

GREAT WEEKEND