Breast Cancer Journey

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THANKSGIVING 2018: THANKFUL yesterday, today and until my last heartbeat...

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Thanksgiving is upon us. 

Amid the trials and challenges I go through in my life, happy or sad moments, I am blessed and eternally thankful for having the full Armor of GOD to battle and win them all still with a smile.  In good times or bad times, I have learned to appreciate the beauty of life itself. 

I am so thankful for each day of my life, waking, breathing and dancing to the sweet melody of my heartbeats. 

Thankful for being a part of the American cancer Society’s Making Strides against breast cancer this year, and being out and about on a Monday night around town courtesy of Comprehensive cancer Centers of Nevada.

Thankful for each and every day I have in my life together with my loved ones.  Thankful for loving deeply and being loved in return!

Thankful for my family, friends, doctors, nurses and kindred spirit beautiful strangers I’ve crossed path with…

As always, I am...

Thankful for the gifts of a passing day, and Hopeful for the blessing of a new dawn.

Most of all, I am so THANKFUL for being blessed with GOD’s Merciful Love yesterday, today and until my last heartbeat…

Thanksgiving Celebration at Hollywood Ranch

…although I am not feeling well Thanksgiving Day, that didn’t stop me from having a wonderful celebration with good company, good food (for them) and most of all lots of wet dog kisses that surely perked me up! 🤗🦃🐶💋

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American cancer Society: MAKING STRIDES against breast cancer 2018, Las Vegas

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Thank you to all the Kindred Spirit folks and Beautiful Strangers at the American cancer Society: MAKING STRIDES against breast cancer Las Vegas event at the Red Rock Hotel, Casino, Resort and Spa - October 28, 2018

GOD willing…see you all again next year and the year after that and the year after, after that and so on…

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PINKing of You: OCTOBER is breast cancer AWARENESS MONTH

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Yearly re-post...

October already in just a few days...

Folks, It is that time of the year again--October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month--one that so closely strike a chord in my heart because just like my mother, by GOD's Grace who is a breast cancer Survivor going for 13 years now, I too, am now on my first year after when my journey begun.

Image credit/source: Maurer Foundation

Image credit/source: Maurer Foundation

Breast cancer is very real and it is important to be aware that it could happen to you, or your loved ones.  Please do not let the ads and campaigns you come across to especially this awareness month, fall into deaf ears--Please participate, support the cause and be informed-- Remember, as with any other health matters, early detection greatly increases the success of your treatment and survival should you be diagnosed with breast cancer. Whoever you are [Men too]...

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FAITHFULLY YOURS: Scarred but THANKFUL!

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This day, last year…

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I always try to live by the saying that “everyday may not be good, but there’s always something to be thankful for...”— this rings so much truer now during my breast cancer journey.

It all started during my routine mammogram.  The tech during that one August morning said she needed to take more pictures.  I already got a bit worried then but just brushed it off.

A few days after, I got a call back to come in for a diagnostic mammogram this time around plus ultrasound.  I was then told by the breast care nurse that 2 abnormalities were found (Bi-RAD 4/suspicious) and that I needed to have a biopsy done the next week.  

I had a core-needle biopsy done and not to scare off those of you who might need to have one, I find this type of biopsy so barbaric!  I was in so much pain!  But then again each one of us have a different threshold to pain...so what may be painful to me might just be a pinch to you. 

BUT...the biopsy pain I endured then was no comparison to the pain I felt in my ear, my entire body, my soul...upon getting the results call that I have breast cancer.

My heart sank...

Though I’ve already faced breast cancer though my mother whom by GOD’s grace is a 12 years survivor now and still going...I’ve always been the caregiver and not the one who will need caring for...

My first ever surgery was then scheduled 2 weeks after. I was so scared, my faith falters...

Dear GOD, equip me with your strength as I face my biggest challenges.

 Surgery day came...all I can do is offer my life to GOD...

 ...and as if in a blink of an eye it was all over!  

Feeling woozy from the general anesthesia didn’t hinder the clarity of seeing the relieved faces of my loved ones. I felt calmness...

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. ~ Psalm 94:18:19

My post-op recovery is going amazingly well! I’m already up and about early on and especially after the drainage bulbs were removed.  My family and I just came back from a thanksgiving trip to San Juan Capistrano Mission, California where the Shine of St. Peregrine (Patron Saint of cancer patients and survivors) is located inside the Serra Chapel.

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. ~ Matthew 9:22

Thanksgiving is upon us and I thank GOD for my healing!  It took GOD, St. Peregrine, faith, family and friends to see me through.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Love and light to all!

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I attended mass today scarred but thankful for HIM holding my hands then, now and through my life’s journey ‘til I am finally home with HIM…

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by GOD’s GRACE one day at a time...

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This time last year, I was scheduled for my breast cancer surgery and the uncertainties of what to come shook me to my heart’s core…I must admit, my faith faltered then…

Though a year have past when my cancer journey begun, these past few months come with new challenges: I had 5 eye surgeries and on one fateful July day — I had an oral surgery causing me to have dental parethesia, a nerve injury. My severely bruised left jaw made my face so swollen, numb, toothless and having difficulty swallowing, A-fib and shortness of breath, I ended up 3 times at the hospital. I am still unable to eat properly; I’ve lost 11 precious pounds; more than what I’ve lost after my mastectomy. I am so skinny, my skinny jeans looks baggy on me.

But just like during every storm in my life, with even just a flicker of hope, courage and a trembling heart, I am still here by GOD’S GRACE one day at a time.

…though every day of my life seems like a battle, but as I put on the full armor of GOD, I hope and pray to find work again and move to another place…

Do not be ashamed of what your survival looks like. Do what you have to do. You are clawing yourself out of the ache, cutting the pain from the bone. It is never going to be pretty, but I promise — it will always be worth it. ~ The Strength in our Scars by Bianca Sparacino

Thank You GOD for allowing me to see another day. I aim not to live for myself but to live for YOU and my loved ones. Please guide me, give me strength and help me to do better than yesterday…

Thank You GOD for allowing me to see another day. I aim not to live for myself but to live for YOU and my loved ones. Please guide me, give me strength and help me to do better than yesterday…