I am so grateful for the strength my family have been given to make it through the last few years. I couldn't have done it without all of you. So, here is the update. I felt great in October. Started working out, felt more rested and I was really looking forward to feeling better. November and December were busy and I was exhausted, sad, tired, anti social, lazy, kept getting migraines, couldn't lift the baby, I had NO strength!! I couldn't lift a pan off the darn stove. My muscles and joints hurt all the time. So strange. I didn't think much of it until I was having major dizziness, confusion on top of all the things mentioned previously. Did I mention I was tired?? So I had scans at end of December and talked with my oncologist about all of my concerns. He thought that it was most likely just my body adjusting after everything. I literally thought I had RA or MS or MONO again or something serious. Blood work came back normal and scans looked great. Glad for that but so confused. I had many conversations with my sister, Mindy who knows I am not a sissy. It hurt to walk and do hair and really anything. I felt like a 100 year old woman. She encouraged me to go and see my family doc to just get a second opinion. I really love my oncologist but I think that he was looking for something more serious and it wasn't there. He suggested meds for depression/anxiety and I certainly didn't think that was the answer. I made an apt and told my family doc everything I was feeling. Was I severely depressed? Did my oncologist miss something? Did I have another disease? I knew something was way off but I feared I looked like a crazy person. He tested everything and listened to me for a half hour and asked me many questions. Two days later he called and told me I was severely deficient in vitamin D!! UGH ok? I asked WEB MD what the symptoms were for this deficiency. Fatigue, depression, headaches, dizziness, confusion, sadness, join and muscle pain. So I got a mega dose of vitamin D and I take that for twelve weeks, which is almost up and then do blood work again. I am just feeling better the last two weeks. Who would have known. Well I guess WEB MD would've known. HA!!
Things are going great, my family is well, my beautiful daughters are happy and healthy and full of life. Jake has been incredibly supportive and helps me so much. He is an amazing, hard worker and he does so well in every aspect of life. He is so passionate about life and what he loves. That is my favorite thing about him, besides the way he makes me feel and that dimple in his chin and the way he makes me laugh all of the time... He was promoted to District Operations Manager for Home Depot. He loves all his associates, and the company. Such a blessing to have a good job that he loves. Taylor is walking and talking and her personality is so funny. She has so much energy and is so sweet and curious about everything. She has a firey side to her, which all of my girls do. I am starting to think its me that has given them this wonderful gift. HAHA! Allie and Lexi are doing great in school and staying busy with homework, dance, jump team, birthday parties, chores and all the fun things that kids do.
I am still doing hair and I love it. No better feeling in the world then to make someone feel good about themselves. I have amazing friends that have been beside me every step of the way. My family is so incredible and I would be lost without them. I have so many things to be thankful for. Not a day goes by that I don't think twice about griping or losing it in a crazy moment. I am alive and I have so much left to give and accomplish here. I often find myself saying YOLO. But, seriously… I wear a lipstick that might be too bright, or wear something edgy because I love it. I stay up late when I want to and splurge a little when I shouldn't. I want to live life with no regrets. I challenge you to do the same. I have been working on a little something that I am starting up in the next while. Something I never thought I'd do. Nothing crazy, just a fun little something to inspire me and feed my creative side. SO MUCH FUN for kiddos and moms. More details to come! ;) No, Im not pregnant.
So thats the run down on the last few months. I appreciate each of you all and I am so happy that you have all been along to support and strengthen me and my family. Scans again in May and I really don't know if that gets easier or less scary. Dang cancer.
My bro in law Tom is such an inspiration to me and everyone who knows him. So many people ask me every week how he and my sister are doing. He is beating odds, living life and has an incredible spirit and mind set about things. Is he cured? No, but if you see or talk with him you would wonder why he is so upbeat and positive. He isn't under going treatment right now. Scans again soon. Im sure most of you follow his blog. I love you, Tom and Brandy. I love each of your children so much. You have both been such an inspiration and an example to me over the years. I will never forget being around you two when you first fell in love. You were crazy for each other and you had so much fun together. I will never forget when I went bowling with the two of you and Tom got a strike and he smooched me right on the lips. Tom, you are hilarious! :) I would watch the two of you as a young girl and I would always hope to find the silly, fun, wonderful love you two shared.
Be Happy and be kind to everyone. Spread love, joy, happiness and positivity in the world! XOXO
