Get ready for the pink!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, if you haven't noticed already. You will see pink everywhere! Before I was diagnosed, we joked that we didn't have much pink in our house since we had 2 boys. We never thought this would be the way for more pink. The cashier at the grocery store asked me today if I wanted to purchase a pink bag for breast cancer awareness. I pointed to my head and informed her I was already very aware. This led to a detailed discussion about my treatments and surgery because she had a friend who was just diagnosed. I don't know how the man behind us felt about it, but it seemed to help the cashier understand some of the process better. Anyway, she still couldn't understand why I didn't want the pink bag. I told her I sometimes like to leave the pink behind and just blend in, as much as possible. I bought the Halloween ones instead for the boys. They were a lot more fun.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

A good friend and fellow breast cancer survivor, Vickie Robinson, formed "Team Barbara" last year and over 20 friends and family came out to support the team. I had to sit on the sidelines because I had just received my last chemo treatment and couldn't walk the 4.5 miles. This year, Vickie formed "Friends in Faith" to support me and another friend who is now going through treatments. On October 12, I fully intend on completing the walk in support of all of our friends at Faith Pres. who have suffered this disease. If you are interested, you can join our team or find a local walk in your area. It is incredible to see how many people are affected by cancer.

TEAM BARBARA

MAKING STRIDES 2007

What wonders a nap can bring

I told Dawson yesterday at 11 a.m., "Time for Bed." Dawson's response, "Okay." We both laid down and I felt much better after a long nap. I am still struggling with this bronchitis and don't have much voice to speak of (tee hee), but my energy has returned.

Thank you so much for all of your encouraging words and prayers. Sometimes, when I feel so physically exhausted, I can't help but think of how many more times I need to do this and that overwhelms me. But, I am back today and I have no intentions of driving to Christiana this week!

I went to chemo on Thursday and got my shot on Friday. Saturday wasn't a bad day at all. And then Sunday came. I felt awful. I am on an antibiotic for my bronchial stuff but it is still lingering. By the end of Sunday's morning service, I was in tears. The physical obstacles were overwhelming. I hid in my room for the afternoon. Today is a little better. Dawson and I don't have to be anywhere today so I predict a lot of lounging and playing!

I have prayed for God to renew my spirit. I am feeling defeated and just sick and tired of doing this. We sang this Michael W. Smith song yesterday in church and I felt like I was crying out for His mercy. It is an incredible song.

Friendly update

Well, we had about 150 people come to our Friendly's night last night and it was a great success! Dave and I have met our goals! (The webpages don't reflect that yet, but soon will once the paperwork catches up.) Thank you so much to everyone who came out and supported us and the Walk. I had full intentions of sending out thank you notes to everyone who came but I have come down with some lovely congestion/coughing that is making me dread tomorrow's chemo even more than usual. I already feel wiped and I haven't even gotten it yet. I started an antibiotic today and my blood cell counts were okay so I'm hoping those little guys get to work, whatever is left.

Thank you again for a fun night. We took over the restaurant! It was hours of socializing and good times. My mom told me to just look around and see all of the people that love me (and I know there are even more out there!)

Birthday wishes

Here is one of my new looks. Generally, my head is out there these days but I wanted to dress up a bit for church today and the hair (or lack of it) didn't look right.

We had our family celebration of lots of birthdays today. I recently looked back at last year's blog on my birthday and it basically talked about how I was feeling from the chemo. This year's birthday included a round of chemo. My birthday wish for 2009's blog entry, "Cancer? What cancer?"

Nothing like a chemo birthday!

"29 again?" was the question of the morning. Okay, this would be the 4th time I turned 29, but who's counting? All of the cards, emails and hugs definitely made the chemo a little easier to take today. Thank you so much for thinking of me today.

A friend walked David home from the bus stop today. I told how much I missed walking with him but the chemo really knocked me out today. He has played boxing on the Wii so he and I were imitating the boxing moves (and knockouts). He asked me if I fought back. I told him I will tomorrow when I walk 5-7 miles. That is my way of fighting back and telling this cancer that it won't keep me down!

Come Support a Friend at Friendly's

Most of you know we are participating in the Breast Cancer 3-day Walk in Philadelphia this October. The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a remarkable journey designed to raise funds and awareness for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust.
We invite you to support us and join the global movement to end breast cancer forever.

On
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
From 5-9 p.m.

The Friendly’s located at Brandywine Town Center, Route 202,

Wilmington, Delaware (this location only)
will donate 10% of the total bills to Dave & Barbara’s
fundraising efforts towards the Breast Cancer 3-Day.

Come and enjoy some dinner and ice cream
and support a friend at Friendly’s!

If you are interested in finding out more information, click on the links to our personal webpages.

Our Daily Playmates

Here's a photo of some of the neighborhood boys we play with almost everyday. All day today, some combination of these boys were outside, along with some others. A neighbor commented that these boys just don't stop!

Dawson's first day of school

Yesterday, Dawson began preschool. He just went in and sat down and joined in with the activities. He already is familiar with the room and faces since we go to church there.

He had some trouble the day before. We were playing in a neighbor's backyard, when Dawson seemed to stumble on a yellowjacket nest and made them angry. He had 4 stings, 2 of them in the eyebrow. When he woke up yesterday, his eye was swollen - you can tell in some of the pictures. The good news is he isn't allergic! He kept clarifying that they were yellowjackets, not bluejackets.

I also picked up my new look yesterday while Dawson was at school. I picked him up with my new wig and he didn't seem too phased. He told me today that I have girl hair now, and don't look like a boy anymore. I think that is a compliment. When we got home, I asked him if he wanted to see a trick and pulled off my wig. (I wanted to make it something fun since he hasn't seen me to do that since last year.) He then wanted to show me his trick which was a tumble on the floor. Today, I ended up buzzing what hair was left.

When I visited my doctor yesterday, he told me we would do scans the end of October to see how I was progressing and my next question was how much more chemo after that. He suggested 6 rounds as long as the scan shows good progress. That means 18 weeks of chemo and today was the 4th week. Ugh! If all stays on track, I will continue until the end of January and then stay on a maintenance drug. That was hard to hear, but I have advised others not to think about how many more chemos you still have to do, just focus on today. I should take my own advice!

I am feeling much better and ready for the next hit this Thursday! My hair continues to fall out everywhere and I am trying to decide my next step. I had it cut once but the top has become very thin. I am going to look into some new "looks" this weekend. Fortunately, we are beginning cooler weather and anything I place on top shouldn't be as bothersome.

I am back on track with my training for the 3-day. Even had to buy new shows because I wore out the first pair.

We are beginning to get into a groove with our early mornings and getting on the bus. Some of our friends' children are just beginning this week. I am glad we started last week and are getting used to it all. Dawson begins school tomorrow and he is also very excited but keeps thinking he is riding a bus to school.