Live Life Loud

Dec 21, 2007 I was told I had breast cancer. Wow, Merry Christmas to my family. From there it was blood work and MRI's and x-rays. The lump was removed on Jan 19, 2008. That lead me back to the Doctors to find out if it was in my node, it did not get there. Then I was told I had to have Chemo and radiation. So on March 7, 2008 I had the port put in. Well, I had some breathing problems, but the nurse called to check on me, and she said that it would go away. So on March 12, 2008 I was headed to start my first Chemo. My youngest daughter want to take me by this time I could only walk maybe 5-6 steps and had to stop to rest. I know I was upsetting my daughter, and she did not understand. Well, we finally get in the door, and she went and signed me in while I sat trying to breath. I thought it was just me being worked up knowing I was starting Chemo. Well, the next thing I know one of the Associates had me in a wheel chair and in a bed with oxygen. My lung had collapsed. Well the next 5 days I was hooked to chest tube in the hospital. My wonderful husband was there every day after working 10 hours a day. I came home and started Chemo on the 21 of March. I went to work on that Monday and felt like I was being taken advantage of. That weekend I just could not get up to do anything so I took a bath and thought that would help. It was not a hot bath just a warm bath with bubbles. I stood up and when I woke up I was at the other end of the tub, my knee was bleeding very badly so I quickly wiped it off and wrapped a towel around it. I got into bed I did not want my husband to see what had happened, but as soon as he saw me he knew something was wrong. By this time I was ready for God to take me. My husband got upset when I told him that, and he just said to me I don't want to hear that again from you. So off to the emergency room he took me. Being poked and stuck and x-rayed over and over. Well my white blood cells were gone but 1, and my immune system was no longer there, and I had thrash throat. So needless to say I was a mess. Now, I am off from work. I had to stay in the house with no visitors. After that I had to do Chemo on Fridays and have a shot on Mondays for my white blood cells. Threw all my Chemo my husband (Tom) was there. He has learned what Stoffers dinners are the best. He has learned many things and has been there threw many other things that went wrong while I was on Chemo. I started radiation on July 7, 2008 that went on everyday 5 days a week for 36 treatments. I got threw that with no problem just really worn out. I hope this helps someone, because it was not easy for me or my husband who would tell me every time I had Chemo and we would come home(get in bed and stay in there until I get done cutting grass). So now I have been clean for 1 year and hope to stay that way. When I went back to work after radiation my co-workers had a luncheon and at that time I told each one of them I will LIVE LIFE LOUD and that are what I am doing. I am 56 and have a lot to live for.

Thank you for listening and for your time.