Happy 3rd Birthday Sydney!

Today is Sydney's 3rd birthday, although she informed me that she's actually 4 today. Here is a photo below from her birthday party yesterday.


I am grateful that I was diagnosed just before her 2nd birthday as Sydney wasn't really completely aware of what was happening to Mommy. She's just getting to the age now where she is starting to worry about me and be concerned. I'm glad that the worst is behind me now and she won't really remember.

Most of you know that we decided to have Sydney after being married for 13 years. I guess there was a reason we waited so long to have her. It's much easier to go through something like cancer when you know you have a little one relying on you. It's very motivating and it keeps you from lying around feeling sorry for yourself (for the most part, anyway).

I've decided that today will be my last post to my blog. It's time to move on with the next chapter in my life.

I want to thank everyone, again, for all of their love and support. You have all helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I'll never forget it.

Several weeks ago I was at a party and a friend made a cake for us to celebrate. This pretty much sums up how I feel about the last year (see photo below).


Ass Kickin' Complete!

Love CJ

Back To Work

Mammogram - clear! Blood work - good!

Back to work - yeah!

All is good and I am headed back to work on June 4th, beginning part-time.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Love CJ

P.S. - Happy 16th Anniversary Pookie.....thanks for hanging in with me for so long.

Ah, THAT feels better!

Last night I had my first pedicure in a year (with my partner in crime, Rosie). My feet feel fabulous. Thanks to my Mom for the gift certificate!

Since the tingling in my feet has finally subsided I figured it was time to pamper my poor little feet. And boy did they need it.

I'm now wearing this awesome nail colour called Ruby Pumps! It's soooo my favourite new thing.

On Friday I have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Logan to discuss my latest blood work and my mammogram results from last week. I'm assuming that the mammogram is clear, or I would have heard by now. All we need now is the all clear on my blood work.

Perhaps if I flash my fancy new toes I'll get some excellent news!

Love CJ

Hello Everyone!

This is Colleen's Mom, Joan, better known to some people as Nana.

Since I don't have a computer, I have asked Colleen to convey the following message to you on her blog.

I would like to thank each and every one of you for the loving support you have given to my daughter, Colleen, this past year re: her breast cancer experience.

You will never know how much this has meant to me as her Mom.

Take care,
Joan

Annual Boob Squishing Day

Today I am headed to the hospital for my now annual mammogram. After that, I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon.

Now I haven't wanted to be too preachy with this blog, but you're gonna get some today.

If you haven't had a mammogram yet and you're "at that age", you must go and have one. It might not be the most comfortable thing you've ever had done to your body, but a few minutes of discomfort could save your life.

If you are not "at that age", the very least you should be doing is checking yourself on a monthly basis and go to the doctor once a year for a check-up.

The mammogram I had last year saved my life. I am here today to tell my story.

My mother still has a daughter, my husband still has a wife, my friends still have a friend and most importantly......my baby girl still has a mother.

Enough said.

Love CJ

Diagnosis Day

It just hit me this morning....one year ago I was sitting in my office when I received a call from my doctor that he needed me to come and see him as soon as possible. And I just knew.

Technically the date is April 28th, but last year that was a Friday.

It's amazing when these type of "anniversaries" creep up on you. I find that I'm reliving this day in my mind. But I have to say that I wouldn't change this past year.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. You may not always know what the reason is, but life just happens and you have to deal with it head on (well, let's face it, some days are better than others).

This journey has been a tough one, but worth every minute. I have a new appreciation for life, my family and my friends.

I am thankful to all of you for your support and encouragement. I couldn't have done it without all of you. So, having said that......

Let's party!

Love CJ

Update

Without getting into a long-winded explanation, I was able to get in to see an oncologist this past Friday, Dr. Logan, to get a second opinion. My mother-in-law, Marilyn, knows her and spoke with her about my case with my permission while we were away in San Fran.

Dr. Logan believes that the low blood counts are due to a kick-back from my radiation and not from the Tamoxifen. I had my blood work done this week and my levels are starting to come back on their own. To confirm that it is the radiation, Dr. Logan has put me back on the Tamoxifen as of today. In three weeks, I will go back again for more blood work. If my levels are continuing to increase then it will confirm that it was a kick-back from the radiation and if they are going down again it will confirm thatTamoxifen is the culprit.

I have been feeling better, but I still tire very easily. With my low white cell count I have caught Sydney's cold and have lost a bit of my voice. I also still have a persistent cough that is getting better, but not completely gone yet. Dr. Logan figures it is a combination of having bronchitis, lung inflammation from radiation and my cold. If the cough hasn't stopped in 3 weeks we'll have to tackle that issue as well.

At this point I continue to wait until May 11th to find out what the next steps are. The good news is that if my blood levels were low because of the radiation I am probably over the worst of it and there won't be any more talk of further surgery.

Cross your fingers everyone.

We're looking forward to seeing everyone on the 28th.

Love CJ