I'm reposting my 2018 New Years message from Facebook below. Since you all are following me in the "Here Comes The Sun" group on FB I have some bonus info for you all. This last time I wrote, I said I had BIG plans for HCTS. Since "8" is the number for new beginnings - in 2018 I would like to get my story out to more people. I am exploring many options but I know a webpage is coming soon. If people have only seen the dark side of cancer I want them to be inspired and see the other side - light, hope and rebirth! I will be launching a GoFundMe soon and I'll be accepting all gifts BUT let's make it fun...let's have your donation be a dollar amount that ends in the number 8 ($8, $18, $108, etc). I went for my last Herceptin treatment of 2017 on 12/26/17 and I found out through all of the chemo, surgery and other procedures that I have a ZERO balance with Texas Oncology. God is so good! I know that everyone is not as fortunate and blessed as I have been. It is my desire that any gifts provided through GoFundMe will be a blessing to someone else - not to me! In 2017, I was able to join a couple groups that will assist my aspirations of sharing my story to a wider audience. In 2018, I plan on joining a few more. I can't wait to share all the good we can do - I hope you all are ready, I know I am!
Posted this morning on Facebook:
2017…glad to see it gone. In 2017, I learned how strong I am. I already know I’ve been through plenty “life” but 2017…I’m so glad I don’t look like what I’ve been through. Many of you already know - in the fall of 2016, started chemo for the first time. I wanted to get it done ASAP because cancer was not on the to-do list and I was told it was going to shrink the tumor that was growing inside of me. The tumor was initially to large to remove and the shrinking process was necessary before they could remove it. Week after week I was feeling this tumor and it was not getting smaller. At times, I thought it was maybe getting larger. I am thankful for my medical team that did not delay when I spoke up and this was confirmed. A surgery that I was supposed to have in March 2017 was expedited to January 2017. I was finally getting the tumor removed that I wanted removed 5 months before with a bilateral mastectomy. Mastectomy - that’s another post for another day but, I will say I have never dwelled on that surgery. Cancer can have a piece of me but not all of me. Soon after that surgery, I was back on chemo. The previous chemo that I was on for 3 months did nothing for me. When I was told this news, I didn’t panic or lash out. I learned the true capacity of my patience (it's deep y'all). Recently, I was told that 7 is the number of completion. In 2017, (on my mother’s birthday) I completed chemo and God willing I will never have to revisit that again. Also, 8 is the number of new beginnings. In the Spring 2018, I am planning to have my long overdue (highly anticipated) reconstruction surgery. I will never share this much on my public page - I do not believe it’s the correct medium for my story. This is probably the most you will see about what I have been going through and what’s to come. I thought it was important to put this on here because recently I have been sharing my story with the general public. If you want to follow along, send me a PM and I’ll direct you where you can learn more about the journey. For those of you that have been with me since the beginning, there are no words that can express my gratefulness and appreciation....and for those of you that have learned of what is going on along the way the compassion that you have showed has been immeasurable. Thank you!
In closing, one year ago today, I was prayed over before the first procedure that I had before the mastectomy on January 5, 2017 and I am in no doubt that it directed my year. In that prayer she said “…and though things looks a certain way [it] doesn't mean she will not be victorious!!” I have been nothing but victorious so far - to the point that I do not expect anything less. But if less comes - I know I am strong enough conquer it. Be blessed!
