hair today- gone tomorrow

Can't stand the shedding- going to get it cut short tomorrow at Great Clips and cancel Th. appt with hairdresser. Probably should go for the shave- just not ready....

feeling human once again

Ah...the chemo roller coaster. Actually felt good enough for a short workout- didn't really break a sweat. I just wanted to see how I would do. I guess ok- which means I need to step it up and work harder. no excuses this week!

The hair thing is driving me nuts- I am getting it cut short on Th. and see if I can go a few more weeks before the shaving party.

Thanks for all of your support

xoxo
HTFM

Hope Monday brought a better day

Helene, thinking of you today. Sounds like Sundays are the worst. Hoping Monday is bringing you some relief. Is this an off chemo-week or chemo holiday? If so, you are going to have a good weather week so hopefully you can get out and enjoy the weather.

Re-naming Gladys, huh? How about Sexy Samantha???

Quote I love: "The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering." --Ben Okri

Love you girlfriend--Julie

Cancer sucks

Sundays are definitely when the poison hits me the worst.....just yucky feeling all day and tired. Shouldn't be complaining- at least I don't have to cook tonight. Linda Sue is bringing over homemade pulled pork! Tyler will devour this I am sure.

What would I do without Linda? She goes to appts. with me, calls to make sure I am still among the living and now dinner for tonight! She got the chef genes in the family- as she is the cook and takes after our Dad.

Keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming.
xoxo
Helene The Fighting Machine

ps still need a name for my new wig- my hair is starting to fall out- I am hoping it just gets thinner...

Party girl!!!

You party girl you!!! Sounds like you had quite the feed bag!!! The blood person is called a vampire!!!

Glad to hear Nurse Ratchet is gone!!! From now on...nice nurses only!!!

Still can't believe you are blogging....I think it should be HTBFM!!! Blogging!!! So good to know what is happening!


Take care!!!

Chemo day...I have a great phelbotimist (spelling ?) or blood taker-Michelle- and I talked to her about Nurse Ratchett. I was suppose to have Nurse Ratchett who I found out NO ONE likes. Michelle worked some magic and I got a really sweet nurse Jamie. Linda took me and Rob came for a while since he had a half day. And I fell asleep- what a party animal! Linda was whoopin' me at Boggle anyway. We both packed so much food today! Cheese and carmel popcorn that Tom bought, jelly beans, cookies, crackers, pita chips ......and I complain about gaining weight.....haven't been to the gym in a month. My senior "boyfriends" are probably missing me.

Still can't believe I am a blogger. Thanks again to EVERYONE who has sent cards, emails, called and helped out. It is going to take ALOT to kick this cancer in the ass.

xoxo

HTFM

Tomorrow...

Hope that chemo goes well tomorrow! I will be sending warm thoughts your way!

I hope you are not as cranky as Miss Daisy was!!! If so, you may be thumbing it to chemo! Ha!!!

Sounds like you are acquiring a cool pink wardrobe!!!

Sleep well my friend!

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

Can't believe I Am blogging- I don't even do Facebook! Had a good day today- my nose bleeds stopped- only to start up again tomorrow when I go for more chemo.....but then after tomorrow- Fri. I am off Chemo the following week!

Linda is "Driving Miss Daisy" once again taking me to chemo. She is now the b/c fashionista and is finding all kinds of t-shirts & sweatshirts. I ordered the "Save the TaTa's" sweatshirt and it came today. With this nasty cold weather- I will need it! Tom- my bro-in-law is taking off work tomorrow to be with Kaleigh and Sam so Linda can take me to chemo. The meds they give me make me very drowsy- and I don't even remember driving home. Hope I don't get Nurse Ratchett again- Linda might punch her out!

Bertha for my wigs' name?????Are you mad at me?

Helene The Fighting Machine

And Gladys is not old fashion???

I love that Helene and her friends are posting! I feel so into the future!!! I sent out emails to everyone you sent the blog link to...so they can all post-if they can figure it out!!!

Glad to know you are feeling better! I am sending warm wishes your way everyday!!!

Keep us informed!!!

Jeremiah 17:7
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.

Hey all!

I need help in naming my new cranial prothesis (wig).....Gladys is my old wig and she is kinda worn out....plus she was a PITA because the wig is human hair and alot of work. So Denise and I went shopping and found a new wig- which is on order. She is short and sassy and synthetic- easy to style. Any ideas? I thought of Bernice- but Denise thinks it is too old fashioned.
I still have my own hair....for now.

Finally feeling better today- went to work and I still have some energy left! I received some beautiful flowers from Papa Joe and Grandma Rose who live in Michigan. Joe and Rose are Thom Schmidt's parents and they kinda adopted Tyler as a grandson.

Looking forward to spending the day with Tyler who is back from DC. Hoping we can go to a movie and out to lunch tomorrow (Th). The Friday is THFM Day.

- Tia's interpretation is "Hate The F.....g Meds!

Julie was able to make a posting....how did she do this? I would love to hear from others.
Helene The Fighting Machine

This is very cool!

I think this is awesome to have a place to post thoughts about your journey Helene--for you and for all your friends. We are suffering, praying, laughing, and crying with you. I hope you are recovering well from the last chemo treatment and are able to participate in daily routines as much of possible. That's the key isn't it? To try and function while the poison does it's thing-kill that cancer! I love you and I will keep praying for you!

Julie McGee

Yeah!!!!!!!!!

Helene was able to post today! I am so excited that it worked! For those of you who have never created a blog, it was challenging for me! I am in no way techy at all, but am glad she was able to post and let us know how she was doing!


They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

~ Psalm 112:7, NLT

This was my daily bible verse that comes via email everyday! Wow, talk about hitting home! Helene, I hope that you trust in the Lord, for He will take care of you!!!

Will this work?

I don't know if this is going to work.......I think I am blogging....will it work??? Ha! Helene the Techno Queen!

Had a fun time at Bunco Fri.- had a nap before I went and was chauffered home by 10 pm. Had some laughs and forgot my troubles for awhile. I am missing my 6 foot tall baby- as he is in DC. Sure is quiet without him around. Sunday I went shopping with my neice Kaleigh to the mall- after we had lunch at Steak and Shake. (She talked me into ordereing a milk shake- it was all her fault!) Sunday night was rough- felt the effects of the chemo. We were fortunate last night in having friends bring over dinner- with enough for another meal. I am trying to get in to Rush Cancer Center for a 2nd opinion- just to make sure I am on the right track for treatment. Hopefully they can get me in around the chemo treatments.

Let's see if this is going to post-

Helene The Fighting Machine

Praise You in this Storm!

I love Casting Crown's song...Praise You in This Storm! Here are a few lines...

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

During the good times and bad times we must remember to Praise Him. Praising God for all of the many blessings in our lives...one of them being a friend named Helene!

Friends...

I received am email from Helene today. A friend of hers named Paula sent her a very beautiful handmade wellness necklace. The stones represent the following:

*red jasper repels cancer
*jade provides protection and brings positive energy
*moss agate brings hope and prosperity

Helene said the necklace is beautiful!!!

Another friend named Karen sent her two Cheer Me Up packages. Helene loved the summery hat, the fun green scarf, cute green earrings and candy for St. Patrick's Day.

A friend once told me that the most important thing in life was family and friends. Helene has many friends praying for her, and sending warm thoughts her way!!!

Psalms 31:24
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Josette and Lisa

Josette is a friend of Helene's who has sent her a rosary! What a great friend to pass along a rosary to pray for strength and health! Friends and prayers do make a difference.

Lisa was my former teaching assistant. She still works with me so I see her often. The minute I need prayer, I seek out Lisa. She is a Godly woman, and knows the Word so much more than I do. She wrote a post saying what Jesus suffered through on the cross was so much bigger than cancer. That seems to be a reoccuring theme as I talk to people who read the Bible frequently. He is so much bigger than cancer.

Psalms 138:3
3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

Gladys!!!

Who is Gladys? One thing I can say my friend Helene has is a sense of humor.
She named her cranial prothesis-a wig-Gladys!!! I can't imagine knowing that you are going to lose your hair! I pray that God gives her the strength to know that she is a beautiful woman with or without hair. Helene has always worked out and always looks great! I hope her new Gladys makes her look as beautiful as she truly is!!!

I Peter 5:7 Casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

God is for us!!!

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Many of my friends know about Helene. They ask about her and pray for her. I came across the above bible verse, and it really hit home. God is for us. God wants us to believe in Him. If we do, our hearts can be comforted by his peace and grace. I know God is for Helene, and I pray for peace and grace for her and her family.

HTFM

HTFM...this was how Helene signed a text??? I did not get it right away and had to ask??? Helene the Fighting Machine!!! Oh....I am so glad she has that mindset! Keep on fighting my friend!!!

I received an email from a former colleague of Helene's and mine, and she too is fighting breast cancer. Please add Judy to your prayers as she goes to battle also.

I received an email from a friend saying God is so much bigger than cancer! I am so glad that she reminded me of that, and that I can pass this on to those who are at battle!

Pray for Tyler, Helene's son during this difficult time. He visited Helene in the chemo room as she went to her first chemo treatment this round. He is about to embark on a class trip to Washington, D.C. How exciting! Pray for safety and a very enjoyable trip!

In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Thinking of you!!!

Sending warm wishes and thoughts to Helene today. My dear friend...feel better.

I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

Friday...

Tomorrow is Friday. I am very excited because it is our last day before spring break. However, while we are so busy with our normal routines, Helene will be sitting with a chemo i.v. Pray that her veins stay strong so she will not have to have a port put in. Stay Strong Helene!!!

When I talked to her last night, she said that she is appreciating calls right now. If you are a friend, give her a call. After talking to her I felt uplifted and inspired! She is a tough cookie and that is why we love her!

Think of her tomorrow and ask God to comfort her during this proceedure.

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Friends...

Aren't friends great! An old friend, Dottie, made a new friend, Helene on this blog! She is praying for Helene, and wishes her well. Also another friend is passing the blog on to her daughter who is in ministry....Wow! I truly believe in the power of prayer, and the prayer warrior number continues to grow!

Helene had fluid drained from her lungs on Monday. As I listened to her describe the proceedure-a very long needle inserted through your back and ribs- I wondered what would I be thinking if I were in her shoes. Wow-I would hope that I could find peace in such a trying time. That is so easy for me to say, but I feel the Lord's presence through his Grace, and I am wishing my friend that same peace!

I am trying to figure out how to edit this blog so Helene can post also. She could explain all the medical proceedures, and let her friends know how she is doing. If anyone knows, please let me know!

Ahhhh...Sedona!

Isn't this a gorgeous picture? I love Sedona! It is such a peaceful and spiritual place! When Helene came out to visit, we took a road trip to the beautiful red rock country. I managed to stay on my feet for this hike, however when we went to Slide Rock, my knee gave out on those slippery wet beautiful red rocks and I bit the dust big time. I know Helene had to be crackin' up cuz' I had just told her ot be super careful because of her back. Then boom...down I go...my rear is now in the water, so my shorts are soaked! So as my friend picked me up when I fell, I want to pick her up. Sending you a cozy hot chocolate kind of night!

Wondering...

No email from Helene today. Wondering how the lung procedure went, and if she is feeling any better. Hoping the meds are helping and that she is resting comfortably.

Since I received the email from Helene saying the cancer had returned, I have heard many songs on the radio with uplifting messages. I know I hear these songs all the time, but have particularly tuned into their positive messages!

Two of my faves...

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I have seen the healing hand of God
Reaching out and mending broken hearts
So taste and see the fullness of his peace
And hold on to what’s being held out
The healing hand of God

Have a great evening!

Always making time...

We flew to my granmother's house for Thanksgiving and decided to take a road trip north to the Joliet area. This picture was taken outside of the restaurant where we had breakfast! Helene always makes time to visit whenever I am in town! Wish I lived closer!!!

Just another Manic Monday!

I was so excited to come home from work today and check email. Sure enough there was an email from Helene. I sent her an email last night asking her to check out the blog. She thought it was cool, and now I am even more excited to keep this up.

Helene tried to write a comment on the blog, and had trouble. Snap! That would of been awesome! She said she had a bad night - and was going in for a lung draining in the morning. Hope it all went well.

Helene referred to herself as the fighting machine! That's my girl!!! And...we are already planning our tropical vaca!!!

And yes, it was another manic Monday!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

Wishing you strength...

Helene...I am wishing that you will be filled with strength and peace as you go through your surgeries in the next few weeks. I will pray daily that God will fill you with peace.

Fun times

Helene came to AZ in '08 and we took a road trip to Sedona! Looking forward to our next trip together! We have been thinking about somewhere tropical!

My BFF!!!

My BFF...Helene!!! She gets me...we get each other! We have been there for each other through thick and thin! She is brave and an inspiration to many. She bravely fought breast cancer, and once again is about to go to battle! I truly believe that everything happens for a reason..so hopefully through this blog, we can come together to inspire and lift up our dear friend Helene through this difficiult trial.

I received an email last night saying the cancer has returned. I don't even remember the details of the surgeries, doctor's appointments, etc...I just immediately thought that we need to go to the Lord with this right away. I am not a writer by any means, but have been inspired by many blogs, and feel that there is power in numbers, and absolutely power in prayer. Please lift up my friend and her family in your daily prayers. I will keep posts and hope that friends will post and encourage her.

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew {their} strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; {and} they shall walk, and not faint.