Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Curves, Zumba, Lab Band, Atkins, South Beach Diet, Yoga, Palliates, ect....

I went to see my oncologist today, it was my routine appointment. He gave me good news, he said “Mary, I believe you’re cured” that was nice to hear him say. I’m so happy for all he has done for me and my wonderful chemo nurse was there to great me with open arms. She said, “I almost didn’t recognize you” with all that hair. That was nice to hear also. It’s kind of a creepy feeling going to that place, all the people sitting around getting chemo, gives me flash backs and I can hardly wait to just get out of there. But, it wasn’t all good news.


Seems the chemo and steroids messed with my blood sugar and I am now pre diabetic because of it. I really didn’t want to hear this one. I have tried to diet and lose this post chemo weight and it has been almost impossible. I have never eaten so well in my life, from juicing and eating all natural fruits and veggies. My average weight loss has been one pound a month, that’s hard to deal with. I feel like I have rode that exercise bike from here to tin buck too and all I get is a sore butt. So he started me on a medication that will stabilize my blood sugar and hopefully get me back to a normal place.

The lady that took my blood ask if I was done with treatment and when I told her yes she said the dreaded words. “You sure look good, you have a pretty face." Ug, and I knew what she was thinking.

When I was sick from the chemo I didn’t care what I ate, I just consumed whatever I could when I could. Sometimes the steroids made me feel like a crazy person looking for food. I was like a vampire wanting blood and I would do anything to get it.

Now I’m on a mission, I will get this body back in shape one way or another. If you have diet ideas or tips on good work outs be sure to share them. God knows, I've tried them all!

Happy Birthday Levi '14'

Happy Birthday Levi

Forrest Levi is Grandson number three. I can still remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. His momma had several miscarriages before he was born so he was one of those hold your breath babies. He was born healthy and beautiful except for a little asthma that he would have to deal with. He had a few bad attacks but for the most part has found a way to control it.

Levi is the middle child in his family, with one older brother and a younger sister. He has always been kind of quiet and shy but has recently come out of his shell and started to have his voice. He likes his video and card games and also played some football on his middle school team last year. He plays the saxophone and does a great job. He makes us laugh when he does his impersonation of the Sexy Sax Man. If you don’t know who that is You Tube it, pretty funny stuff. Levi,  his mom and sister perform with the Heavier Than Air Players and his performances are outstanding, I look forward to each and every one of them. I’ve also noticed that he has an interest in girls, not just any girls; I notice he likes the older ones? He just likes them more mature, right?

When I was going through treatment some days would seem unbearable and then here they would come, grandkids with so much energy and full of life. It would reenergize me and I was good to go.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVI

Love, GG

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (feeling a little lopsided)

October Breast Cancer Awareness


Here we are, another October has arrived! When I looked outside this morning it truly looked like fall had finally begun. I’ve always like October, the nip in the air and all the fresh veggies from our garden gives me a lifted spirit.

Last year in October I was geting ready for my BC surgery and was busy preparing for whatever was to come next with my treatment. Before my surgery my surgeon had given me the opportunity to talk with other Doctors to decide which kind of surgery I would undergo. A Lumpectomy or a Mastectomy? With a lumpectomy I would need radiation for thirty days straight, with a Mastectomy I would need to have reconstruction surgery. After a breast has been through radiation it can’t have surgery because the tissue damage will not allow it to heal properly. Some who have to have mastectomy and radiation have reconstruction with new skin used from their back. I visited a Plastic surgeon and a radiologist before making my decision. I felt like having the lumpectomy would be the way for me to go, I had doubts but decided on it because it seemed to be less evasive.

It’s a feeling that can’t be described when you have surgery on this part of your body; it leaves you with an empty dark hard to describe feeling. I was happy with the minimal scaring and to know the cancer had been removed.

It’s been four months from the time I finished my last radiation appointment and Last week I went to see my radiologist for a follow up appointment. I learned something new at this appointment that had not been covered in any of my discussion I had with any of these docs. My sick breast seems to be shrinking. Now why is this happening? I guess this is caused from the radiation, now you tell me!

So now my choices are to get my healthy breast reduced to match the shrinking one or I can have surgery on the shrinking one using tissue from my back and implants. They have suggested putting a lift in my bra so that I match but this seems so uncomfortable to me or I guess I could just walk around lop sided? What would you do? I think I need some help with this decision.

I’m very grateful for the surgery and treatment I have received and I know that it has saved my life. Many of my Pink Sisters haven’t been as fortunate and are still fighting for their life and haven’t even had the opportunity to think about the way they look and for them I pray for health and healing.