THE NEXT DAY...AFTER CHEMO

TODAY WAS BUSY...

Started the day with a follow up shot. Apparently, I have to have a shot to boost my white blood count cells after the chemo sessions. So I had that this morning. Then we came home to meet with the Comcast guy who had to come in and do all new wiring in the house so that our internet will actually work without it blanking out every 20 minutes. He's gotta come back and set up the last tv too--he tried to eliminate that set up and not tell us! So then I had to go back out and pick up the rest of all my medicines, a few more groceries and some art supplies.

I have to take 10 different medicines to take!

There are a lot of supplements to help with building up my blood and keeping my white blood count up as we go through the chemotherapy. 

All my drugs!

EATING RIGHT FOR MY CHEMOTHERAPY!

Then I'm trying to stay on track with my eating habits--which will be kinda crucial during this time period as well. Good protein intake is super important when you're going through chemo because the medicine is killing all these fast growing cells--cancer, but it also affects the healthy cells, so you have to beef up the things to keep your healthy cells healthy!

I apparently need to be taking in 65 to 75 grams of protein everyday.

 

 

And this is what my plate should look like at each meal ! 

So I'll be trying to stay on top of my diet and taking care of all these pills and then I also need to get in at least 30 minutes of some sort of exercise. That was definitely used up today when I went back out for medicine and a few groceries. So that was good to get in some exercise.

THE DAY GOT REAL LAZY REAL QUICK...

So I put away the groceries and sat on the couch for a minute. Ate a little something for dinner and was gonna work on the blog and put some of the Etsy photos together so that I can get them listed soon. Well the best laid plans often change. I decided I needed a lil nap. I snuggled under the covers and was gone! I mean not even aware that I had been sleeping for like 3 hrs! So the blog is technically a day late because of that. 
But that's the thing with this! It's kinda unpredictable, but I'm going day by day with and I trust in God. My healing has already been claimed and despite the sleeping--I'm fine! Mininimal pain, no nauseu, I still have an appetite. Just a little tired and slow so far, but that's ok! It's will get better as I build up the routine! 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2/7/13

Today's outfit featured skinny dark jeans, with a long flowing bright blue top and a black tank underneathe

. Then I added a comfy black sweater and a pretty scarf with silver accents. I wore a long wig and a black beanie with a lil flower attached to it. It was simple and comfortable--plus the weather warmed up to the 30's today, so I could wear fewer layers!

Started working on some art, but got distracted.

 

MORE ETSY SNEAK PEAKS: 

ENOY-TO TAKE PLEASURE OR DELIGHT IN SIMPLE THINGS

I WISH YOU HEALTH

MORE TO COME!

 

I DID MANAGE TO CATCH SCANDAL!!!

If you are not watching this show you should be! I was knocked out like I said for almost 3 hrs, but I woke up just in time to watch this crazy show! 

abc.go.com/shows/scandal 

 

MATTHEW 6:14-15

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

 

THE CHEMO FINALLY BEGAN!!!!

TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF CHEMO-2-6-13!!!

So today I had  my first chemo session. It was supposed to start last week, but didn't because I had weak anemic blood and had to have a blood transfusion first. So thankfully after a week of grubbing on protein relaxing and taking it easy my blood was up to par for the first session today. I'm excited because the sooner we get it started the sooner we finish it! It was a five hour long process!!!!! I was in the hospital all day today. Got that at 9: 00 for my lab work--they take your blood. They've added some additional prescriptions to keep my blood up to par. So I'll be getting b12 and taking folic acid and zinc to keep that going good. So after the lab work, I met with my doctor and we discussed everything and how much better I'm doing. The one doctor didn't actually realize who I was from when he first met in the hospital. He was the very first one and then he came back and was like oh my gosh, you're doing so much better and we haven't even started your Chemo yet. He didn't realize who I was at first until he started looking at his notes. He was like this is very positive news to see that you're doing so well and we haven't even started your main treatments yet. So that was really good to hear. Then we went up stairs for the actual chemo. Now that is one long ordeal.!

5 HOURS Y'ALL!

Literally. They started me out with some premedicines--benadryl, histamines, flushes, nauses meds, steroids and a flush. That was about an hour, then they did the first chemo drug which was about an hour as well.
I was so sleepy. I just passed out my Mom said. I felt bad cause she was just setting there. I brought the laptop and some art supplies and we bring books and snacks too, and of course there's a tv, but talk about being bored. Then they did the other chemo drug which was another 3 hours. So I did a lot of sleeping during that time period.

AWESOME NURSES!!!

But I did meet with two very helpful nurses as well and got some awesome news!
I meet the nutritionist and she gave me a breakdown of exactly how I should be eating for the chemo. Half my plate should be protein, some fruits and veggies and a lil bit of starch. It's really helpful the way she had it broken down for me and I'm going to do my best to stick to that.

Then the other lady told me that WV has a special medicaid program for women with breast cancer, so that if my insurance is no longer valid they will continue to provide all my treatment for free and she can get the paperwork for me to get it all set up at anytime that I may need it and she also told me about 2 support groups that I can join. One of them is for women and gives free make up lessons for dealing with stuff once you have been dealing with some of the chemo side effect. The other one is open to everyone and they have a lil dinner and they have speakers come that talk about subjects we ask for. So it's not cancer type specific or gender based and you can bring your family too.

So I got two awesome blessings right there!
Thank God! Give him all the glory!

Cancer Cutie Outfit of the Day 2-6-13

 Today was a colorful outfit day! I had on my usual layers, but it wasn't nearly as cold today. We were actually in the 30's today.I had on a white tank, a mid length white shirt and then I have this mini dress with the cowl neck line in this purply pink magenta color that I have all through out my closet. Unfortunately, I don't have any beanies in brown or the purply pink magenta color. I have hair flowers, but that didn't seem appropriate with all the snow on the trees outside and I donned the teal beanie which was  a nice accent. I wore brown accessories and added a colorful little scarf around my waist to accent the colors. I also have a bag that matches the colors exactly, but I didn't get a pic of that. Make up was light and pink to accent the
pinky color.

Why I decided not to wear the flowers in my hair today...

How I'm feeling after this treatment...

I'm feeling fine! I slept through most of the treatment and I just took my first pain pill of the day and I feel good. No nausea--in fact I was super hungry and my awesome Grandmother had pizza and a salad ready for us when we got here. I didn't have much but snacks all day, so it felt great to eat. I will probably crash early because I have to go back tomorrow for some injection that helps build up my white blood cell counts. I have to be there at 10. I wasn't really sure what to think, but they gave me a ton of materials to look over about any side effects and what they could be like and how to handle them. I'm good to go right now. 

I had everything all packed up so that I could really do some stuff. My laptop, I had my art journal and some markers and colored pencils, camera and some snacks. I didn't bother with any of it. I just slept. I sure that will change at some point, but it's kinda funny ya'll. 

I think I'm about to prop up my feet and relax. One day I'll show you another art journal page! Still gotta get settled into a routine and that will be easier. 

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

 

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

TUESDAY CHILL DAY 2-5-13

JUST RELAXING TODAY....

Today I just took it easy all day. I want to make sure that I have my strength up for my first Chemo session tomorrow. I just want to make sure that my blood is where it needs to be so that they can get this started. Sooner that we get started, then the sooner we get finished!

We had more snow today, but it was actually pretty warm today--climbed up to about 30 degrees today!

I went out to the porch for a minute. I was considering making a mini snowman, but my Mom talked me out of it. We just had a moment playing with the video camera :

I also found an awesome little inspirational video on Cancer from Youtube earlier today that I may have shared with everyone, but I will post it here too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA8228ysHOI

SNEAK PEEK OF ETSY ITEM:

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

 

 

 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-5-13

 Today's outfit was very relaxed and I just had on some black sweat pants and a bright yellow hoodie with it and of course there are the layers underneath. Paying homage to the Steelers since I'm home. Black and Gold! I love this wig and the way it frames my face. I keep the makeup simple and decided to leave my glasses on today. But you gotta have the hat, because it give it that extra little flair to it.

NATURAL HAIR MOMENT WITH MOM!

Today I had a natural hair moment with my mom! She needed her hair twisted up. I have taken over her hair regimen since I don't have any to take care of anymore. She's gonna have a big old Afro by the time I'm finished. We flat twisted a nice little design going up the backside, with some mini-twists in the front. 

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So she's gotta stay in these for at least a week and then she can rock the twist out for a few days before we twist it up some other kind of way! Enjoy! 

WELL IT'S TIME TO WIND DOWN FOR THE NITE: 

 I'm just ready to relax for the night. Time for bed because I gotta get up for the big day tomorrow!

1 John 4:4

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them for the who is in you is greater than he who is in the world

Cancer Cutie
Tina Bina
 

I FNALLY LEFT THE HOUSE! 2-4-113!

I WENT SHOPPING TODAY! 

Today was the first day I had went anywhere but my grandmother's house. I had the blood transfusion instead of the chemo this past Wednesday and I have been here in the house every single day since. Now granted I didn't do any fun clothes or home decor type of shopping, but instead I was stocking up on stuff that I might want to munch on in case we do get stranded. But my Mom has a lil red pickup truck with 4 wheel drive so she should always be able to get us out and about as long as it's just snow she says,

  So yeah we went to the post office, the bank, Walmart, Dollar Tree and Aldi! Wild and crazy shopping right! I just wanted to stock up on stuff because it's supposed to snow pretty steady through the night and it's possible to get about 4 inches.

Slacking on the art journal....

 No new art journal created yet. I have one that I found the perfect qoute for and I'm going to be working on it very soon. I jut haven't really had the time today with all the running around we were doing. I had to get out the house because I haven't left in almost a week! So yeah I'm slacking! But we are finishing up some art pieces for the Etsy site--which is very exciting because I'm ready to have that up and running for everyone to check out! We still have crap everywhere in my Grandma's dining room--which I have now basically made into my art studio!

 So yes art is being done! Trying to get the enough stuff for you guys on Etsy! HerArt Stories is gonna be the page, but I wanna have at least 15 pieces completed before I have it up. Oh and if anyone has any special requests for something! Let me know and I will start working on it for you!

 Cancer Cutie Outfit of the Day 2-4-13!

 

So I had on a faceful of makeup that my mother just hated! I thought it was bright and colorful and was perfect accent to my teal outfit here! I had the big funky fro today with the matching beanie cap. I was dressed in a thousand layers, so that I could wear my lightweight black and white trench instead of trying to move around the store with a big old pea coat on! I liked it for my outing of the day. Thank goodness mom has this pickup truck because once we were out there the snow started up and we were riding in it! 

1 John 4:12-13:

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God, abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his spirit.

Cancer Cutie 

Tina Bina

 

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY 2-3-12!

READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Today is Superbowl Sunday and we've been hanging all day. I've actually been in the kitchen cooking all day. We had a delicious meal  of steak, loaded mashed potatoes, carrots&broccoli and garlic bread and in just a little bit I'm gonna set us up a spread of snacks for our Superbowl Spread! 

The Weather Outside is Frosty

--A lil warmer today--I think our high was 24 degrees!
It's been another snowy day today. So much so that there was no church today!
 

Have a lil Faith!

So we had church right here at the house! Me and my grandmother, took turns reading different Bible verses and we were blasting Christian CD's and we had a really intense prayer session.

 I'm just sitting here munching on all of our Superbowl Spead! Go Ravens! I have to root for them considering that the San Fran is the reason that the Falcon's aren't in the Superbowl!!!

No Art Today, but Plenty of Cooking!

I didn;t work on any art today! Boo! I did finish a piece last night and I had a lot of inspiration running through my veins but nothing finished today. I've been really engrossed in this cooking thang!

 

So we had a tasty steak dinner today!

Cancer Cutie Outfit of the day!  

Today's outfit was inspired by the Baltimore Ravens of course!

That's who we're rooting for tonight! So I tried to match the colors

the best that I could and I actually think I did pretty good!

It was like 25 degrees today , but I still had on multiple layers and some boots!

Time To wind down and Relax

I'm sitting here stuffed like a little piglet! We're watching the halftime show and waiting for the Ravens to take it all the way! Too bad I didn't put any money out there!

So yeah today was all about cooking and football and more snow!

So just keep up the faith that Good things are walking into your life right now!!!

Trust God to rule over your life and you can't find anything but Good things

1 Timothy 1:17

To the King of ages, immortal, invisible , the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

 

CRAVING SPRING THIS SATURDAY 2/2/13

Still adjusting to the snowy cold weather in WV!
Good old Puxtawney Phil the Groundhog didn't see
his shadow and is going to be bringing us an early Spring!

It's beautiful to look at for  little while, but boy do I miss
the GA weather! I'm not used to single digits, thinking
about riding on icy roads or cleaning off sidewalks and
making sure you have plenty of hoodies and flannels
and dressing in multiple layers. Craziness! But it's all good
Phil didn't see his shadow and we're getting an early spring!

So that inspired today's art journal!

 

So the springtime vibe felt good today!


MISSING MY FRO TODAY!!!

That was on my last assignment in Rockledge Florida!
I had went natural 2/2/11--Today is my Big Chop
anniversary! I cut it all down to about a 1/4 of an inch
if that and let it grow to that big old thing above. It had
gotten really long too!

That was how long it had gotten by Nov.
This was the day I had went to do my
early vote! Go Obama!


So in honor of my Fro-Versary!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY!
2/2/13

Lot's of red and black!--CLASS!!!
But I decided to rock the curly wig today
and pay homage to my Afro! My outfit
was again a set of layers to keep warm.
Leggings under fuzzy colorful fuzzy pj
pants with  a tank top, long sleeve top
sweater and scarf and hat to coordinate.
Be festive! Be Fun! Enjoy it all! You
should always feel good!

Spent all Saturday indoors, dreaming of
spring and of course working on my art
projects! I've been feeling the bright colors.
Finished a few more pieces for the etsy
shop to come as well! Can't wait to get
that up and running! Just working away at
some pieces! It's such a fun relaxing way to
spend your day!

THE TIME HAS COME FOR ME TO WIND DOWN 1
RELAX--THAT'S WHAT MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD
ME TO DO TODAY!

So I'm taking her advice:

ZECHARIAH 7:9-10

Thus says the Lord of host, Render true judgements, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.





Cancer Cutie
Tina Bina

Art Attack Friday! Feb -1-13


Living back in WV is a whole new experience!
I haven't lived in a cold climate like this in 10 years!
Today's high was 17 degrees!!!!!
 

We had almost 2 inches of snow today and are expected
to get more over the weekend!


CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT FEB 1-13
WV weather edition!

So my cancer cutie look today was all about layers and
representing WV gear! I have on a tank top, a thin stretch hoodie,
a zip up hoodie with matching pants and then I have thrown a thermal
sweatshirt over that so that I stay nice and toasty!



ART ATTACKING MY GRANDMOTHER'S DINING ROOM
I stayed indoors at the dining room table with every art
supply I have and just made stuff!

Take a look at how the dining room exploded with art

Some stuff that actually got completed and will be
coming to the etsy site once I get more!!!!

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.





Cancer Cutie
Tina Bina