Doctor Follow Up Day--2-20-13

NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!

Today I had my weekly blood work and follow up appointment. I had the B-12 shot today too! Nothing has really changed so that's good. My blood work came out fine and they've got my next chemo scheduled for next Friday morning! Woo Hoo!  Let's get this show on the road! The sooner we get it done the sooner we get this thing over with. They were able to use my port today--which has been a source of contention--but it was working today! They are also going to investigate further into my back pain. Next week I'm getting a bone scan to check for fractures and what my bone density it. It's gonna be another long day procedure. But if it helps to manage any back pain without any pain medicine then I'm all for whatever they find out. So everything is good. And guys believe it or not--I gained 5lbs!!!! I gotta stop eating so much. I've been keeping a candy bowl on the coffee table--so I need to leave that alone and start moving around a little more! Chemo patients don't gain weight!

Waiting on Dr. Monga...

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-20-13

Today's outfit was all about the purse as my inspiration. I wore a white tank with a white 3/4 sleeve top and then the golden yellow 3/4 button down over it. I wore dark jeans and I had on tan colored shoes that matched the tan colored blazer I wore over it for my coat. I accented everything with brown accessories. A long wood bead necklace, and a matching bracelet and some brown heavy hoops.

For today's make-up I went a little darker with my shadow, but your basics on everything else. I work the curly fro and the brown beanie style baseball cap to coordinate 

 

FINALLY SENT THE ART OUT TODAY...

I tried to get a color copy of the art piece I made for CLASS the other day with no success, but today we went to the place that was suggested and got that taken care of. So I have a copy of the original artwork and the piece I made should be on the way to them tomorrow. It was a little local company called Printscape. They were helpful, but there were only 2 guys in there, so it took a little while. He had to make a box to ship it for me so that was kinda crazy! So they were really nice! I guess if anyone in the Mo-town isn't familiar with them and need some help with printing large things--they seem to be the go to place.

Printscape--their brochure

INSPIRATION FOR THE DAY

I didn't do any artwork today, I did do some journal writing today and last night. I was feeling more inspired by the word today. I got a book-spiration! This is a new term I've coined. I say my prayers and repeat healing verses every morning. Then after finishing my little session I grab one of my inspirational books and flip to a random page. So whatever the message is, I use that as the theme to a journal entry. 

Today's message was from a Joel Osteen book--Strength through Adversity!
I have said from the beginning, this whole scenario is a blessing in disguise. So many good things have actually come from this:
I'm with my family
I don't have to work right now
I'm living a much simpler life
I'm being creative
I'm cooking more
I'm back into doing art and writing again
I'm more in touch with God--which is like the most important thing ever!!!

That's what I hope anyone going through this is trying to do! Turn around your thinking! List the positive outcomes of the situation and focus on that! It will help make you feel lighter and happier!

And adversity doesn't mean OMG I HAVE CANCER-- It could be anything, you lost a job, you hate your job, whatever you broke up with your boyfriend. We all have trials and tribulations in life but it's how we choose to react to those things that make us or break us! So remember to just embrace your life experience and make the most of it!

COOKING UP DINNER FOR TOMORROW...

After I got back from the doctor, the print shop and a super quick run into WalMart, I came home and cooked up some chicken I had bought earlier this week before it needed freezing. 


I had a coupon for that new Skillet Sauce and had bought the chipotle and black bean one. I just browned the chicken and added the sauce. We can eat it over rice, but I'm thinking I'm gonna suggest making it into nachos with more black beans. I bought a one of those big packages of boneless skinless chicken thighs--the all natural no hormone,  non caged birds--not officially organic though. I packaged up a few of them and put them in the freezer. 


The rest is now in the crock pot attempting to became chicken tikka masala. I usually just buy a jar of the sauce and some naan bread and frozen samosas that I can just heat up. I of course can't find any of that here in the lovely WV. I found a recipe on Allrecipes. I'm gonna doctor up pita bread to make it like garlic naan and we just won't have samosas, because that's a little bit ambitious to try and make something like that from scratch. I also will doctor up the rice with onions and peas like they do at Panahar--wonderful Bangladeshi restaurant in Atlanta if anyone is looking for a good Indian place. Desi Spice is another good one.


Is it any wonder that I gained weight, when I tend to revolve a lot of my day around food. I'm writing about it, while the crock pot is going and guess what we're watching-- Top Chef!! LOL!

PROVERS 3:1-2

My son, do not forget my teaching but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

 

QUIET DAY IN 2-19-13

CHILLIN' AT THE HOUSE ALL DAY!

Today was a chill day. I stayed in bed until almost 9 and made a late breakfast. It was raining and it warmed up to the upper 40's almost 50 again! I was still feeling tired from yesterday's excursions still so I made no plans for today. Plus I should be well rested today since I have my labs and follow up appointments tomorrow afternoon. I did a little work on my art journal today, but we just hung out and watched some tv and browsed the internet most of the day.

CANCER CUTIE OF THE DAY 2-19-13

Simple dressing today. I had on some light jeans and a pale pink tank top with a sheer pink floaty top with some silver sequins on the sleeves. I had on my silver slipper shoes with it. Something comfy and low key but still cute.

The make up was very simple today, since the outfit was so light and pale. I wore my glasses and my short wig. I added the pale pink flower head band. I added some hoop earrings. I used a light pale eyeshadow and defined my eye brows. I had a light dusting of a pink blush and I lined my eyes and put on a little mascara. Then I just put on some chapstick and a little pale pink lipstick.

And there you have it!

 

ART JOURNALING

I did decide to work on my art journal today. I just finished up some stuff I started yesterday and added it to the layout, but because it's a full four page spread, I'm going to be working on it for the next few days! Here's some pictures of how far I've gotten. 

So I've added a face and some more wording. The face is done with watercolor pencils and then I added embellishments with colored sharpies. I made some labels and then some were stickers. The beauty of mixed media is that you use a little bit of everything. I love how the colors came out. 

Then on the inside, I added this grayscale paper to one side with a little insert of pink and snowflakes. I added another little woman to the mix and some more stickers. There's much more to come!

That's what it looks like standing up. I still need to do this left side, then the middle and then the right side and it will finally be finished. So stay tuned! 

 

 

 

INSPIRATION:

In doing my prayers today, I also took a peek in one of my little inspirational books today and the topic of choice today was to enjoy the journey and not worry about the destination.  That was why today was just about chilling. I just wanted to relax today and I did a lot of that. It was all about the journey and not the destination. I had a good day because I just let it happen organically, instead of planning every moment like I sometimes do. I  can be a little rigid when it comes to a building a routine. So yeah today was just about letting go of all that. 

ARE YOU USING HANGOUT?

Gerald hit me up on it and it's just a video chat and you invite whoever you want so you can all talk. I never use this kinda stuff, but it was cool, so I invited my brother to one so that we could say hi to my niece! It took us forever to get connected, but we finally did and it was so fun to see and talk to her! She's so cute!

Old picture of her trying to pull books off the shelf! Always getting into stuff!

 
  

1 CORINTHIANS 15:56-57

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

 

MONDAY FUN DAY! 2-18-13

WE HAD ANOTHER NICE DAY!

 

The sun came out and the temperature warmed back up to 50! So I planned to make sure that I spent some time outside today. I had a list of things that I wanted to do anyway. 

OIL CHANGE
COPY CLASS ART PIECE AND SEND OFF
ATTEND LOOK GOOD SUPPORT GROUP
GRAB A FEW THINGS FROM STORE
BROWSE BIG LOTS

 Well the Oil change was a success, I had a coupon for $20 plus a free tire rotation and check and a free brake check! All was well and I didn't need anything else done. We didn't make an appointment, so it was going to be an hour before they got me in, so we walked across the parking lot to the Big Lots to kill time while they were working on the car. 









 
Discounts galore! Gotta love it! We just walked through every aisle to kill time, but I also got exercise that way too. I love that they have furniture and that's actually where I bought my futon sofa. I found a couple of little sectionals that I liked. They may be good later on for once I have my own place again...

Obviously it's not real leather, but I think that has a pretty sleek look to it, plus it's a neutral color and I thought that the little green chair was was a nice accompaniment. It would just be a matter of adding in the perfect coffee table.

We left BigLots with a few little trinkets, mostly just some junk food snacks that they had in there and headed back across the parking lot to get a the car, which was finished and waiting for us. No need for brakes, which was what I was worried about!













This is what I was looking for to make a digital copy of the CLASS canvas and then send it off to them. Well, we started riding out to where the Fedex Shipping Center was and drove past it twice! Finally found it and the guy inside said that there isn't one here!!!! Closet one is in Pittsburgh!!! Uuuugh! Everything that I'm used to having around the corner is in freaking Pittsburgh--an hour drive away! Whatever though, there's some copy center place up the street, but they tell me that they don't have the ability to do that for me and they call another place to see if they can do it. She refers me to another place, but says that they can't do it until tomorrow, because they don't have their camera onsite today apparently.







I was hungry after that ordeal so we went to the Wendy's over by the hospital because I had the support group tonight at 5 and it was an hour before it was about to start. We both got spicy chicken sandwiches with fries. I grabbed a chocolate frosty shake. It was pretty tasty. I shared it with Mom while we waiting for the group to start...

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-18-13

Purple and black again today. My dark jeans that fit, a black tank with the bright purple tank over it, A 3/4 sleeve cropped black blazer over top. Then I threw on the matching purple infinity scarf and clipped one of my black hair flowers onto it just for a little detail. I had on black pointy flats with it.

I wore my black and white trench and a beanie cap and threw on some shades when we left!

I didn't wear any make up because I wanted to save that for the support group, which was all about doing your make up while going through chemo and we were getting free make up kits!  That's also why I didn't wear a wig. I figured it would just be too much of a hassle while I was trying to put on everything. I did wear a black beanie, long black feather earrings and a silver bracelet. 

 

LOOK GOOD FEEL BETTER SUPPORT GROUP :)

This was fun! There were about 8 women and then whoever came to support them, husbands, daughters, Moms, friends. One lady came by herself. My mom didn't seem up front with me, but that was okay--I know she was sitting back there. They went through each step of how to apply your make up. There's a little brochure that details everything that they discussed.  

This is the bag the make up came in! It's really cool that they have all shades too. They also had very dark and I got lucky because my make up ended up matching really well!

They gave you everything, concealer, lip liner, foundation, powder, blush, bronzer, lip gloss, lipstick, self sharpening brow pencil, eyeshadow, moisturizer, liner, mascara, wipes, lotion, lotion, nail polish! They did a great job. I guess there are people who donate these items and we get these kits for free! Thank you American Cancer Society! Blessings!

I was super excited when I saw this! I got a Chanel powder blush! 

They walked us through each step of the make up process and gave us pointers about hygiene which is super important for anyone dealing with chemo. We gotta do that in order not to compromise our immune system. They also mentioned that we have to watch what moisturizer we use because some of them have hormones in them which may interfere with our treatments-in particular breast and ovarian cancers. So the key thing is to just make sure you don't let your make up expire, you keep your hands clean and don't share your make up. The basic stuff we should probably already be doing, but are too lazy to keep up with! But this is what I looked like after

I used the foundation, bronzer, the brow pencil. The little eyeshadow they gave me had some purple in it, so I used a light covering of that and I attempted to put on the lip gloss and liner, but OMG it was too bright for me. I blotted the heck out of it and just added chap stick to moisturize. They demonstrated how to do this turban with the bottom half of a T-shirt. Snice they gave us all t-shirts and mine was purple, I put it on and clipped the little flower to it. 

The instructions on how to do the t-shirt turban!

They were giving away free wigs and hats when we finished. I managed to grab a white hat  with some pastel accents running through it. I'll have to come up with an outfit for it! Ha! Ha! 

 

 

LAST STOP OF THE NIGHT...!

We grabbed some drinks and some fruit from Walmart on the way home.  We have some wild and crazy adventures don't we? Ha! Ha! Then we came home and Gran had made us chilli and grilled cheese sandwiches. So I slapped that down and here I am finishing up the blog after I put on some comfy pjs!

So no art tonight. We had a full day today and I definitely got my exercise and some Sunshine!! This was a really good day, but I'm tired out and ready to hit the bed right about now.

I wish you all well for the night!

PSALM 103:2-5

Bless the Lord, O, my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases , who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that you youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

COLD WEATHER IS BACK! 2-17-13

TV, BLANKETS AND FOOD!

 

 

The weather has decided to dip back down today. Our high today was only 25 degrees! I decided against going to church this morning! Boo for me, but I have a morning prayer session everyday and I watched religious programming on TV this morning of course. I just didn't feel like getting ready in time. I finally got up and moving. I was ready by the time we had to pick Gran up from church though. When we got back Mom cooked up a meal of roasted sirloin steaks, baked beans and roasted veggies. I did do some art work while she was cooking. I also spent some serious time with Youtube looking at trailers and remodeling of trailers and floorplans. After dinner we got caught up in a marathon of Touched by an Angel.  Now I'm under a blanket working on the blog and thinking about my next snack or if I want any kind of desert tonight. 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-17-13

So today's outfit was all about comfort and color! I have this long maxi dress from this summer, but I made it work for winter. I have on some thick leggings underneath with a tank top that matches. I then added a white long sleeve button down. I threw the teal dress over it. Instead of going with more teal accents, I added the hot pink for contrast and the black books were and jacket were just the first thing I grabbed--I was originally going to wear this with brown accents--I didn't feel like changing my purse though. 

Make up close up--a little pink and teal to accent the outfit. It's such a fashion faux paux to match your make up to your outfit, but I don't care. I like to stand out and I'm a match-y match-y type anyway! Look at them cheeks!

Different angle now.

  

ART TIME...

 I had some time at the art table today. I had a little poem that I put together as a little book from a long time ago and I just added a cover to it. It'll be on Etsy. I then started working on the new art journal page, but I was interrupted by dinner. After a full belly and the Touched by Angel marathon, I never made it back to the art table except to clean up.

 

It's a poem, about an interracial couple actually. Unique one of a kind story and art.

I made a copy of it though, so I have a record of it and can make more if need be!

The face of breathing space. She's actually made from watercolor pencils. so I'll just use a wet paint brush to paint her.

Then she will get cut out and added to the cover of the breathing space layout!

DINNER TIME TASTINESS...

We gotta keep my protein levels up! So we had another steak Sunday! Mom broiled it in her secret marinade which was delicious! I made some roasted vegetables with Italian dressing to go with and she make baked beans and a delicious cheesy garlic bread! I was stuffed! Fat chemo girl?

 

HOW HAVE I BEEN FEELING?

Mentally--I've been great! I know that you guys have been going through this with me on the blog, but I just wanna say thanks so much for all the support and I hope that you've been inspired by something on here! I hope that you're taking every opportunity to seize the goodness 2013 has to offer you. You can be thrown a curve ball, but just adjust vision and you can still hit the ball! I'm embracing this experience because I know that there's a blessing in this. The healing is claimed, but there are good things coming after it. There's a new life experience going on here and I'm good with that! I want to embrace that! 

Physically --I've been great too! I mean I still take the pain and nauseau meds, but only once a day as a preventive measure. Sometimes I take an additional pain pill if I know I'm going to be really busy. I'm keeping my protein up and taking all my medicines. I typically have good energy. I get to all these doctors appointments and do what they ask of me. I am having a good experience with the treatment. My swelling has gone down and I'm not having any of the other symptoms. 

Life is good and yours is too! 

DEUTERONOMY 3:16

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. 

Cancer Cutie

Tina Jones

 

 

TODAY WAS A GOOD DAY 2-16-13

SUPER PRODUCTIVE SATURDAY!

Today was a good day! I slept in and had a great little prayer session this morning. Then my mom came down and we fixed omelets for breakfast today. I love that nothing has changed about my appetite. You would think people dealing with chemo wouldn't want to eat or would lose weight. Shoot!! I might get fat! It's being cooped up in the house and the colder weather. It's like--let's watch TV and eat food!

We got a little dusting of snow, because well it just wouldn't be WV winter weather if there isn't some snow outside. 

 

A CLEAN CHURCH...

My Mom cleans the church every Saturday and of course it was an opportunity for me to leave the house so I took a ride down with her. I tried to stay occupied while she cleaned! 

WE WENT TO VISIT WITH FAMILY FRIEND

Linda grew up with my Mom and they're best buddies. She's such a sweet person and she's always checking on me. She works at the hospital where I'm receiving treatment. I'm always trying to inject her with a little positivity! I trying to convince her to redecorate her bedroom--she deserves a fresh new look!

I

Cute little house right?

 

RIDING AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD....

I had a moment of nostalgia because I always just forget about places around here, but we took a ride up the road past the church area to where we used to go fishing when I was a kid...

 

 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-16-13

Easy breezy purple and gray. I'm in my layers-a white tank and a lilac colored button down with a slightly darker purple t-shirt over it. Then I threw on my gray cardigan and one of the hat's I picked up from Target yesterday. There was black in the pom pom on top, so I wore my black booties and had a black purse to accent that.

Rocking the Fro wig today!

Thought I'd give you guys a better close-up of my make-up today. I have some purple shadow to accent my outfit today.

I do alright with the make-up, but I am going to some support group on Monday evening for looking good with cancer. It's a little make-up class. But you get a free make up kit, so I don't wanna miss out on that! I'm gonna take some affirmation cards with me when I go and offer those to the other ladies while I'm there. Fun times!

TODAY'S ART EXPERIENCE...

Once me and Mom got back, we pretty much stayed in the dining room with the art supplies. Her creation keeps evolving and has actually grown into a three piece set at this point. I finished working on the piece I was making for CLASS. I also wrote them a letter and then I took pictures of all our finished pieces so that I can post them up on the Etsy site--expect to get confirmation of that sometime next week. I had a couple of pieces that had to be finished before I could take photos of as well. I don't wanna tease you anymore, so you'll see all this stuff once the site launches. I'll post the CLASS piece once I've sent it off to them--I'd rather have it be a surprise. I never got around to working on my art journal like I wanted to, but we definitely got a lot accomplished in terms of the art today. 

ALWAYS EATING...

Plus we ate good again! We had leftover veggies and cheese cut up from the omelets this morning, so we dumped all that on a frozen Digornio cheese pizza with some pepperoni and that was dinner. Out of lettuce, so for our veggies we cooked up some frozen peas with some diced fresh carrots as our side dish. I was stuffed. 


It's been a long day. I think I'm gonna eat a cup of yogurt brush my teeth and hit the bed..still debating if I want to actually attend church with my Grandma tomorrow? We will see how late I sleep!

1 PETER 2:11

Beloved, I urge you s sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina

 

RETAIL THERAPY FOR EXERCISE?? 2-15-13

WINDOW SHOPPING FRIDAY

Today I decided that I wanted to walk through Target and see what kinda clearance goodies they may have.
So that was a fun little outing for me. It was a good way to get a little exercise, plus I had to pick up a prescription and put some gas in the car. I didn't grab a whole lot of stuff, but I did find a couple more beanies and a fitted sheet for my bed. We checked out TJMaxx as well. They had some beat up clearance stuff--a lot of broken stuff. It was kinda weird, but whatever. And then I just grabbed a couple of things out of the dollar tree.

GRANNY GOT HER HAIR DID...

My Grandmother is still old school and still gets a press and curl. She liked my natural hair after it got long, but she still refers to that look as nappy and not in a way that embraces nappy as good. It's all good. She'll be 77 in a few months--old school generation!

She's got gorgeous skin--We age pretty well don't we!

 

FIRST TIME DRIVING SINCE I GOT BACK FROM ATL!

 I let my Mom drive us around. Most of the time, I'm tired. I sometimes want to but it's just easier to let her do it. But I was itching to get behind the wheel. I haven't driven in like a month! It was nice to feel in control of my own vehicle. It's weird to sit next to someone else driving your car all the time.

We had some snow flurries today, but nothing accumulated.The roads were a lil wet. It was a nice little ride. It was fun to be in the driver side of my car again!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-15-13

 

Dark colored jeans with a white button down and a pink top over it. Then I added a navy blue sweater hoodie. I didn't feel like wearing a wig today, so I did a headwrap that matched the pink top.

 

Glasses and super simple make up--no foundation, just lined my brows, put on some mascara and liner. then a little blush and some chapstick. Keeping it simple for everyday. I like to get all dolled up when I'm not planning on doing artwork later.

HEAD WRAP TUTORIAL!!

This was something I used to do with my hair, when I needed to quick protective style too. It would also look good with a wig too. So it's really a versatile look and I encourage all you ladies to give it a try if you're looking for something different!

ART JOURNALING TODAY:

I started a new art journal entry after dinner tonight. Before we left today I was working on my art piece for CLASS. I had an idea to add more to it, so I was working on that when we got back, but while it was drying I started working on a new art journal. Breathing space...

Once I started to look at what I had done, I realized that it matched my outfit from today!! How funny is that!

 

It's going to be interactive. this will open up to four full pages, so I'll be working on this one for a little while. So I'll keep you updated on the progress of this one. I'm excited to really get creative with this one!

GALATIANS 5:1

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Cancer Cutie

Tina Bina