EASTER WEEKEND CATCH UP 4-1-13

WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON?

Friday afternoon me and Mom went shopping! We went to WalMart, Dollar Tree and Gabes, so that I could get a few more things to finish off my little Easter gifts and pick up my prescription refills. Things were going fine and then I started feeling nauseous. By the time we got home I was running to the restroom! Uuugh! I really wasn't feeling that, so I laid down after that and rested.  So no blogging.

My brother and his family arrived late on Friday night so they went straight to my Mom's house and I saw them Saturday afternoon. My niece is a ball of energy and so much fun! So we played until they went to her other Grandma's house to celebrate Easter.

Tegan dressed in her Easter dress--she even had little kid heels! She's the honorary CancerCutie of the Day!

While they were gone--I put together my Easter gifts and watched the most graphic parts of the Passion of the Christ. It was too much and I got nauseous again. No more puking! Please! I felt much better after and finished putting my gifts together. Then we dyed Easter Eggs. Which was actually a lot of fun. I hadn't done it in years and my Grandmother was cracking me up! She was so excited about how the little shrink wraps for the eggs worked! We had a good time just goofing off and being silly! Then we pretty much headed to bed after that. So another night of skipping the blog--sorry guys!


EASTER SUNDAY
So I get up with the debate battling in my head--go to church or stay home. I was up and dressed in time, but I decided not to go. I don't know my aversion to going to church, but it just doesn't feel like something I need to do. I think church is perfect for fellowship and if you're not proactive, then it can help deepen your knowledge of the Word. I haven't been to church in so long, I almost don't know if I'd remember how to act. I'm going to go one day though! One day...! 
Anyway I went with Mom to pick up Aunt Donna out in Cheat Lake--I wish she lived closer--so we could see her more often!
She was telling us all about her neighborhood drama and why she's not going to be friends with some of her neighbors anymore. Too bad!
When we get back I slice up the meats and start heating up our meal while Mom goes to pick Gran up from church.

Dinner consisted of :
Pineapple encrusted Hams--two small ones
Turkey breast and stuffing
Homemade Baked Macaroni and cheese
Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Kale Greens
Green Beans
Homemade rolls with butter

I actually ate twice and didn't get sick once!!!!

We had so much fun with my Niece and all her Easter Goodies. I actually got a lot for Easter myself--both Gran and Aunt Donna got me loaded ($) Easter cards and candy.

My giant Easter Bunny!

I don't know if you can see how  big that box next to me is, but it contains a giant chocolate Easter Bunny that I'll probably be eating for the next year!?

WHO IS THE EASTER BUNNY?

 

HUNTING FOR EGGS

 We hid a few plastic eggs in the yard for Tegan to hunt.

She found them all!

  

BUBBLE TIME;

It started raining so we couldn't do bubbles outside anymore and we went to the porch! But did she love the bubbles--all night long--she wanted to blow bubbles! 

LITTLE MISS BUCKET HEAD

 

 

  

HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT EASTER!

I hope everyone really enjoyed the day--whether you went to church or not. I hope there was lots of good food, friends and family and Love during your day! It's such a significant day! That's when Jesus rose from the grave. He died for our sins so that we may have eternal life. That's the best gift anyone could ever give anyone! So if nothing else we need to be thankful for that! Who else could top that? That's something to be thankful for truly!

Happy Easter!

PSALM 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod, your staff, they comfort me. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

I KNOW I'VE BEEN MIA....LET ME EXPLAIN!

NO POWER LITERALLY AND FIGURATELY

When I woke up Monday morning we had about 3 inches of heavy wet snow blanketing everything and it was apparently heavy enough to snap a power line or cause a tree to fall and snap the power line. So we didn't have power until late that evening and I hadn't felt too great that day. I stayed under the covers on the couch all day and figured I'd fill you guys in on Tuesday. 

So Tuesday rolls around and I feel crappy again. More laying on the couch under the blanket and watching TV. It took me half the day to bathe and I didn't feel like putting on anything worthy enough to be a part of the Cancer Cutie Outfit of the day. So we took no pictures and I fell asleep early. We had a follow up at the doctor the next day.

Wednesday came and I was all ready to have a good day. We were going to the store after I left the doctor and I could finish getting my little Easter gifts. Well the day didn't turn out the way I thought it would. I took my medicine and I just wasn't feeling like food was a good idea, so I decided I would drink an Ensure high protein drink. Everything was fine until my stomach started churning. The Ensure didn't want to stay down so I let it come back up. Uuugh! I was going to have to go to the doctor anyway, so I took a moment and got showered and dressed. We were of course at the hospital a long time. I had my lab work done and my port actually worked without too much hassle. Then we sat and waited to meet with Dr. Monga. I explained that this last chemo session had taken a toll on me and he said to take it easy--drink lots of fluids and keep taking my nausea medicine. He said that my lungs sound really good and that after this next chemo session, we're going to take a scan so that we can see what are progress is and how we will continue with treatment from there. Hopefully I've been feeling all crappy because it's working and maybe it will be all gone by this next session! Positive thinking!!!! Speak your reality into existence!

So here we are at Thursday!I started my day off with a concerned phone call from Gerald on the landline and I figured I better update the blog and charge my cell phone. Sorry if you've been trying to reach me! I have been able to eat today and no real nausea issues--taking the medication 3 times a day so that's helping. But the strangest thing did happen--my hands started itching and I assumed that they were dry and needed some lotion. So I put on some lotion and they kept itching. In fact it got more intense and it wouldn't stop. I think scrambled to find some hydrocortisone--I have eczema so I always have some around. That made it worse and my hands were burning and I started freaking out.  My grandmother said to wash the lotion off and called my Mom. I was able to rinse my hands with cold water to ease the burning sensation and then my Grandma gave me and ice pack to put on my hands. It helped to soothe the burning and Mom wanted to know if I wanted to call the nurses number or go to the hospital. I just let it run it's course. The ice pack helped. I showered and got dressed and took a quick nap. I even ate a taco for lunch. My hands are a little itchy, but nothing like what was going on this morning--Thank God!

So I figured that I had better give everyone an update since I've been MIA. I hope everyone is doing well and that everyone has great plans for their Easter weekend. Hopefully you will get to hear all about mine this weekend because I'm going to be feeling great! I'm speaking it into existence. My niece should be here tomorrow, so I have to be feeling good to keep up with her!

JUDE 1:24-25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God our Savoir, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

 CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

Sunday on the couch!

I DIDN'T LEAVE THE HOUSE TODAY!

 I stayed on the couch today. My bones were sore-which is a side effect of the shot I received yesterday. It's all good though. Mom made me breakfast. They've been on my case about not eating enough. I was eating like little miss piggy, but now I don't have nearly as much of an appetite since I'm off the steroid. I laid around watching TV today. That seems to be a big part of most of my days. I have to get out of that rut. But we again had some funky weather for it to be spring! The wintry mix poured down and covered the grass in snow and made everything outside wet and gloomy looking. Gotta love it. I'm ready for that to change. I need to start writing again and working on our art projects. My number one focus is to be healthy but I think that both of those things are good outlets to keep me distracted from worry and stress. It makes no sense to sit and dwell on how bad I feel or why is this happening and what not. TV is a good distraction too, but it's just not the most productive. I'm gonna get back on track.

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-24-13

Me on the couch. No make up and no wig. Glasses and my go to black beanie.

It's all about comfort. Baggie jeans and then I just threw on some warm WVU gear. It's comfy and most importantly--keeps me warm. Nothing truly cute, but you're as cute as you feel!

 

HOW I'M FEELING...

I'm feeling great! I'm feeling like life is good.  I'm going to continue to embrace that and we will find that to be my reality. Life is what you make it. So why not make it something you're happy about and feel good about.

PROVERBS 15:31-32

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises hinself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

Took a break for Chemo yesterday--3/22/13

TODAY IS A NEW DAY 3-23-13

Yesterday was chemo day. I had to be there at 8:00 am for my labwork. Well I slept in a little longer than I was supposed to. It's a good thing that I had taken my bath the night before and already had my clothes picked out. I had activity stuff packed, but Mom had to add in some snacks. We made it on time regardless.

So we couldn't get my port to work and give them any blood, so they had to do it manually. She got it on the first try too. Then they had to do a special flush on my port. 

Then we wait for the Dr and my Dr was doing hospital rounds apparently and the week that they do that they have another doctor see his patients. She was very nice and she went over all my stats. My medicines and what I've been experiencing in terms of my side effects. Then she checked my labwork to see if I was cleared for my chemo!

So I go upstairs and wait forever for them to clear me for my meds. They finally get started and the Benadryl they give you immediately has me feeling drowsy. So sleepy time hits and that's how I spend most of my day. Poor Mom is sitting there bored out of her mind. You can only watch so much TV before you're over it.

Afterwards I went to Wendy's because I was so hungry and didn't think that I would survive the ride home.
 Got home and Gran had made burgers and fries for me! I ate that for lunch today. 

So I spend the rest of the evening sleeping. I went straight to bed early with no intention on writing the blog or watching TV or anything else. 

Then I had to get up this morning and go back over for my follow up shot. I think it does something for your blood counts to boost them up after chemo. It's one shot and it takes like 10 minutes and that's it. So that's a plus. Then we went to WalMart to fill my prescription.

We browsed around WalMart and after I picked up my prescription, we went to Target and Sally's Beauty supply. I picked up some wig shampoo and some head forms to let them dry on, so that they keep their shape better.  

Once we got home, I did some internet browsing, some TV watching and a quick walk up to my Mom's house to get some fresh air. We actually had a decent day today. Since the sun was out and the wind wasn't blowing, it actually was tolerable to be outside. It's going to get colder as the week progresses though. 

 THE CHEMO SESSION:

This is what the majority of my chemo session consists of. Sleeping and more sleeping!

I wake up for bathroom breaks and yes I have to drag this huge contraption with me every time because that's where everything is attached.

Mom, must have really been bored if she was taking random pictures of the clock!

 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-23-13

Posing with my wig heads. Today I wore my long wig which needs washing! My glasses, the gray beanie with the pom pom on top. I wore basic foundation, defined my brows, lined my eyes and put on a lit mascara. I skipped the blush and the eyeshadow today.

Today I wore my new $1 sweater that was a great match to my purple button down and since I had some gray in the sweater the gray colored jeans were a great match. Then I threw on my black bootie shoe slippers. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING?

I always feel good. Why feel bad? Why would I want to feel negative emotion if I can choose to have a positive emotion.We all get frustrated, or mad or sad or whatever, but we don't have to stay there. Feel it for a moment and then realize how much better it would be to have a positive emotion. It would be better to laugh or smile and think of how proud you are or how good it feels to just not feel worried. There are a lot of positive emotions we can have. We just need to embrace those feelings over the negative emotions that are often times too easy to let yourself wallow in. We all have that friend you can call and complain with. They will listen to you bitch and whine and have their own pity party right along with you--next time you wanna call them--don't! Call that friend who's always positive and upbeat and says that it's all going to work out instead. You hate hearing that when all you want to do is complain, but switch over to the positive side. Flip the switch to more positive thinking! 

EXODUS 20:16

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

SPRING HAS NOT SPRUNG! 3-21-13

30 DEGREE WEATHER--NOT SO SPRING-TIMEY!

The weather today was no joke for it to be the 2nd day of Spring! That stinking groundhog didn't know what he was seeing! So we were out and about in the weather today. Not as early thankfully. 

We dropped Gran off at her luncheon at noon and went to my favorite place--Gabe's! I of course came out with a couple of deals and some Easter Candy.

Then we picked up Gran and spent some time in everyone's favorite place--WalMart of course!
I picked up some more deals and some Easter stuff for my niece.

We got home, ate some lunch and watched some tv. 

Then came dinner and a shower. I have to be at the hospital tomorrow at 8am for my chemo, so I'm gonna just make sure that I have everything prepped tonight and I can just jump up get dressed and eat before we leave. 

 Gotta watch Scandal tonight--we've had three weeks of repeats and we're getting our first new episode tonight.

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-21-13

I had on a much cuter outfit when I was out and about, but we didn't take pictures until after I had put on some comfy clothes. I wore some teal lounge pants a teal mini dress that I had on earlier and then I threw a black hoodie over it. I had worn the scarf earlier along with the hat and my glasses.

Relaxing in the comfy gear! I had worn dark skinny jeans and tall black boots with the mini dress.

  

SHOPPING HAUL:

I got this black and purple sweater from Gabes for $1! I have a gray pair of jeans and a purple button down that match it just perfectly!

I found the best deal at WalMart. A pair of black sweat pants and a black and gray top for $1 a piece. That's a $2 outfit. I'm going to wear it tomorrow for my chemo session. Because at least I'll be comfy, but somewhat stylish.

I went to Gabes with the intention of finding an Easter Dress and I started thinking about what an Easter dress typically looks like and we don't have the weather for that. I found a cute purple sweater dress with sleeves that is the perfect compromise from having something floaty and more spring time-y! I'll wear it with leggings and boots. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING

I feel good. I feel ready for the warmer weather. I just saw a news commercial that said that Puxtatwney Phil--the Groundhog was receiving death threats. I'm not that upset, but boy I would be happy to see some sunshine. I'm sick of sitting in the house and when you do venture out, you feel like you have to run from the car to the place you're going. But we have to stay positive. Spring is just around the corner. Well it's technically here already, but we will actually feel it soon. 

Just be happy--no matter what kinda weather we have! No matter what's going on--find something to laugh about or smile about. Your joy is the most important thing and you're in control of that. 

PHILIPPIANS 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

  

 

WE HAD AN EARLY MORNING 3-20-13

EASTER SHOPPING TODAY

 We started our morning off at Ihop. My grandmother had an outing with her league there. So me and Mom ate breakfast quickly and then we went to Lowe's and Michael's.

We picked Gran up from Ihop and  then we went to Kmart.

We had to call my Brother to get my niece's size. She's growing--rocking a 4T and she's only 2 years old. She's a big girl for her age. Always has been. I found her a really cute pair of pj's. But I was getting tired, having been up since 7:30 and after walking around I needed to sit.

So we came home and ate a Digornio pizza.

I took a nap and then we watched some design shows.

So yeah no writing and no art. It's been so long! I need to get back to it.

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-20-13

Today's outfit was dark jeans, a black tank top, a white button down, a bright blue t-shirt with a black hoodie over that. Then I added a black scarf with silver accents and my silver slipper shoes.

Today I wore the curly wig and a black beanie cap. My make-up was basic. Foundation, blush, defined my brows and put on a little eyeshadow. I also put on liner and mascara. No glasses today so that you can actually see my face. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING

I'm feeling great! You should be feeling great too! We choose how we feel so I suggest that we choose to feel good! It's not always an easy task, but it's one that we have to try to complete no matter what.

Choose your weather--is it a bright sunny day or are you going to let a rain cloud hover over your head?

ISIAH 61:1

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor: he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound...

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 
 

I'M BACK! 3-19-13

TAKE IT EASY TUESDAY

 So I felt much better today.
I woke up and prayed and meditated.
Had breakfast and it stayed down! Yeah!
I got dressed and felt fine.
Gran came home from her volunteer work.
Then I took a ride with Mom to Fairmont to pay some bills.
Came back and had lunch.
Watched Days of our Lives and took a little nod on the couch.
Then I made a salad to eat with my spaghetti.
Laughed at Betty White's Off their Rocker with Mom and Gran and started the blog.

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-19-13

Representing WVU today. I had on dark jeans, a yellow fitted hoodie and then a long sleeved navy blue Mountaineer t-shirt over that. Then I wore a navy blue sweater hoodie with that.

I wore a yellow baseball cap to accent the yellow in the outfit and then one of my long wigs. I skipped the makeup and opted for moisturizer and chap stick.

 

HOW I'M FEELING...

 I feel pretty good. I woke up feeling much better than yesterday. I listened to some Joyce Meyers in Mom's truck today and she was discussing grace and how we try so hard to do things, instead of just accepting the grace we've received! We don't have to do anything to receive Grace or God's favor. We just have to accept Him and let Him run the show. If you take a look at the things in your life that aren't working and you're sitting thinking I'm trying to make this work, then that's where you've gone wrong. What you needed to do was turn it over to God and let his Grace lead you. Let yourself be in His favor and the issue will take care of itself. You can do anything through Christ because he's everything and without him you couldn't achieve all of this. He gives us life. I think we have to trust that he's taking care of everything. Faith, Trust, Believe.

ROMANS 13:10

Love does no wrong to  neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina