BLOODY FRIDAY 4-12-13

WHAT'S BEEN UP SINCE LAST TIME? 

It's been a few days since I've given an update. I guess I haven't done too much since my last blog. I have tried to spend time outside, since we have been having great weather all week. I've been sleeping in really late too, so I only leave so much time in the day. Wednesday I didn't go anywhere, but I did bask in the sunshine. Yesterday I did go to WalMart to refill a prescription and browse the gardening section. Then I had to prepare for this morning's early doctor appointments. 8 am labwork and today was Chemo day!

No such luck-chuck! They said my blood wasn't right and I had to get another 2 pints of blood today instead of getting chemo. Those only take a total of 2 hrs instead of my usual 4.5 for the chemo session. It didn't make much difference though. We had to wait 2 hrs for the blood to even show up! Even the nurse was getting frustrated. But it finally came and I got my new burst of energy. I guess I had been feeling lethargic because my blood levels were low again. I have a lot more energy now. I have a new supplement now too. I have to start taking at 1000mg of calcium with vitamin D daily. The bone hardener I take has some funky effect on my calcium levels. Once we left the hospital, we went to go pick up the new supplement and some more gingerale. I also had a McDonald's craving and grabbed a cheeseburger and small fry. It hit the spot.

Once we got home, dinner was ready and the TV beckoned us. Long day of just sitting. It really can tire you out. Especially, when you get up at 7:00 am after sleeping until 9:30 or 10 everyday. We didn't even take any pictures today.

A CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT:

Close-up! No make-up! No wig! I took a pretty scarf and made it into a headwrap and threw on my big shades.

The whole outfit! orange skinny jeans with an orange tank top that I threw a yellow t-shirt over. The head wrap picks up both colors and pulls the look together.

 

HOW I'M FEELING...

I'm feeling much better physically. I always feel good mentally! I love life! My grandmother just gave me a few words of wisdom before she went to bed. It's a blessing everyday that we wake up.I sure we've all heard that one before, but it's something that you don't think that deeply about.  Each day is another opportunity to enjoy living. The simple little pleasures. Just absorb it. Soak it up. That sunshine. The laughter you share. The delicious meal. There are so many amazing things to experience in life, but we get too bogged down with living for money and stuff instead of just enjoying the little stuff. The free stuff that life gives to you if you just take the time to enjoy it. Take time to enjoy those little moments of joy that come free of charge. Let me know what free moment of joy you experienced today. Just think about it--I know you have at least one moment.

EPHESIANS 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places...

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

FEELING HOT-HOT! 4-10-13

ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY!

It was 82 degrees today! The sun was out and it was beautiful. I spent a lot of it just sitting outside. I did watch some TV, but I made sure to get out in the sunshine too!

Every spring Mom and Gran spray their houses with insecticides to keep the bugs out. Wasps were apparently building a nest outside my bedroom window and they were getting inside the house. They freak me out and since it's been getting warmer, they've been trying to make their way inside. So while she sprayed Gran's house, I headed to her house with the neighborhood cat--Midnight. He apparently roams from house to house when the weather gets nice, but we think he belongs to one of our neighbors nearby. I had the pleasure of watching him wash himself as we sat on the porch and I played on my phone. 

 Fascinating, right? I've contributed to the plethora of cat videos flooding the internet and it wasn't even funny! The sun decided to hide itself behind the trees and the clouds, so I decided to go inside and watch some TV. My Mom doesn't put much value into cable TV and so she has limited channels and I ended up watching the Maury show! Shame on me--I should have been watching PBS or one of the Christian channels, but it was funny to check them out. Today actually wasn't a paternity test episode, but instead it was lie detector tests for the cheaters. I mean he only has those two types of shows--cheaters or paternity tests.  I feel bad for the people who go on those kinds of shows.

So then we got a call from a family friend and one of my grandmother's fellow church members. He needed a ride to see about his truck that's getting fixed. Mom was going to take him in her truck, but since I wanted to tag along, we took my car. It's always nice to take a ride and be out and about when the weather is nice.

Lunchtime--spaghetti, salad and garlic bread leftover from yesterday.

Soap opera time--Days of our Lives. We missed General Hospital.

Back outside to check the mail and the cat followed. Then I sat outside for a little bit trying to soak up the sun and took a few pictures. Back to the TV--game show hour: Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune.

Now I'm relaxing in bed writing this blog.

CANCER CUTIE OUTFITS:

Yesterday's outfit. I wore dark jeans with a tank top that had beige, pink and teal coloring. Then I threw a teal cardigan sweater on just in case the wind was blowing a chilling breeze. I added my teal beanie and beige flats to match the tank. 

 

Today, I kept it super simple--dark jeans, a long sleeved WVU top and I threw on a brown beanie cap, but most of the time I took it off, because it was making my head hot sitting out in the sun. 

HOW I'M FEELING...

 I feel good enjoying the weather and taking pictures in the sunshine. So I matched up 3 pictures with 3 pieces of wisdom I've learned in life.

Deep in thought?

Take time to think things over

Everything isn't always what it seems. Sometimes it better to think about it before making any impulsive decisions. Trust your gut and pray for answers to your deep burning questions. 

Confidence with a bald head--who needs hair to be pretty?

Be confident in who you are

You have to be confident in who you are or no one else will believe in you. Who cares what anyone else thinks because at the end of the day you have to accept yourself. You have to be comfortable with what you do, how you look and who you are. We're all unique and special divine creatures of God. He made each of us like a snowflake. No two are alike. Embrace what makes you-you!

I've never been a fan of cats, but maybe he's not so bad and he seems to like me.

 

 

 

Be open to change

I thought that cats were awful because I had a bad experience as a kid with one attacking me. I've carried disdain for the feline species ever since. I'm not saying that I'm going to run out and buy a cat, but maybe they aren't the evil little creatures I thought that they were. Midnight was very sweet and kinda cute. Sometimes we have a tendency to let one experience shape our whole perception of something and we end up carrying a prejudice that isn't truly founded. Be open to changing your mind--sometimes we just need to let go of the past.

ART?

I actually completed an art journal page last night as I was watching TV. It's chemotherapy melting away cancer cells and a little soldier--me--raising my sword in victory. I've claimed my healing because I am living in God's favor. I'm healed and blessed! I started drawing another page and will give you an update when it's finished.

 

HEBREWS 6:11-12

And we desire each one o you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of  those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

CANCER CUTIE

TINA BINA

 

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND! 4-7-13

SUNNY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY!

We've been enjoying a gorgeous weekend. Weather in the 60's! So we spent a lot of time outside today and yesterday.

Saturday we went grocery shopping and grabbed a couple things from Lowe's--plus we were looking at bathroom stuff for Gran's pending re-do. So it was nice to be out and about in the sunshine. 

Today I stayed in bed a long time. I watched some documentary about a serial killer that was like 2 hrs long before I got dressed today. Then I went outside and walked around. Then me and Mom decided to start demolishing a tree stump in Gran's yard. I took a few swings and was able to take a chunk off myself. Mom really chipped away at most of it and a little chunk remains.

 

 

Stomp the stump!

Almost gone!

Then I just wanted to get out and about again today. So we went to WalMart so Mom could pay a bill and  we browsed the garden section while there. Then we went to Wendy's and Dairy Queen. Strawberry Cheesequake really hit the spot! Yummy!

By the time we get home, it's decided to start raining--so the rest of the evening is spent on my favorite past time--TV! Gotta check out the Real Housewives of Atlanta of course. Then Married to Medicine. Who doesn't love a bunch of bitchy housewives!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFITS:

Saturday I wore skinny dark jeans, a white top with a black quarter sleeved cropped jacket. To accent it I wore a bright pink scarf. Pointy black flats and my trusty black beanie completed the outfit. 

 

Today I wore light colored jeans with a yellow striped t-shirt. I threw on a black baseball cap and a hoodie to coordinate with my sneakers which you can't see. I didn't feel like putting on a wig today.

HOW I'M FEELING

I feel really good. I've been enjoying this weather. It just brightens your day to wake up and see the sun shining. I took a peek at Super Soul Sunday today and one of my favorite preachers was on there--Joel Osteen. The message was to dream big! I love that message. I mean we should talk big and think great things about our lives. Even if you don't believe it at first, you should speak things into your life that you want until it becomes your reality. And if you're in God's favor and he loves you, then you deserve the absolute best--so you should expect to get nothing less than that. Dream Big! Keep imagining your life the way you would have it in your wildest dreams. Then talk about it. Pray about it. Think about it. See it in your mind. Then repeat until it shows up. You have to vision though. Dream! Don't put limits on yourself. You deserve to be in God's favor. He can provide everything and anything. Trust in that and start dreaming!

LUKE 19:10

 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

PRETTY QUIET TODAY TOO!

NOT MUCH MORE EXCITING

 One big change today--the weather was so much better. The sun was out and it was much warmer than it had been. Yeah!  So I made sure that I had some time outside today!

I slept in late, but the extra rest is good for me. I even took a little nap after my shower. It always seems to take a lot of my energy for some reason.

I found Mom outside trimming back sticker bushes and making things look a little neater above my Grandma's house where we park our cars.

I ate some turkey soup my grandmother made and leaned back for some of my usual TV watching. I decided to break the norm and went outside to gather up some daffodils and put in a vase for the living room. Then I went and chatted with Mom while she was straightening up stuff in her yard.

Then we came back and watched some flea market flip before I decided to work on the blog.

Tomorrow may be a little better--we're going to the grocery store! Wild and crazy times right? LOL!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY

My outfit today consisted of a pair of dark blue jeans. I paired them with a light pink lace trimmed camisole with a brighter pink top over top of it. The whole back of the top is lace--you can't tell that from the pictures. My beige blazer kept me warm and the caramel colored flats were a good match, but impractical for walking around--I kept getting pebbles in my shoes.

I rocked the curly fro wig today with a bright pink toboggan so I was in shades of pink today. From dark to light--the ombre effect kinda? Since the sun was out I busted out my huge shades and the need for make-up became obsolete.

 

HOW I'M FEELING...

I felt good today. I mean I took the time to smell the roses--or uuh daffodils?

Not only did I stop and take a smell--I plucked the beauty from the ground to share it's gift with others.

Gran was the lucky one to receive the beautiful flower! I picked a punch more later and put a whole bouquet in the living room for a nice little pop of life and color.

 
So I'm still taking my time to smell the roses-per say and I'm sharing that gift with others. Truly take some time for yourself this weekend. Sleep a little later. Eat the dessert! Buy those shoes. Turn off the phone and open that book you've been meaning to read. Just take a little time for you and whatever it is that you like to do. Share the message. Encourage others to do the same. If you take time for yourself, you feel better and you in turn are better. You're a little nicer, you're more open to laughing and you're more of a joy to be around. So take a little extra time for you and then go be a better friend, parent, child, sibling--you! So I command you to go do you and have fun!

MATTHEW 11:28

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

BORING THURSDAY 4-4-13

NOTHING EXCITING

I truly had a pretty boring day today. I woke up feeling good. I said my prayers and ate breakfast. Still not having any nausea--yay! Mom had to take Gran to her doctor's appointment so it was just me at the house until early afternoon. I got dressed--truly got dressed today--not just my WVU gear that I layer on to keep warm. It was definitely warmer today but I only went outside a couple times. 

Today I literally sat on the couch watching TV--one time I laid down because I thought I needed a nap, but couldn't fall asleep. Not feeling sick and I still spent my day on the couch with the TV. 

Shame on me--so I have to do something a little more productive tomorrow. I cracked a lot of jokes with my Mom and Gran and so we spent a lot of the day laughing. Laughter is supposed to be good medicine! 

We watched Grey's Anatomy--which now that I watch Scandal, I've gotten into this show too. It comes on right before Scandal and Mom and Gran watch it. Crazy drama--Scandal is full of twists and turns and always has you guessing. It's a great show if you don't already watch it. 

I haven't even been cooking. Man! I have to find something interesting to do this weekend--we're going to have awesome weather! We may even reach the 70's next week! That would be something to get excited about! I'm ready for the sunshine and less clothing! So hopefully tomorrow will bring you a much more interesting blog entry! 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY

Rocking the long wig and a beanie. I also put on some makeup-minimal. No shadow or blush. Lined the eyes and wore mascara. Defined my brows and put on foundation.

Today I wore a bright vibrant yellow top over a white button down. I paired that with a matching beanie and a gray cardigan. This coordinated well with my dark jeans and I was wearing my sparkly silver slipper shoes. 

  

 HOW I'M FEELING...

I'm feeling awesome compared to how I had been feeling! I can eat and I have energy again. I just wish that I had spent today in a more productive manner. I could have been working on art projects or writing if I wasn't going to do something around the house, but I guess sometimes we can do nothing and have it be okay. We live in a society that praises being busy and multitasking. Sometimes that pace is just too much. Sometimes we need a minute to just take a break from the lists of tasks. Sometimes we need a break from our social obligations. Sometimes we need to turn off the electronics. Sometimes we just need to watch a movie with the people we love and laugh a little. When was the last time you took the time to do that. To turn off the phone. close the laptop and take a day to just spend doing whatever you want. Sleep in, eat something fattening, have a late lunch with a friend and laugh about old times. Take a bath in the middle of the afternoon. Go outside and soak up the sun. We have been trained to think that we always have to be doing something and guess what it's simply not true! Take a moment and just enjoy the simple things. 

1 SAMUEL 2:2

There is none Holy like the Lord, there is none besides yo, there is no rock like our God.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

  

FEELING GOOD AGAIN! 4-3-13

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Catch up from the weekend...
Monday was fun day with my niece, Tegan. Boy oh boy--she is a ball of energy and she wore me out! It was great to see her and my brother and Candace. She's so smart, but she was a wild child. I couldn't keep up and before I knew it, I was ready for bed. LOL! Love my little Tegan!

Tuesday, Tegan and her Mom and Dad headed home to NC. Me and Mom headed out to take Gran to the dentist for an emergency appointment. She was having some pain and turns out she needed a root canal. Poor Granny!!! I on the other hand was feeling much better. No more throwing up--tons more energy than I had. I guess the chemo effects have started to wear off. So I have to enjoy it as much as I can before my next round the end of next week.

Today has been pretty good too. I went to my doctor appointment for my bone hardener shot. We get there 15 minutes beforehand and of course we end up waiting almost an hour before I get a shot that takes 5 minutes to administer. It's kinda silly that I had to sit there that long, but whatever. You never know what you're going to get when it comes to the doctor's office. It can be a long wait.

Weather update
We know that I'm notorious for complaining about the weather here. Still adjusting to living up North again!
Well, the weather wasn't great today or anything--that wind was whipping and that's what really makes it feel cold. Plus tonight it's supposed to get down into the 20s! It's April! But--we are expecting better weather as the week progresses!

Thu Apr 4

56^°

37^°

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

SSE at 8 mph

Details

Fri Apr 5

56^°

32^°

Sunny

Chance of rain:

10%

Wind:

NNE at 17 mph

Details

Sat Apr 6

62^°

46^°

Sunny

Chance of rain:

0%

Wind:

SSE at 9 mph

Details

Sun Apr 7

62^°

52^°

Few Showers

Chance of rain:

30%

Wind:

SW at 12 mph

Details

 

 

 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 

No make up, but I did put on the long wig and a brown beanie baseball cap. I wore my glasses today also. My face is starting to look normal again because the swelling has definitely gone down. Yay!

Today I wore dark jeans, a white tank top with a cropped baby blue argyle cardigan sweater. To keep the heat in I topped it off with my navy blue sweater hoodie. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING

 So much better! I'm able to eat again without feeling like it's just gonna come back up a few hours later. I've had a lot more energy. When you have a niece like mine, you can't just lay around--you gotta be a least a little bit active. We had fun walking around outside--blowing bubbles--playing monsters and anything else we could make up. I tell you, I feel like there is a lot of value in spending time with the little ones. They have more recently come from God and their perspective on things is so different than an adult's view. Things are so simple for them. The smallest stuff can make them happy! They laugh all the time. They have all this energy. They are open to trying new things. They're flexible. They have so many qualities that we can all learn from. So if you have access to a little one take a moment to really observe how their simple innocence can truly be inspiring.
Love the little kids and learn a lot...

PROVERBS 14:30

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

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