GETTING BETTER 3-4-13

A DAY AT A TIME...

Today started off on the wrong foot, but I'm feeling much better now! I actually threw up this morning. Apparently the cereal I decided to eat did not agree with me. But no more nausea since and I've eaten everything just fine since then. It was a new cereal--Cascadian Farms Granola?? I probably just didn't  need to eat it. My appetite is going to lessen because I'm weaning off this steroid. I was tired after that!

But you know I felt a little better and took a shower and got dressed. I've been experiencing some issues with my skin I noticed too. It seems to be darkening and peeling around my forehead area--so I put on make-up today. (I was planning to go out and about today--but that didn't happen!) 

 I did do a little dozing while watching TV today and then I brought some color to the art journal I started yesterday. 

Now I'm just sitting here writing this for you guys and I feel so much better than I did this morning. God is good and if you trust him, then it's all good!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-4-13

We had nicer weather today-- about 40 and sunny today! So we went to the great outdoors for today's pictures!

Short wig today and a beanie cap. I have on super basic make-up, but I definitely made sure to blend the foundation well, so that I can hide the discoloration going on with my forehead! Lol! I defined the brows, threw on some liner and mascara. Added some blush and some chap stick. There you have it!

I wore a light pair of jeans, a white tank and white t-shirt with a teal top that just kinda hangs low for layering? Then I put on my teal sweater over that. It has a cool crocheted detail on the back, but I threw another sweater over that when we went outside so you couldn't see it. And of course it's still winter--so I threw in a teal scarf and my teal beanie of course.

 

 

 SUNSHINE-Y DAY

I have to savor the beauty of this day! Look at the sunlight and the blueness of the sky. If only those trees had some green leaves and we had some grass and flowers! But according to all the weather predictions, this pretty scene is going to be a winter wonderland in a few days. 

THE SUN IS OUT AND TO THERE'S NO SNOW!!!! YEAH!

I'M GOING TO ENJOY THIS AS MUCH AS I CAN SINCE THERE'S A BIG WINTER STORM COMING TO THE MID ATLANTIC REGION! WE MAY HAVE AS MUCH AS 3-7 INCHES OF SNOW BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK!

ART TODAY:

Yesterday's art journal is now in color.

HOW I'M FEELING...

I'm feeling pretty good since the day has gone on now. I want to wake up tomorrow and feel good off the bat! I didn't do a book-spiration for today but I did watch some Joseph Prince, Creflo Dollar and some John Hagee today. I also had my little prayer session this morning. I feel like the Lord is with me and I am getting better and better everyday. Again you have to have faith in his power. You have to trust that he is working in your favor! Remember that if nothing else. Stay up on the inside right! You have to stay positive mentally and everything else will fall into place. 

GALATIANS 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

  
 

SUNDAY SUNDAY 3-3-13

MORE CHEMO RECOVERY TIME...

 Still feeling the effects of the chemo today. I've been tired and achy most of the day even with the pain medication, but that may also be due to the fact that I'm weaning down even more on the steroid they have me on. It's all good though. I have an awesome Mom and Grandmother who both cooked for me and served me today when I didn't feel like getting up! They are awesome and I am so blessed to have them here to help me!

We started the day with some Oprah--me and Mom watched two episodes of SuperSoulSundays. One was with Don Miguel Ruiz--the guy who wrote the 4 agreements and the other was with Micheal Singer I think his name was and he wrote the Untethered Soul. It was good to get some spiritual food since we weren't at church.

But then we made the mistake of watching Mary Mary--wow! Talk about drama. I forgot that they were supposed to be Christians. They were arguing and yelling and acting more like one of the Housewives shows than something that should be uplifting. SMH!

We had snow this morning, but by early afternoon it had melted--but it stayed cold out. I dressed according and took refuge under my WVU blanket most of the day.

Let's go Mountaineers!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-3-13

Today was not about being cute, but comfortable. Dark jeans, a white tank and a blue t-shirt are layered under the gray WVU sweatshirt. Then just my black beanie to keep my head warm.

No make-up today either--just some moisturizer--always do that. Your skin get's extra dry with this chemo stuff so it's important to keep your skin moisturized.

 

I DID SOME ART TODAY!!!

Inspired by today's Book-spiration. There are Miracles in your Mouth!

 

Now I just need to add the color. The intention is there. Miracles will fall  out of your mouth--just release them--speak them into existence. We can have be and do all things through-Christ who strengthens us!

FEELING ALRIGHT?

You have to speak things into existence! I feel awesome! I feel blessed and empowered. I feel healed! I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel at peace! I feel God's favor pouring over my life. What are you going to feel? What are you claiming for you life? And guess what it's not enough to just think it and pray! I want you to say it! Say it out loud! Look in the mirror in the morning and say what your day is gonna be! Claim it! 

The Book-spiration: Miracles in your Mouth from Joel Osteen book.

Food and weight: I think that my appetite is going to decrease somewhat because I won't be on the steroid anymore soon. But today we had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas and gravy for dinner. It was delicious. I had blueberry pancakes for breakfast. 

JAMES 1:13-14

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

LAZY SATURDAY 3-2-13

DAY AFTER CHEMO...

I was so tired yesterday and that lingered into today. I had to go in for my follow up shot this morning and that was quick and easy. 

Then we went and got gas for free!
Gran volunteers at Christian Help and they provided us with a free gas voucher since I'm always traveling back and forth for my treatments!
So thank you!

We went to Kmart and ran into my Aunt Donna. She was waiting on her bus home.

Then we went to Walmart so that I could refill a few prescriptions and grab a few things--juice and some more fruit.

So we get home and I'm still just tired. Like I don't wanna move kinda tired. I'm avoiding taking my pain medication because I'm testing my pain threshold to decide if I need the bone procedure. Well I took some a couple of hours ago and I'm alive again. 

We watched a movie and now I'm giving you guys the update on the day. 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-2-13

Today's outfit was all about comfort in WVU colors. I had on my dark skinny jeans with a long yellow tank top, then a yellow WVU hoodie and then I threw a yellow v-neck sweater over that. I wore this with my beige trench coat and matching shoes when we were out and about. We had another wintry cold day today!

I didn't do any make up today at all, just some moisturizer and I threw on one of the long wigs. Sometimes make up just isn't necessary. And you should feel good about yourself without it. It's just used to enhance what you already have.

 

HOW I'M FEELING...

I was feeling so tired and lazy earlier, but now that my pain medication has kicked in, I've got a little bit of energy. I didn't do art or journaling or a book-spiration today. I guess I have to take it easy after the chemo for a few days anyway. But guess what--we're still feeling positive! I know that I this is just a part of the healing process! The healing has already been claimed--we're just going thru the motions! 
  
Stay positive--keep a smile on your face and keep trucking! Tomorrow will be brighter!

JAMES 1:13-14

Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

  

 

 

CHEMO SESSION # 2

ROUND 2 OF CHEMOTHERAPY!

We had to get up early this morning so that I could be at the hospital for my lab work by 8:30 this morning. 

Then of course I had to meet with Dr. Monga and discuss how things are going. He thinks that I should get the bone procedure because there was an actual fracture. He said to think it over this week and maybe we should try to do it before my next chemo session. I never got to sit with the actual doctor and examine the scan pictures and discuss it with him because he was in the middle of a procedure and I had already been waiting for him for over an hour! So I'm gonna lessen my pain medication and see how I'm feeling because I can't be on pain meds forever. If the pain increases, then I might need to just have the procedure. He said that my breathing was better and we are again lessening my steroid down to 1/2 a pill for a week and then just stop taking it.

So I went up for the infusion--chemotherapy. Had to wait for the final pieces from my Lab work. They apparently had a new machine and that was holding things up because they were still learning the machine and there were a few things that they still weren't able to gather. They finally got and got me hooked up.

This was a 4 hour ordeal so I was playing with the laptop to kill time. I slept for alot of it too. They give you Benadryl and it makes you drowsy. We  ate some snacks while we were there, but I was starving and sleepy when we left. We didn't get home until 5:30 because we hit traffic too.

Got caught sleeping!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 3-1-13

Today I wore dark jeans a white tank with my purple button down and then a teal v-neck over it. I added a scarf that had all the colors in it and my navy blue sweater hoodie.

I had on basic make-up, a little blush, liner and mascara. I defined my brows and added some light eyeshadow. I wore the curly wig today and threw on my white toboggan with pastel accents in it. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING? 

I'm tired to say the least. I'm going to just go to sleep soon. I still gotta get up early tomorrow morning because I have to have the follow up shot the day after chemo.

I didn't do a book-spiration today. I did my prayers though. I made sure I got up early enough for that.

I didn't do any art today.

I have other business things to take care of--get some prescriptions refilled, sign up for medicaid, get gas in the car tomorrow and I guess after that just relax.

JOHN 15:9-11

As the Father has loved me so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in joy, and that your joy may be full. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

SNOWY DAY--2-28-13

NO ACCUMULATION--SNOW SHOWERS ALL DAY THOUGH.

I woke up this morning and looked out the window to see flurries everywhere. I felt like I had woken up in a snow globe. So yeah it's still winter! 

I had a lazy morning--After I ate breakfast, I had a little Netflix time before I got dressed today. 

Merlin is one of my favorites--They have taken so many liberties with the story of Camelot, it's kinda ridiculous, but it's a cute little show. The new season comes on Friday nights on the SyFy channel if you're interested. 

http://www.syfy.com/merlin 

COOKING ADVENTURES...

I cooked up zucchini fritters for a snack after lunch. I have a recipe from an old cookbook. I also make a marina sauce to dip them in. They were tasty and made for a different kind of snack. It's probably easier to just fry up the zucchini, but the fritters involve separating eggs and letting the zucchini set in salt to draw out moisture. It's a kinda involved, but it gave me a project for the day!

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-28-12

No real makeup today. Defined my brows and put on blush. I didn't even line my eyes or do mascara. I did sweep on some blush to give my cheeks color. Glasses and the long will complete the look with the matching toboggan cap.

My outfit today consisted of black leggings, my fuschia mini dress, with a black tank underneath and a black belt. I put on my black scarf with the silver accents and a black sweater hoodie over it all. Then we went out into the cold so I added my boots, my peacoat and some black gloves.  It was comfy but cute!

WE NEED A FIRE!!!!

Just a funny little video I put together with the pictures from the Cancer Cutie photo shoot--LOL!

TODAY'S ART:

Remember that song--We be riding dirty? Well, it's been stuck in my head and I just tried to flip it. We be riding, Me and Jesus, We be riding HOLY! I been riding with Jesus and we're singing along! I first came up with this idea from one of my book-spirations and decided this morning that I would draw a bigger version. 

 

HOW I'M FEELING!

I'm chilling! I'm having a relaxed day. I am ready to go in for my chemo session tomorrow. We have to be there at 8:30 so I gotta get some sleep tonight. This will be the second session--of healing! This is healing medicine that's going to have me healthy again before you know it! Woo-hoo! I have faith that God has already healed me and it's awesome. 

Book--spiration:  The Jews won't accept Jesus' miracles as true

From  the Gospel of John

Basically you have to be willing to testify and praise God. They wouldn't admit his miracles for fear of what would happen at the synagogue. They were seeking the praise of men and not accepting eternal life that Jesus had brought to them.

That's crazy--so I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm riding with Jesus! No doubt about that. I'm living in his Grace and favor.

Don't be ashamed of your faith ever. God would never do you that way. He loves you completely and unconditionally and although we can never return that perfect love, we can at least admit that we're trying to be one of his faithful children.

Something to think about.

I've gotta get prepped for tomorrow--pick out my clothes, pack some snacks--we will be there all day again--take a shower, pack up computer and some art supplies

Then I'm gonna watch Scandal  and konk out!!!

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT AND REMEMBER TO NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOUR FATHER, HE LOVES YOU AND WOULD NEVER FORSAKE YOU!

LUKE 6:27-28

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

DOCTOR DAY 2-27-13

!

WE SPENT THE ALL DAY AT THE HOSPITAL..

So today was my bone scan. I went in at 11:00 and went to the wrong place 2x. I finally got to the right spot and they got in me in quickly. I was injected with some kind of radioactive material that shows the activity in your bones. Then we had to let that circulate through my system for two hours. So we went down to the cafeteria and sat around reading the local college paper and people watching. We ate some pizza. I tried Ensure for the first time today and it's tasty. I bought some because I didn't know if I'd have an appetite and they're supposed to be good if to get your protein in if you're not really eating. I just brought them because I thought that they would serve as a good snack because I didn't realize that we were gonna be free to leave for 2 hrs. We took some pictures and watched it rain and went back down there. I had the actual scans and that took almost an hour. Now the long part was waiting on the doctor and I never did actually see him. His partner doctor came and talked with us and then we waited some more. The appointment was supposed to be at 3pm, but he was doing a procedure. It was 4pm! The guy we talked with said that if my pain isn't over a 5 that they can't really be sure that doing a procedure would really even help me and who wants to be injecting stuff in their spine and risking that if you're not sure it's gonna work. I'll stick to the pain pills for now. He paged the doctor and talked to him about what we had discussed and the doctor said he would still offer me the procedure and we could do it as soon as Monday. I said nope and if I change my mind, then they said that they could get me in quickly if need be. So we spent all day there and didn't even do anything.

It's all good though because I would rather not have more procedures--especially risky ones that deal with my spine. If I were truly having crazy difficulty getting around then it might be worth it. It was just a few days  that I had it rough, because I think that I twisted something--but it's worked itself out now. I guess it's better to be safe rather than sorry. 

So that was the majority of my day. 

We then went to WalMart.  

Then we came home to Gran's dinner of lemon pepper baked fish with potato salad and pinto beans with cornbread. I was hungry! 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-27-13

Today's makeup was a little darker since I was in black, I had a silver lid with black liner and mascara and I of course had to define my brows and put on some blush over my foundation. I wore the curly fro with my black beanie. I had on some large hoop earring, but they must have gotten lost in all that hair.

I was dressed in black and gray to match the gloomy day outside. I had on gray jeans--got them at Gabes for $5! Then I had on a white tank top and over that I had a silky black button down. I then put on a gray cardigan over it and my long black scarf with silver accents running through it. I wore my black and white trench, my gray flats and I carried my black purse.

 

KILLING TIME...

We thought I was a model in the hallway! Pose! Sashay! Shante! Being silly as usual!

 

A PEAK AT THE RAIN

 

 HOW YOU FEELING?

 I'm feeling good. Tired, but good. I'm getting more and more inspired to write. I'm enjoying doing the blog and I'm liking my journal and book-spirations. The art thing kind smacks me in the face when I get an idea or if I have something specifict in mind. I didn't do any art today, but if I had of known how things were going to be today, I would have brought some art supplies with me and been drawing while we were waiting. Oh well! If I don't sleep through chemo on Friday, then I can do some of that then.

Book-Spriration:  Return Good for Evil

from a Joel Osteen book

Forgive the people who have done you wrong. In order for God to pour out his favor, you need to treat others well.

Aim to show kindness and seek to do good-- because we're supposed to share his mercy, kindness and goodness even when they don't appreciate it.

Forgive people and treat everyone with kindness. It's hard sometimes, but that's what Jesus would do!!!!

I tried to be nice to everyone I encountered today. Smiles and heartfelt have a good day wishes. A little kindness goes a long way and it's really appreciated when it makes its way back around to you.

So just remember to kind to someone today--maybe seek out that cranky person who always has an attitude or never seems to smile and try to make their day brighter!

How good would that feel?

EPHESIANS 2:8-9

For by the grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina

 

Rain Rain go away! 2-26-13

WET, COLD AND RAINY DAY

It may have been a wet cold and rainy day but if you keep a positive attitude, then you realize that you make your own weather!--You have the choice to feel however you want to! I chose to feel happy today! I slept late again, but who cares, I can right! I picked out clothes for tomorrow's doctor's appointment and got dressed for today after I had a nice hearty protein laden breakfast.  

I was still down to get my nature walk on--short trip up to Mom's!

 

GOOD DAY FOR COOKING TOO

I made a nice fruit salad with banana, kiwi, mandarin oranges and pineapple--tasty and healthy. 

I also put together some cut up veggies for hummus and we had pita bread with it as well. 

Then I cooked up some teriyaki chicken stir fry and pot stickers for dinner.

Almost done! Smell the flavors of  Asia!

Instead of eating ice cream--have fruit and cool whip!

 

CANCER CUTIE OUTFIT OF THE DAY 2-26-13

This outfit was so bright, that I kept the make up muted, since I wasn't going anywhere today anyway! Just your basic foundation and bare minerals powder. A little definition of the brows. A bronze colored blush on the cheeks and black liner and some mascara. I also tried some of the lipstick from the Look Good support group makeup--yeah so not for me. I blotted it off an put on my chap stick. It left a little color. I don't like lipstick unless it's very muted. I wore the short wig with my glasses.

Oh no I might just blend in with the door! Where did Tina go? Ha! Ha! I found another pair of $3 colored jeans at Gabes the other day. Bright orange! I almost did purple, but they were a little too tight. I have this long top that says I heart late nights. and then I just threw a black hoodie over it. You can't see them, but I just have on my pointy black flats with it. I threw on my black and white trench coat to walk up there. I was like a Halloween pumpkin today!

 

ART JOURNAL PAGE COMPLETED TODAY!

 I finally finished Breathing Space today:

The center is finally filled in with my wishes--The SKY is the limit!

 

I finished the other side as well and changed the title from Love to Home because the wishes listed on this side are about home ownership. I also listed the Book-spirations I've had over the past few days--Break the cycle, Unpack your dreams, Get up on the Inside, Go to the Sea Directly and today's was Use your Wisdom!

FEELING ALRIGHT?

I feel good! I am great. I'm blessed and living in God's favor. I love that I can spend most of my time engrossing myself in positive thinking, scripture, prayer and just anything I enjoy. It's quite relaxing and that's what I really need. I don't know if you've ever heard this theory on disease, but if you break that word into two it's dis--ease. Meaning not at ease. Meaning stressed. Stress is one of the biggest reasons for disease. It's what it is. It makes you sick and ill. You're not at ease with yourself and you need to be in order to be healthy and to be in sync. I'm feeling at ease. How about you? Are you at ease or are you stressing about work, your relationship, money and all the little things that really don't matter? Stop stressing! Relax--it's going to be better for your health. You don't want to fill your body up with stress and dis--ease! 

BOOK-SPIRATION: 
Use your Wisdom came from the Seize the Day Book Nekima gave me. 
 It suggested that you look at the circumstances of your past experiences and learn from them. It had a great quote from Einstein: "Intuition is nothing but the outcome of earlier intellectual experience."

I see the correlation of my first diagnosis and this one's link to stress and the lesson I learned about dis--ease. I'm not going to put my life back into stress mode again. I'm going to realize when I'm feeling the stress come on and manage it better because there is nothing more important than my health and well being.

I would suggest that you find more ways to stay less stressed as well. If you didn't see the meditation challenge link: http://www.oprah.com/own/First-Look-Deepak-Chopras-21-Day-Meditation-Challenge-Video 

There are good books for it too:
Wayne Dyer--Getting in the Gap--comes with a meditation CD
Youtube is a good place to find some free guided meditations also.

If you think mediation isn't your thing, maybe writing, working out, doing art work, take a bath, volunteer work--putting your focus on helping someone else is super rewarding!

DON'T WORRY AND BE HAPPY!

http://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU

1 JOHN 2:15-17

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that the is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions-is not from the Father but is of from the world. And the world is passing away along with it's desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 

CANCER CUTIE

Tina Bina