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

 

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