One more day until the surgery. Jarret and I went to a full day of pre-op appointments last Friday. Everything's a go. I check in at 9:00 on Thursday and get injected with dye and a radioactive isotope so they can track the path to the sentinel lymph node. So, will I glow in the dark? :0 Then they will biopsy it, and hopefully, the cancer will not be in it.
My surgery will begin at 12:00 and last approximately three hours. They will keep me overnight and possibly the next. Thanks to everyone who is praying for me, sending good thoughts, lifting me up. I feel prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally. Jarret is doing everything he can to encourage and support me.
Tomorrow, the amazing women in my family and myself are going to get pedicures together. Mike is fixing us brunch, and then he and Jarret are going to have some "guy" time while the ladies get pampered. I'm thinking of getting pink ribbons on my big toes!
Jarret and I went to the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs over the weekend. We enjoyed the music of Amy Carol Webb, Arlo Guthrie, and countless others as we meandered under the trees. We watched as artisans demonstrated their talents in jewelry-making, pottery, leather-crafting, and so much more. More than anything else, besides seeing Amy Carol Webb, I wanted to contra dance. It's like square dancing, but a little more complicated. Jarret was such a good sport and joined me. There's nothing like dancing when it's 95 degrees!
While we were sitting listening to some Celtic music, I thought how wonderful it would be to have the presence of the strong women who have influenced me. Since Amy Carol Webb's music has inspired me, I asked her to sign my pink hat. Next, I asked Jarret's mom, Cathy, to sign it. I plan on having all the ladies in my family put their names on it tomorrow.
I'll post again as soon as I can.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Ramblings
I had the honor of being interviewed by Lindsey Adkinson of the Brunswick News last Tuesday. Fellow teacher and breast cancer survivor, Rhonda Barlow, arranged for Lindsey to do a story about how my students are supporting me at this time. The story ran in the May 16th edition. The reporter wrote a wonderful article mentioning how the students got together and created shirts, decorated my door, and brought gifts of all kinds.
Tomorrow is the last day of school with the kids. It's bittersweet. Everyone is ready for summer, teachers and students alike. I'm hoping I will get my wish and be able to move up to tenth grade with this group of students. It will be much easier on me not having to explain my condition. I'll probably still be going through chemo when school starts. I may or may not lose my hair. It depends on the type of chemo and my reaction to it.
Surgery in ten more days. I'm ready for the waiting to be over, but am a little anxious. Things are going to be challenging, but I have an amazing family and wonderful friends to help me through.
Tomorrow is the last day of school with the kids. It's bittersweet. Everyone is ready for summer, teachers and students alike. I'm hoping I will get my wish and be able to move up to tenth grade with this group of students. It will be much easier on me not having to explain my condition. I'll probably still be going through chemo when school starts. I may or may not lose my hair. It depends on the type of chemo and my reaction to it.
Surgery in ten more days. I'm ready for the waiting to be over, but am a little anxious. Things are going to be challenging, but I have an amazing family and wonderful friends to help me through.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Mother's Day
I brought some paper pink ribbons and everyone decorated one for my door at school. I'll put them on tomorrow.
Today we went to Altama Presbyterian with Cathy and Lew. What a sweet group of people! After church we went to Captain Joe's Seafood for lunch. Very crowded, but the food is excellent.
I want to thank my mom, Pearl Von Balson, for being such a wonderful role model. She is truly my inspiration and source of strength. I've seen her overcome much hardship and grief in the 55 years I've known her. She supported the family financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Even though she worked full-time, she still found time to listen to my little girl prattle, adolescent rants, and young mother questions without judging. There was never a time Mom said, " I don't have time." On June 18, she will turn 84. I can only hope and pray that I am as loved and respected by my children and grandchildren as she is by hers. I love you Mom!
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Decision Made!
Another busy week! Jarret and I spent all day Tuesday and Wednesday in Jacksonville. All day Tuesday at Mayo getting blood work, an MRI, and various consults. The MRI showed some more iffy spots on my right breast which just helped to confirm my decision to go ahead with the mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy. After talking with the surgeon and the plastic surgeon, I've decided to get a double mastectomy. It doesn't guarantee that the cancer won't return, but it does lesson the chances. The doctors were very supportive of my decision.
The question I was asked by more than one physician was, "What will cause you the most anxiety? Losing your breasts, both of them, or living with the anxiety of the cancer coming back in the left breast?"
My hope now is that the cancer is not in my lymph nodes. If it is not in my lymph nodes, I won't have to have radiation. Radiation damages the skin and makes reconstruction more difficult. They won't know until surgery about the lymph nodes, and I won't know until it's over.
My surgery is set for May 31st. at 9:00. I'm supposed to be there at 9:00, so I'm not sure exactly what time they'll start. It's a relief to finally have the date set. Now I can kind of "see" the timeline as far as recovery goes. It's also made me a little anxious, OK, a LOT anxious! Just the thought of surgery scares me, but I have met so many women who have come through breast cancer surgery fine. They are so inspiring! It is truly a sisterhood.
On another note, I'm so glad I can finish out the school year and attend graduation! The seniors of 2012 were the freshmen my first year at Brunswick High, so I am excited to be able to see them graduate. Every graduation ceremony at BHS I've done duty, but this year I am going to put on the robe and stole and process with the teachers. I will make sure to bring a box of tissue! Many of those students have stopped by my classroom to give me hugs and their support. I'm very proud of the class of 2012!
The question I was asked by more than one physician was, "What will cause you the most anxiety? Losing your breasts, both of them, or living with the anxiety of the cancer coming back in the left breast?"
My hope now is that the cancer is not in my lymph nodes. If it is not in my lymph nodes, I won't have to have radiation. Radiation damages the skin and makes reconstruction more difficult. They won't know until surgery about the lymph nodes, and I won't know until it's over.
My surgery is set for May 31st. at 9:00. I'm supposed to be there at 9:00, so I'm not sure exactly what time they'll start. It's a relief to finally have the date set. Now I can kind of "see" the timeline as far as recovery goes. It's also made me a little anxious, OK, a LOT anxious! Just the thought of surgery scares me, but I have met so many women who have come through breast cancer surgery fine. They are so inspiring! It is truly a sisterhood.
On another note, I'm so glad I can finish out the school year and attend graduation! The seniors of 2012 were the freshmen my first year at Brunswick High, so I am excited to be able to see them graduate. Every graduation ceremony at BHS I've done duty, but this year I am going to put on the robe and stole and process with the teachers. I will make sure to bring a box of tissue! Many of those students have stopped by my classroom to give me hugs and their support. I'm very proud of the class of 2012!
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Breast Cancer Awareness Pictures
Shaved Heads for Susan!Aaron Ratliff
Eddie Avila
Luke Parker Ben Gordon
You guys rock!
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| A close-up of the shirts |
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| The outside of my door is covered with pink ribbons signed by students and staff! |
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| The inside of my door is a laundry line of breast cancer awareness slogans and well-wishes! |
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| My shirt made and signed (on the back) by my 4B class! Thanks Julia and Eliza! |
Thursday, April 26, 2012
What a busy day! Two classes celebrating Shakespeare's 448th birthday complete with cookies, brownies, chips, and drinks. One more party tomorrow and the Bard of Avon will be aptly remembered. We actually combined Shakespeare's birthday and Breast Cancer Awareness. Strange combination, I agree, although Shakespeare does mention breasts and/or bosoms quite often!
Two of my students, Mackenzie and Hailey, covered my classroom door with yellow paper and put up the pink paper ribbons the other students and teachers signed. It's looking great! My 4th B block designed and decorated T-shirts for Relay for Life this Friday. They look great. I'll post pictures soon.
Special thanks to Mrs. Tindall, Natalie's mom for buying the T-shirts for the whole class. Thanks to Natalie for coming up with the idea. Also, thanks to Julia and Eliza for decorating a shirt for me and having the class sign the back.
This post is actually a day late. I wrote the first part last night after helping Jarret with his school's Relay for Life banner. We didn't get home until after 8:00. I fell asleep before I posted.
Today (Thursday) we finished up Shakespeare's birthday bash. No more cookies or brownies please! So far my students have cut out pink ribbons, boxing gloves, and very small shirts. We're hanging the boxing gloves on the ends of the ribbons and hanging the whole thing from the ceiling outside my door.
Jarret and I will be at the Needwood Middle School tent site on Friday. We will have the heavy bag and some boxing gloves so people can "take the fight to cancer." Come by and see us.
Rhonda Barlow, the Relay captain for Brunswick High encouraged me to walk the survivor's lap. I didn't feel right about it at first because technically I'm not a "survivor" as yet. But when I thought about it, I guess I am. I mean, cancer isn't winning. I am fighting it. So, yes, I'll be walking!
Two of my students, Mackenzie and Hailey, covered my classroom door with yellow paper and put up the pink paper ribbons the other students and teachers signed. It's looking great! My 4th B block designed and decorated T-shirts for Relay for Life this Friday. They look great. I'll post pictures soon.
Special thanks to Mrs. Tindall, Natalie's mom for buying the T-shirts for the whole class. Thanks to Natalie for coming up with the idea. Also, thanks to Julia and Eliza for decorating a shirt for me and having the class sign the back.
This post is actually a day late. I wrote the first part last night after helping Jarret with his school's Relay for Life banner. We didn't get home until after 8:00. I fell asleep before I posted.
Today (Thursday) we finished up Shakespeare's birthday bash. No more cookies or brownies please! So far my students have cut out pink ribbons, boxing gloves, and very small shirts. We're hanging the boxing gloves on the ends of the ribbons and hanging the whole thing from the ceiling outside my door.
Jarret and I will be at the Needwood Middle School tent site on Friday. We will have the heavy bag and some boxing gloves so people can "take the fight to cancer." Come by and see us.
Rhonda Barlow, the Relay captain for Brunswick High encouraged me to walk the survivor's lap. I didn't feel right about it at first because technically I'm not a "survivor" as yet. But when I thought about it, I guess I am. I mean, cancer isn't winning. I am fighting it. So, yes, I'll be walking!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Ahhhh, the weekend. A chance to relax and catch my breath. Nothing much going on, just the usual - laundry, housework, working out, watching some sci-fi on Netflix...
I am cutting my hair a little shorter today. It's too hot on my neck when I work out and have one of those hot flashes from hell!
My students continue to surprise me with their caring and support. Everyday I receive hugs, gifts, smiles, and jokes. I'm afraid I've unleashed the beast in my students! After making it OK to actually say the words "boobs" and "breast," they came up with "slogans!" Here is sample:
booby-dooby-do stay perky tit-tits-hooray! no boobs? no problem! I'm too sexy for my hair!
I've received permission from my principal to make my classroom door the Breast Cancer Awareness Door. We will put ribbons, cartoons, pictures, and facts about breast cancer. Unfortunately, I can't use some of the above slogans. :( We may be using quite a few astericks! You know, like b**by-d**by-d*!
For the last few days I've been all over Brunswick looking for breast cancer "stuff". Like shirts, stickers, ribbons, hats, etc. Nothing! I was so disappointed. Relay for Life is Friday, and I wanted to wear a cool shirt. Jarret and I went today and looked in the mall - nothing. We finally found a shirt, hat, key chain, and really cool pink boxing gloves in Dick's Sporting Goods. We then went to Michael's (where I had looked previously) and Jarret found quite a few items! I especially wanted some scrapbook pages and stickers. He must have had his radar on because he kept finding all kinds of things!
He is the most awesome husband and best friend in the world!
I am cutting my hair a little shorter today. It's too hot on my neck when I work out and have one of those hot flashes from hell!
My students continue to surprise me with their caring and support. Everyday I receive hugs, gifts, smiles, and jokes. I'm afraid I've unleashed the beast in my students! After making it OK to actually say the words "boobs" and "breast," they came up with "slogans!" Here is sample:
booby-dooby-do stay perky tit-tits-hooray! no boobs? no problem! I'm too sexy for my hair!
I've received permission from my principal to make my classroom door the Breast Cancer Awareness Door. We will put ribbons, cartoons, pictures, and facts about breast cancer. Unfortunately, I can't use some of the above slogans. :( We may be using quite a few astericks! You know, like b**by-d**by-d*!
For the last few days I've been all over Brunswick looking for breast cancer "stuff". Like shirts, stickers, ribbons, hats, etc. Nothing! I was so disappointed. Relay for Life is Friday, and I wanted to wear a cool shirt. Jarret and I went today and looked in the mall - nothing. We finally found a shirt, hat, key chain, and really cool pink boxing gloves in Dick's Sporting Goods. We then went to Michael's (where I had looked previously) and Jarret found quite a few items! I especially wanted some scrapbook pages and stickers. He must have had his radar on because he kept finding all kinds of things!
He is the most awesome husband and best friend in the world!
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