Tuesday, October 27, 2009

October 27th 2009, Hope Springs Eternal

Just before my second Gamma Knife Surgery
on Oct 20th 2009, exactly one year after I
completed my Whole Brain Radiation

Rich and me in IRELAND on our dream vacation
to Italy & Ireland (Sept and Oct of 2009) ..I even got my hair cut in Venice


Keeping warm in the winter of 2008/2009

Going to the Cancer Center for my LAST Whole Brain Radiation
Oct. 20, 2oo8

This is how long my hair got AFTER chemo and BEFORE Whole Brain Radiation

Me as my hair begins to grow back the second time after WBR

Me during chemo therapy

Me after Whole Brain Radiation

My grandson Cole on left, me and my grandson Joe
after my mastectomy.

My dog Hannah, me and my oldest daughter Nicole
before my mastectomy

Hello everyone.
Today marks my 2 year survivor of
Breast Cancer. I was diagnosed with
Stage 4 Lobular and since
then I have slowly made progress .

I had a mastectomy on my right breast (and a tram flap reconstrustion) with removal of 39 lymph nodes on Dec. 12, 2007, chemo therapy starting 2/2008, following by radiation on
my right side and clavical. In the midst of this I developed Brain Mets and had Gamma Knife surgery in July of 2008. After the Gamma Knife surgery I developed more brain tumors
and had Whole Brain Radiation, 20 treatments. I've lost my hair twice .

I've been getting better and in October of 2009 I developed more brain tumors
and again had Gamma Knife Surgery to remove them. Each treatment was
successful. My body should be cancer free now..as all they saw was
the brain tumors..and those should be eradicated with the Gamma Knife I had
last week.

With God, there is ALWAYS hope.. My doctor says I'm a miracle. I say
" I am prove of God's miracle"

Thank to ALL of you who have prayed, cared, sent me love cards and gifts
and hope. I cherish each friend I've made. I hope sharing so openly
has helped some of you. I was the first in my family to have
cancer and didn't know any women who I could talk to who had
been through this. I do now and it is a blessing!!


In 2008 I lost my dad and my step mom within three months
and this year in June our sweet Collie Hannah passed away.

Yet in all this turmoil I continue to be blessed. I am stronger
in my faith, closer to my grown childen , my grandsons, my true friends and
my marriage is the best it's ever been. I consider cancer a
blessing. IT has made me a kinder and gentler Deena.

!!CELEBRATING LIFE!!
NEVER STOP FIGHTING

Fondly, Deena

31 comments:

  1. To say this is a beautiful post would be an understatement but as your language isn't mine I just don't know which word would fit. I am happy that I have discovered you and your happy thoughts in blogland. Just keep on living and writing!

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  2. Deena what a wonderful post
    You are one strong, inspirational lady
    Sending positive thoughts your way
    Celebrate life - never stop fighting
    Alison

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  3. Thank you for sharing this inspirational and heartfelt post! As my sister has just begun her treatment for lung cancer your post today was so promising and uplifting...you are indeed proof of God's love and grace and you have helped me just by sharing your courageous story. THANK YOU!!!

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  4. We all knew you could do it.........and you will continue doing it Deena because of your faith, bravery and positive outlook on life.
    Way to go girlfriend.......don't ever give up.

    I've just celebrated 18 years cancer free and feel so blessed to have been here for each one. There is so much more to do in this life, so let's keep on being strong.

    Love and warm hugs from both me and Bob - may you continue to be the wonderful woman we admire for a long, long time.
    Mary XX

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  5. What admiration for you, Deena. You have been blessed with so much & with each blessings we each continue to grow, don't we. May you be held forever in grace & continue to be healed.
    Have a wonderful week. TTFN ~Marydon

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  6. What a testimony! Congratulations on the succuss and hard work! Keep going!

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  7. Thank you, Deena, for sharing your testimony of what the Lord has done and continues to do in your life. You ARE a miracle!
    Blessings,
    Liane

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  8. Deena, even though we've never met, I've followed your personal journey and feel that I know you in some small way. This post brought tears to my eyes. You're an amazing woman. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us, and exhibiting your faith in God.

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  9. Deena,

    I'm so glad you are now cancer free. Still praying for you, my friend.

    Blessings,
    Mary

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  10. Deena, I've followed your blog for some time now. Before Ter'e introduced us, before I was diagnosed with breast cancer and I just want to let you know you are an inspiration to me. I will have my "chemo class" this Thursday and hope to start my treatment next week. The surgeon said, have the chemo and I'll see you in the spring.
    God bless you and thank you for helping me understand what I'm really up against. I have written in lipstick on my dressing table mirror~ I am healthy and strong. I read it every morning and it really helps to think positively and believe...
    xo, Sheri

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  11. Deena,
    I come to your blog and get so much encouragement from you. In the midst of the storm, you stand true for God and the power of Him. The strength you get from leaning on Him is evident in every word.
    You're my hero and I continue to pray for you, sister!

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  12. Deena, what a beautiful testimonial of what you have gone through and how God has helped you along the way. You are a true inspiration to many of us and will continue to be a great friend that God sent into my life. Love, hugs, and blessings to all of you, Pat

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  13. Oh, Deena, thank you! Thank you for your faith in God, thank you for continuing to fight and be positive during all of your hard, last 2 years, and thank you most of all for inspiring me so much and bringing me closer to God through prayer. I cannot tell you how much I admire you and how grateful I am that you've helped me put my life into perspective. By the way, I hadn't had a mammogram in 4 years (!) after experiencing many, many breast cysts, needle-core biopsies, etc. I'd just become tired of it all--what a wimp I am! Anyway, you inspired me make an appointment to get a mammogram this year, and I did. I also continue to visit The Breast Cancer Site, and to try and support them. It's not much, but it's what I can do right now. Have a wonderful day, and I celebrate your recovery and your life! Love, Jann

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  14. God Bless you Deena~ I know He has, and in doing so, YOU have been such a blessing to us all~ I know you have been to me and I count myself so much better having known you. Thankyou for sharing of yourself, and for just being you, and being my friend always
    xoxoxoxoxox rachael

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  15. I never knew anyone that I could Love so much...yet I have never met!! You are such an amazing Lady!! And a true blessing!!I have so loved getting to know You and Thanks for all the sharing You have done!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  16. You're such a blessing to me, Deena, and your brave journey has been an inspiration to me just in living my life with joy, wit, peace and love for God. I will never be able to thank you enough for coming softly into my life with your gentle thoughts, love for creatures, music and even lovely colors. Thank you, Deena. I'm so thankful to call you my friend.

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  17. Oh Deena....reading your story brought me back to those days when you were going through each part of your journey-so open with us-so caring even though you were hurting. I have learned an incredible lesson from you. God has used you in such an excellent way. Do you know you are my hero? Aww heck, I've gotta get a kleenex...anyway-I love ya tons.~Debra

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  18. What amazing progress you have made. Good for you, keep up the fight. You know, your grandson looks alot like you.

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  19. I thought of you today. I'm sorry I have not been around much Deena. I'm so thankful you are alive and cancer free. I appreciate so much, the way you are a fighter. God bless you Sweet Deena. Kathi

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  20. O Deena, I am so happy for you and all of us that have come to love you.. Survivors we are, welcome to the club.. Big Hugs Deb

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  21. Deena ~
    You are such a wonderful and amazing woman ~ I love to hear how the Lord has taken your trials and worked through them to bless you ~ he promises us that and in that we can rest ~
    hugs and continued prayers ~
    Lori

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  22. Deena, you are so strong and brave! You are such a wonderful inspiration to me, I try not to let my small minor bouts with my illness get me down.... I just pop on over here and right away I feel so blessed!!!! Your words are a great comfort, I wish you every dream that you could have to come true!!! Love you sweetie!!!!
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  23. God bless you, Deena. This is a wonderful post and I am so glad that you were able to write it. : ) My sister was diagnosed with Stage 1V cancer, colon to the liver, on April 11th of last year. She was 34 at the time of her diagnosis. She is doing beautifully now and, as of the last scan three weeks ago, is cancer free. We have also suffered many losses in the last couple of years and know that what doesn't kill us definitely makes us stronger. You are a true testimony to that. May God bless you today and always. I'm sending you a big hug!! ((( )))

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  24. Deena, My thoughts & paryers are always with you.
    What a lovely lady you are and oh my what you have been through.
    Great post, makes us all need to stop and count our Blessings!!!!
    Hugs & much love, ~Mary~ :-}

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  25. You are beautiful as always.... glad you are doing well

    sorry I havent been around lately.... my younger sister passed away....

    your blog is the first one I have left a comment on ...

    havent felt much like talking .... or anything ....for that matter...

    perhaps she guided me here to help me pick up the pieces

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  26. THANK YOU SWEET ONE ...

    I LOVE YOU DEARLY

    JO

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  27. That is some incredible journey. I am so glad that you have reached this day with a lovely smile on your face.

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  28. Congratulations Deena!

    This is a beautiful and inspirational post.

    ~elaine~

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  29. What a post! Your so wonderful. You give hope and inspiration to everyone. My mom was diagnosed yesterday. Stage 2 breast. Her surgery and treatments start next week.

    XOXO

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  30. Praising Him with you, Deena! Blessings... Polly

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~**~Your kind remarks are my angel wings~**~