"Summertime"

Well, it's summer vacation! Praise God! The chemo is over, radiation is over, herceptin will continue till October - I cannot believe that it has been almost a year since I was diagnosed with breast cancer! How time flies! I am actually looking forward to my mammogram in August - all clear ahead or should I say abreast! I am back exercising at Curves 4 or 5 times a week - my workout strength has gone from 199 to 367! I cannot believe how quickly I have bounced back. I am feeling great! I just hope it continues!

I miss Kindergarten! I miss the "Good Morning Song", the children - their hugs, smiles, and questions. Recently, while at recess on a rather windy day, a little kindergartener asked me,"Mrs. Elorduy, can you feel the wind blow your hair yet?" "Well," I answered, "not quite yet. But soon I hope!" I have often wondered why she asked this question! Did she enjoy having her blond curls tossed about in the wind! You now, when I think about it, I do miss the wind blowing through my hair. I will never complain about a windy day again!

18 Weeks

Six down and Zero To Go - my how time flies when poison is flowing through your body! Will I ever feel like my old self again? It has been tough this time. My arms and legs have no strength; I feel so weak and tired. My thigh muscles ache, and my stomach is nauseous - not responding to medication this time around. It like an episode of the "Twilight Zone"! One that never seems to end.

"Infusion"

Yippee! Tomorrow, Tuesday at 2:30 pm I will have my fifth chemo infusion. Gosh, the time has gone by so quickly! In three more weeks I will have my sixth and final chemo! Thank you God for blessing me with good health! Thank you St. Mary's friends, parents and parishoners for your prayers!

God's Blessings Be With You!

"Weight Gain"

I always believed that if I ever got "cancer" I would shed some of these extra pounds I have been carrying around most of my life! Don't get me wrong, breast cancer was not on my wish list, but there has to be some benefit, some perks, right! How life betrays us! Due to the type of chemo, prescribed drugs, etc., most women experience weight gain. Well, let me tell you I do not like the experience of weight gain. TEN POUNDS - yes ten- one zero - 10! Just envision a ten pound sack of potatoes; a ten pound sack of potatoes that is resting right around my mid section! How attractive - how uncomfortable! I already have enough belly flab, no need to add any more.

OK, Janeen - stop feeling sorry for yourself. No more white anything, white rice, white sugar, white flour, etc. It took me five years to shed 60 pounds - I am not going to gain it all back during this battle with breast cancer! I will increase my exercise! I will monitor my sugar intake (especially cookies)! I only have two more infusions - I can do this! Pray for strength! Thank you God for for all the blessings you have given me - even this breast cancer. It has taught me how to be strong, to appreciate my family, my friends, and think of others more often than myself! Keep the faith Janeen - now let's go have a cinnamon roll - JUST KIDDING! Happy New Year - Welcome 2009 - GOOD BYE 2008. God's Blessings Be With You!

Four

I am so tired of feeling tired. I was exhausted the day after Christmas. Worked a little too hard I guess - cooking, cleaning, wrapping, decorating, and more cooking. Julian III tried to help as much as possible - but you know how it is - nobody does it like I do. Friday and Saturday I could barely walk. Feeling much better today. Actually took the dogs for a walk yesterday. Just take each day at a time - nurture my soul, my spirit, and my body! I just keep telling myself only 2 more infusions - in February I will be done! PARTY! PARTY!

Four Down and Two To Go

Well, lets see 4+2=6, so I have 4 down and two to go. See, all you need to know you learn in Kindergarten. Yesterday's treatment went very well. Arrived at 9:15, finished by 1:00 pm. I even was able to get some shopping down and was back home by 4:30 pm.

Monday I helped Santa Claus at Wellspring Women's Center. We passed out Christmas Stockings and Gingerbread cookies to over 100 children. Laura Allen took pictures as the children sat on Santa's lap, whispering in his ear their special Christmas wish. The cookies were a big hit - donated by Ettore's - pink gingerbread girls and blue for the boys! For some children the smiles came easily - for others it it appeared as though the smile was lost somewhere! A lost smile - can you imagine being a child and not being able to remember how to smile! Let's hope as we continue to support Wellspring that we can bring those smiles back. Looking into their eyes, I cannot help but wonder what the future holds for them! How fortunate we are - Pray for the families of Wellsping and that child who has lost their smile!

Merry Christmas! God's Blessings Be With You!

The Third Day is a Charm

The third day following chemo is like venturing into an unknown territory. The 3 day regimen of steroids is over, one's energy level begins to drop, and the joints begin to ache. During the steroid time I try to accomplish as much as possible. Sunday, worked in the classroom following Mass from 11:00 - 7:00! Lesson plans done, new calendar, homework packet, etc. Normally, (if there is anything normal about all this) my third day falls on Sunday - so it is my day of rest. However, due to change in infusion to Monday - Thursday was my day of rest!

Yesterday I could not keep my eyes open. I slept most of the day. Thank you Mary H. and Katie F. taking over in the classroom! Next infusion during Christmas break! Thank goodness!

The Kindergarten students came up with some great suggestions on how to keep "Peace" in our classroom.

1. be kind
2. PRAY
3. listen
4. share
5. follow the rules (grown ups have to follow laws)
6. be quiet
7. be a good student
8. no fighting
9. go to Mass
10. respect
11. good manners
12. smile
13. sing
14. LOVE
15. love your family

Well, I once read "All You Need to Know You Learn in Kindergarten!" Open your ears world! It is not that simple - yet, it is not that difficult!

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and stop keeping them away, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these." Matthew 19:14