The Battle

As most of you know, I'm a two time breast cancer survivor. The first epidose was 4.5 years ago at stage 1...and the second after diligently following all recommendations with mammograms and MRI's of the breast alternating every 6 months and having blood drawn every three to 6 months occured this past April as Stage 4 that had migrated to my lungs, lymph nodes, and spine.

Well, last week I recieved word with my recent CT scan with contrast that the image looked like any would of a "normal person" Sure there were some nodules on the lungs and liver, albeit small, but I was reassured that would be the case on anyone's scan.

So yesterday I go in to see the Neurosurgeon to discuss fixing the two vertebrae that have been causing me extreme pain since the beginning in April. Well, he states that he's not comfortable with these "nodules" and not knowing if they are metastatic or not and wants a PET SCAN that uses radioactive material that is drawn to the cells with high metabolic activity to them. I'm just sad and disappointed. I was thinking I was in complete remission...out of the woods for now! Then this doubt creeps in AND another wait on getting the fractured vertebrae fixed. It surely is not the end of the world, but it still sucks!

How about a box of treats.

I've had my share of experiences around animals. My first animal that I could call MINE was Oatmeal, a solid gray dwarf rabbit. The Easter Bunny brought him to me when I was six years old. I can't recall how I came up with the name Oatmeal, but I'm sure it's because that was the first thing I saw in the kitchen or had eaten it for breakfast. He was great, he was happy scurrying around and pooping on my bed when I tried to play with him on my bed. He bit me when I tried to cuddle, so that didn't work out so well.

I was reminiscing because as of this week I'm a foster parent for dogs!! I'm quite excited. I love dogs and how innocent their affection is for their humans. The most exciting things that happen for them is going on a walk and eating...as if they aren't going to ever eat again. They just act so insane when it's time to eat! Dogs are simple minded amused by the leaves being blown by the wind. Sure the barking can get on your nerves occasionally, but a dog will forgive you immediately for your outburst with his barking.

I have my two dogs, Shadow and Chloe. Shadow is young at heart, but wise. As a flat coat retriever he is supposed to enjoy retrieving and water...he doesn't really enjoy either all that much. He's relaxed. He will sit and let you hold his paw for HOURS...kinda like holding hands. Chloe is a good girl and smart, but becoming much less of a nuiscance growing out of the puppy stages. She loves to hunt for her hidden food and receive attention just as much as the next dog.

Tasha is my first foster dog, she's a Pharaoh hound Mix. At first she was incredibly timid in her new surroundings. Four Days later, she has found comfort on the couch (sshhhh, don't tell Chris) and using the doggy door. I just put that back in yesterday and she figured if the other two bone heads could use it, then so could she! She has endless kisses, gentle manners like taking treats, and curious mind. She is a joy to have saved from the shelter in West Virginia, a high kill shelter...her time was up. She got a little ahead of me today...she opened the cupboard and found the box of treats...lets just say the three dogs had a bit of a smorgasboard today. Now I have the cupboard secured....