Draft Day!!!

Well, yesterday was such an exciting day!!  It was the NBA draft day and I had family that was waiting to get drafted. Most of the day I was anxiously waiting for the draft to start and as I waited, I kept getting more nervous.  Finally, it began and as I waited to see where my nephew was going to be picked, I just sat in silence. This was the most intense moment but eventually, he was picked and he is now a Denver Nugget.  Wow, Denver! This is one city that I have never traveled to.  I hear it is beautiful.  I can't wait to go visit.  Congratulations Jordan Hamilton!!! You deserve this joy.

As for how am I feeling?  Well, actually, each day I feel better and better.  I am on my last 4 pain pills and I am scared that I won't be able to tolerate the pain.  The pain in my breast area and under my arm is excruciating.  It feels numb, sore, tingling, and itchy. I am trying to stretch it because I don't want to get lymphedema. This happens when you have a lymph node removed and the area under the arm isn't healed correctly.  I am slowly getting used to looking at my right breast area and not seeing my breast. Very hard at first but getting easier each day.  Heck, I better get used to it because it is with me for awhile.  Now, I am  just focused on the chemo and how it is going to affect me.  Just hope that it allows me to continue to have energy and get back to work.  I hear that I am going to be really tired.  But I am just going to worry about how it will affect Evelyn.  I have a strong will.  Remember, this isn't my first rodeo.  I remember the first time I got cancer, it was during my senior year of high school.  Everyone thought that I wasn't going to be able to walk across the graduation stage and receive my diploma.  Now, my hair was also thinned out and I had a few strands left.  They were also worried that I wouldn't be able to attach my graduation cap to my hairless head.  Well, I proved them wrong.  I put that cap on.  Attached it to my few strands of hair and held it up there with my right hand the whole walk.  Oh, yes, I did walk that stage and get my diploma.  One of my greatest moments!!!  So, don't tell me that I don't have the will.  I do and I will have that same will this time.  I keep telling myself, that I am blessed to have breast cancer.  I really mean it.  God has opened some doors for me now and I am going to walk on through with a smile!!!

A young man in high school who is close to our family came by last night to watch the draft with us.  One day soon, he will also be in that draft.  Guaranteed!!  I looked at his arm and he had on this red rubber bracelet band.  I looked at the words and it made me cry!! It was one of those "I love Boobies" bands.  They are in support of breast cancer awareness.  I said, "Sweetie, when did you get that band."  He said "Two weeks ago."  I smiled and said nothing.  Two weeks ago was when I was diagnosed.  The fact that this 17 year old was supporting me and breast cancer by wearing that bad reaffirmed why I have breast cancer.  I made him more aware of this disease.  So it has opened the eyes of another person.  That is all I want from now on.  I want everyone to be aware and to help fight for a cure!!