Once upon a time a most fluffy bunny lived in Kat’s most beautiful front yard. She (must be a she, her little ones followed her everywhere) nestled under a front hedge where an inquisitive Kat watched her from her porch swing. Every so often, Mama’s head peeked from the hedge and then the little ones hopped out one at a time to nibble at the well trimmed delicious green grass.

Kat’s elderly neighbor Ethel said Mama Bunny and her little ones visited her yard, too. Often Ethel counted the babies and then email Kat, “Saw them all again today. They are really growing. I told them not to go into your back yard with the dog. Hope they heard me.”

Kat and Ethel enjoyed the bunnies for a couple of months. They never did have as much fun with the squirrels. The black squirrels hop everywhere and taunt Paddy dog continually. Never have had an albino squirrel visit our yard…..but today….

If you see the albino squirrel on my blog, let Teresa Slack know. Be sure and find all the other posted photos, too. There are about 15 squirrels out there. Teresa is giving away a $15 Amazon gift card and a can of mixed nuts to the winner with the most photos found first.

Have a fun day, I’m off to the hospital….think your travels on the net sound like more fun.
Still Lionhearted Kat

Check out these blogs to find the squirrel

Sandi Rog: http://www.sandirog.blogspot.com
http://www.thebookdoctorbd.blogspot.com
Mid Stutsman http://www.midsnovelidea.blogspot.com
http://www.midspointofview.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Bussey http://www.ebussey.blogspot.com
http://www.wisdomwalk.wordpress.com
James Tate http://www.Daneymoco.blogspot.com
Dianne Sagan http://www.diannesagan.wordpress.com
Kat Crawford http://www.lionheartedkat.com
http://www.sftlm.blogspot.com
Kelly Klepfer http://kellyklepfer.blogspot.com
Marion Marchetto http://www.marionmarchetto.com
Lisa Lickel http://www.livingourfaithoutloud.blogspot.com
http://www.lisalickel.com/cgi-bin/blog
Tamera Kraft http://www.wordsharpeners.wordpress.com
Penny McGinnis http://www.encouragementjourney.blogspot.com
http://www.pennyspicks.blogspot.com
Molly Dawn Edwards http://www.buuklvr81.blogspot.com
Carla Gade http://www.carlaspathways.wordpress.com
Sally Hanan http://www.sallyhanan.wordpress.com
Elizabeth Byler Younts http://www.byelizabeth.blogspot.com
Chawna Schroeder http://www.chawnaschroeder.blogspot.com
Teresa Slack http://www.youcanwriteanovel.blogspot.com
Karin Beery http://www.therehastobeabeginning.blogspot.com
Vicki Moss http://www.livingwaterfiction.com

Information Overload

NO MORE TODAY, PLEASE.

I’m on information overload.

I’ve read the books, talked to numerous breast cancer patients, researched on the internet and have now been in the offices of several specialists for more hours than I can count.

I have more appointments than I know how to juggle. When this Lionhearted Kat started to hide behind one great big paw, my caregiver man jumped into the arena. He asked questions, explained details I didn’t grasp, and patiently sat in a cool consult room for hours.

What would I say to a woman not yet diagnosed with breast cancer?

Did you know 15% of breast cancer is not detected in a mammogram, a self-exam is important.

1. Know your breasts well. They are not just something to fill out a blouse, or the “girls” as called by the two on “What Not To Wear.” They truly aren’t given to us to flaunt before a guy or get a husband. This is precious tissue, a gift just like our hearts, lungs, ears, eyes and limbs. We should understand what makes them work and every woman owes it to herself to self-exam.

2. If you detect something different during a self-exam, take care of it immediately. I waited six weeks. I’ve learned that six weeks makes a huge difference. Now I’m faced with Stage II cancer, not a simple lump easily removed.

3. Realize not all breast cancer is the same. Because your friend or your Aunt has breast cancer doesn’t mean you know the outcome if you by chance develop breast cancer. My Aunt had cancer and radical bi-lateral mastectomies. She did not have chemo or radiation. She did have hormone blockers. My cousins wife has cancer, also underwent bi-lateral mastectomies. She had six months of chemo and will have no radiation. Me, well, I have cancer, I’ve had two surgeries and unlike theirs, I’m blessed with having chemo, radiation and hormone blockers. Today I learned I’ll have another surgery after chemo.

4. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer, don’t be mislead into thinking you’ll lose weight. Today Dr. Rozak said there are such good meds to stop the nausea many BC patients gain weight. They sit around not feeling on top of the world and eat.

5. Unfortunately, one in four women will probably end up with breast cancer—70% will be hormone positive, like me. The good news about breast cancer, it is treatable.

Yes, I’m on information overload, but with my caregiver hubby chuckling in the corner making sure I drink my fluids, take my pills and sleep, with my family cheering me on and with the prayer support, I’ll make it through this another adventure—not one I chose, but I do believe even this is designed by the one who created me in the beginning.

Read Psalm 139…..God knew me in my mother’s womb and He still knows where I am today.

Scrapbook Encouragment and Support

It’s Tuesday night. Feels like I’ve lived a whole week today. Up at 4:30 a.m. Off to work with my sweet driver Sherri shortly after 5ish. At work I felt like I’d freeze one minute and rip off my clothes the next. I got so cold I plugged in my winter heater and used my sweater coat for a blanket across my knees—for all of about ten minutes—then it’s rip them clothes off and turn on the fan. See why I’m tired? It’s a lot of work dressing and undressing.

Cassie stopped by my desk about ten. “Did you hear the all call? We have a meeting up front.” She ushered me through the bare aisles. Obviously everyone else had listened. When we walked to the center of our company Cassie nudged me to the center of the group. I heard Dan, our President talking about Sarah, one of our sweet little co-workers who is moving to Washington. I assumed the meeting was to tell her goodbye. So much for assuming, the meeting was called for me. Yeah, me. I’m rarely at a loss for words, but this really really surprised me.

Dan handed me a beautiful purple, velvet covered scrapbook with my cute lion face from this blog on the front cover. What fantastic support. Four women did the scrapbooking, one did the photography, all my co-workers wrote me encouraging notes laced together with scripture.

I’ve felt very confident I’m not going through this cancer battle alone, but today all my co-workers assured me they are my support and they are praying for me. I couldn’t read the notes there, too weepy. I packed the album to my appointment this afternoon and shared it with several people while we waited. We had an ultra long wait because Dr. Silva had an emergency today. Today’s wait wasn’t bad, I made a new friend.

I saw a ball cap on an obviously bald woman, asked her if she’s a Dr. Silva’s patient. Yep, she is. We have an appointment to talk later this week. She’s a single mom with two teens and a twenty-six year-old. Her cancer has spread much further than mine and is now in her breast and her bones. She’s a nurse and works two jobs to keep her family together—how has she handled her chemo? Well, that’s what I’ll know by the weekend. In only the few minutes we talked I knew I’d met another woman to add to my list of inspirational and motivational mentors.

Funny thing, I know I have that dreaded disease called cancer, but I’m feeling pretty good, I look okay, and I know I’m loved. What more can we want in life.

There’s more to write about, but it’s time to call it a day. Check my caringbridge site to read more of the actual outcome from today’s consult.
Tomorrow I'll try and post a couple things about the book--several asked, it's so cool.
PS: I managed to learn the names of the nurse and a front desk gal, too. I'm learning this is important in my cancer treatment, more about that later.