My Journey Into The Pink
Sadly I must add a new category here at My Recycled Bags.com. As this post states I have started my journey into the pink. When I say pink I am referring to breast cancer. I recently received the news that I have breast cancer. I feel I am able to post about it now after several weeks of processing the news and coming to the difficult realization that this diagnosis has and will forever change my life.
Once the initial shock wore off and the tests continued, I have been able to get a more full understanding of my cancer situation. The good news is that the tumor is small and was detected fairly early plus I am an otherwise strong, healthy 48 years young woman. The bad news is that it is positive for HER2 neu which is a more aggressive growing cancer and the tumor is invasive with evidence that it has invaded nearby tissue and a nerve.
I have surgery scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2008. My doctor will be performing a Lumpectomy to remove the tumor and some surrounding tissue. He will also be removing a “suspicious” spot that showed up on my MRI which he doesn’t think is cancer but wants to remove it to be safe. Additionally he will be removing some sentinel lymph nodes to see if the cancer has moved into my nodes.
I am grateful for your support and hopeful that I will be in your thoughts and prayers in the coming days. Please pray that the cancer can be completely removed on Tuesday and my lymph nodes are cancer free.
I plan to keep you all informed and will continue making recycled craft projects for this blog. I love creating recycled bags and other green projects and this cancer will not change that. I have a strong faith and am believing that I will be back soon to share good news with you all. Until then, on with my pink journey…
Cindy
Tags: breast cancer
Apr 12, 2008
My prayers are with you for a successful surgery and outcome. I just discovered your site a few days ago and love the things you do. I hope everything goes well.
Apr 12, 2008
Cindy – I am so sorry for this news, but glad that the prognosis is good. Your positive attitude will take you far and keeping up your crafts will help maintain your sanity! (Trust me. Crafts = sanity.) My newspaper often comes in a pink-ish plastic bag, so say the word and I will send them to you!!
Apr 12, 2008
I am sorry that you are on this journey and I wish you smooth travels through this.
Apr 12, 2008
I’m so sorry to hear this, Cindy. But thank you for sharing this news with us, so we can all send you our good thoughts and prayers. I’ll be sending you both on Tuesday.
Apr 12, 2008
All the best Cindy – may God be with you.
Apr 12, 2008
I just wanted to let you know that my prayers are with you.
Apr 12, 2008
I have been enjoying your blog for some time now. I pray that you will have a surgery free of complications and an easy, complete recovery.
Blessings to you!
Apr 12, 2008
I’m sorry to hear this Cindy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing this with all of us so that we can have the privilege of standing behind you to offer support.
Apr 12, 2008
i recently discovered your website as a fellow plastic bag yarn knitter/crocheter and was delighted so see someone who takes this reusing thing as seriously as i do. ive begun to use your idea of vcr tapes as well.
so after just “meeting” you and never previously posting i send my prayers and well wishes to you as you battle this beast.
rock on, sister!
gm
Apr 12, 2008
Hi there, I only know you through this site, but wanted to send my encouragement and support. My grandmother was a survivor for MANY years after a radical mastectomy and will always live on as a beacon of hope in my mind….there is always hope š Thanks to you for all that you do, even in your grace and courage to come forth and share your situation with the world. May your courage, strength, faith, and craftiness guide you through the path that lies ahead.
All my positive thoughts and prayers…angie
Apr 12, 2008
Cindy-
I am sorry to hear this, but positive thinking is important and I will send good thoughts your way.
Apr 13, 2008
I can’t imagine what you must be going through now. Thank you for allowing us to join in prayer with you about this! I pray that you would experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding during this time, and that His healing would be yours. Bless you Cindy. I will be praying!
Apr 13, 2008
Many positive thoughts and prayers for you through this journey.
Apr 13, 2008
I’ll keep you in my prayer, Cindy. Keep positive thoughts.
Apr 13, 2008
Cindy,
I’m sorry that you are facing such a tough time. Stay positive and know that you are in my thoughts.
Kristen
Apr 13, 2008
Prayers for healing and comfort. On a postive note, praise God that it’s been caught early! My grandmother had an aggressive breat cancer and had a mastectomy . She lived well into her eighties. Hugs!
Apr 13, 2008
I will be praying for you. Fervently. Without ceasing. Lean on your Maker, he will never leave you.
{{sending you love and hope, always HOPE}}
Apr 13, 2008
Cindy, what odd timing, I just added a cluster on mini-banners to my site today and one of them raises money for breast cancer. I don’t like the way that the cluster looks so I decided to visit some female bloggers on my list at the blog catalog to see if I could find a better code for the cluster. Needless to say, it was shocking to find out that you have breast cancer!
Look into the ‘Avon Walk For A cure’ to see if it is coming to a city near you. http://walk.avonfoundation.org/site/PageServer?pagename=walk_homepage Two of my aunts walk in it every year and raise money for breast cancer research.
Good luck and reach out if you need anything.
Apr 13, 2008
Cindy – I am so sorry that you are going through this. I am praying for you, both for your health and for your peace of mind. You will be in my thoughts on Tuesday during your surgery.
Apr 13, 2008
Cindy-My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong and heal quickly.You will be in my thought on tuesday.
Apr 13, 2008
I’m so sad to hear that. I like your blog and I see how positive person you are. Everything will be all right, just be positive. See how many people are praying for you.
Apr 14, 2008
I’ve visited and linked to your site many times and I’m very sorry to hear your news. I will be praying for and thinking of you.
Blessings,
Rebecca
Apr 14, 2008
I have you in my prayers and in my thoughts. Be strong.
Apr 14, 2008
My prayers are with you. Years ago, I read a great book about Her-2, about using herceptin to BEAT this form of Cancer. Robert Bazell, NBC Science analyst wrote the book.
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/91/15/1329
http://www.herceptin.com/herceptin/patient/index.jsp?s_cid=0001&s_src=googleppc&segmentID=1530
for an article on the medication.
just wanted to be sure you knew of this.
Apr 14, 2008
I am definitely keeping you in my thoughts and will say many prayers for you. . I wish the best in your surgery and in the coming months of treatment. I pray that you have a strong support network to help you through this. ((((Hugs))))
Apr 14, 2008
I hope everything goes fine š
Apr 14, 2008
Cindy, I’m sorry that you are having to deal with breast cancer. I will keep you in my thoughts when I do the Race for the Cure in Columbus in May. Know that I’m sending positive vibes your way and wishing you all the best.
p.s. I just found your website and I love your projects!
Apr 14, 2008
Many well wishes. I love all the projects here and they’ve been a great inspiration.
Heal up as fast and as well as you can, and keep up your great work.
Apr 15, 2008
Hi Cindy,
The prayers of a sweet innocent kid are always heard by the Lord….I’ll pray for you from the bottom of my heart and I’m certain Lord will keep you in the best of your health. Best wishes fro the surgery and I’m sure you’ll be back soon…with a bang….
I’ll be praying from the core of my heart!
Apr 15, 2008
Cindy, I am so sorry to hear this and offer you my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
It seems kind of trivial now, but I just added you to my blogroll under conservation. I’ve been getting traffic from your site and wanted to return the favor.
Best wishes, Jim (chemrat)
Apr 15, 2008
Sending gentle hugs and prayers from a 5 year breast cancer survivor.
Apr 15, 2008
Cindy, you will be in my thoughts and prayers today. i have been visiting your website for almost a year now. you have made such a positive, creative impact on so many people and you continue to do so by sharing this news with us. i have no doubt that you will beat this.
God bless you with a smooth surgery and speedy recovery!!!
Apr 15, 2008
I stumbled on your website just today and I wish you the best
Apr 15, 2008
Cindy I am shocked and saddened to hear your news. Your post sound positive and I shall be thinking of you and coming back here to keep supporting you. Take care.
Apr 15, 2008
I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as well for a speedy recovery. Many hugs sent your way, (U) [that’s you in my arms for a hug] Nan
Apr 15, 2008
Praying that your surgery was a complete success today! Stay strong!
Apr 16, 2008
My prayers are with you. Hold on to your faith. I believe in the power of prayer and I believe in the healing powers of God and your faith in him. Remember that God has the final word in EVERYTHING. Ask and ye shall receive. Whatsoever you ask, believe and you shall receive. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
When everyone else says they can’t. God says I can. š
Apr 20, 2008
Cindy,
Mom told me about the bad news and I just wanted to let you know that we all are thinking about you and praying for you. If anyone can get through this it’s you, you are so strong. I love your site, it’s so great! Take care and know that we all are here for you.
Ash
Apr 23, 2008
Hi Cindy, I just registered and found your sight today it is great. I am so happy to hear your tests came out neg. I am strongly into breast cancer awareness . I can understand what a terrible time you had waiting for your results.I had a silicone breast implant (1) only. 35 years ago due to a deformality it ruptured i was told the silicone was going into my lymph nodes March 2008 i had it removed and all went well not to compare animals to humans My girl Chihuahua Brandy of 15 years had to be put down this March 2008 due to breast cancer I tried everything for 1 year. I miss her dearly ,but I thank GOD your test came back GREAT. I will pray for you that you stay healthy. GOD BLESS YOU Bella
May 09, 2008
I just sort of stumpled into this site by look at Knitting patterns and read about your plight Cindy. I was a Cancer supporter for my friend who had breast cancer and was on the “trial” for the first use of Hercepitn.
It truly is a wonder drug and “K” has been in remission now for 4 years.
I do know the trip that you are on and know that you are in good hands.
Keep up with the positive attitude. You will beat this.
Bless You, Corkie