good news/bad news

The good news is that my reconstructive surgery was a success. Everything went fine, except my surgeon encountered more scar tissue than she'd expected. After a few very tedious & boring days in the hospital I was finally released to go home. This surgery was NOTHING like my first surgery back in December. They were like night & day. Thank you, Lord!  I think I took 1 pain pill after waking up from this surgery and that was it. I could put shirts on over my head, raise my arms, bear weight, etc. I was shocked at how quick the recovery was. {I may or may not have gone rollerblading and mowed the lawn 5 days after surgery too} ...Seriously, I've felt great!! My surgeon was also pleasantly surprised with how quickly I healed. She was concerned with my chemo compromising my healing process but that wasn't an issue at all! My next, and final, reconstructive surgery will be coming up on June 12. I am SO excited to put this all behind me!

The bad news is that after contacting a local adoption agency I've been told that as a cancer patient, I cannot be "approved" until I've been in remission for 5 years. Wow. Talk about a blow to the heart. I'd researched/heard that cancer patients could encounter more difficulties adopting but I had no idea the wait was so long. Obviously if this is our only way to add to our family we will wait the time, but it is definitely heartbreaking. We have desperately yearned for another baby and I know that God hears my prayers every night and knows the desires of my heart. I'm secretly hoping that someday soon, He'll get tired of my constant request and just magically bless me with another baby. Until that day comes, I'll continue to be on my knees, praying fervently for another miracle just like my sweet daughter He's already graced us with.

And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 

Phil. 4:19

The most memorable Mother's Day

Simply being chosen as Honorary Bat Girl was beyond my wildest dreams; but all the perks that came with it surpassed those dreams! Being interviewed for the local news. Standing on the field at the Ballpark in Arlington. Meeting Josh Hamilton. Sitting 7 rows behind the dugout. Waving casually to Nolan Ryan as he walked by. Having my breast cancer battle read over the loud speaker in front of 45,000 people.

Amazing. All of it. It was definitely a beautiful day that I won't soon forget. The pre-game ceremony itself was not televised as part of the game on ESPN, but here are a few of the interviews I did for the local Dallas news stations:

• Fox Good Day Sunday Morning show
• My live announcement during the pre-game ceremony
• A very touching & well written story and video WFAA

arrived to my own personal goodie bag from MLB!

 

 being bombarded by news cameras the minute I stepped onto the field! Craziness. 

 

 

LOVE my personalized jersey

 

 the Rangers taking batting practice (#32 is the one & only Josh Hamilton!)

 

 oh you know, just chatting it up with JOSH HAMILTON!!

Josh was very kind and down to earth. He shared that his mother & aunt both battled breast cancer. We also got to meet/chat with Ian Kinsler, Adrian Beltre, and Colby Lewis. Oh and PS -- see his pink bat? The players used those for the game, each had his own personalized bat that will be auctioned off. MLB is shipping me my very own with my name engraved on it!

Claire could've cared less about schmoozing with professional baseball players. She just wanted to sit in the dirt. A nice man gave her her own baseball to keep her happy!

my beautiful friend Ashley not only came out to show her support but she was my acting manager & agent!

 

 smiling in shock as the entire stadium hears my story

our seats were amazing!!

 

Everyone at the Texas Rangers organization was simply fabulous; they were all so kind and helpful. I can't express enough how humbling it was to represent my breast cancer sisters; those who fought before me and those who continue to fight. I'm also so thankful to my dear friends & family who attend the game to support me and my cause. And to everyone who voted for me to win - THANK YOU! But most importantly, thank you to God who chose to heal me so that I could experience this day with my beautiful family. For that, I am eternally grateful. 

survivorship: month 1

Has it really already been a whole month since I completed chemo?! Time flies when you're having fun & feeling good! Lots of fun stuff going on .. Well, fun to me at least :) Just being able to do normal things everyday is such a blessing to me! 

Here's what's been going on:

hours of waiting room boredom while at lots of doctors appointments: but everything is GOOD! 

returning to the gym 5-6 days a week. back to running on the treadmill with no pain!

date nights with the hubby :)

did a special mommy & me photo session courtesy of my sweet friend Lindsey. You can see the entire session here 

took my daughter to Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3!

lots of play-dates at the park to soak up this beautiful spring weather

planning a special lil girl's 3rd birthday party!

growing some HAIR!!! :)

Speaking of hair, I also did a little "modeling" gig for my dear friend Christy. She is launching a website for cancer patients called Rock My Cure. It is an amazing site for women to get information on how to feel & look good while fighting cancer. She needed my help in demonstrating some wig how-to's and we had a great time filming the videos.

In addition to all this excitement, I'm also getting so giddy for my big debut with the Texas Rangers on Sunday! As the honorary bat girl I get to attend batting practice and be honored in a pre-game ceremony. The Rangers are playing the Anaheim Angels and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN so be sure to tune in! I feel so humbled to be able to represent all of the courageous women battling this disease.

And finally, I'm also getting ready to have my next surgery next week. It will be another reconstructive surgery -- if you're not squeamish to medical details you can read all about the procedure here. It is supposed to be a very quick surgery, but because I have a mild case of Von Willebrands disease I get to stay in the hospital for 3 days .. yay! :( Talk about some super fun & special treatment, ugh! I'd much rather be recovering at home but I'm used to these extended-stay hospital visits by now.

Whew that was a lot! I'll be sure to update after my surgery!