I had a checkup with Dr. Fitzsullivan on Monday. She is such a fantastic dr. I'm so lucky to have her in my life! The visit went as they all do. Vital check, Nurse visit, PA visit and then Dr. Fitzsullivan. Of course everyone was super excited to see and hear about my new tattoos. The nurse actually used to tattoo for MDA downtown and said how wonderful mine look! That means a lot coming from her. She had never seen Vinnie's but had heard about them and actually told me an article was published with her and Vinnie (although she never met him) because they both worked with a mutual dr. back in North Carolina. Anyway, the visit went just fine, a complete exam was given and with that a clean bill of health. One thing I love about Dr. Fitzsullivan is she is so personable. She always asks about my family and kids. And I ask about hers! At the end of the convo she said this was a bitter sweet visit. Although she enjoys chatting with me and catching up, it was our last one. I no longer need to see her. She reiterated I have done it all, I left nothing on the table, no need to continue to see her. Of course if I ever needed anything I could call, but other than that I was done! (She did remind me that I will continue to see her at the In The Pink Luncheon once a year in October-yea!)  I gave her a big hug, told her she was the best and that was it! My journey is continuing to wrap up-I'm am now free and clear from 3 dr.'s. And for my oncologist, well, I still have to take tamoxifen so I will continue to see him. (The next visit is August). I'm constantly reminded how lucky I am to have had the BEST team in all cancer treatments and how so many people it takes to tackle and incinerate this disease! I am truly BLESSED! I know it, I believe it, and I see it!

Thanks again for keeping me and my family in your prayers. Please keep my dad in your prayers as well. He's still taking it one day at a time, still in the hosp at MDA, still in pain and trying to solve the mystery of what's causing it. So frustrating. He takes 1 step forward and 3 back. But, on a better note he is in remission of his Aplastic Anemia.

Until next time....

I went to see Dr. Gordley Monday to show him my new tattoos. I told him all about Vinnie, I even had his brochure and business card to pass along. Dr. Gordley was very impressed. He commented how the brochure even had extremely accurate and realistic looking pictures (of scars, etc.). He also explained to me (again-because I remember this now that he's repeated it) how the fat grafting doesn't always look like it worked. But more importantly when he does the fat grafting he's also injecting stem cells into damaged tissue therefore helping the damage from radiation repair itself. He was showing me how nice and soft the skin is becoming. Something I didn't think about. He said skin usually doesn't do so well. But, mine is looking great. He also said with each fat grafting we do, the more repair will take place and the more the fat grafting will start building and looking better. UGH-he said we can do it at my pace, when I want or none at all.....YEA! Dr. Gordley then went on to explain how the implant side could always be changed. But when we change 1 thing, we may create more problems. This is why he's the dr. and knows more than I do... However, he told me about the company that makes the implants he uses. They are located in Dallas...yes, even my implants are born in TEXAS.... he's been to the factory! He said that company is constantly coming up with new shapes, etc. so there could be options for the future. Oh, and he said most breast implant factories are in Brazil, Europe, out of the USA. Again, I'm reminded how lucky I am to have my wonderful team of Dr.s....   In case you are wondering, I'm not doing anything any time soon (I want to stay away from the OR as much as possible). Upon leaving his office, his staff took pictures and we talked about my Vinnie experience. They were so excited for me and were so impressed at Vinnie's work!

And on another note. Things are definitely getting back to normal. Way back when...2 years ago, I was always finding strands of long, curly hair. (This has always been the norm for me, as with everyone else I'm sure). The strands would get tucked into my clothes (you know, that tickle in your butt under your clothes, in your cleavage?), the kids were always pulling my hair out of the their clothes, etc. Once I started losing my hair, was then bald for many months and the slow regrowth, those long strands stopped showing up (obviously). Well, I have started noticing my, kinda-long but definitely curly hair-everywhere!! Ha! Ha!  I will take those strands any day!

Once again I'm reminded how powerful Jesus is to have in our lives! My dad really had some rough days in the hospital. He was in so much pain and quite frankly didn't look so good. To be at MDAnderson and the dr.'s not know what's going on is so difficult (he has an infection in his spine that was causing inflammation, severe back pain and spasms-they hope to have answers today-Friday. And we all are praying that his Aplastic Anemia hasn't morphed into Leukemia). To have my dad look me in the eyes in desperation, to almost look like he doesn't think he'll ever leave the hospital is heart breaking. BUT, in those days, I just immersed myself in prayer, reading the bible and listening to some great Christian music. And, guess what, I instantly felt at peace...PEACE...yes, there it is again. Just give God your problems and He handles all the worries. My dad started getting better, the pain easing, the spasms subsiding. He has a long road ahead and hopefully with answers as to why all this is happening will come. I just know and believe whole heartedly that when you fully ingulf yourself in the word, in faith, anything is possible. ANYTHING!

Peace, love, prayers and hugs to you all....May God continue to bless and enrich your lives each and every day. And when you have worries, give them to God, let him take those from you. Do not worry about tomorrow, God will handle those worries once he's taken care of todays.