Wednesday, June 11, 2008

First off, sorry for being MIA these past 2 months. To be honest, I have not felt well lately. May was really difficult because I had 2 chemo's in the same month. I was basically out of it and now, in June, its hitting me that its summer and I can't do my normal activities I do this time of year. Summer is one of my favorite times of year. I loved being on the lake, in the sun, getting a tan, and enjoying being outside. Unfortunately, that can happen right now.

The physical part of this is really getting to me now. I look at myself in the mirror and see someone different than what I saw last summer. I AM HUGE. I know, I know, the weight will come off when I have my surgery, but I am tired of people telling me that I look great. I can't fit into any of my clothes anymore and this is the largest I have ever been. It is because of all the chemo and medicine I am taking. My doctor did tell me that I will gain weight each time I go. I have talked to other Breast Cancer Survivors and they tell me they gained weight too. People don't realize what I see everyday. I wake up with no hair, the moon round face, and I kid Brian saying I am like the old Reebok's pump tennis shoes. Every time I go, they pump me up more!

Some good news; I have my 5th chemo treatment tomorrow, which means after this one, I only have one more to go! That will be a huge party come July 4th!

This week, I received a call from Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City and I, along with my family, will be making a trip to the Big Apple soon. I am meeting a GYN-Oncologist . My doctors want to take my ovaries during my surgery on August 5th. I think this is another reason I have been so sick lately - just worrying about all this. I told my mom and Brian the other night they can always replace your breast, but once the ovaries go... its no babies for me. I am 22 now and the thought of not having biological children is a really tough thought for me. Hopefully this doctor can and will give me some different options.

I know this trip will be stressful just because it is expensive and hard for my parents (my dad is already flipping out!) In my opinion, the only people that truly need to go would be Brian and me because this is OUR future here and I am scared he can't afford an airline ticket because of the gas prices and plane tickets are so high! Even hotels up there are ridiculous! Holley and I have been looking at hotels all day and nothing under $300! If anyone has any advice, please let me know! Because of this stress, I have made myself really sick this week. I had a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and I vomited once. I even had a panic attack on Sunday.

I have tried to plan some wedding things, but I really have not been up to it. I can't wait for all this to be over!

We are still selling T-shirts. Please e-mail me your address because I have had people to request one and no way of getting in touch with you guys! They are still $15 if you can pick them up, but if I need to mail it, please add $3 dollars for shipping (I shipped some last week and it was $20!).

Thanks again to all the people that have asked about me - I really do appreciate the prayers and concerns! Again, sorry for being MIA! I hope that this entry is a little easier to read and follow, I asked Brian to check it for grammatical/spelling errors (this is Brian typing from this point forward - Cate-Lee would never admit that she got me to do this, so it'll be our little secret).

And if you might be saying a little prayer, here are a few more broad range thoughts for you - our Macon community and those still dealing with the Mother's Day storms, our troops, the upcoming election and the future of our country. We've got plenty of things to be praying for, but there are always more things for which to be thankful. We hope this finds you and yours happy, safe and enjoying your summer.

Don't forget about those Ta-Ta's; check 'em early and often.

8 comments:

amy said...

Hi Catherine!
First I need to let you know that I am so proud of you! You are making a lot of decisions that are so hard. You're faith and attitude are so encouraging!

I was watching an Oprah re-run yesterday and it was a show about 2 people that have cancer. One of them was Kris Carr. She seems amazing! She wrote a book called Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips and there's also a website. www.crazysexycancer.com
You might enjoy some of it.

And Lastly, if you're still looking for a place to stay, check out couchsurfing.com
It may seem a little shady, but it's pretty legit. Everyone has a profile and people that know them leave reviews. You can basically search for places in NYC and see who has a place for you to stay. It's free and all of the people I've ever met thru the site have been amazing! Craig traveled all over Europe staying with people he found on the site and loved it!
Good luck!

oh also, I'll be in Macon some in the next 2 weeks and I'd love to see you if you've got the time!

Joy in AL said...

Hey Catherine,

I know several of the ladies her in Customer Service were interested in the shirts if you had any left. Your mom had said you sold out, but if you have any left, you can call us here at "The Cup"

onward and upward!

Melissa said...

Catherine~
I admire you for getting out of bed every day and not only putting one foot in front of the other but doing it with the attitude that you have. I can tell from your posts that it obviously hasn't been an easy road but it is a road that God has paved out for you already. You can rest in the fact that he is holding you through it all. "Outwardly we are wasting away day by day yet INWARDLY we are being renewed day by day..our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."(1st Cor. 4:16-17) Love and Hugs,~ Melissa & Ella says hey too;-)

Unknown said...

83.33 % chemo complete!!! Reebok's pumps; that's a humorous analogy but nothing could even mask your beauty!

Steven Curtis Chapman is far more eloquent than I could ever be.. "The person in the mirror doesn't look like the magazine. Oh but when I look at you it's clear to me. That I can see the finger prints of God, when I look at you.... Never has there been and never again will there be another you. Fashioned by God's hand and perfectly planned to be just who you are. And what He's been creating since the first beat of your heart, is a living breathing priceless work of art.

Just look at you
You're a wonder in the making
Oh, and God's not through, no
In fact, He's just getting started"

BTW, my sources say you should be able to get a four star in midtown for around 125 to 150 a night in the summer; that it is not the busy session. I sent Pam some info today.

All my love. Granger's Grammie

Elizabeth said...

Cat-
You know I love NYC. I stayed there before for around $80/night this time of year. I'll try to find the name of the place for you. Don't worry. Everything will work out fine. You will have the time of your life! Instead, you should be SOOOO EXCITED! YOU'RE GOING TO NYC!!! We should definitely talk about this...
Elizabeth

Anonymous said...

Catherine,

Honey your appearance is FINE! you were so happy and satified looking at the gas station when I saw you a two weeks ago. Dont worry about the little stuff focus on the big...I mean, you only have one more treatment now!!!

Hope NYC goes good! Stressful trip I know, but you always make it work...and remember that!

I love you and hope to run into you at the gas station next time!!!!

Love
Elizabeth and Abigayle

By the way she is sporting her Itty Bitty Curing Catherine shirt all the time, people think it is Chanel but then I have to explain....then I get the response of Awwwww!!

Anway..bye!

bridalbar said...

Hi Catherine,

My name is Harmony and I'd love to speak to you about your upcoming wedding. I am helping with casting for a show to bring deserving couples a free dream wedding. Your story is amazing and if we can pay for the wedding you deserve, and take some stress out of your life, we would love to help. Please email me at hwalton@bridalbar.com or call me at 310-858-0119 as I don't see any other form of reaching you. You are an inspiration to all of us and we would love for you to consider sharing your story.

Dee said...

Catherine,

Hey girl just wanted to let you know you are in our prayers. I do want a shirt. My sister would also like one do you have a 1X and are they more?

Please let your Mom know that Brandon Powers did GREAT in summer school and feels very good about the CRCT. He was helping the teachers the last 2 weeks of school and he made very good grades the whole time in summer school. He hated going but he said he learned alot.
He said he knows he past it this time he said if he didn't the test is wrong. HAHA! Tell your Mom thanks for being so supportive, Brandon loves her! By the way we are the ones that ate with you and your Mom at Taki when Brian called you on the Taki phone. (To Funny)

I wish you the best in the days ahead and hope you get to feeling better and remember you are still beautiful no matter how much you gain.

Let me know about the shirts and I can come pick them up.

Thanks
Dee