Girls are staying in!

Just wanted to let everyone know that the ovaries are staying in! We are leaving NYC soon headed home. I'll write more when we get home! Thanks for the prayers and support!

Check the Ta's Ta's

This is it!

Hello everyone!

Exciting news, today is my VERY LAST CHEMO!!!!! I am very happy, over-joyed, and cannot sleep! This means everything will start going again and I can finally start looking and feeling like my old self once more!!! The house is quiet with my family asleep; Brian is gone to return a movie at Blockbuster, so I am awaiting his return and I thought I would update everyone on the latest. I, as usual, do not sleep the nights before chemo. I guess its because I am anxious or nervous about the treatment, or maybe what my doctor might say or find.

I have lots of questions for Dr. Jones about what will happen next? Does this mean its over, just like that? I spent 5 months of hell going through chemo....taking the worst medicines in the world, losing my beautiful long blonde hair, gaining weight to where my dogs don't recognize me, and now thats it. Now I must wait for NYC for a another Dr. (which the total amount of Doctors to 7) to tell us that my ovaries may or may not come out on my up coming surgery. I am scared to death of the visit.

I plan to make tomorrow's chemo treatment a fun one. Brian's parents are coming in town to join us and Holley (sister) and Catie Beth (neice) are in town so she can spend the last treatment with me. (Scott had to work but like the brother-in-law he is, he will come down on Friday. He has always been there for me since the 7th grade!) Joana (friend since high school and singing in the wedding), and Liz, if she makes back in time (she is also a friend since middle school and bridesmaid) have both made plans to come tomorrow. Then there will be the usual clan of Brian, Mom, Haley (my best friend since high school and a bridesmaid), and then I have my "pop ins" - friends that come in on their lunch breaks. I am scared I will have too many people and the chemo nurses will get mad at me! I know it will be crazy tomorrow because of the 4th; they bump everyone up a day so I know it will be packed out!

Enough about tomorrow; how about an update on NYC? We do have plane tickets and a place to stay. Thank you to everyone who gave suggestions or offered their accomodations. I am looking forward to spending my mom's birthday with her in NYC. I am only hoping I can give her the best birthday ever! She and Brian have never been, so I know this will be fun for them. I am also excited to see my friends that are living in New York! Hey Mary Katherine and Katie!

Well now that I have filled in some stuff that has been going on I am off to watch Little Miss Sunshine! I will have Brian write tomorrow to let everyone know how my last treatment goes!

P.S. I love the comments! (This post has been verified for grammatical errors by Brian).

Check the Ta's Ta's

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.

Oops, I Sorry!

Sorry for the delay in publication all, but I know you will all be happy to see another update in the life of our heroine, Catherine Carswell (18 months to be Aplin). Having read this opening line, you all must have realized that it is I, the fiance, writing to you once again. I obviously have fallen short on my duties by not updating our public sooner; hence, the title of this post. Catherine has been dealing with a serious bit of arthritic stiffness and pain since her last chemo treatment on May 22nd. At this moment, she is entertaining Catie Beth (Holley & Scott's little girl). I must tell you that if you have not had the pleasure of meeting the Cookie Monster, you are truly missing out folks. This little girl is a bundle of ridiculousness. She refers to herself constantly in the 3rd person and reminds me of a professional wrestler ("Do you smell what the Catie Beth is cooking!?") Before dinner this evening, as I was bringing her in the house from being on the back porch, she told Granger, "No Ganger, I go inside! Bye bye, Ganger; I see you later!" It's a riot, people - when she wants me to pick her up, its, "B hold to!" & her command for getting down is, "No, I do it!"

So, what has happened as of late in the life & times of Catherine Lee Carsell to be Aplin (my god, what a name). Since Relay for Life has completed for this year, I am happy to announce that the Team Cure Catherine raised over $2000 to put towards cancer research and the ACS. Other big events to discuss in this issue - we do our best Wizard of Oz rendition, making plans, a trip to Atlanta, chemotherapy #4 & meeting the surgeon, Gigi & B finish the school year and Holley, Scott & the Cookie Monster come to town. Here's how it all went down.

The week following our engagement at Relay, Catherine stayed busy with talking to everyone in the world who would listen and ask to see the ring. We spent the latter part of that week getting ready for Mother's Day, but it would become a far more memorable day than expected. Around 4:30am on Mother's Day, Catherine was awakened by an automated text message from the Mercer Mobile system (which sends phone messages to Mercer students - a plan enstated following the Virginia Tech tragedy). The message said basically that severe weather was in the area and that all students should seek shelter in the bottom floors of their residence halls. Intrigued, Cate Lee turned on the TV to WMAZ as Ben Jones was saying that tornadoes had been spotted around the intersection of Bass & Rivoli and another around River Crossing. A few minutes later he began to say that a tornado had touched down in Lizella at which time our power promptly went out. Catherine, becoming extremely terrified at the thoughts of tornado, came to my room to awaken me and then we went downstairs to get Bubba & Gigi. As we all got into the downstairs bathroom, we began to hear torrents of water hitting the front side of the house, which faces toward Lizella and the lake. After a few short minutes of our sand castle in the surf experience, we began to hear the proverbial freight train sound (I thought it sounded more like the hum of a machine in a mill or, as suggested by Mr. Lee, a jet engine). As Catherine & Ms. Pam were complaining of the pressure causing their ears to pop, and Catherine frantically tried to get me to let the dogs out of the laundry room so that I could put both of them in the hall closet with me, Mr. Lee & I began to move toward the front door to see what we could see.

By the time we actually got outside, what we found was pure reckage. A major pine tree in the backyard had snapped and fallen across the fence in the rear of the property, crushing some maple trees and the fence, Granger's pen was under about 1/2 of another pine, which had been topped around 20 ft. up and a barrage of other trees and debris were scattered around the house. As we moved to the front yard, we found more damage throughout the neighborhood. Now that things are starting to get back to normal, if you drive around the west side of town and the lake, you can see just how much damage was done. We lost approximately 27 trees in the storm, and the next neighborhood over (Pineworth) has several homes that are in a state of un-repairability (I know this is not a word - sew me! I'm the teacher, not you.)

The other unexpected part of the tornado meant some serious damage to the rear of Westside. This meant finding a new location for the remainder of the school year. Thus, I got to spend the last 2 weeks of the school year in the land of Rut a.k.a. Rutland Middle and High Schools. We spent the remaining days of the school year alternating classroom days with the Rutland students - I must tell you, that has got to be the most awkward end to a school year that any community has ever experienced. But many thanks go out to the people of the school board and Rutland Middle and High Schools for their gracious hospitality.

Since that time, Catherine and I have begun our wedding plans - here are the best laid plans, thus far. We are to be married on November 21, 2009 at 7:00 in the evening at Martha Bowman UMC. Catherine has decided on the magic number of 13 bride attendants - I had to come up with 13 friends to keep from hiring somebody off the corner. Catherine will have Holley as her maid of honor and my dad will get the honors for me (sorry Chip, you're still my boy, but you're stunned! HA!) A note: if you are reading the previous paranthesized (another non-word) statement and are slightly confused, not to worry - its between brothers. Of course, Delaney Holliman Studios and Stephanie Lynn will be taking all sorts of kinda photos - they gonna take our picture!

Transitioning well into the next update, last Monday we traveled up to Breast Care Specialists at Northside Hospital in Atlanta to visit Dr. Amerson, Catherine's surgical oncologist. We spent most of the ride there and back discussing some of our wedding plans with Ma Pam preciding in the backseat (I was informed previously that I must be involved in the transportation to Atlanta on this trip because Catherine & Ms. Pam got lost on the last trip - Catherine is in love with my navigation system in the Jeep, but she doesn't like that I listen to my navigation ladies' voice, at times, more readily than I do Catherine. After getting to the doctor's office I waited outside in the 1st of many waiting rooms with Catherine and Ma Pam to move on to the next one. As I was making my way through the USA Today crossword, we were called to the next waiting room &, after making our way in and just barely getting comfortable, one of the staff members comes into the waiting area and announces to the entire room, "Males are NOT allowed in this waiting room for the comfort and ease of our female patients." As I then proceed to look around the room, I realize that I am the only MALE in the room. I look at her to reply, "You mean me?!" and she just gives me one of those, "You're an idiot" faces. I mean, honestly, why in the flipping French fiddle farts (notice the alliteration) did she not just come over to me privately and say something like, "Sweetie, could you please remain in the other waiting room until your party gets into their examination room?" Thanks for calling me out, woman. Another note: if you are a male, do NOT go to Breast Care Specialists in Atlanta for any reason. That place has a serious ball-busting, She-Man, feminism-at-its-finest vibe going on. The odor of estrogen is so strong in there that they wouldn't even allow a guy with breast cancer in the office to get into the 2nd waiting room. And for all the Seinfeld fans - the best part about it; the guy's last name was Castanza. HA! Those Castanza's always have the worst luck.

Any who, after the doctor, we stopped by the Cheesecake Factory and low and behold, guess who is sitting at the table no more than 5 feet from us - Delaney Holliman and Stephanie Lynn! What a coincidence.

Since that time, we made it home, Ma Pam and I finished out the 2007-2008 school year (good luck and good riddance - just kidding), and Scott, Holley and the queen of 3rd person speak, Catie Beth, came to town on Friday. Scott and I played speed golf on Saturday out at Fox Run Country Club at Barrington Hall before I had graduation that night. My parents, Matt & Renee, and Aunt Sharon & the JPster came over Sunday afternoon for a big ol family eatin' meetin' with some delicious fried chicken served up by our very own Gigi, then Scott and I played golf again on Monday morning. The only problem with having more time to play on Monday morning was that I couldn't get out of the round fast enough - I was worthless with a golf club in my hand and Scott smacked me by 5 strokes. You better believe I will get him next time and, oh by the way, don't ever play UNO with anybody in this family. I thought I was on the inside but they will turn on you and cheat to win in a heartbeat. I swear they rig the deck or somebody has some base-dealing skills that I was unaware of until recently. Back to the point, Holley and Catie Beth decided to stay through Friday morning for Catherine's appointment with her plastic surgeon, Dr. Beagle (I wonder if he likes chasing foxes), which brings me back to now - Bubba & Gigi off to bed, Catie Beth checked out a few hours ago, Holley, Catherine, Sarah & I took a late night trip to Target and Sonic and now I am ready to call it a night. I hope you have enjoyed your time reading - I know I certainly have enjoyed my time typing. See ya'll back here next time - same breast time, same breast channel (I think that's how it goes).

Don't forget about those TaTa's - Check 'em early, check 'em often. Peace, Love and Chicken everybody.

B out!

He Got Mine at Satterfield & Dempsey a.k.a. HE FINALLY DID IT!!!

Well family & friends, its time for a guest appearance for yours truly once again - that's right, its time for 'ol B to have some blog writing time. Sorry to disappoint with a less melodramatic and a hopefully downsized level of grammatical errors as can be normally expected from our speed-typing heroine; I hope that my writing style doesn't make you want to check back another day for one of Cat-Cat's posts.

So, as you can see from the title of this entry, the picture to the right, possibly the news Friday night or the possible spreading of the word on the street, I FINALLY DID IT (for some reason, I do not believe that Catherine ever thought it would happen). And being that such a momentous occasion has taken place, Catherine wanted all the details up on the blog for everyone to see, but unfortunately I have worn her slap out since yesterday evening with all this excitement. Here’s how it happened.

Yesterday afternoon, I left school around 3:30pm taking two of my students home after a Friday detention and when I was done, I called back over to the house to see what Catherine and my future mother-in-law, Gigi (Ms. Pam) were up to. Ms. Pam said that she was waiting to wake Catherine up from a nap, some very valuable rest that came in handy last night. So I decided that, with Catherine’s patented “Brian Radar” temporarily deactivated, I would take a stroll down to Warner Robins to check out Satterfield and Dempsey Jewelers. While on the way, I thought to call Stephanie Lynn (Catherine’s fantastic photographer from Delaney Holliman’s studio who is documenting Cat’s journey). I asked her if, at the time that I finally decided to pop the question, she would be there hiding silently to record the whole thing and she was immediately on board for a little bit of inside information.

Well, when I got to Satterfield and Dempsey, I met Sam Satterfield himself and sat down with him for a bit to look at several rings by A. Jaffe. As we were looking at some things, some good, some maybe, some not so much, I still had not seen anything that truly caught my eye until, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a ring toward the right side of the case and I said, “That one!” As soon as it came out of the display, I knew that was the one for Catherine. So after a little bit of heckling and finagling (not really) and some discussion about making a matching band, I wrote the most important check of my entire life (if you don’t believe so, you should break into my bank records and see the memo line it the check – I even wrote it down for the non-believers). With it bagged, boxed and back in the car, I rushed back to I-75 as we were scheduled to be arriving at Relay for Life in only 20 minutes.

During the car ride home, I called my dad just to talk and to tell him what was going on. If you have never met my dad before, he is one of the most amazing men on the entire planet and I really look up to him for everything that he has done in my life and in the lives of so many people – that is why I asked to stand next to me on that altar and be my best man. Well while I am trying to talk to him and drive, Catherine has begun blowing up my phone with missed calls, mean messages and ALL CAPS TEXTS (adds emphasis, like I would hurry more because of capitalization?!). Well, when I get home, Catherine is waiting at the door, and I have to rush inside to change clothes and get on over to Sandy Beach park for Relay.

As I was driving back home with my knees, eating my lunch I never got to, drinking a sip if Sprite, clearing Catherine’s calls and talking to my dad, the thought occurred to me to change my original proposal plan and do the whole thing that night in front of friends, family and film crew (my alliteration skills seem almost uncanny tonight; why do these words keep coming to me in such a manner?) This whole week was just tremendous for our girl and she loved every minute of feeling rested, relatively normal and being the center of the media’s attention, but I knew that I could not cap this week off in the way I was devising without first talking to Bubba (Mr. Lee – I called him Mr. Lee when I asked – gotta be proper so as to keep him from body slamming me on the Relay track). So being rushed out the door to the Relay by Cat-Cat and Gigi seemed to spell A-I-N’T / G-O-N-N-A / H-A-P-P-E-N (I’m not quite as good as Aretha Franklin).

Well, we get on over to the Relay camp, which is only a short distance from the house and Catherine, in a pink & blue color scheme and me at her side to carry her most effeminate flowery purse, fell right into her role as Superstar Survivor. About 15 minutes after we got parked and into the tent areas for the school system, Weaver and the “Cure Catherine” girls, Bubba showed up and I started looking for my opportunity. When I saw the first available time when we were separated from everyone else and Catherine and Ms. Pam were distracted, I asked when might be a good time to talk to him. When he said, “How about Sunday afternoon?,” I was far short of having (as Uncle Lee would tell you that he is glad I had) the balls to say, “Well how about right now?” Shortly after that, another chance was presented so I gave my self a quick pep talk, said some prayers, swallowed my stomach full of nerves, checked my crotch to see if I met requirements (this is me being facetious, by the way) and asked Mr. Lee right then and there. After explaining the plan a bit more and the situation’s amazingly fast progression since this afternoon, he said “Yes” to the 3rd most important question I’ve ever asked (1st was asking for my salvation and the second comes up shortly).

Next, I went and told Stephanie and Claire Simms (phenomenal reporter from ABC Macon who did this week’s mini-series on Catherine) NOT to leave for any reason and snuck away from the crowd to head back to the Jeep for that little black box (not the thing from a plane crash, the one with the ring inside – speaking of which, if the black box is what always survives a plane crash, why don’t they just make the whole plane out of that stuff?). Once back at the tent, I managed, after a ridiculously difficult wait, to get Catherine away from the crowd. I walked her across the Relay track, but someone on that side started talking to her again. So I headed back towards where he originally started and as we crossed the track, I told Catherine how proud of her I was for how far she has come and how well I know that she is going to do after seeing just how well she did with the first half of her chemotherapy treatments. Then I told her how much I loved her and, as I tried to fight back the tears and all the distractions, I told her that I was going to get down on one knee, take a box with a ring inside from my pocket, hold her left hand and wait for her to say yes to this question...”Catherine Lee Carswell, will you marry me?” As you can see from above, she said yes, a barrage of photo-taking, filming, hugging, hand-shaking and congratulating ensued and we spent the rest of the night at the Relay being the topic of many discussions. I even saw some of my students from Westside and got to introduce them to Catherine for the first time.

When we got home, we turned on the 11:00pm ABC Macon news to watch the last segment in the mini-series and when the segmented finished, the anchor looked into the screen to say, “And with a bit of breaking news in Catherine’s story, Brian proposed tonight while at Relay for Life and the good news is that Catherine said yes.” By god man, she better have said yes. And so, the week drew to a close and we both finished the day with a new Facebook relationship status.

We are waiting on date decisions until we discuss recovery time with the doctors and surgeons a bit more, but you will always have the most up-to-date information, right here, on Catherine’s blog. Well ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, little children, dogs and cats. This will close out another segment of my guest appearance writing; I apologize for such a long entry but I know there are people out there (ahhm, ahhm, cough, couch, my momma) who want to hear all the sappy details. We love you all and thanks for reading.

Check the Ta-Tas (or have someone else – like a certified medical professional, for those with dirty minds – do it for ya). Peace, Love, Chicken and I am Dundee like the Crocodile Paul Hogan.

B (Brian “the fiancé” Aplin)

"You are the Hannah Montana of Cancer"...thanks Eason

My trip to Knoxville was fun and the wedding was beautiful. It was good change in scenery. I was really nervous about going to the wedding because it was the first time I have worn my wig "out in public" as no one knew my story what was going on. I feared people might say something about me or point fingers. I didn't see anyone doing that but it was always in the back of my mind. To be honest, I could not handle the drive 5 hours in a car up and down a mountain was not fun at all. I felt like throwing up oh so many times. I just kept eating lemonheads. My doctors said that lemonheads help with the nausea. I am extremely tired and feel out of it. I have the "chemo dark circles' under my eyes and I pray that will go away soon.

Tonight my ABC mini series aired and it was so good. Claire did a great job. Mom cried through the whole thing! Speaking of ABC, Claire called and said that Good Morning America anchor Robin wants to meet me! She is also battle Breast Cancer and heard my story! So I will be flying to New York soon and I am so excited about getting national attention to spread the word on breast cancer in younger woman! I will keep you posted on when I go.

Nothing else new with me, just more and more of my friends are getting in engaged and I am still waiting. I checked the front yard and no money tree was planted so waiting is game. I hate checking Facebook.

Well I am off to bed! Thank you everyone again for all the thoughts and prayers. With your support I am not sure I could do this!

Check the Ta Ta's

Hannah Montana

I know my little cousin Emma Grace will love this post ;) Today after my fifth interview I really feel like Hannah Montana!

My mom school held a mock Relay for Life to raise money for the real walk which is May 2-3. I was asked to come out and start the walk. I was very honored to see all these little (well not all of them are little, some where bigger then me!) 6,7, and 8 graders pay $2 to walk. I know half really just wanted to get out of class but hey that's $2 towards finding a cure! 13WMAZ came out and filmed the walk and interviewed some of mom's teachers, parents, mom, and finally me. I was not prepared for this interviewed and I am really scared I sound stupid! I hope people will catch some of the other media I am in!

For record, I am very honored on all the attention I am getting and thankful I can spread the word on young women can get breast cancer. This brings my total media appearances to 4. I have 2 news casts. and 2 newspapers under my belt. I am now waiting on NBC to call then I would have all of Macon media covered!

Pick up an 11th Hour newspaper, my article is there today. Tonight I will be on 13WMAZ at 5 or 6 pm (they are sure which time slot yet.) Next week starts the ABC special and the promo is airing now.

My Godmother told me last night that I needed an agent! Any takers?

Before I go I have another Granger story! I hear people really enjoy these: Yesterday Brian and I took Granger to the park with some friends and their new lab puppy and wore the two out. When we brought him home my dad was like "don't let that dog in this house, he is dirty and needs a bath." For the record that dog was not dirty, he did roll in mud or step in anything, he was just fine. But anyways we put him out and of course Samford J (my Boston terrier) gets to come in. Well this makes Granger mad. He is out there even at dark! Finally, I get to bring him in just to feed him. My dad takes the trash out and finds a surprise. My dad comes in yelling at me "Look what he did now" You would have thought he ate the deck. He chewed up a mat that goes in front of the grill. It came from the dollar store. I tried to tell my dad its because he sees everyone inside and he is mad. I would be to. My dad lets him stay in and Granger just slept the night away on his bed. Never made a sound. Mom and I both know that he is better in the house then he outside. But my dad will see that!

I am headed to my sister's house this weekend so I don't know if I will get a chance to write. I post the stories when I get home!

Check the Ta Ta's

ZETA #1 (that's all I heard from my sister when she was in college)

Sorry for keep everyone waiting but, this has been a super busy week! On Monday my Godmother came from Tampa to visit me this week while I am on the "healthy" week. I am happy cause this week I have got to eaten real Italian! I have not stop at all and now I feel very tired and I am suppose to go out of town to my sister's this weekend for a wedding. Last night everyone (Dad, Mom, Brian, Linda, and I) headed to GA Tech for a "Cookout for Catherine". The ZTA's of Tech heard my story from my cousin Hallee and wanted to do something. They ended up selling over 200 tickets at just in my honor! It was amazing to meet to a group of women that are passionate about helping others! As I was riding home I thought to myself, I have attended to 2 University and not one has done anything for me, but Tech has done more then enough! Thanks Tech!

Today I had my blood work and all my counts were up and fine so now I can eat fresh things again! I am so excited to eat a salad and fruit! I will have my 3 round of chemo next Thursday which is my half way mark and I thrilled! 3 down 3 to go! I head to Atlanta after that treatment to meet my doctors up there and talk about surgery and reconstruction!

This afternoon, I had a visitor from Ed Grismore. I was very excited to be interviewed by him! Also, got the call that the promo to the ABC interviewed will air tonight at 8:15. The story will air next week at 7 and 11.

Check the Ta Ta's

He did it (no, not that)

This has been one of the best weekends of my life. On Thursday I had the KA Rose Court Dinner and when I got to the house all the brothers had the Breast Cancer Ribbon pins with there Chapter pins on there jackets. I felt like Sally Field, "they like me, they really like me!". On Friday some of my girlfriends came in to do the interview for ABC and they took me to dinner afterwards and it was wonderful getting out of the house and just laughing with them, telling old and new stories and I was thinking as looked at the round table how I could cry cause of the way my friends have come together. After dinner, Crystal, Caroline, Kimberly came home and Caroline baked me a my favorite cake (which my family has ate every bit!) it was like old times! Crystal is on the "I want a wig kick" and she played dress up with one of my wigs and it was so funny! I swore she looked like what she did in high school! For the ones that do not know Caroline D. she has jet black hair with dark eyebrows well put on the red wig and oh my Lord, well the pictures will explain ;) Kimberly had her fun when she went with me to get my wig!

Side note, as I was of course venting on how bad I want to be in engaged, I was stating how Brian had discuss, what do we call ourselves, we are now more then just a boyfriend or girlfriend but not yet fiance, so Crystal being the creative one, says well just call him your Beyfriend (not sure how to spell it) we all just laughed (its one of those you had to be there moments)

Saturday, I had lunch with some of the girls and Brian and then we went and played golf with his best friend and then we cookout with John Paul and Jessica. We had our own Old South!

To the point of this blog, as John Paul and Jessica were leaving last night I notice Samford (my Boston Terrier) was out sniffing the driveway. It was dark and we could figure out what he was doing. I come inside to finish the dishes and Brian comes running in "Oh My Gosh, you will not believe what Granger (our Vizsla, which is a big dog, which my dad HATES) has done!". I go outside and see feathers all over the driveway, at which point my parents are driving up. We knew my dad would go nuts, we tried to scrap the feathers which meant they flew everywhere. All we could do is just laugh! Granger was so proud of himself that he killed a bird in mid air. My dad was OK and lucky just said "well, you got your money's worth." After everyone went inside Brian gave the command to show the bird, and Granger went and got the dead bird. Brian said it was perfect, just like if they were in the woods.

Now, this is Granger game list of hunt that he has done on his own: lizard, squirrel, rabbit, and now a bird. We are waiting for him to bring us a deer. needless to say: HE DID IT!

Well today, I am off to run some errands for mom!

Check the Ta Ta's and your Ovaries (I am spreading the word Lyndsie!)

Just call me Granny

May I first saw if this is what old is going to feel like then I AM NOT EXCITED! I feel like an 84 woman. My joints are killing me. When I walk you can hear my joints cracking. I know gross right, oh the joys of chemo! They saw this will not last long and I am waiting for it to go away.

Tonight, Brian and I went to the Rose Court Dinner for KA and it was so nice to see everyone again. I was really nervous cause it was the first social thing I have done on campus since discovery this wonderful cancer. I was just scared people would not know how to accept me in my wig. I know its silly. We took alot of pictures and I literally soaked up every minute. Everyone made me feel so welcome! Thank you KA and the lovely girls! I can tell me strenght has change just going to eat has made me tired and I can not wait to 11pm to go to bed. (thats my bedtime).

This weekend at 1pm at Stratford there will be a meeting on the Komen 3 day walk that some of my friends are raising money for me to walk in. If you are interesting in attending please let me know. It would mean so much to raise money towards research in saving my life. It will be a great to see me!!!

Because of the meeting most of my girlfriends have come home and I will get to see them! (oh i love meetings ;) Hopefully, Brian and I will stay busy and I will not get upset that I could not go to Old South this weekend!

One more week till I have chemo again and then I will be down to 3!!!

I have the Relay shirts! please let me know if you want one! I have taken some orders all you need to do is come to the house and pick one up!

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