Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Out with the old and in with the new

Dear 2014,

You're quickly winding down to a close and I could not be more happy to see you go!  You will not be missed.  You took a lot from me - my hair, my boobs, and a Costa Rica vacation just to name a few.  You broke my heart and changed my life forever.  During your tenure I realized that I will always be worried and fearful.  I'm hoping next year I can get better at giving my worries to God.

You weren't all bad.  Marriages began, sweet babies were born, and I was declared cancer free!  I ran a 5k and lost 40 pounds (part of it from kicking the coca-cola habit and part of it from chemo).  Henderson won an awesome grant that he accepted in Albuquerque and we celebrated our second anniversary in Fredericksburg.  We created four little embryos that are hanging out for the next few years (their picture and the knowledge that we have them got me through my worst days).

You brought amazing people (doctors, nurses, new friends) into our lives to get us through the last several months.  And you reminded us of how blessed we are with our amazing family and friends.      

I won't be forgetting you anytime soon but I hope the next year is better for us.


Dear 2015,

So nice to meet you!  Don't worry, I have no great expectations for what will happen during your time. In fact, you don't have to do much to be better than your predecessor.  Even though I don't have expectations for you, I do have high hopes.  Hopes that 2015 will bring normal back into our lives.  I'd love to use my passport, see some great concerts, and hang out with friends more often during your tenure.  I don't have any grand resolutions for 2015; instead, I've made some attainable goals.  Like read the Bible cover-to-cover and run a 10k.

Please be kind to me, 2015.

See you soon - Bailey


 





Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Christmas in Texas

The Saturday before Christmas Henderson and I celebrated Christmas together.  We opened gifts and ate a delicious dinner on our Christmas China and just enjoyed spending some much needed quality time together.  





Last year, Henderson started a tradition of buying me Waterford crystal Christmas ornaments. This cross is last year's ornament.



The snowflake is this year's ornmanent.



This ornament was a wedding gift - it has our wedding invitation in it!



I got this at Texas Pearls & Co in Waxahachie.  Isn't it the cutest?!



Santa came to visit the dogs!



Christmas selfie!



With the table all set - I'm wearing one of my grandmother's old aprons.  I love vintage aprons!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Recovering

The last two weeks have been full of tv, lots of meds, and yoga pants. I am so thankful for my family through all of this. They've taken off a lot of work and spent a good bit of time and money to take care of us. I don't know how I could've gotten through the last several months but especially the last two weeks without Henderson. The things he's had to do for me the last few weeks are things no newlywed should have to do. I know this is cliche, but I wake up every morning thanking God for Henderson.  Our marriage has always been my favorite thing but recently we've both realized how it has been strengthened through this. 

Oh, and a very superficial Thankful item:  If you've been within earshot of me at any point over the last 6 weeks you know that I gained something like 20 pounds in 2 weeks after my last chemo.  I was so petrified that the weight gain was due to the fact that I didn't have any estrogen in my body and all my hard work over the last year (when I lost 30 pounds) was for nothing!  I just envisioned that I was going to be chubby forever.  BUT, Praise the Lord, the weight was really fluid (a side effect of chemo) built up in my body.  I've already lost 12.5 pounds and that was eating lots of fried items and drinking lots of Dr. Pepper!  I know its such a strange thing to be thankful for but I am!

Over the next two days, we're going to be talking about the pathology report with my doctors and making decisions about what's next (beyond radiation). I ask you to please pray that we get the best news possible and that our doctors help us make medical decisions that are the best for me, short-term and long-term.  I'm already very nervous about what the future holds and I know I shouldn't be. 

I keep humming these lyrics, "The Lord has promised good to me. His word my hope endures."  

Please pray that my nerves would be put at ease. 


The following is a recap of the last two weeks mainly for me to be able to remember this time. 

Saturday after we got home from the hospital, Henderson and his parents decorated the house for Christmas!  They did a great job decorating the tree that we had picked out in Arkansas. I stayed on the couch and directed. :)



I have a picture of Henderson putting the angel on the tree every year. 



While I was directing, I got this beautiful fruit and snack basket from Sammons. My co-workers are the sweetest!  



This tree is so special to me. It was my great-grandmother's and then Mimi's. It's over 50 years old and it rotates and plays music!!  Susan decorated it beautifully!


Tuesday after surgery Susan took me to get my hair washed.  It was amazing!  My hairdresser washed, dried and straightened my hair. I cannot tell you how nice it was!  This was also my first day without pain meds. They took my morphine pump away (my favorite thing ever) less than 24 hours after surgery. I had to have ambien, pain killers, and muscle relaxers the first several days home. So Tuesday I started feeling a little more normal.  My left arm is still in a good bit of pain. 



Wednesday (one week after surgery), Henderson's grandparents came to spend a few days. Dixon loved them!!! 




On Thursday, we went to Corsicana to meet Henderson for lunch and get a tour of the clinic. 






I had to go get a shot on Friday at the cancer center and they had the prettiest angels. 



Mama and Susan put lights on the tree and Susan and Henderson decorated. I had to get a pic with Kate and the tree! 





Mama came this past Sunday to take over. I was feeling a lot better. Mama made some Christmas candy and we went to a few small boutiques here in town to finish Christmas shopping. I got the last of my drains out yesterday and they filled the expanders so I'm in a lot of pain again. 

Thank you for all of your messages and prayers over the last few weeks. I have felt everyone of them. Please keep them coming. 


Monday, December 15, 2014

Family Pictures 2014


The weekend before Thanksgiving, we had our annual family photos made with the amazing Erin Abay!  This was our finished Christmas card from the session.  


Here are a few other faves. 





It was about 30 minutes before we needed to leave and Henderson and I were in our bedroom. Dixon came running in and jumped on the bed. He had something on him. And we quickly realized it was dog poo. He had rolled around in dog poo. He has NEVER done that before. We couldn't figure out where he could've rolled around in it since we hadn't let then out. So I went in the kitchen and noticed that the door was open. And Missy was missing. Like gone. I yelled and yelled. I went back inside to and got some shoes and, luckily, when u came out she was in the neighbors yard. The dogs were really testing my patience!  

Another funny story from the day. During this weekend my feet and ankles had swollen from the chemo. After walking around getting pictures made my feet were huge. I went straight to bed, put on compression socks, and elevated my feet. My phone rang and even though I didn't know the number, I answered it. 

Me: Hello?
Stranger: I wanna see your sexy feet. 
Me: Excuse me?
Stranger:  I wanna see your sexy feet
Me: I think you have the wrong number. Do not ever call me again. 

I got to wondering if Henderson had set up a prank since obviously my swollen feet weren't sexy. But he hadn't. Guy had the wrong number. I couldn't stop laughing!  

Fun day with my sweet family. And a random stranger. 




Sunday, December 14, 2014

Surgery Time!

Wednesday, December 3 was the big day!  We didn't have to be at the hospital until 12:30 so
the family came over to keep us company that morning.  I woke up at 5 to get some breakfast; I didn't want to be hungry all day!  



 

We got to the hospital, checked-in and headed to pre-op where, of course, I had to take a selfie with Henderson!  The surgery started a little after 3 and ended around 8.  I didn't get back to my room until 10 though and the family left soon after.  My mom stayed the first night with me so Henderson could work on Thursday,  


I wanted a picture with some of the goodies people have sent me.  The prayer shawl from FBC Eupora, the doll from Katie, and the quilt from Mrs. Hannah.  All of these were tangible reminders of people praying for me during and after my surgery.  





I had the VIP suite in the Rogers Hospital.  It was HUGE!!  It had two bathrooms (one for me and one for my guests) and two entrances (one for visitors and one for medical staff).  It was so nice to have such a big room!!


Allie came and visited on Thursday and brought some goodies for me.  The tank tops have been great for my drains!  I met Allie at the breast cancer luncheon and she has been so helpful.  She listens to my venting and gives me great advice!

Emily Duhs came over on Thursday afternoon and visited too!  It was so great to have a couple of hours just to chat since we haven't had a chance to visit in a while!


Jeanette and Eric came by Thursday night.  They even did laps with me around the nurses station!!


My amazing view of Dallas from the room.


Friday morning we were discharged.  First stop: Sonic for some Dr. Pepper!!  

I'm recovering pretty well; every day is better and better!

Saturday, December 13, 2014


The night before my surgery we had a last supper/going away party for my breasts at Tuscan Slice in Waxahachie.  Our parents, Cheyenne, and a load of friends were able to join us.  I won't lie, the service was awful, but we still managed to have a great time!!




Me, Cheyenne, and Daddy









Susan, Lawrence, and Henderson



Tim and Erin

\

Emily and Matt



Erin and Chris came all the way from Fort Worth



It was Kalea's birthday; I was so glad she celebrated with us!



Katie and Kyle



Me, Cheyenne, and Mama














So thankful for this guy!


With my flowers from the Douglas'

Henderson and I are so thankful and blessed to have such a great group of friends here in Texas.  I loved being with all of them and our family before the surgery.  Next up: surgery day!!