My Neck of the Woods

05/02/2025

02/02/2025

Hello all!

I have not been the best at posting on here but I am going to be better. A lot has happened since my last post...

First, this August will be 5 years in remission and I am counting down the days! Although I know that making it 5 years does not guarantee a recurrence won't happen, the chances definitely decrease.

Work - I am still at Bluebonnet Trails full-time. I am happy to be back and feel at peace with my decision. I am working on becoming fluent in Spanish and also studying to obtain my board certification as a Psychiatric Metal Health Nurse.

Life - All good! Eric and I are doing well; we continue to be grateful for the time we get to spend together and try to make the most of it.

Kids - Gabbi and Ed celebrated one year of marriage in August 2024 and welcomed our first grand-baby in May, the sweetest little boy, who is now 8 months old. Life has been extra special with him as a part of our world. Sebastian is still doing well and continues to work at HEB.

Medical - Everything is about the same, still have issues with a lot of foods, lack of saliva, sore throat off / on and most recently, my voice has started to change. It sounds different and I do not have much projection. I am going to see my ENT tomorrow, hoping to figure out some things I can do to start feeling better.

I hope that all of you are doing well and living life to the fullest!

Until next time...

22/08/2024

Today is the 4 year anniversary of my remission from cancer. 4 years down and 1 to go until I will be considered “cured”.

Every year, I look back and compare myself and my life to where they were on of January 27, 2020 when I was diagnosed and August 21, 2020 - the day I was told I was in remission.

Let me just say, cancer and the intense treatment / surgeries associated with it is a humbling experience! I learned so much about myself and my relationships (all of them) during this time and am grateful for the opportunity to be able to do better! My body has healed and recovered from cancer and treatment pretty well. I am left with the subsequent side effects that followed but I try my best to remain positive. What I went through in the first 8 months of 2020, is something I never imagined I would experience and in all honesty, did not know if I would make it through. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to be here and I don’t and will not take any moment I’m blessed with for granted. In the last 4 years I have been able to witness and celebrate so many special events with my family and at each event I thank God again for my life, my health, my second chance!

Thank you for the continuous support and encouragement over the years ❤️

Never lose sight of the fact that to be here today makes us the lucky ones. Go out and live each day accordingly!

16/03/2024

Hello! I know it’s been a while since my last update! Here ya go 🙃

I left the college and am back with Bluebonnet Trails. It was a much needed change and I’m thankful God made a way.

Family: We are doing good! Gabbi & Ed were married in August of 2023 and they are expecting a little boy in June. I know they will be amazing parents. Sebastian is working full time and doing well! He moved less than 5 minutes from his sister, the 3 of them being in close proximity gives me peace.

Health: I am a little over 4 years in remission 🙌
I continue to have difficulties with some (most) foods, but I’m thankful for what I can eat. Neck and shoulder muscles are TIGHT! Oncology informed me this is called “radiation fibrosis”. Hoping to be able to start therapy soon so I can maybe loosen them up to a point where I’m not in constant pain.
Still see my docs regularly and have been getting good reports. Looking forward to August when I can officially say that I am CURED!

I hope you all have been doing good and staying well!

Until next time…

24/01/2024

4 years ago today is when I was told I had cancer. Even though I pretty much knew, following my scan hearing those words was hard! I remember walking out of the office in a daze. I sat in the parking lot for a while crying and praying and wondering why. I remember calling Eric to tell him and him saying “we will get through this”. And we did!
I share this not to dwell on a very hard time in my life, but to remember and rejoice in my victory! We are all stronger than we think we are! Whatever battle you’re facing, give it to God! He will light your path and give you the strength you need! Always remember...

10/11/2023

Hello friends!

Here I am again, months later than I intended to be. I know I made a quick post in August but I like to keep y'all in the loop.

Work - Still with college and Bluebonnet PRN. My second group of nursing students will be graduating 12/14 - I am super excited for them! I am still learning a lot; I learn something new every single week. I remember one of my former teachers told me, "never stop learning"; best advice ever!

Family - AMAZING! Eric and I are doing well; we cherish every second that we are together and grow closer to one another and to God daily. Gabbi and Ed tied the knot 08/11 and we are so happy to have added another son to our family. Their wedding was perfect and of course our girl was stunning. Sebastian surprised us all with his announcement of starting nursing school at Galen next year; we have no doubt he will do exceptional and be a great nurse.

Health - All good from the "C" standpoint - THANK GOD! My thyroid likes to keep us guessing but I have been pretty stable over the last month. Eating is the same, but I am so thankful that I am able to at all so I will take what I can get. No new meds; the medication neuro put me on earlier in year is helping so far and the muscle spasms in my neck have decreased thankfully. I am still tired 24/7 and that of course is not fun with the recent time change... I feel like I need to go to bed as soon as I get home from work. I have been exercising more and that is helping with my energy and I feel like I am finally regaining all the muscle mass I lost over that almost years time.

Overall, I cannot complain! God is truly amazing and I will forever be grateful and humbled for my healing.

If I don't get another chance before end of year, we wish you and your families a blessed holiday season!

Until next time...

21/08/2023

3 years in remission today! The last 3 years have been so different for me. I appreciate every single second of every day and take nothing for granted! My relationship with God is stronger than ever as well as my relationships with my husband, kids family & friends. I look for the positive in everything and know that I'm blessed! I will always be grateful for my life and will remain humble.
Thanks again for all the support ❤️

14/03/2023

Hello 😊

Hope all of you are doing well! I know it’s been a couple of months since my last post.

Still at the college teaching my second group of future nurses 💁🏻‍♀️

My health is good overall! Still dealing with pain and “clicking” in my neck. Not sure that will ever go away. I have an appointment with a new doc (neurologist) tomorrow due to some peripheral neuropathy and 3 episodes of trigeminal neuralgia. I’m excited to hopefully have some relief but also a bit nervous.

Eating is still the same, swallowing issues continue but for the most part I’ve figured out what I can / cannot eat.

Overall I’m doing great and am enjoying life.

I hope you all are staying healthy! Looking forward to Spring!

Until next time...

05/01/2023

Hello all!

Once again it’s been several months since my last post.

Posting today with lots of emotions. Three years ago today is when I first felt the lump on my neck that ultimately took me on the toughest journey of my adult life.

I’ve recently seen my ENT and oncologist. All is good! Which definitely helps ease my constant anxiety a bit!

I’m about to start my second year with the college and am so excited!

Eating is still my biggest challenge! Partially due to swallowing and also my reflux which is no joke! Pretty sure I’m on the maximum dose of antacids!

My family is doing well and we are planning our baby girls wedding! Just 8 more months ❤️

I hope each and everyone of you had a blessed Christmas and that the new year is filled with happiness and endless blessings!

Until next time 😊

11/09/2022

Hello!
Long time since I have posted!
Since April...

I am still with Victoria College and am learning as well as teaching.

I have seen all my docs recently with the exception of my ENT which I will see this Wednesday. Overall things are going well. I continue to struggle with some foods but make up for it with the ones I am able to eat :)
Pain is still about the same, mostly around my scars. I have started taking a low dose muscle relaxer due to spasms in my neck - had an MRI and CT done and turns out radiation has accelerated the normally progressive process of disc degeneration in my neck. I am supposed to be seeing a spine specialist, but in all honesty, I am not looking forward to it because I fear it will result in a possible surgery and I am not mentally ready for another one of those.

I did end up having a root canal on a perfectly healthy tooth because the nerve was being triggered for some reason. This has helped with the sensitivity I was having and thankfully there were not any other dental issues.

On a mental health note... I am surviving! PTSD is a real thing! I have lived with it all my life due to my childhood, but PTSD from cancer is no joke! Oncologist said it's natural and I am not alone, which I know I am not, but it is not fun!

I still continue to live everyday to the fullest and am thankful for all of my blessings!

I hope you all are doing well!

Until next time...