Angela Ruth’s Story

Site created on December 1, 2019

Welcome to my CaringBridge website. I am using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. If you’d like to be part of my team, you can visit “the planner” on the Ways to Help page to sign up to provide for specific needs as they arise.  Thank you for visiting.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Angela Strong

In case you haven't heard, I'M CANCER FREE, BABY!!!

A few people have been asking about updates, but I'm not really sure what to say except that I feel great. Hmm... 

The worst pain I was in from my surgery came from my elbow of all places. I just remember waking up and pulling blankets off to be able to see my elbow and find out what was wrong with it. Surprisingly, it looked normal. I asked why my elbow hurt, and the nurse said it was probably from how my arm hung off the operating table for six hours. I kept expecting to feel more pain from the surgery after the medication wore away, but I never needed anything stronger than Tylenol and Advil.

At one point, Jim thought I was running a fever, and our thermometer was broken, so he tried finding one at a store nearby, but they were all sold out. He called his friend who, as the local fire chief, probably had a thermometer. The friend ended up sending over a whole fire truck and firefighters to take my temperature. I turned out to be fine, but this is a great example of how Jim has taken such amazing care of me the past eight months.

My energy is coming back, and I want to conquer the world, but that's hard when I'm not allowed to lift more than ten pounds (or swim or paddle board)until July. So I just walk a couple miles a day.

I start back to work this Sunday. I'll be able to check in the bags at the airport, I'll just have to have someone move them for me.

My eyelashes are starting to grow back. The hair on my head feels like peach fuzz. Someone offered to microblade eyebrows to my face for free, so I'm going to try it with the hopes that I don't end up looking like Bert from Bert and Ernie.

I meet with my oncologist and surgeon again next week to find out the next step. They want me to meet with a radiologist too, which I'm pouting about because my doctor told me if I got mastectomies I wouldn't need radiation. Also, since I'm cancer free, what exactly do they radiate? I guess I'll go find out so I can make an informed decision.

I'm so glad it's summer, and I look forward to all the company we have visiting the next three weekend. I'm planning to buy a paddle board as soon as I'm allowed to paddle. And I'm planning a trip with my daughter to the exciting town of Preston, Idaho where Napoleon Dynamite was filmed. We just ordered our "Vote for Pedro" t-shirts.

Also, I'm writing again, which, for me, is kinda like breathing.

I hope I never have to go through this again, but, because of this experience, I will cherish the little things even more. Thank you for helping me get through.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help Angela Ruth Stay Connected to Family and Friends

A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Angela Ruth's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?

Comments Hide comments

Show Your Support

See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.

SVG_Icons_Back_To_Top
Top