So it's been a hot minute since I last posted. I absolutely hate when life's responsibilities take so much time and get in the way of our personal life. First and most importantly I found out who my secret post card sender was or actually were... My three great friends from Roxborough, Donna, Gina and Kristin! They took me to celebrate the end of treatment by spending a laugh filled day together, giving me a surprise photo gift and a champagne toast. I was brought to tears by their generosity and my cheeks hurt from smiling all day long. 

The first of March I went back to work part time just three days a week. I had it in my mind that I would slowly work my way back up to five days a week over the next several weeks. Neuropathy and fatigue have decided otherwise. Thankfully I have an understanding manager and I am able to work three days a week with a day off in between each work day to recuperate. I have decided to take a new approach of how I handle patients that have attitudes that makes you want to put their head in a meat grinder. I just try to put on my Chick-fil-a  voice and make the problem go away. My regulars were happy to see me back and thankful I didn't leave them. Many didn't recognize me at first without my curly locks and still wearing a mask. Of course there have been a couple that have no social skills what so ever, with one actually asking me, "Why would you cut your hair like that?" They got an answer back of, "Well, cancer didn't give me a choice on my new hairstyle but I'm thankful to be alive." The Chick-fil-a voice got lost on that one, but it was worth it to see them react to my answer. Do do have to say it was a lot easier going back with all the love friends sent my way, with multiple flower arrangements being delivered to me. 

After being back to work for a week I noticed that my right knee was really bothering me with pain shooting from my knee to my ankle when I took a step. I at first thought it was because of the neuropathy and standing back on my heels. I soon figured out that something else was going on, so I made an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon. X-rays were taken and compared with my x-rays from the last few years. To me they all looked the same until you looked up close, and could see the lower prosthetic had moved out of the bone where it was glued into place. I hadn't taken any falls or had any injuries to it, and it was fine during the time that I took walks each day during my treatment that were at least two miles long. I only stopped walking because the weather changed and the neuropathy had set in. We can't be certain, but there is a strong possibility that the chemo weakened my bones and caused the replacement to fail. So now I will be receiving a revision mid June. Yay me, but on the bright side it's not cancer. But seriously, Jesus take the wheel. My poor surgeon didn't know what to do when I broke down into an ugly cry in the office. Most surgeons are not warm fuzzy, love and unicorn kind of people. 

I decided that I needed to do something about this neuropathy, so I started physical therapy which at first consisted of me looking at pictures of feet "very ugly feet" on an app and trying to lift my big toe at the same time.  The therapist then recommended acupuncture and suggested a group associated with UCHEALTH all the way across town in the old Stapleton area, which was booked until May. I made an appointment but went looking elsewhere in the mean time. I found a lady in Highlands Ranch that had good reviews and after talking to her, it felt like a good fit. Going into I was a sceptic, but started to become a believer. I definitely was feeling some relief, but just wasn't sure if I had picked the right provider. I got lucky and the other clinic had a cancellation and was able to get me in earlier. What a big difference in providers. There were lots of questions, hands on and I actually could feel relief while I was on the table. It was weird driving home and I had to take off my shoe because for the first time in months I could feel my big toe and I had to let it free! My insurance won't pay for the acupuncture so it's 100% out of pocket for me. If it works I am happy to pay for, but after chatting with the receptionist and learning that I am still an oncology patient with UCHEALTH, I am eligible for a grant program that will cover six treatments at no charge. Yay me!!! Bring on the Voodoo magic, errr, I mean Eastern Medicine magic.

Chris and I were able to sneak away for a few days to our favorite hot springs in Ojo Caliente. We spent two days relaxing and soaking and just enjoying each others company without a care in the world. It felt so good to recharge and reconnect without all the static and chaos around us. 

I took an online Survivorship nutrition class this week and have learned the only thing that doesn't cause cancer are fresh vegetables and fish and no grilling them. Ummmm, that is not going to happen without me being a very sad person and having a very sad husband. I've decided baby steps, with fish a couple times a week and chicken most of the others, along with whole grains and more veggies. Yes, I am still going to grill, well...Chris is still going to grill. Lizzie is home for three days and we started making small changes today with veggie/hummus sandwiches on whole grain bread for lunch, dinner was fish, mixed fresh veggie sauté and whole grain pasta. Hopefully I can continue to make these changes. So far the grumpy hungry mamma hasn't come out. Again, Jesus take the wheel. 

The hair is coming in much quicker than expected, it may be very gray, but it's coming in. I had my first haircut in about eight months, although there wasn't much to cut. My hairdresser joked she felt like she owed my a first haircut certificate. I now have a short pixie and the post cold capping mullet is gone. I was ready to start wearing wife beaters, with cigarettes in the pocket and get a bad tattoo on each shoulder to complete the look. I can color the ugly gray in two months! Working on the skin now to lose the ten years I gained. 

So that's what life has been like since mid February and I am thankful to have a second chance at life and am looking forward to living it! thanks again for all the love, support and laughs that have kept me going.

Summers is coming so when you get that boob sweat, embrace it and go get those girls checked!

On a more serious note, please reach out to the peeps in your life and make sure they know you are there for them. I have a friend from Roxborough lose the love of her life and the father of her children this week because he just couldn't fight back against the emotions that tormented him. my heart breaks for the whole family. 

Hugs and smooches to all of you!