Busy week July 13. Treatment program not working like they want it to so they fussed Monday and Tuesday did a treatment Wednesday and then a new simulation Thursday a bit frustrating but understand about computer program and we all want it to be the best it can be. I had my ultrasound of the neck Tuesday. We got the results and it is thyroid so my oncologist is trying to get me into a very respected thyroid specialist. I could be many things so will wait until the next step is decided on. Shawn and I decided to fly the coop and went to the Grand Rapids area to see the Frederick Meijer gardens, covered bridges, quite quaint rivers, the gardens in Holland Michigan, we went to Grand Haven but it was really cool and rainy so we walked the shops and found some awesome orange cranberry bread, a cute tea shop, and tasted wine we did not care for. We also ventured to Muskegon and went to their Saturday Farm Market awesome, they had lots of fresh produce, baked goods and plants. We purchased fresh fruits and two Hydrangeas for the yard.
It was a nice break and we were able to relax and forget for awhile. The garden was waiting for us when we returned home and we froze broccoli, snap peas and beets. We picked goose berries and black raspberries and made a gooseberry crumble, umm good and a black raspberry pie. Week of July 20.
Back to treatment on Monday the new program works and treatment was quick and easy. Stopped in at work and went thru a few things with coworker who is doing well and becoming a stronger manager. Picked more gooseberries will maybe make some jam if I get some more or another crumble! Flowers in the yard are blooming nicely, petunias, roses, cone flowers, marigolds and dahlias all look gorgeous.

Treatment begins

Have had 2 treatments going well. A little soreness, tired on Friday but could be stress and not radiation. Long drive, a girlfriend went with me one day and my mother the next. I will go by myself and stop in at work on Monday. We picked and froze some snap peas we like them in stir fry's and are good all by themselves. Still a few strawberries left. Now that treatment has began it hits home a little bit more you tend to pay close attention to your body. I have had a lump that comes and goes on my throat, thought it was thyroid as it has acted up before. Asked the doc and it is not the thyroid so they will do an ultrasound Tuesday and go from there. Hope fully nothing but one more thing to worry about it is hard not too. Tired so will rest.

Day before treatments begin. Nervous about tomorrow but ready to get it started so it can get done. I have my first radiation treatment and go see the oncologist to begin hormonal therapy nothing like starting everything at once! Good day today. Went for a walk, worked in the garden, snacked on fresh strawberries and peas yumm. We picked and canned more cherries they are really good. I also learned to use my I POD better. I can turn it off and adjust the volume!

Picked and canned cherries yesterday they tasted a little unripe so we only picked a few. They tasted great canned so we will get some more tomorrow. Picked 3 more quarts of strawberries and froze them for cereal and yogurt. I put them on a cookie sheet and when frozen place them in freezer bags. That way you can only take a few out at a time. Nice relaxing day. Talked to my friend who is fighting a hard battle with lymphoma she is not having a good day, but is in good spirits. Her battle has a long way to go. I look up to her because she never gives up, she is there for me to support me thru my trials and helps me prepare for the upcoming treatments. She is like me in many ways when I was her age. Spunky; do things because we can maybe shouldn't. We like to cross or circumvent the line but now must tow the line and take seriously our illness. We can still have fun we don't have to follow all the rules!!!
Today went to town for groceries and errands. We picked and froze broccoli and kohlrabi. Fresh vegetables just taste so good. We snacked on strawberries from the garden, weeded, and just enjoyed being in the garden checking to see what is next, what is not growing well. Baked fresh bread today it smell divine. Yep most of what we like involves food of some kind it seems! Our outdoor kitchen set up is working great. It is so nice not to have that mess in the house. The old stove in the potting stove works well to can on also. One more full day at home before treatment begins. The roses are blooming very nicely, they smell so wonderful. I have some that are not scented but most are. A rose needs the sweet scent to be complete in my book. Am tired after my full day will relax in my favorite chair, snooze watch some tv.

It has been a scary year in many regards. I am recovering from a hip replacement and in May 2009 was diagnosed with breast cancer. My life is forever changed with these events. The hip replacement brought me less pain but many more restrictions. I am a free spirit who learned that yes some rules need to be obeyed and followed and my body cannot or probably should not have done some of the things it did or does. I am learning to garden in a smarter way, a bit more body friendly. At times I forget and do things that are not advised but am working hard to make sure my movements do not jeopardize my hip health. The breast cancer has been very hard to accept, but am now on a mission to learn all I can so that I can live live life to its fullest and learn all I can about how this disease will and does affect my everyday life. My treatment begins this week and I am ready but a little nervous about how many and what SE (side effects) I will have. My garden hobby will help me work with this and thru this. Nutrition is a huge part of how cancer treatment affects our bodies and I hope to be able to use the garden to help my health in many ways. It will involve changing some of the things I love to make and consume but with a little trial and error and imagination I am sure I can make it work. One of my big projects is to make more fruilt drinks and less wine. I love to make and drink my wines but have learned that alcohol and the particular kind of cancer I have are not a good mix. I will still make the wines but not as many and will put my efforts towards fruit juices, concentrates that I can use in smoothies, yougurts, and tea. Yesterday we picked sweet cherries for a friends and made a yummy pie with whole grain crust that included flax seeds, it is good. We also froze many whole pits and all. We use tham as ice cubes in drinks, they flavor the drink and then you eat them after they are very good especially in winter when fresh local fruit is no where to be found. The strawberries are plentiful this year and have many in the freezer, canned and jams. Enough for now time to get soem housework done, my walk in and work in the garden.