Finish Line!!!

The doctor tricked me. He called me back in for five more days of treatment. My treatment was officially completed last Thursday, December 3rd. This has been the best week that I've had since February of this year, so you know I am getting better and better each day. My energy has been good but my feet still hurt from the chemo, though they have been better this week as well.

Every week from this point on will be a better week!

Last week of treatment

Thank You Jesus!!!! This is the last week for treatment. Each day I'm feeling better and better. I still have some days that I throw up, in pain, nauseated and at times dizzy. However, I still realize that it could be worse. As most of you know, prior to being diagnosed last year, I went back into business for myself (music business). I had to put things on hold when I was told that I needed a second surgery. I am now working on building my business again since treatment is complete. In the meantime, I just took on a temporary project of teaching seminars. I started on 11/23/09 and really like teaching and inspiring. I should have my website up and running by January so that you can check the schedule for a music business seminar that you may be interested in,

Thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers. I am sure that prayer is a big part of why I came through this storm so well. So, if you have a friend or loved one that needs prayer, send me the name and we all will pray for them until they have a break through.

Update

Last week wasn't the greatest week. However, this has been a great week other than the doctor telling me on Tuesday that I won't be finished with treatments until Dec. 1st. Anyway, we'll just keep it moving.

There is so much that people don't tell you about the side affects of these treatments. I guess because some of the side affects are so disgusting. For example, a foul smelling fluid sometimes leaks from my under my already hurting fingernails. Some women experience this from the breast that they had surgery on so I guess I should be thankful because it could always be worse.

"Ride for a Cure"

For some reason I didn't feel too well from last Wednesday through Saturday. It is truly amazing what these treatments can do to your body. I threw up for two days and was just fatigued the other days. I started feeling better on Sunday.

I really want to take out this moment to thank the Buffalo Soldiers and the Sistah Soldiers for doing "A Ride for a Cure" for breast cancer in my honor this past Saturday. A big Thank you to a very good friend of mine named Evelyn who owns Evelyn's Creations located at 4725 W. Concord Street in Orlando, Florida for coordinating this entire event and was also the biggest sponsor. There were over 40 bikers who participated. This was my first experience riding on a motorcycle. It was so much fun! I was so amazed and blessed to see what these guys and ladies did just for me. The event started at 10a and ended around 2p. We had fried fish, grits, hush puppies, sausages, cake and more. Everyone shared stories of family members, loved ones and friends who had battles with cancer.

Three and half more weeks to go with radiation! I feel okay today. I can't wait to celebrate!

Missed Appointment

I can't believe I missed my appointment with the plastic surgeon. I was supposed to be there last week instead of this week. And, believe it or not, I had it written down, LOL! I guess most things happen the way they are supposed to.

While I was waiting to see if they could squeeze me in this girl sat across from me and began to strike up a conversation. She began to tell me about her journey and me about mine. We had two doctors in common. She had a double mastectomy, reconstruction and was now coming to this doctor to re-do or make her reconstruction look better. She asked me if I wanted to see her new breast and I said yes. I've always wanted to see what a new pair of boobies look like. We went into the ladies room and she pulled her shirt up. Wow! They really didn't look as good as I expected and one was smaller than the other. Then she asked me if I wanted to touch them (LOL). I did. She said she has silicone in them. They felt like normal breast. Anyway, just wanted to share that story.
I feel good today. I'm in my third week of radiation and I am marking off the days as they pass.

Hello

When you post a comment please know that I read them and they really do make a difference. All my tests came back and showed no cancer anywhere in my body. I'm now going into my third week of radiation. I am feeling very tired already. However, sometime I have to push myself. Not so much physically, but more emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I talk to God a lot, read, laugh and love talking to my girlfriends because once I talk to most of them and hear what’s happening in their lives I’m immediately snapped back in to reality, (smile).

Anyway, I think with some women, having to go to radiation five days a week M-F, can in itself be very tiring. I meet with the plastic surgeon tomorrow...I'm looking forward to it.

The Ride is Bumpy...

I started radiation treatment last week. It's just like taking an X-ray. Nothing physical touched your skin but it's a lot of radiation going into one spot. I got a call from my doctor today giving the news about my biopsy. It's negative! Just as I thought it was. The full body scan that they did also showed there is no cancer anywhere in my body.

I meet with my plastic surgeon next week on October 27th to discuss reconstruction. Upon my meeting with him I will know what my outcome for reconstruction may be. I know that everything will turn out for the good, no matter what.

"The ride is bumpy but I'm thankful for the journey."

Lean not on your own understanding

I had an appointment with my radiologist on September 25, three day before the Ultrasound. He gave me disturbing news. He told me that there is a possibility that I may not be able have a reconstruction because of multiple surgeries and having radiation. I was devastated by this news.

As I told you, after my mammogram on September 14th, the doctor told me that they saw something in my left breast but was not concerned about it. However, I went back on the September 28th for an ultrasound and now they seem concerned. They told me that they see a cist and want to do a biopsy. I was numbed by this news combined with the news from my radiologist.

I began to pray. The spirit kept telling me, "Trust me with all your heart and all your soul. Lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge me in all your way and I will direct your path." I repeat this scripture everytime I start to waver. I know I will be fine. God always has the last word. I trust him and I am not leaning on my own understanding. Whatever happens, I'm okay because God has my back. My biopsy is scheduled for October 12the the same day I start radiation treatment.

Follow - up

My trip to Tampa yesterday was okay. This was my six month follow-up. I had a mammogram and then saw my surgeon for the results and a check-up. They saw a spot in my left breast so I have to go back next Tuesday the 22nd for an ultrasound. The doctor does not seem too worried about this and neither am I.

I have truly learned not to worry about the things that I cannot control. It's kind of hard when you continue to hear or get bad news. However, as long as you live in this world you will face bad news. And, "They" are right..."life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you cope."

I'm so close

Today is September 14th. Last night was kind of rough. As most of you know, chemo is a nice way of saying, "we have to load your body with poison, which kills good and bad cells, in order to hopefully save or prolong your life." I have some side affects which just started affecting me about three weeks ago. I have what you call neuropathy. The best way I can explain it is I get numbness and tingling in my fingertips and my feet. It is more severe in my feet. My feet get so cold at times that I have to wrap a heating pad around them because I feel like they are frost bitten. My muscles also ache sometime, mostly at night, to the point where I have to sit on the edge of my bed and massage them and take a pain pill. I'm so close to end of chemo with only two more treatments to go, but surely not close enough! On the other hand, I know I am still blessed because it really could be a lot worse.

I am on my way to Tampa today for a follow-up appointment with my surgeon. I have not seen her since my surgery on 2-20-09. I’ll keep you posted.

The days are numbered

Good Afternoon!
Chemo session went well yesterday. Three to go, Yippee! It amazes me that not one week passes without learning abouy another black woman being diagnosed with breast cancer or another woman who has no history of breast cancer in her family. I pray to God constantly to guide me on what good I can contribute to this matter. I want to be an asset in this life and not a liability.

Everything else is wonderful! Keep the prayers going for you and for others.

Love you all
"Free"

I can see the light at the end of the rainbow!

What's up People!

Four more chemo sessions to go. After that I have ten days of radiation and I am complete. Most of my days are very good. Every now and then I have a day where I feel very well and some days where I feel very fatigued. This second round of chemo is still not half as bad as the first round. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, I feel so blessed.

Business is finally picking up and I'm very excited about that. The last artist that I mentioned did not work out. However, Jay Ski from the Quad City DJ's (that is one of the groups that I used to manage that did the "Space Jam" Song and "C’mon Ride the Train") and I are starting a record label together. We are currently looking for hot producers, writers and hot artists. We currently have two artists that you will be hearing about soon.

I'm being pushed to do a facebook page. Can someone tell me the ways that I will benefit from Facebook?

Feeling Good!

Hello Fam and Friends!
I started the second round of chemo on July 8th. Thank God this round is not even close to being as nasty as the first round. I go every Wednesday for 12 weeks. Mentally and emotionally I "think" I'm doing great, (though my friends may say otherwise). I mention the mental and emotional because this journey is a deep and can be heavy at times. Just always know where your strength and guidance comes from.

I got a demo on new artist last week and I can say that this is the first time in about six years that I've been really excited about an artist.

My ultimate goal has always been to run my own record label. I've run labels for other people and had a lot of success. This time I want to do it and have some ownership. I'll keep you posted.

Wow, what a week!

Today is a fabulous day. My first round of chemo is done. The last treatment was on June 12th. I was sick for about 12 days, it was not good. The next round starts on July 8th and will last for 12 weeks. The doctor said the next round will be a lot better. However, the next round has steriods in it and will cause more weight gain. It is too hot to be fat (lol).

For once since treatment began I feel back to normal. At times this whole thing seems so surreal to me but most of the time I think, it could be worst.

Wow, what a week! I know a lot of us still can't believe that the King of Pop has passed. It's amazing that prescription drugs kill more people than street drugs. That is mind blowing to me. How many more people have to die before the denial ends?

How Deep is your Love?

Finally, I am here again. This has been a fantastic week. The last treatment for this first round of chemo is on Friday June 12th. I am really looking forward to getting it over with. The first week after treatment has been the worst for me. I get very nauseated. You ladies who have had kids understand what I'm talking about, (well multiply that feeling).

Anyway, when you are going through something you have to pull from it what you can. In my case, I've learned a lot about breast cancer and I've learned a lot about myself. What I learned about myself is that my love for myself wasn't as deep as it should have been. I've always put loved ones and some friends before myself. If you think that's very admirable, it's not. There is nothing admirable about neglecting yourself (unless you have kids).

I've heard that if you don't take care of yourself in your twenties you'll pay for it in your thirties, if you neglect yourself in your thirties then you pay in your forties, (so on and so on).

Women, we do this all the time. Well, let's do better. How deep is your love for yourself? I know you truly love yourself and you love your family. If you do, you have to do a better job of taking good care of yourself now. It's not easy but remember what separates the winners from the losers, "winners do what losers don't want to do."

Some of you have contacted me to let me know that you tried to be a follower on this blog and for some reason you had trouble doing so. Tomorrow I am going to post the steps to be a follower.

Another chemo session is coming up, this Friday. I am looking forward to it just to get it over with. I feel so good today! My prayers go out to all the other women that may be on a similar journey...I would love to hear from you.

Freda Mays DocuFilmPhase I

Hello,

To all my friends, family, and colleagues, this blog was created to share my experience with you as an African American woman surviving Breast Cancer. I am currently working on a docufilm in an effort to educate and encourage others living with and without this illness.I am primarily advocating for single women with breast cancer and mainly single women with children. Part of my goal for this journey is to build a good support system for single women dealing with breast cancer. It's important that you share your thoughts and please take time to post a comment to my blog...

I can't believe that I am dealing with breast cancer!!! That was my first reaction when I was given the news. In disbelief, I closely guarded my emotions trying to do what I have always done my whole life - I tried to be strong for everyone else. The disbelief was soon followed by the fear that I could possibly lose my life to cancer. Then the realization hit me. I have nothing to lose, but everything to gain. It was in that moment that I started living each day of my life like it was my first.

I had my second chemo treatment on last Friday, May 1st. I was sick up until yesterday. I feel so much better today. I have two rounds of chemo to go through. This first round consist of four treatments, one every twenty-one days. I get three-four weeks off and then undergo weekly chemo for 12 weeks. And then, I have to take radiation daily for two weeks.

It’ been eleven days since my last treatment and I am still nauseated though it's still it's not as bad as it was week. The weekend was pretty good. Hope everybody had a wonderful Mother's Day! This was the first time in about 15 years that I haven't been home for Mother's Day. I was sad only for a second because I was just so thankful to still have my mother.

I eat pretty good everyday although there are some foods that I could eat before treatment that makes me nauseated now. Some foods make me nauseated depending on the texture or smell. The doctor asks that the weeks in between chemo you drink 80 - 100 ozs of water. It's really hard when you already feel sick but you know you have to. Believe me; I'm so thankful that things aren't as bad as they could be.

I may have a big announcement for you before the end of this month...Stay tuned!