It has been awhile

Hello, I haven't written anything in the last several months.God instructed me this morning to start writing again.  Which kinda scares me because I feel something is about to happen. For those who don't know I am a 3 year breast cancer survivor, I have had 6 surgeries in 4 years. Gall Bladder removed, mastectomy (right breast), breast reconstruction, hysterectomy, hernia, meningoma removed (brain surgery).  Whewww...crazy isn't it!  My life has been a crazy rollercoaster but God has kept me all the way.  See the night I found out I had cancer God told me I wasn't going to die.  He said it was going to be tough but I was going to die.  So I was able to deal with thing better (somewhat) knowing I wasn't going to die. It was tough but I trust God and he kept his word.  Even with the brain tumor, He told me I will be ok "He got this" Now that was a tough one also. But God!!!! 

Guess What!!! now I am a licensed Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Legacy **YAYYYYYY**  I love that place. I am learning so much.  It is great to feel normal again. Even my fibromyalgia hasn't been as bad. I had slacked off my dr. appointments lately. It feels good not being poked at, looked at, tested on for a bit.  But yesterday I called all my doctors to start seeing them again for my regular checkups. See I got 4 doctors I see on the regular and I suppose to get a Mri every 6 months.  Hopefully they don't find any changes and then I can go to every year.

Well back to today,  God wants me to start writing again but I am not sure what about.  That's why it scares me a little.  Just a little.  God told me cancer was going to kill me but never said the cancer wont come back.  Just when I get all my doctor appointments set The next day, I am told to start blogging again. hmmmmm  What is God doing?  I did pray for God to use me.....SMH I guess I getting what I prayed for...lol.  I guess when I figure out what I suppose to be writing about you will hear from me.  I will keep you up to date on how my appointments go.  My breast dr told me to call back today for an appointment, My oncologist is in Aug.  The neurologist has to call me back with a date because of the MRI and my primary care doc is next week.  ...lol  these are the main players..lol

That's all I can think about writing today.  Oh Yeah...  Who do you know is looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate in the next 6 months? 

I'm Ready

Yesterday I turned 45,  It has been a challenging last couple of years  BUT GOD... I made it.  This is the first birthday in 4 years I didn't have to or have had any surgery.  I spent a quiet day except for part of it with my family.  Breakfast with my mom, lunch with my dad and daughter, early evening at Chuck E Cheese with all 3 of my kids and the evening with hubby.  And I loved every bit of it,  even Chuck E Cheese. Just watching how my 3 kids interact with each other made me so happy.  I know I have done my job right. Yesterday I got to be a child, mom and wife at separate times and I think I really needed that.  The love you get from each one is special and different and very much needed.  I feel like I was refueled yesterday.  Ready to take on this next stage in my life.  It's funny, for the first time in a long time I feel like Super Woman, I'm ready.. When I was younger I use to say... I am the Almighty Powerful Mommy, Friend and Wife,  I haven't felt that way in a very very long time .I am stronger physically, mentally and most  important spiritually.  God.. I'm Ready!!!!

WOW 1 year ago!!!!

Happy Craniversary to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!  One year ago today Mindy the Meningioma was evicted.  I was told I was going to loose hearing completely in my right ear,  I was going to have difficulty swallowing, I was going to have drooping on the right side of my face, and some other issues... BUT GOD!!!!!!!  I have none of that.  I woke up from surgery hearing again out of my right ear.  This is the longest I have gone with not having to need surgery.  I am so thankful  so so thankful.  Having 6 major surgeries in 3 years is rough on the body but God kept me.  I am in tears as I look at how far I have came during this year.  My head is still healing...barometer head when the weather changes..uggg but that is really the only issue I really have to deal with.  Other than that I am "normal"  I guess as normal as I can be..hehe,  my fibromyalgia is manageable again.  It is amazes me what God has done for me.  I know my faith in God is why I am where I am today.  Between gall bladder surgery,breast cancer, breast reconstruction (easiest surgery), bad hysterectomy surgery, hernia surgery and the brain tumor WOW I have been through a lot.  Thank you God for my healing!!!!

8 Months Post Op

Hello everybody,  8 months since I had "Mindy" removed.  She is not missed.  I am doing very well. I still get a weird squeezing sensation along my scar. Since I have been using Thrive I don't get pain in my head as bad as before.  I still get painful shocks like pains but nowhere as often( maybe a couple times a week not couple times a day) I have learned the hard way I can only push myself but so far before I start having problems.  But other than that I am doing well.  My 6 month check up went great.  My neurologist wants me to talk to new patients to help ease their fears of the surgery and recovery.  I feel and I'm doing better than I was before surgery.   It has really changed how I look at life and my purpose in this world.  Sometimes I have to remind myself I'm still healing.  I did get my head cut open...lol  I just want people to know there is life after a brain tumor. Everybody's tumor is different, everyone's recovery is different but we still need the same thing - Support.  This is not something you can go thru alone.  The support groups on Facebook are great because you see your not along.  There are people who understand exactly what you are thinking, feeling, and hoping for.  I thank God for them.  I feel I was better prepared for what was going to happen to me,so I didn't react with panic when weird things happen,  like not being able to taste anything because of the steroids.  They didn't tell me that in the hospital. I learned that from my groups.  I was pissed when my chick fil a nugget didn't taste right...lol   here is a list of groups that have helped and prayed for me

Meningioma Mommas   
Meningioma Support For Us
 Grey Matters
 Mind Over Meningioma

Post OP 5 months - 2 weeks NO pain meds!!!!

I want to cry.  It has been 2 weeks and I haven't taken any pain meds. not even a Tylenol.  I am 44 and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 25.  I have been in some kind of pain every day of my life since. No more migraines...even with the crazy weather we have had.  Normally when the weather would change I would feel it in my head(barometer head)  I haven't gotten it in 2 weeks. I'm not trying to sell you anything, I just want to let you know what works for me and how I'm doing.  Since the brain surgery I would get these sharp pains in my head like electric shocks.  They would stop me in my tracks. Haven't been shocked in 2 weeks.  Now don't get me wrong I am still tender at the surgery site... I don't think I will be getting my hair braided anytime soon....lol.  I do still get these weird sensations in my head.  I can't say it hurts,  just a weird tingling feeling.  I called my Neurosurgeon yesterday for my 6 month checkup.  HAHA he was surprised how well I was doing after 2 weeks wait until he sees me now! Goodness I have so much more energy but some days I still need to nap but only for 30min at the most not 1-2 hours like before.  I just feel like a more productive human being.  I can't thank God enough for showing me THRIVE.  So many meds I have been able to stop.  I was taking a mild antidepressant because of the breast cancer meds... mainly for hot flashes(which I use to get several an hour) and for mood swings because of the surgical menopause I'm in. The hot flashes have calmed down tremendously and my mood.  I am normally a positive person but I am even more now... if that is possible...lol

God has been so so so good to me.  He promised me that cancer wasn't going to kill me and He would handle the brain tumor and now He has controlled my fibromyalgia. I trusted God and asked for help when I needed and put it in God's hands when it was too much for me to handle. I give Him ALL the glory.  He knows how skeptical I am.  He had 2 people come to me at 2 totally different places to tell me about THRIVE.  Because I heard about it but didn't believe and just thought it was something like Herbalife which I tried and it didn't do much for my health or pocket. But with someone telling me about it at church(he is also a good friend of my husband) and a total stranger at a yardsale in the same weekend I had to give it a try.  God knows me ..lol  He knows I'm hard-headed and need convincing.  So when my husband tried his sample and I saw how great he felt and when he didn't need his antacids before bed like many many nights before and didn't have the desire to snack  (this man was the snack monster...lol) I knew I wanted to try.

2 weeks later all I can do is cry tears of joy.  I haven't felt this good since my early 20's.  I use to wonder if I would ever feel normal. Now I am.  I go to my Oncologist next week for bloodwork because they thought the cancer was trying to come back because certain levels were elevated, the PET scan didn't find anything so i go for bloodwork again.  I can't wait for her to see me and see how well I'm doing. I believe my levels were elevated because of the pain meds I was taking back then.  Since I don't take them I know my levels will be back to normal.

Now don't get me wrong.. I do eat healthier and I exercise (some).  But THRIVE just makes it easier.  If possible just try it.  What harm will it do?  not work?  Then you lost nothing but if it does??????????  WOW You will gain a new outlook on life.  All I can say I am Thankful for how I feel after years almost 25 years of pain.  Got me crying as I type this.  Thank You God.... Thank You, Thank You.


www.candyb.le-vel.com 
I would like a sample inbox me on facebook or leave a message here.  :)

NEW LIFE..... Are You Thriving!!!

The last 2 days of my life I feel so ALIVE. A great friend gave me some samples of a nutritional supplement. OMG I haven't felt this great since I was in my twenties!!!!  I was given LeVel THRIVE.  I have tried many products over the years trying to come off of meds for  fibromyalgia.  If you know my story I am a 2 1/2 year breast cancer survivor and have had several surgeries over the last 2 1/2 years and recently recovering from brain surgery where a benign meningoma was removed.  I have been married for only 2 1/2 years.  So it has truly "for sickness and health"..lol  I have gain quite a bit of weight over the last couple years and fatigue  & I have become very close against my wishes.  I have been dealing with fibromyalgia since I was 25.  I am 44 now.  The last 2 days I have had energy like never before and NO... I mean NO crashing.  My mind has been so clear and I can think and concentrate better.  I have gotten so much done in the last couple of days.  I can keep up with my 3 year old son.  Now this makes me cry because he would really wear me out by the afternoon.  Now it's my turn. OHH..OHHHHH   The aches and pains....what is that????..lol  I haven't had  to take any pain meds.  I can exercise now and loose this weight.  Thrive has also cut down my cravings I really don't want tings that are real sweet. Oh YES menopause... My hot flashes.... I can actually count how many I have a day and they are no where as intense as they were before THRIVE...THANK YOU GOD!

I am so excited about this new start to my life.  My body feels AWESOME  Thank You Chris Belin for introducing my husband and I to this product. Thrive has really changed my life.  I feel normal again.  I don't feel like I have to struggle or work as hard as everyone else just to live.  I can give my husband the wife he originally married and my kids the mom they deserve.  If you suffer  Please just check this stuff out.  It could change your life like it has mine.  This video is proof just Day 1 of THRIVE

Post by Matthew E. Bradby II.

Birthday Weekend WHEW!!!!

This is my husband and youngest son's birthday weekend.  Matt's birthday was Friday and Dylan turns 3 on Monday.  I was being superwoman the past couple days.  I am really feeling it today.  I had a great time hanging out with hubby for his birthday on Friday...did some shopping, went for his free birthday breakfast and just had a very restful day.  Saturday we had a Birthday Bash Cookout.  It was a lot of fun.  I did a little too much.  I had to soak in some Epsom salt last night.  I think this is more my fibro and my head acting up.  My head didn't hurt just felt weird.  It is kinda hard to explain. My memory was pretty bad by the evening and everything hurts especially my feet and hips.  Walking is no fun.  And being tired... I don't think there is a word for how tired I felt yesterday.  But it was all worth it to see my guys smile and having fun.  We had a great turn out and the  kids got to hang in the pool. The crabs were real good but hubby's strawberry shortcake birthday cake was the BEST.  lol  I totally blew my weight loss plan this weekend.  I will start up again Tuesday because Monday we got to celebrate my little Dilly's (Dylan) 3rd birthday.  Even tho he really don't know what is going on we still got to do something for him.  Our plan is to take him to the zoo for the day.  He loves animals.  If it rains we will go to the aquarium.  Maybe even to Port Discovery.  I love seeing him so happy.  So I'm gonna rest up today, finish off those crabs.  Pain meds and I are going to be good friends today. So tomorrow the Birthday Bash Celebrating continues!!

Week 5 Recovery

This week was spent getting use to having no hair.  Everybody that has seen me in person sees why I had to cut it all off so it can grow back evenly.  It is growing very fast so I'm happy with that.  I have been feeling good.  I tried to drive.  I didn't go far but driving was a bit too much for me.  My brain couldn't handle the cars moving around me.  So I won't drive for another couple weeks.  I notice on days that I move around alot I seem to suffer in the evening with head pain. Gotta slow down.  It was so pretty out this weekend. I took my youngest to the playground across the street.  He is a very good listener for a 2 yr old.  Thankfully there was another young woman there with her nephews close to Dylan's age, so they ran him around to help wear him out.  I got tired just watching.  After about  45min I needed to go back in.  I had to bribe him with pizza to get him to leave willingly....lol  I was done for the day and it was only 4pm.  I get very tired after doing simple things like folding clothes or just walking in the store.  Grocery stores are still a bit much.  I went to out to eat Sunday with my family when they came home from church.  We  went to a buffet style place.  Whewwww.  that was an experience.  Way to much going on around me and a little too much noise.  I did enjoy being out but having to walk around to get my food wore me out and was dizzying.  I did so enjoy the time with my family.  Even my Nay was with us.  It felt great having all my kids together.

Recovering from brain surgery is going to take more patience from me.  I see it is going to take a bit longer to get back to "normal" for me. Even if my body can do it the question becomes  can my brain handle it?  So far these days the answer has been NO!.  I want to go to church this week.  I miss church, my church family and just plain old fellowship.  So as long as I am feeling well I will be going.

 Oh guess what MY BIRTHDAY is FRIDAY.  I made it to 44. I have survived and came out stronger. And for the first time I know what I want for my birthday.  I'm going to a restaurant I want( no buffet).  I don't know what else is planned.  My husband is known for surprising me.  My daughter is coming down Sat for a girls day.  I'm excited.  God is soo Good!!

Hair

It's funny how when I was diagnosed with breast cancer loosing my breast and my hair was heartbreaking then God spared me and I didn't need chemo or radiation so I was able to keep my hair.  Then came Mindy the Meningioma and I'm told I needed brain surgery.   I wanted to go natural especially when my daughter cut her hair but I was unsure about cutting the relaxer out and having short hair.  I was pending my decision on how much the surgeon was going to shave off for surgery.  When he told me I had my hair cut 2 weeks later and I liked it and was happy with my decision.  I had plan on rocking a mohawk after surgery but after seeing the 3 bald spots from the brace they used on my head and the side that was shaved I couldn't....."BIG SIGH"    I had hubby (he was a barber in the past) shave everything even last night.  All that thick curly hair on the floor.  But I had to do it if I wanted my hair to grow out even.  Because my hair was so thick you couldn't see 2 of the  bald spots when my hair was dry but when was wet.. You really could see all 3.   I laughed when I saw myself in the mirror.  Cancer didn't get my hair but a brain tumor did.  I really don't like Mindy!  Who would have thought 2 years cancer free I would loose my hair.  I'm not as sad about it as I was 2 years ago.  I guess after going thru 6 surgeries in two years and the changes in my body it is easier to accept.  The good thing is my hair grows fast. Plus good with hot flashes..lol  Now I won't be going in public without my head covered.  I am a bit self conscious about the scar along the right side of my head and the 3 bald spots. I do get to wear some pretty scarves and cute large earrings.  I guess I will play around with makeup more.  Also do you know the money I will save on hair care products now.  I thought I was saving when I first cut my hair but now $$$$$$.  Stuff will last me forever now..lol  I can still look cute after water aerobics (when I can start)  It will be cool for the summer and I can wear some cute spring hats.  So there are some good points ..... OH Yeah... my hair will grow back evenly.  My wonderful husband says he still find me sexy.  He even offer to buy a wig for me if it made me feel better(he hates wigs).  I said no just buy me some pretty scarves to wrap my head with.  He really like when I wear the scarves.  All I can do is laugh at all of this.  Who knew that my 40's would be so eventful..lol   Goodness I will be 44 next Friday.  At this rate I will be fully refurbished by the time I'm 50....lol 

Week 4 recovery

Well I am in week 4 of my recovery from brain surgery.  I am doing well. Walking without the walker.  I even got to go for a walk outside on one of the warm days last week.  It felt so good to be outside.  Hubby took me out for a ride and some frozen yogurt on Saturday.  The car ride was ok, became a little nauseous and the sunlight was a bit much but it was nice to out and about.  needed a nap after our little date.  I have been having pain at the incision site.. a throbbing pain. The Dr. office said it was my nerves waking up.  I still have some numb parts on my head.  This weather change has been giving me headaches a lot.  It is called barometer head, where the barometric pressure effects my brain... it sucks.  I can tell you when a storm is coming now.  Oh yeah..... I got to sleep in the bed room last night..YAYYYYYY... I have been sleeping on our love seat to sleep sitting up.  If I lay down flat the pressure hurts quite bit and I will wake up with a headache. I piled up a lot of pillows for support and my neck pillow and I was able to sleep with no pain. I didn't wake up with a headache...now I did slide down some during my sleep but my head was still prop up enough.  It was nice being next to my hubby again  :).  I am not driving yet and I don't bend over anymore.  I do exercise some by doing squats and knee raises.  It feels good.  I do get fatigued easier and more often but I am taking it one day at a time and listening to my body when I need to rest. A lot of noise and lights and motion still bothers me but I feel I'm getting stronger everyday.

  My creative juices have been flowing like crazy.  There is so much I want to make it is hard to know where to start.  So Mindy the Meningioma didn't screw with my creativity. I have been crocheting since it is something I can do sitting still.  I will start sewing next week.  I will start my jewelery making up again also.  I am excited that my head is clear again and I can focus better than before the surgery.  So keep a look out for my creations. Candy J Boutique

1 Week since Crani.

Ok today marks one week since my brain surgery,  I am doing well.  I had my first trip almost fall with the walker the last night,  I was a little to tired and weak trying to make it from the bathroom.  It is amazing how much your brain takes in when you think your doing nothing.  I notice I feel awesome in the morning but as the day goes on the busier it gets around me the more tired I get and the slower my brain starts to work,  I have to think a little harder I notice I get jittery like my brain is on overload.  It was a bit unnerving to have that trip up cause I haven't felt that uneasy on my feet since day 2 of the surgery.  As I sit here I am listening to some yoga zen music app I found on my kindle.  I realize I need to take some time everyday just to calm my brain down from the everyday stimulus that is around me.  The music has helped a lot.  My hands stop shaking and my heart has calmed down. I'm really going to get into this meditating more now.  I plan on doing whatever I can to help my brain heal best.

Thank God for the Facebook support Groups Meningioma Mommas, mind over meningioma
MeningiomaTalk, meningiomasupportforus
GreyMatter
They have helped me so much. Like I didn't know the steroids that I take would change how food taste but I will get it back after the meds wore off.  I was pretty mad when I had my ball park beef hotdog and it taste like mush.  I can't taste anything savory. and some sweet stuff just doesn't taste right.  So I really don't eat unless my body is asking for food cause I find no pleasure in eating.
 I also learned to sleep sitting up cause to much pressure on my brain laying down and trying to get up.  actually I have been quite comfortable.  I do miss sleeping next to my hubby.  I won't start outpatient therapy  for another week. I have a follow up on Thursday.  I get the pathology report on my tumor.  Right now...... my life have really slowed down.  I guess I will take time to smell the roses

The Eviction Papers Have Been Served!

Ok Mindy the Meningioma have been served her eviction papers.  With God's help she can leave on her own or with the surgeons help be forced out.  She needs to leave my head.  She is causing more and more problems the longer she stays. It's bad enough I have lost some hearing in my right ear and have that constant ringing going on. I can't walk at a normal pace without getting dizzy. It is difficult to stay focused on anything for any period of time.  I went to a wedding yesterday and we were home by 3 and I was in the bed the rest of the day. I wake up at 5am to a splitting headache. I can't take anything but tylenol (which doesn't do a thing for me) so I suffer because of Mindy GRRRRRRRRRR.  SHE GOT TO GO!  So I find out tomorrow which way she decides to go.  I have to have another MRI before the surgery. I would like for her to take God's assistance and just disappear. Mindy has been a true pain. If the surgeon has to be the one to remove her, I plan on continuing my blog at the hospital. My daughter and husband will probably have Facebook post about my recovery from surgery. I still believe God will do whatever is in my best interest. Maybe a great blessing will come about with me having surgery.  Who knows God's plan.  I guess I will find out tomorrow.

1 Week

1 week.....1 week.  I am scheduled to have a craniotomy in 1 week It is still so hard to believe.  I am experiencing such a range of emotions it is crazy. I still haven't been able to cry.  I get sad then I get mad because I don't want to be sad. I become irritable trying to remember everything that needs to be done, the I get mad again because I have to go thru this, then I starting thinking about people who are worst off and I start to feel grateful.  Most of the time I'm numb cause I don't know what to feel because it doesn't seem real.  I pray every day for healing but God might decide the surgery is the way I will be healed.  I just don't want my head cut open. The Dr. said I will be back to normal after surgery.  Now my question is "What exactly is normal?"..lol  I'm not the most "normal" person around..lol   I'm hoping that when the tumor is gone It will unleash an enormous wave of creativity.  Yeahh I like that.  I am trying to stay positive about this whole thing because to me  this is sooooo crazy.  I have been a little stressed with trying to prepare my family and home for this surgery.  So things will run as easy as possible for them while I'm gone and when I first come home.  This whole thing is so surreal.  God must have some extra special blessings for me because what I have been thru in the past 2 years is a bit much...lol   5 surgeries in 2 years and this one makes #6.  Goodness I look forward to turning 50.  God should be finished refurbishing me by then...lol 
 

Surgery Postponed

I don't know if it is good news or bad news..... The Neurosurgeon called me himself last night to let me know he wants to reschedule my surgery because his people took another look at my films and saw that I do not have an acoustic neuroma but I do have meningioma.  He said it is a more fibrous tumor and the nerve wraps itself around the tumor, so he wants more monitoring during the surgery.

Honestly I just want to sit in a corner and cry out of frustration.  I was getting myself in a good mental state for this surgery.  I don't want to have to take anything for my nerves.  I just want this over with.  The risks are still the same.  Hearing loss and partial loss of feeling on the right side of my face etc. etc.etc.  I'm trusting God that I will come out of this even better than I went into it.  Hey maybe God just needed more time to shrink the tumor so I don't even need surgery.  I can only pray.

So I wait for the call with the new surgery date.

Acoustic Neuroma or Meningioma?

I plan recording my journey with this tumor and better health.  2 week ago I saw the ENT at John Hopkins  Dr. Limb, He said he doesn't believe I have an acoustic neuroma.  He believes it's a meningioma.  The difference is one is on the nerve to my ear  and the other is on the lining of my brain.  He said it looked like it was on the lining and spreads out to the nerve.  They won't know for sure until they get in my head.

Jan 14th is surgery day.  The nurse called me the other day with the schedules for tests
 and surgery time. I became nervous for the first time.  i still have a hard time believing this really happening. Breast cancer was a shock.  A brain tumor seems so unbelievable.  But I guess it's real because I am starting to have other symptoms.  The most frustrating one if the tingling and numbness and weakness in my right hand and arm.  Just imagine your arm and hands falling asleep all the time.  I also learned some of my confusion and forgetfulness  is from the tumor. So with that all said I am ready for this thing to get out of my head and get back to normal.

The closer it get to the surgery date and after I will probably doing video blogs showing my recovery.  I really hope what I am going thru helps another person get thru this.  God is my rock and I couldn't have done this without Him.  I know whatever reason I have to deal with this something good is going to come out of it.  God only have my best interest at heart.