Monday, November 30, 2009
It All Begins With Being Grateful !!
Thank You All !
Colista
www.Zazzle.com/Colista ~ My artwork customizable as tshirts,
mugs, cards ... almost anything ;)
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Turkey Dressing Sandwiches
... A SIMPLE RECIPE:
(1) "slice" of CHILLED Dressing of your choice
(2) "slices" of wheat or white bread
(2) Tbsp Butter (slathered on the bread)
I grew up eating these "Turkey Dressing Sandwiches" made from Thanksgiving left overs. Now that I'm an adult, I realize how much bread is in that meal!! So, the question ... is a sandwich made with almost pure bread redundant? Delcious... but redundant?
Colista
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: I'm selling my art to help pay for my cancer treatments. Please visit my store and customize an item. Great for on-line Christmas purchases Colista's Art Store !!
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(1) "slice" of CHILLED Dressing of your choice
(2) "slices" of wheat or white bread
(2) Tbsp Butter (slathered on the bread)
I grew up eating these "Turkey Dressing Sandwiches" made from Thanksgiving left overs. Now that I'm an adult, I realize how much bread is in that meal!! So, the question ... is a sandwich made with almost pure bread redundant? Delcious... but redundant?
Colista
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION: I'm selling my art to help pay for my cancer treatments. Please visit my store and customize an item. Great for on-line Christmas purchases Colista's Art Store !!
.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Gratitude for my Doctor!
My friend, Jill, nudged me to write up the good news that I got from one of my doctors on Wednesday. I hadn't thought of it ... but a bit of good news goes a LONG way!!
I was grateful that another amazing friend, Sabrina, made arrangements for me to have some holistic tests run. It's important that my body, mind and soul be on the same page prior to starting chemo on Wednesday (Dec. 3rd). They looked at my vital organs, processing systems, vitamins & minerals, allergies and, honestly, a bunch of other things that I didn't catch. Let's just say, it was a thorough testing from a fabulous group of women!
THE GOOD NEWS: The doctor looked everything over and told me that he was impressed. There is relatively little stress going on inside my body! My system was obviously a bit stressed... but nothing like he'd seen in other cancer patients. He noted that I should keep up my meditation and visualizations because it was obviously working. Then the Doc promised that they could help me with my only real complaint ... I can't eat anything without my stomach cramping up (left over from the gastric problems in the hospital). I can't eat and have lost almost 17 lbs! His being able to help me was amazing news ... I love to eat and don't want to lose any more weight! (Yes, odd thing for any woman to say :)
So, join me in My visualizations ~ Colista's body is cancer free and there isn't anyone or anything that can prove her wrong!!
Thank you for your prayers and your loving support!
Please know that I'm here for you too!
Blessings,
Colista
I was grateful that another amazing friend, Sabrina, made arrangements for me to have some holistic tests run. It's important that my body, mind and soul be on the same page prior to starting chemo on Wednesday (Dec. 3rd). They looked at my vital organs, processing systems, vitamins & minerals, allergies and, honestly, a bunch of other things that I didn't catch. Let's just say, it was a thorough testing from a fabulous group of women!
THE GOOD NEWS: The doctor looked everything over and told me that he was impressed. There is relatively little stress going on inside my body! My system was obviously a bit stressed... but nothing like he'd seen in other cancer patients. He noted that I should keep up my meditation and visualizations because it was obviously working. Then the Doc promised that they could help me with my only real complaint ... I can't eat anything without my stomach cramping up (left over from the gastric problems in the hospital). I can't eat and have lost almost 17 lbs! His being able to help me was amazing news ... I love to eat and don't want to lose any more weight! (Yes, odd thing for any woman to say :)
So, join me in My visualizations ~ Colista's body is cancer free and there isn't anyone or anything that can prove her wrong!!
Thank you for your prayers and your loving support!
Please know that I'm here for you too!
Blessings,
Colista
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
My Cancer Was Diagnosed So Fast
One minute I thought I was having an apendicitis attack and the next an amazing surgeon (Dr. Helen Frederickson, surgical oncologist) is performing a complete hysterectomy because I have ovarian cancer. Even though I've had cancer before (stage T3b Breast Cancer in 1999) ... it's one dilly of an eye opener. Hello mortality... nice to see you again... what do we do now?
Luckily the answer to that question is simple... I do whatever it takes to save my life! Relationally, physically, emotionally, spiritually & financially. I will, as always, begin with the two most important steps... the emotional and the spiritual. That is where miracles are created... where faith resides. They are the most important of all the steps because they are really the only ones that I have any direct control over. Relationships will ebb & flow... my physical body will go through many phases and changes... and the financial will take a miracle all it's own... but I have complete dominion over my emotional and spiritual attitude and my habits & practices.
It's more than just having a "positive" attitude or "praying". It's a process of creating the feelings associated with the complete disappearance of any signs of dis-ease in my mind or my body. The doctor actually gave me the perfect words to create a visual... she said that she was unable to remove the cancerous tissue in an area called the "cul de sac" of my pelvis. Well... now I'm having fun with that... you can imagine this with me (and for me) ...
Thanks to everyone who continues to follow my journey. I can't tell you how happy I am to have you with me. It's a feeling of care, love and peace that continually amazes and lifts me. I can't thank you enough for your generosity of spirit and faith!! Please, never hesitate to tell me what you need prayers for ... I'm here to return the favor in any way that I can !
Going to Skype with my Brother now... I'll talk with you all later on!
Many, many blessings!!!
Colista
Luckily the answer to that question is simple... I do whatever it takes to save my life! Relationally, physically, emotionally, spiritually & financially. I will, as always, begin with the two most important steps... the emotional and the spiritual. That is where miracles are created... where faith resides. They are the most important of all the steps because they are really the only ones that I have any direct control over. Relationships will ebb & flow... my physical body will go through many phases and changes... and the financial will take a miracle all it's own... but I have complete dominion over my emotional and spiritual attitude and my habits & practices.
It's more than just having a "positive" attitude or "praying". It's a process of creating the feelings associated with the complete disappearance of any signs of dis-ease in my mind or my body. The doctor actually gave me the perfect words to create a visual... she said that she was unable to remove the cancerous tissue in an area called the "cul de sac" of my pelvis. Well... now I'm having fun with that... you can imagine this with me (and for me) ...
- On every cul de sac there is a curb... and in those curbs there is debris and dirt. Well, in my family we use a power-cleaner to remove the dirt and grime. So, I open the garage and get out the power washer... fill it with the most pure, bright, powerful, loving, glowing & fragrant wash... and I walk into the cul de sac and begin to spray away anything that doesn't belong. More over, I imagine that once this super-water has touched the grime it vanishes, disolves & disappears, leaving a brilliant white surface ... never to be dirty again! I'm getting into EVERY nook & cranny... around the bushes, between the cracks, into the smallest of blemishes of the concrete and asphalt. There is no place that the water and spray can't reach! AND SO IT IS (ASII).
Thanks to everyone who continues to follow my journey. I can't tell you how happy I am to have you with me. It's a feeling of care, love and peace that continually amazes and lifts me. I can't thank you enough for your generosity of spirit and faith!! Please, never hesitate to tell me what you need prayers for ... I'm here to return the favor in any way that I can !
Going to Skype with my Brother now... I'll talk with you all later on!
Many, many blessings!!!
Colista
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Clear Liquids & An Enema For Dessert
It's 5:30 a.m. and I'm wide awake. Laid in bed for 30 minutes talking to my tumor. We discussed how much it will have shrunk by the time the doc goes in to remove it. We agreed that it won't grow or become involved with my other body parts. It agreed to cause me no harm. I like the little tumor... so far, it's cooperating nicely with the white light treatments and prayer. "Good little tumor!" {pat pat pat}
Last night four of my bestest girl friends, Nancy, Cheryl, Chantelle and Linda, treated me to a wine & pizza party. We're each going through transitions in our lives and it was great to be able to share so freely and honestly with women that I trust. I hadn't had pizza in 8 months. I splurged because today it's all clear liquids and an enema for dessert.
Right now I cry pretty easily. But, as I shared with my friends, it's mostly because of a feeling of joy that keeps washing over me. The simple explanation, the one I'm willing to share in this public forum, is that I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from around the world. I'm used to helping others through these things... not being assisted in return. The personal notes, wall posts, comments and DMs on Twitter have given me ample reason to know that I'm not alone in this... and I cry like a baby {sniff}
I've cleaned the house, done the laundry, and set up my recouperation... wireless is working so my netbook will be able to get all of the comedies off Hulu that I can stand. Laughter is the medicine I need most! OH, so if you have any suggestions on any movies or internet stuff that will cause even the smallest giggle ... please post it on FB or DM on Twitter :) Can't get enough babies laughing or kittens behaving badly!!
Well, back to sleep for a little while and then more clear liquids for breakfast. Everyone have a fabulous day and know that you are also in my thoughts and my prayers!!!
Blessings,
Colista
Last night four of my bestest girl friends, Nancy, Cheryl, Chantelle and Linda, treated me to a wine & pizza party. We're each going through transitions in our lives and it was great to be able to share so freely and honestly with women that I trust. I hadn't had pizza in 8 months. I splurged because today it's all clear liquids and an enema for dessert.
Right now I cry pretty easily. But, as I shared with my friends, it's mostly because of a feeling of joy that keeps washing over me. The simple explanation, the one I'm willing to share in this public forum, is that I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from around the world. I'm used to helping others through these things... not being assisted in return. The personal notes, wall posts, comments and DMs on Twitter have given me ample reason to know that I'm not alone in this... and I cry like a baby {sniff}
I've cleaned the house, done the laundry, and set up my recouperation... wireless is working so my netbook will be able to get all of the comedies off Hulu that I can stand. Laughter is the medicine I need most! OH, so if you have any suggestions on any movies or internet stuff that will cause even the smallest giggle ... please post it on FB or DM on Twitter :) Can't get enough babies laughing or kittens behaving badly!!
Well, back to sleep for a little while and then more clear liquids for breakfast. Everyone have a fabulous day and know that you are also in my thoughts and my prayers!!!
Blessings,
Colista
Monday, November 2, 2009
An Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
FIRST... I must thank everyone that has given me their good thoughts and prayers. Every effort is worth a million dollars to me!! Collectively we are more powerful… whether playing tug-of-war as kids or praying for miracles to the God of our understanding. Thank you for being the type of people who take the time to care (even if we’ve never met!!).
It turns out that the "appendix" attack may have saved my life. The ovarian tumor is 15cm (almost 6") across. It is pressing on, well... everything around it. Without having had a "severe reaction" to an abdominal pain I may not have gone for help. My doctors, bless them, were simply proceeding with tests based on the symptoms I provided. Thank God they did!! (Although the blood letting, prodding, poking and filling-out-of-forms wasn't my idea of Yeah-ville!)
My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, November 6th, at 10:30 am (MST). I'll be at Rapid City Regional Hospital at 9:00 a.m. for surgery prep. The extent of the tumor's involvement in my abdomen isn’t known. Some decisions about what will need to be removed, (lymph node) dissected and biopsied will be made on the fly. There is, however, more good news... I get to have a hernia repaired that’s been causing me trouble for over 8 years!!
So, at 10:30 a.m., Thursday morning, please send up a special prayer for my female parts ;) (and, okay, my soul too... hehehe)... They, and I will appreciate all of your efforts!! If you don't have specific words of prayer... then just repeat The Lord's Prayer or Serenity Prayer on my behalf. I'll keep you posted in Facebook and Twitter... Communicating with everyone will be a pleasure as I recuperate...
Love & Blessings,
Colista
It turns out that the "appendix" attack may have saved my life. The ovarian tumor is 15cm (almost 6") across. It is pressing on, well... everything around it. Without having had a "severe reaction" to an abdominal pain I may not have gone for help. My doctors, bless them, were simply proceeding with tests based on the symptoms I provided. Thank God they did!! (Although the blood letting, prodding, poking and filling-out-of-forms wasn't my idea of Yeah-ville!)
My surgery is scheduled for this Thursday, November 6th, at 10:30 am (MST). I'll be at Rapid City Regional Hospital at 9:00 a.m. for surgery prep. The extent of the tumor's involvement in my abdomen isn’t known. Some decisions about what will need to be removed, (lymph node) dissected and biopsied will be made on the fly. There is, however, more good news... I get to have a hernia repaired that’s been causing me trouble for over 8 years!!
So, at 10:30 a.m., Thursday morning, please send up a special prayer for my female parts ;) (and, okay, my soul too... hehehe)... They, and I will appreciate all of your efforts!! If you don't have specific words of prayer... then just repeat The Lord's Prayer or Serenity Prayer on my behalf. I'll keep you posted in Facebook and Twitter... Communicating with everyone will be a pleasure as I recuperate...
Love & Blessings,
Colista
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