Hair Update - August 22, 2010

Well, just wanted to share the progress of hair growth. My last chemo treatment was May 27th and this is August 22nd so this is 3 months. Last time it came back dark and curly and this time it is about my normal color with some gray. I think I can live with that. Of course, I will let you know more when I have more hair. It is amazing how fast your hair grows when you have some. When you get a hair cut it seems like it doesn't last very long. But when you don't have any hair at all, it grows sloooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwww.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - August 20, 2010

I just received a phone call from a lady that is in our church, her name is Barbara Conner. She was just weeping because of sooooooooooooooooo much pain. She has had back surgery and had a spine stimulator put in and is still in GREAT PAIN!!!! She went to another doctor on Wednesday to see if he could do something for her and he told her he would look at all her records and call her back. She is asking us to pray that he will call her with good news! She desperately needs help. Unless you have been in constant pain for 24/7 we don't know what she is going through, but she knows that PRAYER is the only thing that can help her right now. Please pass this prayer request on.

Updates - August 17, 2010

Just received an email from Sherilyn Karamitros and here is what she said was going to be happening. "I will be starting AC chemo tomorrow. 4 cycles of AC dose dense chemo (every other week for 4 times), then I will have T chemo and Herceptin treatments weekly for 12 weeks. Then I will continue with the weekly Herceptin treatments until August of 2011. The chemo has significant side effects, but the Herceptin is a cancer blocker and not the same as chemo. It has fewer side effects. Pray that the side effects would be minimal as possible and that the chemo would be effect in killing any cancer cells that are out and about in my system."

As for my co-worker Kathy Doehring, I saw her today and she doesn't know when she will have the biopsy.

Also, please be in prayer for Connie Engleman, some of you have received an email asking for prayer. She has been given little time.

I also went today for my 3 month check up and everything was OK. Praise the Lord! My CA125 was below 7. That is a great number, for those of you who don't know what that means. Also, I haven't said anything but I have had hives off and on for a couple of months, just thought it was stress related. Today while talking to my doctor, she asked me about anything different. I told her I was taking Fish Oil and she told me to stop it. I should be able to tell within a couple of weeks, she said. So I am good for another 3 months. For those out there who are going through cancer or have in the past know, everytime you go for a check up there is that anxious feeling. Last week I heard on the news of someone who died with ovarian cancer and it just overwhelmed me. I was telling my doctor about it today and said we can't be strong all the time. It is OK to cry, feel overwhemed, sad, hurt, just don't stay there. Just let the Lord give us the strength we need, the Holy Spirit to comfort us, and thank the Father for everything.

Again, thank you all for your prayers and please pass these prayers requests.

Answered Prayer - August 13, 2010

Today was Scott's doctor's appointment. The nodules under his arm was from an infection in his glands. So he is taking antibiotic for it. Praise the Lord!

Many of you have gotten the email concerning Connie Engleman, please continue to pray for her.

Also, my co-worker Kathy Doehring sent me a message saying they found something in both of her breasts and is going to need biopsy.

If you or someone close to you is going through cancer or has had cancer, you know how it touchs everyone around you. Sometimes it can just be overwhelming. There are times I just can't read or hear about more bad news. Yet, I want to be a help or blessing to others out there going through this awful journey of CANCER!

There are so many ways you can help others going through it. When my co-worker was going through the first cancer surgery with her husband, I made her a care bag to take with her for the long wait of surgery. You can send snacks, mints, gum, crosswords puzzles, word search books, good book, tissues, magazines, etc. You get the idea. Call them, even if all you will do is cry. It is amazing how many told me if I call all I will do is cry, that is OK I will cry with you. We need the release. We need to HEAR the encouraging words from family and friends (even strangers). Send cards, I can't believe how many cards I have received from people I don't even know. When I was getting ready to go into the hospital this time, I asked several of our men friends to call my honey to encourage him. Go to the hospital with them and sit with the family while their loved one is in surgery. Pray and have others pray for them.

Received an email from Sherilyn and she mentioned how much of a ministry there is for folks going through cancer. You don't realize how many people have cancer until you are there. So if you are going through it or have gone through it, be a help to others. The Caregivers need alot of encouragment too. They are trying to stay strong for the sick person and need time to release their feelings and get away.

I have found that keeping a journal is helpful. Something to look back too and also to be a help to others. Of course, there were times I just couldn't write anything. In the long run it is good therapy.

So think about you can do, be a blessing to someone, and most of all don't forget to PRAY!

Updates & Prayer Requests - August 9, 2010

Update on Sherilyn Karamitros - pathology report came back with only 2 lymph nodes involved, so that means no radiation - Praise the Lord! Keep praying, she goes to the doctor Wednesday to find out the next course of action.
Update on George Doehring - surgery went well, kidney is functioning, goes to MD Anderson on Wednesday for blood work, x-ray, and to see doctor.
Update on me - go for my 6th month check up on Tuesday, Aug. 17
New prayer request - Kathy Doehring, George's wife had to go to doctor this past week, get results to test on Wednesday, they found a lump on one of her breast
Pray for Scott - lump under his arm - goes to doctor this Friday
Thank you for all your prayers.

Check Out My New Link - August 7, 2010

Check out Maison de Amour, Inc. It is in Bourbonnais, IL and it is run by my brother, Scott Billadeau. Everything from flowers, tuxes, dresses, cakes, pictures, things for weddings, graduations, etc. If you stop by his place, please tell him I sent you. I wish I could stop by myself. So go to www.maisondeamourinc.com and tell your friends about it.

More Helpful Hints - August 7, 2010

Here are somemore helps that I used during my bouts with cancer. After I lost my hair, I read in a book somewhere, I don't even remember where I read it, though it was good information.

To keep my scalp from drying out I would spray Sea Breeze mixed with water on my head. I bought a small spray bottle and mixed the Sea Breeze and water. My head never did dry out and that is pretty good since I live in Texas and it is very hot. One Saturday while out knocking doors we met a lady who was going through ovarian cancer. We had many things in common and we were able to help her. She had asked me about dry scalp and I shared with her what to do. I was having a hard time getting her to church. She was Catholic and was mad at God for her cancer. So she asked if I still had any Sea Breeze and I told her yes. If she would come to church tomorrow I would bring it. She came to church and got it. I think she came a couple of more times, but never accepted Christ, she was so mad at God. She eventually moved and we don't know if she was healed or not.

Another area of help for me was alittle catalog I picked up while at MD Anderson. It had wigs, hats, scrafs, bras, breast forms and other things that could be helpful. You can go to www.tlccatalog.org and get a free catalog or you can shop online. I bought a couple of wigs from them and at a reasonable price. The one wig I got was called a halo wig. It is a half wig that you wear with hats, which is alot cooler. Many people thought it was my hair or that the hair was attached to my hat. Anyway, check it out.

Prayer Request - August 5, 2010

Would like to ask all you prayer warriors to be in prayer for Scott. He has a small lump under his left armpit and has a doctor's appointment on August 13th. We are praying it goes away or of course, is nothing serious. Will let you know more when we find out.