I can't make these things up. This was the message in my fortune cookie tonight --"It's not only important to add years to your life, but to add life to your years."

Today was colonoscopy day. Good news, 2 polyps now gone. Better news they didn't look like bad polyps. Best news I won't need another colonoscopy for a year or two!

Finally, back to the blog!

The place where lucky ducks live.

The Peabody Hotel...Memphis, TN

October 14, 2009

AB @ Graceland, October 14, 2009.
OK, so everyone ought to do it once.




Jill Brooks, Leslie Markey, and Bryan Boggs.
The anticipation is contagious!
U2 360 tour October 12, 2009

Bryan and Mom at the new Cowboy's Stadium.
Pre-U2 concert!
I was so thrilled he thought to invite his old mom!!!!

The mess that was the design room.
Country Cottage Florist renovations
Sept. 22, 2009.......Finished pictures will follow! lol

Cousins Laura & Lynn at the "Teacup Reunion"
The Woodlands, Oct. 3, 2009

Anahuac--GatorFest 2009. Need I say more?

September 12, 2009
Happy Anniversary Don and Annaleisa! Thirty Three action packed years!!!!!
(and yes, I really did want this for our anniversary, I'm awesome on it!)

September 4, 2009

The girls did South Beach again this summer.

Vicki, Annaleisa, and Sarah Boggs at Mango's.

August 14, 2009

In memory of Pops.

May 25, 1920-June 20, 2009

He was the best!

I hope no one thinks I've been a total couch potato since my last post! I've been busy, and seldom think about the nightmare that was 2007. With that being said, I feel a real urgency to go (A LOT!) and get things done. I'm blessed to feel as good as I do.

Friday, October 23 will be the 2nd anniversary of my first clean scan.

There is some debate about when you start counting down to cured. I don't know if it should be from the date of surgery, 1st clean scan, or when the doctor tentatively says you can safely be considered NED (no evidence of disease). It doesn't matter. I'm still here,

a very fortunate and much happier girl!

What's been going on

July has been a roller coaster month at the Boggs' house. Some good, some great, some not so good, and some just downright horrible. We've all pulled through now, and are moving ahead at a steady, but more cautious pace.

I had a pet scan on July 10. The weeks leading up to this scan were filled with a certainty that it would be bad news. I have heard from the beginning of this ordeal that most stage IV colon cancers rarely make it to 2 years, and if there will be a recurrence, it will be within the first 24 months. I was diagnosed, with surgery on June 21, 2007--that must make me a prime target.

I have to admit, I went into a dark place. I just knew I was done for! To make matters worse, the scan was on Friday, and I wasn't able to read the report until Tues. The waiting is nothing short of torture. I felt better after I had the scan report in my hands and saw the results. I also made a quick visit to Dr. Meriwether's office (he's my GP), and we did a little med re-shuffle.

I had an appointment with my new oncologist on Wednesday. For those of you who are keeping count he's #4, in 2 years. I think I must hold a record for going through oncologists! Dr. Syed is fresh out of residency. He's young, and enthusiastic, and I do not see him again until December!!!! Six months! I will not need any scans, blood work, or cancer center visits for six whole months. I never dreamed I would ever hear the words: "I'll want to see you in December, I think we can safely go to a six month schedule."

One of the benefits of a fresh new doctor, is fresh, new (for me) treatments for the side effects that accumulated with chemo. I've had lingering stiffness and numbness in my hands especially my right hand. This has made work at the shop almost impossible. If I do a full day there, the next day I'm not able to make a fist or use my right hand at all. Dr. Syed has prescribed a pill, that should help with that. I would cross my fingers at this point, but I wouldn't be able to straighten them out. Maybe by next week we'll know if they are working!

To celebrate Lenice and Jack's 40th, (yes 40th!) anniversary, we all met up in Natchez for a long weekend. It was very laid-back. We toured some of the houses there, took carriage rides, did a little shopping, and had fabulous meals. A lot of my time was spent on the balcony watching the barges on the Mississippi. The weather was perfect, and it was a really nice change of scenery.

I made a quick trip into Dallas this weekend for the Texas State Florist Association's convention. It used to be an annual trip for Sarah and me. I haven't been able to attend since 2006. It was so good to be "back in the water". I'm inspired and motivated now to start doing the things the old me used to enjoy so much.

The doctor's visit didn't really answer any questions. I'll be doing a PET scan in July to try to find out what's going on. I'm planning on a busy summer, with lots of travel and adventures, so this issue is going to the back of the line.

While reading a message board this evening, I came across this article:

http://www.mdanderson.org/news-and-publications/news/2009/m-d-anderson-study-finds-dramatic-increase-in-metastatic-colon-cancer-survival.html

Looks like good news. I wasn't diagnosed until 2007, had successful surgery, and the latest chemo. Odds are looking up!

I'm helping out at the flower shop this week. If you are out and about stop by and say hi.

Annaleisa and Terri

Alice and Terri

We all know we aren't supposed to wish our lives away, but, I'll be really, really glad when this month is OVER. I've had a car wreck, lost sunglasses, (I know it's trivial, but it was traumatic to me) broken my ribs, had two snakes in the yard, am trying to learn this new Blackberry, and I'm dealing with scanxiety.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest my ribs all ready feel a little better. April hasn't been all bad. I went on a girl trip to Hot Springs with my friends Alice and Terri. The weekend was wonderful all the way around. The weather didn't really cooperate, but we didn't care. We started out on Friday, and checked into The Arlington. Had martinis on the veranda, and a fabulous seafood buffet. I'm taking every opportunity to try new things. I had both beluga and salmon caviar, and it was delish! We stayed up until 3:00 laughing and talking. Saturday we started out early with "the baths" which by the way were pure heaven on these aching ribs! Baths were followed by a sauna and massages. I didn't bother to tell the masseuse about the ribs, actually I had forgotten about them by then. We had facials, manicures and pedicures in the afternoon, so the whole day was spent being rubbed, lotioned, oiled, and dipped in wax. We had an early dinner, and headed back to the veranda for drinks. We only stayed up until 2:00 on Saturday, I think we were so relaxed after a day of pampering that we were wiped out.

I had a happy birthday. Heard from lots of special friends, spent the afternoon with Judy, and had a surprise birthday party Friday night. Lana brought red velvet cake, and left it here. It's been birthday cake morning, noon, and night for the Boggses.

I'll finish this up with a request for prayers. My next scan is Monday, May 4. There is a spot the doctors are watching, hoping it's nothing.

Hi All,

It's been a while. I guess no news is good news. We've been busy getting the yard in shape, and just generally going and doing.

The talk I gave at the hospital in March went well. It was a good experience for me. I'm used to talking about "the cancer" one on one, and mostly to other women, so the mixed group was a scary change! With the kind of cancer I have, it's almost impossible to not talk about bowel habits, and such. I'm still getting over having to use some of the terms that were necessary to the story in such a mixed group. I warned them up front about how hard it is for me to communicate a lot of my symptoms. That is what got me in this mess to begin with! I almost died of embarrassment. I really am a goof.

Lenice came in at the end of March for Pops' birthday. While she was here we took a tour of Sweet Shop USA. We got a very personal tour, since we were the only ones there. I didn't dare take pictures of us in our scrubs, shower caps, and booties. She would have killed me. Just picture Lucy and Ethel! She picked up some really cute Easter treats for Olivia and Reece's baskets. I was a really good girl, and just helped her shop. I didn't buy a thing, Don will be so proud.

We had lunch that afternoon in Winnsboro at a cute little Italian restaurant. I always take any opportunity to have artichoke and asparagus pizza, yum-yum. We had planned on going to the bakery, but it was closed for remodeling. We walked around in Winnsboro for a while afterwards, but didn't go into any of the shops because Kitty was with us. I don't know how dog-friendly the merchants are over there. I would love to go back sans Kitty. There were some interesting antique shops that I need to see closer.

Vicki, Kitty, and I met Lenice and Marilyn Morgan for lunch in Canton last Friday. We only got to visit briefly, and never did run into Jaime and her friends. It's a small world. Vicki's sister, and Marilyn's husband went to high school together. Marilyn and Lenice have been friends since early high school. Vicki and Marilyn played catch up while Lenice and I just visited. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy being around Lenice? I know if you've been following this blog for any amount of time, I'm beginning to sound redundant. Thank you again for a wonderful lunch Marilyn. Kitty was so excited about the road trip that she bounced all over the back seat on the way to Canton. After a full day of walking, she never moved on the trip home. There were lots of dogs on leashes there, so she felt quite at home, and loved being around so many people. I took some pictures of Easter chicks to help celebrate the season.

I guess I need to update on something besides fun stuff. That's the reason for this blog after all. I had an appointment with my breast surgeon on Thursday. She seems to be concerned about my Feb. pet scans. She sees something, and in her defense, the Dr. who read the scans originally saw a little something too. When I met with my oncologist to review the readings he seemed to think that I'm good, nothing to worry about, probably just a bit of constipation (here I go again, talking about things that you don't mention in public). I had a colonoscopy in Sept., and the Dr. who did that said everything looked fine, and since the type of cancer I have is very slow growing, he doesn't think it's anything to worry about. He'd be happy to do another colonoscopy, but I'm not ready to put myself through that right now. The spot in question is in the cecum. She says that it is a very difficult to see area, very low, right by the appendix. To make a long story short, I've moved my appointment up to Monday with my colon surgeon in Dallas. I'm going in armed with a copy of the pet scan, and reports of everything I've had done since I last saw him. If he thinks I need a colonoscopy, I'll do it.

Hope everyone has a happy Easter, and it doesn't rain on our parades!

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

I have recently been asked to talk to a group of hospital employees about my experience with colon cancer. I had thought that I wanted to try to forget this part of my life, to put it "behind" me so to speak ;) (a little colon cancer humor). I don't want to be a poster child for cancer. I just want to be me. If I have to have cancer, why can't it be a bit more glamorous, or romantic? Like in the movies when the heroine just slowly wastes away. Why does it have to be the one that no one wants to talk about? No pretty pink ribbons, and paint the town pink for us colon folks!
Colon cancer is just plain gross, and hateful. It will hit you when you aren't looking, and try it's hardest to take you down. It messes with your mind, tangles up your life, and for some it will eventually win out. In February, it got Pam, and just yesterday it got Shawndra. I met both of them soon after I was diagnosed, and have followed their blogs for over a year now.
I always thought that colon cancer was just for old people. I have learned that it doesn't care how old you are. My tumor was slow growing. By the time I had my first colonoscopy at 51, the doctor said that I had probably had it for at least 5 years. So, had I paid attention to the symptons I was having, and done something about them, I could have been diagnosed at 46. I didn't even know what a colonoscopy was at 46, and I sure wasn't going to go to the doctor and tell him I was bleeding out of my bum! I warned you--colon cancer is gross.
Could have, should have, would have, it no longer matters. This is my life now, and the road I'll take has been chosen for me. I'll continue to be scanned-prodded, and stuck on a regular basis. We were told by an oncologist that most stage IV colon cancer patients only live 2 years. That was a real wake up call. It's now been 1 year and 9 months since surgery. I've been off chemo for 1 year and 2 months, and am still clear. So far, I've been one of the lucky ones. I've had 2 doctors that have told me I would be cured, but they are in the minority. Most think that I'll be on some form of treatment for the rest of my life. Colon cancer seldom gives up. If you are 50 or older, get a colonoscopy if you haven't already had one. If you are 50 or under and have any strange things going on- blood in stools, anemia, abnormal stools, abdominal pain or cramping, get to your doctor and demand a colonoscopy.
Colon cancer kills as many Americans as breast cancer and aids combined. Every 9 minutes someone dies of the disease. 1 out of 18 Americans will get the disease. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and treatable if caught early. Yet it is the nation's second leading cancer killer due to lack of screening.

Scan Results

Once again, I've been blessed! The scan showed no cancer. Dr.Prakash told me to keep doing whatever it is I've been doing. Don't really know what that might be, nothing special, but I'm gonna keep it up. I've been spending more time at the shop. I plan on being there all day tomorrow, so if you're out and about stop by to say hi! Thank you so very much for your continued prayers.

It's scan time again! PET scan will be tomorrow morning, here in Mt. Pleasant. This will be the 4th Pet I've had since June '07. I'm prepping today. No carbs, no food after midnight. Only one cup of coffee allowed today, now that's the tough one. I don't remember all of these rules from before. I just know that a PET is a LOT easier on me than a CT, none of that barium smoothie stuff-yay!
I'm not nervous about the results this time. That's a big first. I'm feeling great, and I've finally decided that it is what it is. I just hope I'm not jinxing the results by being too confident. I've started reading "The Human Side of Cancer, Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty". It was written by Dr. Jimmie Holland, a psycologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering. I've always been a control freak, surprize, surprize, and I'm trying figure out how to let alot of this stuff go and just enjoy the here and now.
Since last I posted, we've been to Enid for Joe's assignment night. The baby boy will be going to Elmdorff AFB in Alaska. This will be a 4 year assignment. He'll be flying c17s, which by the way was what he was hoping for. We are all so excited for him! He won't actually leave until Sept-Oct., he has to do some special training before he can go.
Bryan will be in town this weekend. We're planning a belated birthday celebration. We postponed the festivities while we were in OK.
I'll get the results of the scan on Tuesday. Will keep you posted. Please remember Judy, Worthie, Amanda, Carol, and the Craig family in your prayers.

So far my only new year's resolution is working out well. I'm no longer a "sack-hound"! I've set my alarm for 6:20 A.M., and am sticking to it. It feels good to have all of the errands done by 10:00, and the rest of the day free. I'm much more productive, which I'm sure Don appreciates.

I've toyed with the thought of suspending the blog for a while. I never seem to have any real news. My life is pretty boring. Just about the time I decided for sure I would take a break, I had to go in for a follow up mammogram. After the longest wait for results I've ever had to endure, the Dr.s office called and told Connie (not me) the film was all clear. I dodged another bullet- yay!

I won't have another scan until Feb. I still don't know when, but it will be a PET. I'll have it done here in MP. We are just in a "wait and see" cycle. I'll have another mammo. in March, then probably a CT in May. And so it goes......

An update on Miss Kitty: I dropped her off for a little female surgery this morning. She has gained over 3 lbs. since Jan. 16. Pretty good indication that she was expecting. I'll be bringing her back home on Wednesday. Her back leg is doing much better. She can now stand up in the car and hang her head out the window like a real dog. She really has been good company even though she does have a bit of the velcro syndrome.

We have a busy week coming up. I won't be able to volunteer at all. We'll be going to Enid on Thursday (weather permitting) for Joe's assignment night. He's pretty nervous about learning where he'll be for the next 4 years. I have my fingers crossed it's somewhere warm and beachy so I can visit.

Hope everyone has a good week, I'll update when I have some real news.

Update on "The Dog"

I think I've got a dog! We haven't heard a peep from any possible owners. I've added before and after pics. Scruffy, Sugar, Sweetie Pie, Miss Kitty, Darlin, went to the groomer today, and is now without a doubt a Schnauzer. As you can tell, I still don't know what to call her. She's just happy that I do call her, and answers to anything. She seems to prefer Kitty. Please keep the suggestions coming.

I had decided that I didn't want a dog after keeping Oscar for a week. The decision was final, and made carefully. I'm a selfish person, who doesn't (didn't) want to be bothered with the constant needs of a house dog. Right. About face.

As I was leaving Don's store this afternoon, I saw this little dog cross FM 1734. It's a bad, busy place for a dog to be. I picked the puppy up. I am now officialy one of those crazy people who pick up strays.

We visited 3 vets today, and the pound. She has no chip, no collar, no one looking for her that we can identify. She is probably about 4 years old, mostly Schnauzer, heart worm positive, and not spayed. I had the last vet give her a bath, and check her over to make sure she wouldn't give the "big" dogs any nasties.

She is very well mannered. Seldom barks, seems to get along with other dogs, and was nice to the kitty-boys at the flower shop. She rode all the way to New Boston with me this afternoon, and never made a peep. Tomorrow I plan to drive down to Southeast Texas. We'll see how she does on road trips.

I'm giving her owners a week to get in touch with me. If I don't hear from them by then, then I guess I have a dog. Got any good names?

Christmas with the Boggses

The tree is down now, and the house is quiet, but what a time we had!