Julie's Pink Link: The Healing Power of Friends

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Healing Power of Friends

I'm still blown away. As most of you know, I love and adore my TFWC friends. For those of you who wonder what TFWC stands for...it's a secret that will never be told, so forget about trying to get that out of any of us! Anyhoo, all eight of us lived in Rogers Hall at Ball State together and let's just say we completely bonded over the fun, perils, thrills and heartbreaks of college life...living, learning and well, just helping each other grow up...OK, so that part didn't quite happen!!

At first we got together for our own wedding showers and weddings, followed by lots of baby showers and babies, then play dates and birthday parties for our kids, and now weddings for our kids and showers for our grandbabies. So as you can see, you can pretty much name the triumph or tragedy...one of us has had it happen, but we've been through all life has brought to each of us...together. In addition, for 33 years, we've been gathering for a weekend every summer and since our kids have grown and left home leaving a little more time for Mom, we've added a winter retreat at my house too.

But this weekend they said was just for me. So it all started Saturday afternoon at our house, as all came from far and wide....and the best part...our dear Susan flew in from Denver to surprise me!! I'm still speechless! Last night was filled with laughter, lots of healing hugs, all the junk food you could ever want...and a very special surprise gift. My jewelry collection consists of 2 pairs of earrings, so as I was getting my PJ's on, I came back downstairs to see literally at least 20 pairs of gorgeous hoop earrings to wear with my scarves...all given from their own collections with some new ones sprinkled in. They also gave me a special pink ribbon bracelet/matching earrings that I will wear each day until my treatment is completely over, remembering the love that went into this very special weekend of love in my life!

We ended the weekend with a group hug filled with loving words and prayers that will last in my memory forever. So thank you, thank you (pictured above left to right) Moni, Gracia, Geri, Munch and Susan plus Connie W (came too, but left pre-picture) and Connie B (protecting me from her flu virus, so called instead). You are the best forever girlfriends--what a lucky girl I am to have you all in my life! TFWC forever!

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Recovery Takes a LONG TIME!

It's with great joy that I 'take down' the "Favors You Can Do for Julie" section so lovingly created by Joel and used by all of you, in favor of my official list of 22 Recovery Goals. Watch and celebrate as we check off each one!

End of May: 1 Goal DONE
End of June: 6 Goals DONE
End of July: 14 Goals DONE
End of August: 14 Goals DONE
End of September: Yep, still stuck at 14!!

End of October: Yep, 14 still.

End of November: I'm still at 14.

End of December: Yep, 14 is the magic number still!

End of January: Am I embarrassed yet? 14 it is.

End of February: 14 again!

End of March: 15 goals DONE

End of April: 15 again

End of May: 16 goals DONE

End of June: 16 again

End of July: 16 again

End of August: 17 goals DONE

End of Sept: 17 again

End of Oct: 17 again

End of Nov: 17 again

End of Dec: 2 year point! 17 again

End of Jan '11: Still have those last 5 tough goals to finish.

End of Feb '11: 5 goals left

End of Mar '11: 5 still there

End of Apr'11:

End of May'11:

End of June'11:

End of July'11:

- My nose 'helpers' are back, so no more 'dabbing'! (DONE; 5/28)
- Start Arimidex (DONE; 6/3/09; changed to Aromasin 11/09 and tolerating much better)

- 2nd degree burns healed over (DONE; 6/9/09)
- Eyebrows come back (DONE; 6/11/09)
- Find a weight training solution & sign up (DONE; 6/12/09)
- Go an entire week without a doctor's appointment! (DONE; w/o 6/15/09)
- No more need for a 'comfort check' on shirts/blouses (DONE; 7/1/09--exactly 6 weeks post-radiation)
- Get results of genetic testing and inform family (DONE; 7/1/09)
- Eyelashes grow back (DONE; 7/1/09)
- Lose first 5 pounds (DONE; 7/7/09; OOPS--vacation, gained it all back--so here we go again! DONE AGAIN; 8/17/09)
- Get first haircut (DONE; 7/10/09)
- The 'chemo-rings' disappear from my nails (DONE; 7/14/09)
- Pass my first official check-up 0n July 15th (DONE)

- Finish up summer school with 19 students (DONE; 8/12/09)
- Bike to State Fair and back with Ted (DONE; 8/16/09)

- All bruises healed on my right arm from the many IV sticks (DONE; 5/10)

- Lose next 5 pounds (DONE; 8/11/10)

- Lose last 7 pounds (HA--let's pop that back up to 20 lbs!)
- Start walk or bike five days per week routine

- I feel like my energy level is totally back (Week of 6/1-energy level at 60%; Week of 6/8-75%; Week of 6/15-80%; Week of 6/22-80%; Week of 6/29-80%; Week of 7/6-80%; Week of 7/13-80%; Week of 7/20-80%; Week of 7/27-80% now at around 90% on 1/7/11...it takes a long time)
- Teddy tells me that he thinks "I'm back"

- IV-Zometa monthly treatments finished (6/3 DONE; 7/1 DONE, 8/5 DONE, 10/28 DONE, 2/3/10 DONE, 5/12 DONE, 8/11 DONE, 12/4 DONE, 2/7 DONE) Now I'll do every 3 months until May 2012...5 more to go!

Current Prayer Requests

April 2011:

-That Kyle and Casey settle with success in Toronto (DONE) and Kyle finds a job.

-That Joel and Jo can find a home to buy that fits their needs.

-That Brian and Brooke continue to cope with the demands of 3 little ones and their father in residency and a Mom coping with call nights alone.

-That I continue a path towards full energy and continued health free from cancer recurrence.

-That my mother stays healthy to see her 100th birthday on 5/13/11.

-That Ted's and my time continues to be spent in a way that's aligned with our goals to support and connect with our family and friends.

Share your thoughts or prayers with Julie by sending an email to julie@indymeeks.com

Prayer's Answered

Most Recent Answered Prayers:

Historical List of Answered Prayers! (Count-to-date - 50!!)

- That Brooke, our daughter-in-law, continues to feel good and our new grandson Harrison continues to be healthy in utero. Answer: Harrison born 12/28/09 as the most perfect baby you've ever seen! Mom did well too!

- That our dear friend "C" has successful radical cancer surgery on September 28th without complications and a speedy recovery. That prior to surgery, he and his wife are bathed in prayers and love. Answer: Surgery went well, although several complications during recovery. C now doing very well and back at work and play!

- That our Pauline's daughter gets through this scary time in her pregnancy and the baby continues to be OK. Answer: Healthy baby boy born...named him Joel

- That Joyce's family is comforted and that they have great family times with Greg in his last earthly days. Answer: Wonderful times with Greg and he is in heaven, whole and at peace. His family is grieving but overall doing well.

- That Joel and Jo find time to plan their upcoming wedding and that they enjoy the whole experience. Answer: Married 5/1/10 and what a glorious, joyous event for all, including the bride and groom!

- That I get my you-know-what in gear to start a 5 day per week walking routine and that I get this stinkin' weight off! I've gained/lost the same 5 pounds about 6-7 times over the summer! Answer: I've lost 7 lbs with 7 more to go!

- That our dear friend "C" gets to the right doc's for treatment of his recurrent cancer.

- That Ted and his brother's have found a good path for his business that optimizes results for all 3 of them, each of whom have somewhat different needs.
- That Brooke's first trimester symptoms have really lessened and that she is feeling so much better.
- That, despite starting summer school with 19 students at the very beginning of my radiation treatment in early May, I was able to keep up with their needs throughout the summer and give them all (by their report) a great course experience. Summer school ended successfully on Aug 12th.

- That my chest burns have healed with infection or scarring

- That my energy level returns as quickly as possible

- Radiation completed 5/27 without serious complications
- My white count normalized without further complications!
- Our trip to Tucson was a complete success without any travel troubles for anyone or illness
- My radiation course of treatment is off to a great start
- Had life-saving great care during my hospital stay with low, low white count and pneumonia; that I got to come home in just 4 days. That all who cared for me were so skilled and caring!
- Last chemo goes well 3/25; a bit more recovery this time, but nothing major...YEAH...ALL DONE!
- WE CAN ALL GO!! Family vacation in Tucson all finalized for 4/22-4/27.
- First meeting with radiation oncologist goes well! Only need 4 weeks of radiation vs. the antcipated 6-8 weeks. YEAH!
- TFWC weekend is a blast and such a comfort to me. Susan Carr, my good friend, flies in from Denver to surprise me! All take time from their busy lives to have a great slumber party!
- Job secured at IU!
- Safe and wonderful travel to Cabo and back without illness.
- Great visits with Joel, Jo and Kyle in February!
- Third chemo goes better than the first two rounds.
- Several friends find answers to prayer for their situations.- A kind offer that makes a family vacation possible and affordable!
- My IU office completely set-up (it was a mess) by Jenny Parliament; Toni Hilbert helping me so much by copying off all my course readings (it was taking me HOURS); and Lisa White completely redoing my vitae (also something that would have taken me HOURS). These ladies are the best!
- Release from one of my courses, thanks to Connie Rowles and Anne Belcher at IU; a HUGE relief that will free me from the worry that I might not be able to handle the load in April; thanks to the other 9 profs that all need to pick up the slack
- News that Kyle, Joel and Jo will all come home within the month visits
- Ted and I enrolled in a "couples study" through IU for couples going through breast cancer; great learning
- The Hair Ball being a complete blast with the love flowing as generously as the wine; oh, and monies too, with nearly $700 raised for Susan G. Komen. Greg, my stylist keeping it all fun and Melodie offering prayer for all.
- Snow miraculously shoveled off our front walk in time for the Hair Ball.
- A wonderful visit from my sis Carolyn, which blessed us all and especially Mo, my mother. Lots of love & laughs with her.
- First chemo done...mark that one off the list!
- Got to go to St. Louis to see B&B, P&F despite being the weekend after my first chemo; healing to my bones!
- Supportive IU colleagues, particularly Josette, Anna and Anne have been so very kind and remind me daily to SLOW DOWN and give myself a break. They are a God-send!
- Optimal lymph node results...they're CLEAN
- Optimal appointments 1/7 with Goulet and Miller and optimal chemo regimen. So glad that I don't need to be on Adriamycin...that drug scares me to death!
- Optimal surgical result at the skilled hands of Dr. Goulet
- All kids getting back to their homes safe and sound
- That my pain is well controlled and I haven't had any complications from the surgery
- Great times with many friends and family members stopping by, calling, bringing food (thanks Ann and brother Larry) and emailing us
- Unbelievable time (1 and 1/2 hours) with Dr. Kathy Miller, my oncologist on Christmas Eve no less with Ted, Kyle, Joel and Jo in attendance. We all like her a lot.
- Kyle, Joel, Jo, Brian and Brooke, Parker and Finley all dodged major storms and flight delays and all arrived right on time...we couldn't believe how amazingly this prayer was answered!
- Kyle, Joel and Brian have all had their friends stop by all day today and tonight...our house has literally been an open house of fun all day with many coming by to support K-J-B+Jo+Brooke. That prayer has been answered for us all. Dear friend, Connie Frey brought us all dinner 12/26 which was a God-send as we had visitors all day and it was Brooke's birthday today and Jo's birthday about a week ago, so we had great food and fun tonight.
- Excellent guidance on lumpectomy vs. mastectomy from Dr. Jason Cacioppo and that decision made.
- A wonderful visit and trip to the mall with my 4th-grade- forward friend, Moni Lacey, where she helped me finish up my shopping. And the laughs as Moni joined me to get her eyebrows 'threaded' for the first time...what a riot!
- Received next round of reports - ER+/PR+/HER-2- - the best kind of cancer you can get. Huge huge positive news!

- Thanks to Jill for being Kyle's angel with an early round of peanut blossoms

- Joel's girfriend Jo Chien, a breast oncologist, who has been phenomenal at providing counsel and comfort to the Meeks

Sunday, March 15, 2009

The Healing Power of Friends

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