Just Kookoo: 2008

Sorry I've been off line for a while, but I've been a bit out of commission. As most of you know, I've been resting from my double mastectomy, which I had received on Friday, December 5, 2008. I was in Torrance Memorial Medical Center (TMMC), until Monday, December 8, 2008. I'm so thankful that Hank stayed with me at the hospital throughout the entire ordeal. He even slept there all three nights on the pull out couch! (Ouch on the back!) Also, I'm so thankful for so many family members and friends who came to visit me after my surgery.

Rick Izumi gave me a beautiful crochet blanket, made by the women's ministry of Faith United Methodist Church. It really kept me warm and cozy in the hospital by covering me with a blanket of God's love! Thank you!

Catherine, Baldwin, Grace, Jason, Jordan, & Jennifer

Kathy, Aunt Mary, Mimi, & Lydia (We all loved your homemade Rum cake, Lydia! Thank you!!!)

Angel, James, Stephanie, Hank, & Sammi. Angel bought me a Hula Hoop and Paddle Ball toy! I sure hope you don't expect me to do that hoop thing anytime soon! I have lots of use for that paddle too! Thanks!
Dr. Michael Newman

Wanda, Ken, Lauren, & Ryann

Carolyn, Chuck, Amber, & Connor (Brent). You are so patient and talented, Carolyn! Thanks for the beautiful blanket!

Danny & Larry

Ada, Ed, Tiffany, & Scotty
Dr. David Chan

Glenn and Bob surprised our entire family with a Thai feast! There was so much food, we had both lunch and dinner! Dr. Chan thought you guys are great! He said I have a nice family, and I agree! It was a good thing this floor was equipped with a lounge/family room, made for people like us!

Tony, Grace, & Bradley (Natalie)

Chris, Janet, Thomas, Matthew, & Emily

Deena & Sammie (Jerome & EJ), Maria (Alfred & Eddie), & Aki

Sandra & Nathan (Rick & Alexis)

Donna, Kelly, Pat, & Chloe (She's a very mellow, yet talented doggie; She's a gorgeous mix of Briard and Bearded Collie). Chloe is part of the TMMC Pet Visitation Program. She's been working for TMMC for 8 years, going room to room with Pat to cheer up the staff and patients. Thanks Pat and Chloe!!! You made my stay extra memorable...... Hey Angel, recognize the Hula Hoop? We made great use for it before I got out of the hospital!

I'm going home with so many blessings!!! Thank you!!!

May (Sam, Lisa, & William), Susie & Jeffrey, Christina & Calvin, and Angel. We celebrated my "coming home" by having dinner at the beach at Scotty's.

Colney, Bobbie, & Mitchell

Marian & Ralph

Dana & Leslie

Ethan Hedbery, Jeff Volkmer, & LeRoy Benson

Mimoe & Sammi

Tony and me!

Matt & Lily, and James

Wendy & Kristin (Dave & Kyle)
Tiffany, JoJo, Timmy Louie (Brian)
Carla Deckard
Darren & Christy Hom
Jerome & Helen Wang
Bonnie Wong

Darrell, June, Chris, Kaitlyn (Allison & Rachel)

Benny, Lori, Brian, & Breanna

Robert, Donna, Austin, Brady, & Tanner

Derrick, Kathy, Traci, & Kristen

Hank, Stevie, Sammi, and I

Max, Adriana, Tiffany, Veronica, & Amy

Jonathan, Joanna, & Elizabeth Hoffman

Mamiko, Noah, & Kento Fleder

Unfortunately, I had a slight positive margin remainder above my left breast (a bit more cancer) and a small skin infection on my right. My team of doctors had agreed to perform an emergency surgery on Tuesday, December 23, 2008. The good news is that it was an out-patient procedure (about 2.5 hours surgery). After an hour or so in the recovery room, I was able to return home around 11:30 p.m., just in time for our Christmas celebrations. I was able to rest all day before going to visit my family today. Another good thing is that I won't have to cook at all. Sorry to the Chan and SooHoo families, but I'll have to make my Ngor Mai Fan for you another time.

God's blessings are endless. I appreciate all of the visits, calls, emails, cards, letters, and prayers! I've been showered with gifts of love, flowers, food, desserts, prayers, and well wishes. I am deeply touched by your love, and I truly appreciate all that you've done for me and my family! Thank you for the continuous prayers! I can never have too many of those! I can use all that I can get too! I know God hears them, and he truly has been answering them. Again, thanks to all of you!

In case I don't get a chance to update my blog again, I just want to wish everyone a wonderful, Merry Christmas. May God bless you and your loved ones with a prosperous, healthy, and Happy New Year in 2009!!! Holy hugs and kisses to you,... until next time!!! xoxoxoxoxo Berda SooHoo (and still KooKoo)

Thanksgiving has always been a special time for me. Especially since we live in the United States, we all have so much to be grateful for. God has really blessed our nation in so many ways. Of course our nation was stronger before, but so was the most of the world. I love to visit other places, but I'm glad the USA is my home. And with every prayer, we can hope for a stronger, better future for everyone. As the song goes... "I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free...". World peace really does sound good to me. ;)

Personally, I'm so thankful for each and every day that God has blessed me with breath! I love the Lord, my family, my friends, my home, my life. Sure, we all have our crosses to bear, but we also have the ability to choose how we all react to our situations. For now, my body is being invaded by cancer. But, with God's help, I plan to be cancer free this Friday. And with the help of radiation next year, that will increase my rate of success.

As in the bible, God allowed Job to suffer the most dreadful tests, but he never lost sight on God's plan for his life. The devil is allowed to test us, but we must remain faithful. God's plan will prevail as long as we stay focused on the prize of eternal life. As I've said before, I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many people who love me enough to come share their time with me. Time is a very precious gift, which we all wish we had more of. I am extremely grateful to each of you! You've helped make my battle more bearable.

It has been six weeks now since my last chemo. I'm still getting rashes and hives, I've caught another cold, I'm getting prepared mentally for my surgery this Friday (I still hate to pack), this gloomy weather is a drag for me... On the brighter side, my hair is starting to grow back now! Overall, I'm still bald, but I have peach fuzz all over. Ironically, I'm allergic to peaches, and oh how I love to eat them (maybe I can next summer)! I have an incredible appetite from all of the vitamins I've been taking for pre-op (oink oink oink), but I'm going to need it. It's a good thing I can rely on God's strength, because I'm running low of my own! My family and close friends are there beside me, pulling me, sometimes dragging me along. Thank you Lord, for all that you have blessed me with!!! May He bless you and your loved ones throughout this Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons! I hope to see you again soon. Holy hugs and kisses to all!!! xoxoxo Berda

Raquel and me.

(Front row: Norma, Purita, myself. Back row: Lourdes, Jill, Joann, Ruth, and Raylene). This is my breast cancer support group on Tuesday nights at the Wellness Community in Redondo Beach. Our facility is proudly rated as #1 in the nation!!! Yippee!!!

Hank and Garrick.

Missy and me.

Olivia and I, with the surfer dude guy!

Handmade and home baked by Kimberly Jung. Looks yummy enough to eat, but it's for decoration purposes only. It's a good thing you gave me that disclosure! hee hee hee