Just Kookoo: Happy New Year 2009!!!

I felt pretty good after my second surgery on December 23, 2008. I had happily attended most of our family events! Unfortunately, my inner body was fighting yet another infection. On Tuesday night, December 30, 2008, I had some redness on my upper left breast near the armpit, with a high fever of 103.4*. The fever did go down with Tylenol, but I had to take it a few times before it would break. In order to avoid another emergency surgery, Dr. Newman and Dr. Milefchik admitted me back into Torrance Memorial Medical Center (TMMC) in the afternoon of New Year's Eve, December 31, 2008. Apparently, my body was trying to fight the foreign objects that were installed within me (drains and skin expanders for reconstruction). The oral antibiotics were not strong enough, so I was given much stronger antibiotics, but this time, intravenously (IV). It did clear up the redness, and my fever did not come back.

Usually, I would ring in the New Year with family and friends, but that did not happen for 2009. I had to remain in the hospital for several days. We had previously committed to a friend's house party, so I sent Hank and the kids there on my behalf. As I planned for a quiet night alone, I was happily surprised by visitors. Thank you to the Felix and Armenta families, Grace, and Angel for keeping me company. I didn't want you to change your plans for my sake!

After their visit, I rested and reminisced on an extraordinary 2008, a year full of extreme highs, and some not-so-high events. My sister, Wanda was gravely ill last January, I was diagnosed breast cancer at the end of June, I lost my Dad and a few dear friends this year, our nation hit a major financial crisis, but so did the world. But, some babies were born, a few couples got married, I survived seven chemo treatments, Stevie graduated from high school, we were able to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, I survived the first and second surgeries for my double mastectomies and reconstruction, we have a new President Elect, I've reconnected with so many lost friends through my walk with cancer, I was able to see first hand of God's grace through His church, His people, my family, my friends.

As I laid in bed, I watched Dick Clark's countdown in the many time zones, until the stoke of midnight. My IV monitor echoed in the quietness. It was even quiet at the nurses station. I heard one of them whisper, "Now, take a picture with my camera..." A few seconds later, my cell phone rang. Hank, Stevie, Sammi, and Angel were all calling me at the same time, but Angel got through first. It was the entire gang, screaming, yelling, blowing horns, popping poppers, all wishing me a Happy New Year!!! Wow, I was really touched to be included in their celebration!!! Yikes, I heard the party broke up around 2:30 a.m.! Hey, what ever happened to getting home before 2:00 a.m., BEFORE all of the bars closed?!?!?!?

I'm extremely blessed with a great team of doctors. God has been my strength, my refuge, my ultimate healer. He was there to calm me when I had a PICC line installed in my upper right arm on Friday morning, on January 2, 2009. I was comforted knowing that I was not alone. Finally, on Sunday, January 4, 2009, I was released late in the evening at 5:30 p.m., after 5 days of hospitalization. Although I was released as an inpatient, I will have to go back and forth to the hospital as an outpatient, every day for the next two weeks to continue my IV antibiotics. My doctors want to make sure I don't get another episode, and I can appreciate that! When I'm done with my two weeks, it'll be time to start my six weeks of radiation therapy, at five times per week. That will be a total of 8 weeks of traveling back and forth, but it sure is better than letting that cancer come back! God continues to bless me with great support in the faces of my family and my friends. Thank you for being my peeps! I love you, and you know who you are!!! Holy hugs and kisses!!! xoxoxox from the KooKoo SooHoo.

Sammi, wasn't that Matza Ball Soup for me?!?!?

EJ, Alfred, and Stevie.

Sammi and Sammie

Deena, Angel, and Maria

Grace and me.

And Angel said, "Of course I've tasted this custard mochi! I made it! I got the recipe from Berda, and I've made six batches in two days!!!"

Jessie-Lin works in both TMMC and Cancer Care with Dr. Chan (See my October blog... she gave me my last chemo!)

Aloha Jolene! Thanks for this beautiful lei! I can't wait to learn how to make it! You are so talented!

Diana tackled me down to lower my blood pressure. She said too much laughter is not good for my reading. She was really worried... hee hee hee She's so sweet!

Angel and James searching for things to buy, places to go, people to see, etc... But they were stuck with me! hee hee hee

Lauren and Ryann chilling with Stevie on my bed.

Pat and Ann came to cheer me up, and it worked too!

Angel, Christopher, and Bradley

Ada, Ed, Tiffany, Scotty, and Phoebe came to visit me.

Ryann, Britney, and Lauren.

Oh me, oh my! It's a good thing TMMC has a family room for our group! It's great to be surrounded by so much laughter, and that was just from these kids. The grown ups sat in my room. I think I need a bigger room!