Update on Fighting the BIG "C"

Since I haven't blogged since July I feel like I should update what has been going on. I guess I was just too busy to get on here is the only excuse I can actually give. A lot has happened since last on here. I finished my last chemo treatment on August 1, 2015. Talk about a day of celebrating! Can't even describe what I felt that day. Bittersweet. So weird because I couldn't help but feel like a birdie being pushed out of the nest. When I was getting the chemo, although it was just a horrible thing to go through, at least I felt like I was doing something proactive, killing the cancer cells. Once the chemo stopped, I felt like I was no longer fighting and wondered if all the cancer was indeed gone. So far, all my CT scans I have had since then have come back good. Praise the Lord! Only thing it showed is a narrowing in my small intestines which is the issue I am dealing with right now. Since the day after Thanksgiving I have been having horrible stomach aches about 4 hours after I eat. It mostly hurts at night while I am trying to sleep. I have had a colonoscopy, barium enema, endoscopy, ultrasound and a HIDA scan. The latter to check the function of my gallbladder. My gastroenterologist wanted to rule out ulcers or gallbladder problems before I get thrown into a serious intestinal surgery, the tests came back normal. So, it must be the small intestines problem. From everything I have read, it is very common to have intestinal/abdominal problems after a hysterectomy or being cut open. We can get what are called adhesions. It may be adhesions or a possible tumor or something causing my small intestines problems. Only way to find out is to go in there and have surgery. I am having that next week. More than ready to get this behind me. I want to eat so bad. I can only eat toast and sometimes an egg and a banana. Needless to say, I am losing weight. Didn't want to lose it this way tho. Gotta take the good with the bad! My ca-125 blood test they give me to keep an eye on whether the cancer is recurrent has been going up which is not a good thing. It is possible that the abdominal problem could be causing this as inflammation can cause that number to go up. I sure hope it isn't cancer causing it again. My CT scans show none but who knows? I often wonder how doctors can ever tell you that you are really "cancer free?"

I had a very busy Christmas filling orders from my Etsy shop. I painted my heart out! I hope to get the brush back in my hand as I haven't really felt good enough to paint just yet. Hopefully after I have this surgery behind me I can move on. So much I want to do. I will, of course, share anything new I come up with. Have a happy and healthy 2016!

Oh yeah...my hair is coming in really long and WHITE! So grateful to have a head full of hair again. Still debating on whether I will keep it white or not. It sure is a lot easier to take care of. Oh, the things we take for granted.

Cyndi

Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops

Hard to believe I haven't been on here in 6 months already! Time to get back in the groove. Made these pork chops last week and they were just fabulous! EZ to make and they were so tender I could hardly pick them up to put them on a plate. I made a baked potato and cooked up a bag of chopped broccoli. I then put the broccoli with some of the gravy this recipe makes over the broccoli. Wonderful together! Hope you enjoy!

Crockpot Smothered Pork Chops
4-5 boneless chops
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkt. Ranch dressing
1 clove garlic, minced or 1 T. garlic (I use the jar kind)
½ c. chicken broth
Pepper

Combine all ingredients but the pepper and chops. Sprinkle chops with pepper. Place chops in crockpot and pour soup mix on top. Cook on high 4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Served with baked potato and chopped broccoli and put gravy on top.

Taking the Good with the Bad

I only blog about my ovarian cancer because who knows when someone that is fighting this other than me will find comfort in knowing they are not alone. It also serves as a sort of "journal" for me.

I belong to two special groups on Facebook, Teal Warriors and Teal Ladies and they have been a great comfort to me and they also have helped me in knowing what to expect and if what I am experiencing is normal. Such a wonderful group of ladies. Amazed at how many women out there are fighting this horrible cancer. I pray for them every day. If I haven't said it before, please get out there and get screened if you already haven't. Mine was found by another problem I was having...by the grace of God. Who knows where I would be right now had I not found it. As bad as the chemo is, I feel blessed that we have the medicines and procedures to at least try and fight cancer. Makes me glad I am living in these times!

The good news right now is that I still haven't been nauseated even one day after 21 chemo treatments. The good Lord above is looking out after me. Many prayers are being answered. The bad news right now is that my hair has been falling out majorly the last 5 days. My pillow is just covered every morning when I wake up and my housecoat which is black is covered as well. I am trying really hard to deal with it and not let it get me down too much. I was just hopeful that with only 6 treatments, I would hold on to what was growing back before my surgery. I was without chemo for two months and it was thickening nicely. Oh well...back to the beginning again. I still refuse to shave it all off.

I was in the waiting room at the hospital a few weeks ago where I get my labs done every week before chemo and it just clicked in my head one of the reasons if not the most important reason I am probably going through this. I go back and forth thinking there is a purpose for me getting ovarian cancer. One minute I think there is a purpose and the next I think there isn't one. I know, without a doubt, one of the reasons I am most probably going through this is that I needed to rely on my faith again. I never gave my faith much of a thought for many, many years. I grew up in a Christian home and went to church every time the doors were open, up until I left home at 20. I have always felt like I have lived the most blessed, wonderful life. Most always things were perfect. Oh, I have had my share of grief like anyone else but for the most part, life is good. Then when you hear the words "you have cancer" your world you once had ceases to exist. Right from the diagnosis, I have prayed and found the faith that this is in God's hands and he is going to take care of me. He is the only one that can let me live a much longer life or take me home. He has given me the strength I never knew I had. I have had several devastating events in my life where I found more and more strength. I should be Superwoman now I have so much strength! LOL I have swayed away from talking to him daily and praying and just being closer. Going through cancer can certainly wake you up and reel you back in. I get a comfort talking and praying to him that I know I'd never had if I didn't believe. Something just comes over me and calms my soul. I know that I'm not alone in this journey.

I have had a few days where I shed a few tears but not many. I have no reason to feel sorry for myself when there are kids out there that are fighting more things worse than I. I feel I have lived a full life at 59.

Well, I won't jabber on and on but just felt I needed to blog about my cancer today. I don't like to bring people down because I am the eternal optimist. Glass is always full. I embrace every day with gusto! Hope you do too! Hugs! For those of you fighting any health problem, I pray you too will find the strength and faith in God as I have. It sure helps!

Trash to Treasure - Makers Mark Bottles

Can ya tell I love to take trash and make it a treasure? Just makes me completely happy doing so. What's better than free things to paint on? I can't think of anything. This week I got an order on my Etsy shop to paint a Makers Mark bottle santa and Grinch. I just think the red wax is so cute on the hat. Hope you like it too! Remember, you can order with me right now for these or any of my other things on cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Just trying to drum up a little business as it is always a bit slow this time of the year. I love to keep busy! Thank you!

Best Mom Ever!!

13 years ago today I lost my mom to a tragic accident. She was going down her basement steps and fell and never regained consciousness. She unfortunately hit her head right in a spot that caused her to be "brain dead." That was the most tragic day of my life...even moreso than finding out I had ovarian cancer. Wow...first time I have ever used the word had, as in past tense. So grateful that I can say that. Anyway, today is about my mom...I know instead of being sad about her passing, I need to celebrate her life today. I am so lucky to be able to call her mom. God could not have given me a more perfect mom. I so hate to see kids that aren't close to their mothers or are at odds with them and not even speaking. They need to embrace their mothers.

My mom was the most creative and talented and giving person I have ever known. She could sew, sculpt, paint, cake decorate, cook and so many other things. She was good at anything she undertook. Most of all she was the most giving person. At her funeral, we stood for 5 hours greeting people that loved her and what a testament that was to her. Almost everyone had a story of her making or giving them something. I am so proud to be her daughter! I try so hard to be the daughter she would be proud of. When I go to do something, I almost always have her in mind...how would she handle this or what would she do? Such a role model!

So to all of you out there that still have your moms...I say right now...go call them or see them...hug them...tell them you love them! Embrace your mother! Love her like no other! You will be so glad you did! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! This picture is of my mom and I at a 4th of July craft show that we did together. Oh, how I miss her creativity and crafting with her!

Not Your Normal Baked Beans

I don't know about you but during the summer I just love baked beans when I grill my burgers and hot dogs. They are such a great side dish. Well, these baked beans aren't your normal ones...the addition of the lima beans and red kidney beans make them even more scrumptious! I started making these several years ago and every time I make them I get so many compliments and everyone wants the recipe so here it is! Enjoy!

Bean Casserole
l can (l6 oz.) lima beans
l can (20 oz.) Porn N Beans, undrained
l can (l6 oz.) red kidney beans, drained
l/2 c. green pepper, chopped
l-l/2 c. celery, chopped
l-l/2 c. onions, chopped
Salt to taste
l/2 t. garlic salt (opt.)
l-l/2 c. brown sugar
l c. ketchup
Bacon strips, raw

Mix together. Layer with bacon. Bake 350 degrees for an hour or until bacon is cooked.
l2 servings

Santa Loves Sand Castles Lightbulb Ornament

As promised this is this year's tropical santa lightbulb ornament I designed and painted. Who doesn't love to play in the sand at the beach? When we go on vacation, the first thing I do is take off my sandals so that I can feel the sand. Just love it. A lot of people are turned off by it but it makes me feel like I am truly in paradise. We go to St. George Island, FL every year which is on the Gulf. I don't know if I ever could go back to the Atlantic after being on the Gulf. The sand is so white and the waters are so much clearer and blue. I used to go to Myrtle Beach every year with my girlfriends and I do miss that trip so maybe I would go back after all. This guy is sold in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CyndiMacsNickKnacks?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Santa Loves Pina Coladas Lightbulb Ornament

Do you like Pina Coladas? Such a tropical drink. Makes you feel like you are at the ocean even when you aren't. Santa even gets a vacation from time to time. He loves pina coladas, or at least my santa does.

Every year I design and paint a tropical santa to add to my collection. This is the one I did last year. Stay tuned to this year's here in a few days. Enjoy! This ornament is available in my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CyndiMacsNickKnacks?ref=hdr_shop_menu

I'm Proud to Be An American...

Where at least I know I'm free. My very favorite patriotic song of course from Lee Greenwood. I cry every time I hear that song. Touches my soul.

I wish each of you a wonderful, safe holiday!

This is a picture of an Uncle Sam that my dear mom and I made at least 30 years ago. Amazed at how bright he still is. I only put him out about a week before the 4th of July. This is my very favorite patriotic decoration. He is made out of a fence post.

Happy 4th of July!

One Chemo Cycle Down and one to go!

Finished my first cycle (3 treatments) of chemo today...yeaaa...only 3 more to go! I get a 17 day hiatus until I start the next and hopefully last round ever! One never knows fighting this disease if it will indeed be the last. You can only hope and pray that it is. I know I am just tired of being tired! My chemo nurse explained that the reason I am so tired this time is because I only had surgery 6 weeks ago and my body's immune system is working overtime. I was wondering why since I didn't have chemo for 2 months. Oh well, I will take the tiredness over the nausea any old day. Knock on wood, thus far I have managed to not feel sick at all. Good Lord above is looking out after me. Prayers are being answered people! Gotta keep the faith!

Yesterday I watched the biography on Carrie Underwood and had no clue that it would touch me just as much as if I had been in church. When she witnesses for the Lord it really touches me. Also, they played "Jesus Take the Wheel" and oh what a powerful song. I needed to hear that. I just sat here and cried and cried. I needed to watch that yesterday. Funny how that happens.

I am still praying that God will guide me in the way he needs to for me to help others that are going through something similar. If I can help but one person see that just because you hear the word "cancer" doesn't mean that you crawl in a hole and die. As there are days, there is hope, as there is a God, there is hope, as there is faith, there is hope. I know this gal isn't going to give up for anything. I am a warrior...God has given me the shield! Thanks for reading!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

I don't know about you but I do not consider myself a very good baker. I don't know what it is...maybe just I'm bad at the timing but baking is not my first love in the kitchen. I would love to rectify that and I do try really hard to get better at it. My mother was a wonderful baker. She could make the best homemade breads you ever tasted. They would fight over her breads at church. I didn't get that gene somehow. My sister Donna did. Guess I couldn't get all the good genes. I did inherit her creativity and for that I am eternally grateful. My mom could do ANYTHING! Oh, how I miss her!

My mom could make the prettiest and tastiest cakes. She could decorate them like a professional. She even made wedding cakes in her home. My cakes are not what I'd call eye candy. I think that is why when I go to make a cake I want to make a sheet cake. A lot easier and I can make one of those look half way decent.

I made this chocolate peanut butter sheet cake back in the winter when I wanted something sweet but didn't want to go to the grocery store. I happened to have all the ingredients at home to make it. Boy was I pleasantly surprised...it is a very yummy cake! I hope you enjoy it!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
1 c. water
½ c. butter, cubed
½ c. creamy peanut butter
¼ c. baking cocoa
3 eggs
½ c. sour cream
2 t. vanilla extract

Frosting:
3 c. confectionery sugar
½ c. creamy peanut butter
½ c. milk
½ t. vanilla extract
½ c. chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray jelly roll pan with Pam. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In a small saucepan, combine water, butter, peanut butter and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Prepare frosting while cake is baking. In a large bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Remove cake from oven; place on a wire rack. Immediately spread with frosting; sprinkle with peanuts. Cool completely. Yield: 15 servings.

Patriotic Santa Coke Bottles

I decided to paint my two sisters, sister-in-law and my dad a patriotic santa Coke bottle to enjoy through the 4th of July. These are such fun to paint. They have the perfect indentions for stripes. These are the small bottles so I need to get out and find some larger ones. Fun, fun, fun!

Cheesy Enchilada Stack

Can ya tell that I LOVE Mexican food? I love trying new Mexican recipes and this one is a real keeper! I recently found a recipe similar to this one that is done in the crockpot. I am going to try that sometime this week so I will let ya know if it works out well. You will really enjoy this dinner! Cook up a box of Spanish rice and have with this...yummo!

Cheesy Enchilada Stack
1 lb. ground beef
(2) 10 oz. cans red enchilada sauce
(6) 8” flour tortillas
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend
16 oz. can refried beans
(2) 4 oz. cans green chilies
1 bunch green onions

Cook the beef in a skillet over medium high heat until well browned, drain. Stir ½ cup enchilada sauce in skillet with beef. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Place 1 tortilla onto the baking sheet. Top with 1/3 of the beef mixture and ¼ cup cheese. Top with 1 tortilla, half the refried beans, ½ cup enchilada sauce, 1 can drained green chilies and ¼ cup cheese. Repeat the layers one more time. Top with 1 tortilla, remaining beef mixture and ¼ cup cheese. Top with remaining tortilla. Cover the stack with aluminum foil. Bake at 400 for 40 minutes or the filling is hot. Uncover the stack and top with remaining enchilada sauce, cheese and green onion. Bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut the stack into 6 wedges.

1. Tortilla
2. 1/3 of beef and ¼ c. cheese
3. Tortilla
4. ½ refried beans and ½ c. enchilada sauce, 1 can (4 oz.) chilies and ¼ c. cheese
5. Tortilla
6. 1/3 of beef, 1-1/4 c. cheese
7. Tortilla
8. ½ refried beans and ½ c. enchilada sauce, 4 oz. can chilies and ¼ c. cheese
9. Tortilla
10. 1/3 beef and ¼ c. cheese
11. Tortilla

Santa and Friends Wine Bottle

Slowly but surely I am getting more wine bottles painted up. I have decided to paint my ornament patterns into wine bottles. I love seeing them this big. This santa is one that I recreated last year. This is perfect for any santa, gingerbread or snowman lover. Of course, I am crazy about all three so this suits me well. You can order this from my Etsy shop at cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Thank you!

Breast Cancer Survivor Gingerbread Ornament

I just realized that I hadn't shared my gingerbread breast cancer survivor ornament I designed and painted. I do still need to paint some of these up for ovarian cancer as well since that is what I have been fighting and there just isn't much awareness about this cancer. This can be ordered at my Etsy shop cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Enjoy!

Hysterectomy...DONE!

Sorry I have been MIA. I had my hysterectomy on May 14th and am recovering from it right now. I had so dreaded it since I just had surgery in October for a colon obstruction. This surgery was a result of them finding ovarian cancer through the colon surgery. Still praising the Lord for blessing me in them finding it early. After the surgery my doctor said I had "no cancer" and he high fived me. That was music to our ears.

So far, this surgery doesn't seem to be near as bad as the colon one. It just took so many months for my system to start functioning right after the colon surgery. Not the case this time around. Just feeling very tired and I seem to sleep more than usual. I am not a napper usually. LOL I guess it is because I can't seem to get comfortable in the bed since I am not a back sleeper. I manage to sleep a little bit on my side but not for very long. Once I can do that I am sure I will feel more rested.

Was really bummed out when my pathology came back. I had microscopic cancer cells in my uterus, ovaries and omentum. So glad they took the omentum! Who knew we had one of those? Seems that cancer loves to go to the omentum. I guess because it serves as a shelter over the girl parts. Close proximity. My doctor wants me to have 6 more chemo treatments for precautionary measure since my cells were microscopic. Sort of scares me because if they can only been seen by a microscope and not a CT scan, then how will we really know if I am cancer free? I have 100% faith in my doctor and the man above, so I will do whatever I have to do. I have come too far to turn back now. Just dreading the hair loss, bad tastebuds and neuropathy that come with the chemo. Hoping 6 treatments won't make that much of a difference but who am I really kidding? Trying to keep the chin up and go through the motions...it isn't like I haven't done this before. You just hope that once the surgery is over with and all the cancer is cut out of you that you are ready to move on with your life. Guess this is just another little detour. Life interrupted for sure! This just may very well become my "new normal." I know I will certainly have to stay on top of my follow ups and scans.

I have managed to paint a little bit the last few days. I got a big Etsy order last night so that will perhaps motivate me a little more. I am still hoping to participate in a big craft show in October so I really do need to get a lot of inventory done. I just don't know what I'd do if I didn't have painting as a hobby. It makes me so happy and content. It keeps me moving on! Hope all of you are doing great! Hugs!

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake - Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my 59th birthday and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for that number! I will take every birthday that comes my way with open arms. After getting diagnosed with cancer you certainly have a different outlook on every single day you wake up. You appreciate the good days and you certainly appreciate your physical appearance after going through chemo. Every eyelash that is beginning to grow back makes me so happy and that is happening right now. I look forward to washing my face in the mornings to take a closer look at my eyes and eyebrows. Looks like the eyebrows are gonna be a bit slower. Thank goodness for brow liner. I did manage to keep a thin layer of hair on my head as I was never bold enough to just shave it all off. It looks and feels like cotton...it is just so fine and so white. I have colored my hair since I was 16 so I had no clue how gray or white I would be. As soon as I have enough to color, you can bet that will be one of the first things I do. LOL Oops...didn't mean for this post to be about the cancer but I guess having another birthday, it just took me there. Onto the delicious cake recipe. This is a new recipe for me that I found on the internet and it came from Taste of Home. It is quite delicious! I have forever loved the combo of chocolate and peanut butter and the beauty of this recipe is that you most probably have all the ingredients in your pantry or kitchen. I chose to make this into a sheet cake and it came out really nice. I hope you like it! Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
1 t. baking soda
½ t. salt
1 c. water
½ c. butter, cubed
½ c. creamy peanut butter
¼ c. baking cocoa
3 eggs
½ c. sour cream
2 t. vanilla extract

Frosting:
3 c. confectionery sugar
½ c. creamy peanut butter
½ c. milk
½ t. vanilla extract
½ c. chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray jelly roll pan with Pam. In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. In a small saucepan, combine water, butter, peanut butter and cocoa; bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened. In a small bowl, whisk eggs, sour cream and vanilla until blended; add to flour mixture, whisking constantly. Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Prepare frosting while cake is baking. In a large bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, milk and vanilla until smooth. Remove cake from oven; place on a wire rack. Immediately spread with frosting; sprinkle with peanuts. Cool completely. Yield: 15 servings.

Patriotic Santa Wine Bottle

Told ya I am trying to get ahead for a change and paint up some 4th of July items. This is my latest design. Hope you like him. This wine bottle would make a perfect patriotic decoration for your home. He is very detailed. I have him listed in my Etsy shop for $40.00. A lot of work goes into this bottle. You can find him at cyndimacsnickknacks.etsy.com. Sure wish I could get the link above to work but have tried numerous times and it just doesn't work. Thanks for looking!

Santa Clothespin Ornament

Don't know why but this santa is one of my favorites. Might be because I love how you just perch him on a branch of your Christmas tree and he just stands there. I know, I'm weird! LOL I finally bought some clothespins to paint some more of this lil' guy. Can't wait to get started. So many things to paint and such little time. You can find this santa at my Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CyndiMacsNickKnacks?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Mexican Cornbread Salad

This salad has everything in it but the kitchen sink. I just love this salad and wonder why I always wait to make it in the spring/summer. It would be great year round. You can use it as either a side item or as a meal in itself. It looks great in a big clear bowl because it is layered. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. On my "to make" list very soon. Enjoy!

Mexican Cornbread Salad
1 package Martha White Mexican cornbread mix
8 oz. sour cream
(2) 16 oz.) cans pinto beans, drained
(2) (15-1/4 oz.) cans whole kernel corn, drained
10 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
Cheese
1 c. sliced green onions
Tomato wedges, optional
1 package ranch style salad dressing mix
1 c. mayonnaise
1 c. chopped green pepper
3 large tomatoes, chopped
1 (8 oz.) package shredded cheddar cheese

Prepare cornbread mix per directions. Combine salad dressing mix, sour cream and mayonnaise, set aside. Crumble half of cornbread into bowl. Top with half each of beans, sour cream mixture, green peppers, corn, tomatoes, bacon, cheese and green onions. Repeat layers. Cover and chill 2 hours. Serve in individual lettuce lined bowls and top with tomato wedges if desired. 8 servings.