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Kallie
Timmy, his eyes are not really blue, that's just the reflection of the flash off my blue carpet.
Me, July 2008
I have 50 pics in my gallery
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Life with Stage IV Breast Cancer and Gastroparesis
My Story: Updated 1/7/2011
I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in the spring of 2003, at the age of 39. I went through a bilateral mastectomy and chemo that year, and underwent radiation to the chest wall during the first part of 2004.
I joined Spark on July 3rd, 2006, frustrated with my weight gain from being on Tamoxifen, and overeating after my appetite came back after recovering from chemo. My pants were getting tight on me, and I refused to just go up to ...
My Story: Updated 1/7/2011
I was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer in the spring of 2003, at the age of 39. I went through a bilateral mastectomy and chemo that year, and underwent radiation to the chest wall during the first part of 2004.
I joined Spark on July 3rd, 2006, frustrated with my weight gain from being on Tamoxifen, and overeating after my appetite came back after recovering from chemo. My pants were getting tight on me, and I refused to just go up to the next size. I was 139 pounds when I started here, and in a little less than a year, reached my goal weight, which I am still maintaining, of staying within 115-120 pounds. I made my changes slowly, a few at a time, starting with watching my portion sizes. I never looked at this journey as a "diet", rather I decided to make healthy living and eating a lifelong habit.
In April 2007, I found out my cancer returned, in the form of bone mets. It is now stage IV, and incurable, but so far, my oncologist has been able to slow down the progression and keep me stable, so I can still live a long time with this disease. I've gone through radiation treatments 3 more times since 2007, and have been on monthly Zometa infusions since that time. I had to start chemo again in April of 2010 and currently getting chemo about 3 days every month; I do not know at this time how many more treatments I have to have.
I also live with GERD and sciatica, and in the early part of December 2010, was diagnosed with gastroparesis.( Caused by the radiation I had to my upper spine,) I have had to change my diet drastically because of that, I'm basically on a low fiber diet right now, and many of my favorite fruits and vegetables I can no longer eat. I also deal with chronic pain from my various health conditions.
I try as much as I can, despite the limitations I have right now, to eat as healthy as a I can, and to stay as fit as I can. I can longer walk for exercise, but I enjoy chair aerobic DVDs, using my stability ball, and working out with weights.
I am single with two very spoiled indoor only cats, Timmy and Kallie, who are my babies. I no longer work outside the home, because of the health problems associated with my cancer, I had to quit working in November 2008.
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Profile
Member Since: 7/3/2006
SparkPoints: 121,240
Fitness Minutes: 26,441
My Goals:
* Work in fitness activities on my good days as often as I can
*Keep maintaining my goal weight
*Eat as healthy as I can within the limitations of my diet for GP
My Program:
Now that I am maintaining a healthy diet, I am working on improving my fitness. I keep a hand written food diary to keep me on track, and keep track of my exercise and other goals here on Spark.
As of 10/26/2012, I am still undergoing chemo, which I started again in April 2010. I am limited to what I can do fitness-wise because of the cancer and pain issues, but I do the best I can. My favorite workouts now are chair aerobics.
Life is a work in progress, and while we can never be perfect, that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to make our lives the best they can be.
Personal Information:
My name is Shari, I'm from I have 2 indoor cats and worked in retail until November 2008. Because of health issues, I quit work and I am now on SSD. Now my job is beating cancer and being as healthy as I can be.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2003, went through surgery, chemo and radiation. In April of 2007, I was diagnosed with bone mets, I am now living with stage IV breast cancer.
I had radiation to my left hip and pelvis in the spring of 2007; I have also been on monthly Faslodex injections and monthly Zometa infusions once per month since April. Have been on Lupron every 3 months since Feb. 2004
*update* 6/27/09
Bone mets spread just a little bit. Instead of Faslodex I am now on Femara. Next month I will find out if I need more radiation.
*June 2010* update; still doing Zometa once per month, had radiation to the hip Nov/Dec 2009, and to the spine Jan/Feb 2010.
Started chemo again in April.
Other Information:
I love doing crafts, reading, gardening, making beaded jewelery. I also sew and crochet.
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Thanks so much for the birthday goodie but especially saying that 50 is the new 30. 
You bet! Love, Chelsea
