xofancy: my beauty blog! & a quick update

It has been forever since I've posted!  Like everyone else, my life got crazy around the holidays & I had a ton of doctor's appointments crammed in before I could return to work. Which I finally did, although it's not full-time, it feels good to be back to a somewhat normal life!  

I've also been working on my fitness.  I can no longer do a single pushup, not even a girl one. My heart rate is super crazy so I was only allowed to do minimal exercise until I was cleared by a cardiologist.  So now, I'm trying out Zumba, and taking a ton of breaks every time my heart rate hits 195.  I'm also doing some strength training, with the help of my husband, to get back to that 5/5 normal young person strength!  

It has been on my heart for a very long time, to start a YouTube channel focusing on beauty, and so I added a blog to go along with it.  I am really just starting and trying to figure out how it all works, so bear with me and hopefully you can see a little improvement each week.  There is so much to learn!  I have been obsessed with all things beauty related since I was a little girl!  My favorite thing to do was to go to Walgreen's and get some new products and a magazine to learn everything that I could.  Seriously, ask my Grandma.  

So, here she is.  A brand new little baby of a blog.  

>>xofancy<<

I'm only sharing this with a select few, for now, until I feel more confident with my content.  If you're interested in beauty and fashion, please take a look!  

I have made some beauty posts on this blog in the past, but am hoping to keep this blog focused more on my home decor, etc.

Anyway, thank you for reading and I hope you have a happy and healthy 2014!

Sarah

Halloween Decor 2013

I can't believe another Halloween has come and gone!  This weekend I'll be working on taking down the decor and cleaning up from all of the festivities.  Here are a few pictures of my Halloween decor for the year.  I made a few changes to the mantle because I've been moving things around as I finish rooms.  

The mantle during the day.

And at night.

A few closeups of my old Dollar Tree crows:

               

 And my fuzzy new owl.  Also from Dollar Tree!

 

 

I hope you had a fun Halloween.  Happy November!

 

9/11

 

 

 

 

My Story: Part 2

After I finished treatments, I focused on cleaning up my diet and exercising more. I wanted to do everything in my power to stay in remission. My oncologist was so pleased with my results, that he was encouraging me to move on and start a family. Something inside of me knew that it wasn't the right timing. My body needed to heal, and every other report said to wait 2 years.

I had a scan in early May 2012. After drinking 64 ounces of oral contrast and being injected with iodine (which makes you feel like you're peeing your pants..) it was all clear! I was so confident that my battle was over, that I was ready to sell my wig and all of it's very expensive accessories. I even got the go ahead to get my wisdom teeth cut out. Dental work is typically forbidden during and shortly after chemo because of the risk for infection. So I spent my 27th birthday with major chipmunk cheeks and a hematoma from the lidocaine injections, awkwardly stuffing pad thai into my mouth. I even had HAIR!

 

I thrust myself back into my old life as much as possible; rejoining social activities and covering a maternity leave at work. I didn't have a single doctor appointment that June.

I was feeling fatigued, but pushed forward not wanting to miss any opportunity that got me out of the house. I also had a few low grade fevers, so when I went to get my port flushed in July, I requested a blood draw for lab work. My oncologist and nurses joked around calling me "Doctor Sarah", but they obliged and my blood work was just fine.

 

August was another doctor free month. I was still having intermittent low grade fevers, so by the first weekend in September, my husband made a worried phone call to my oncologist. My nurse called me back, asking questions and trying to determine what might be the cause. She asked if I had any swelling, thinking that there might be a clot in my port line. I stood in front of a mirror, phone in one hand, and tilted my head back. As I did, a small lymph node became visible on the left side of my neck. My right hand clutched at my throat, trying to palpate every structure. The lump was hard, just like before, only in a new spot.

 

The nurse made a call to my oncologist, who was vacationing for the holiday. She called me back to let me know that there was "no way" it could be cancer, my main tumor had been in-between my lungs! So I started antibiotics, only told my mom and husband, and went away for the weekend.

 

 

You can read part 1 HERE.



 



 

My Story: Part 1

I have been working on retelling my story to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I will be participating in the Light the Night Walk on September 27th, and will include the link if you are interested in making a donation.  The research that has been funded by LLS has saved my life.  Donate Here.

 

 

Here is Part 1:

As most of you know, I have been battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma for over 2 years now. I was first diagnosed July 27, 2011 after suffering through the many "B symptoms" for almost a year. After several rounds of antibiotics, the fever and cough remained, joined by chest pain, night sweats, severe itching, and finally the noticeable growth of the lymph nodes in my neck. By the time my diagnosis was confirmed, I was on a strictly liquid diet and had difficulty breathing due to the bulky and fast-growing nature of my tumors. I started chemotherapy that August, after what I call "Hell Week". Each day was spent being poked and prodded, surgery to place my port, and bone marrow removed from my hip.

 

I was admitted to the hospital for my first round of chemotherapy drugs because they were afraid my kidneys would shut down due to the extremely large mass in my chest. I went through 12 of these treatments over a period of 6 months, my symptoms getting worse each time with less and less cancer cells to absorb the toxins. Which was great! My body was responding well to treatment and my PET scans were clear. I still had a 5cm mass in my chest of "residual" tissue. Mostly scarring from the lymph node being overstretched for so long. That lead to a 2 hour long consultation with a radiation oncologist to discuss further treatment to prevent cancer from returning. Unfortunately, radiation can cause secondary cancers and damage to the surrounding tissue. After weighing the risks, we decided to only radiate the residual mass in my chest.

 

I went every day for 15 treatments. Radiation was much easier for me than chemotherapy. It would zap my energy for the day, and left me with a slight burn in the treated area, but there was no nausea, or body aches, hair loss or weak immune system.

It was March of 2012 by the time I was finally done with treatments. I had to get my port flushed every 6 weeks to prevent blood clots from forming, but other than that I tried to jump back into a "normal" life as much as possible. And for anyone who has had cancer, you know that is easier said than done.

 

 

 

Quick Update!

 

I just wanted to drop a quick line to let my sweet followers know that I am still alive and hanging in there!  I will post a more thorough update soon on everything (ok, I'll leave some stuff out) that has happened since I last posted. 

 

I've finished cancer treatments and have been working on getting my home back in order.  I'll leave you with a hair update:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never give up. Never surrender.

It's been a while since I've posted.  I guess I was waiting for the right time or until I found the right words.  They haven't come to me, so I am just going to babble on.

I found out recently that I am no longer in remission.  Last week I went in for another bone marrow biopsy and a needle biopsy to my neck to confirm my worst fear.  Starting in November I will receive a more toxic chemotherapy to put me into remission once again before undergoing a stem cell transplant.  

When I initially found out I was angry.  Maybe it was the emotional roller coaster my oncologist was taking me on over a period of 2 weeks, "there's no way it can be cancer.  there's a 50% chance it's cancer.  there's no way it's not cancer."  Maybe it was because he said I could be cured, "again".  Either way, out of my anger I found the motivation to look death in the face--again, and started preparing myself for battle.  

That's really all I know for now, I will update when I can.  You can find my original post from when I was diagnosed last year here.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

When something bad happens you have three choices.  You can either let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you. ~Unknown

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. ~Unknown

But sometimes it is necessary to do that which is too much. 

- Pope John Paul II

If you're going through hell, keep going. 

- Winston Churchill

Never Forget

Never Forget.

9-11-01

Seaside Summer Mantel

Since summer is soon coming to an end, I thought I better post pictures of my seaside mantel.  I incorporated shells and coral from our honeymoon.  The shells in the ball jars were found on the beaches of North Carolina decades ago by my Great Aunt "Boo".  I never got a picture made for the shell frame,  so that may have to wait until next year.  

Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.  I'm ready for pumpkins and sweaters!

Easy Pumpkin Muffins

Our heat wave has finally let up a bit, and we've been airing out the house all weekend.  The cooler temperatures have left me craving fall comfort foods, so I threw together a batch of chili in the crock pot, and made these super easy pumpkin muffins.

Ingredients:

1 18 oz box of yellow cake mix

1 can of pumpkin puree

1.5 tsp of pumpkin pie spice

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350, and line muffin tin.

2. Combine ingredients until well blended.

3. Spoon even amounts of mixture into each cupcake liner.

4. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

I was tempted to throw in a handful of chocolate chips, but I resisted.  I did sprinkle the muffins with powdered sugar, though.

Do you see how much my lettuce is growing in the background?

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced into small pieces

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons ground flax meal

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan.

2. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt, flax, and baking soda in large bowl and mix well.

3. Beat the eggs into the oil, then add the strawberries and mix well.

4. Add strawberry mixture to flour mixture, mix together until the batter is even.

5. Stir in chocolate chips.

6. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

7. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes.

8. Remove from pan and cool completely on a wire rack. 

I found this recipe online, and it's a great way to use up strawberries.  The texture is kind of crumbly, and it didn't slice well for me.  But it did taste good!  I may have added a little more chocolate chips than called for.  :)  Enjoy!

Extending the life of your lettuce: A Pinterest success.

I originally saw this idea on Pinterest, and gave it a try earlier this year.  I have had success with romaine and artisan varieties.  


1. After removing the edible portion of the lettuce, do not discard the root end. 


2. Fill a shallow container with about one inch of water.


3. Place root ends right side up in container and place in sunlight.


4.  Change the water every couple of days.  

This won't reproduce enough for a big salad, and once the growing comes to a halt, you can't reuse the same root end.  I usually use my little leaves for a sandwich or to mix into a side salad.  

Wordless Wednesday

How I spent my Saturday morning...

I haven't been to a garage or estate sale since last year, so since I didn't have to work, my mom and I decided to brave the heat.  We had to battle road work and dig through dozens of unmarked boxes, but I think I found some good stuff.  I only spent $8 on everything I've included here.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Linked at:

Tomatoes

I finally ate my first home grown tomato of the season.  These are some of the tomatoes my grandparents shared with me, they make gardening look so easy!  I love eating them sliced with salt and pepper, but my favorite way to eat them is here.

 

Pinterest FAIL: Cleaning Old Bottles with Alka Seltzer

I saw on pinterest (and a few other sources) that Alka Seltzer can be used as a cleaning agent.  One pin specifically, claimed that it could be used to clean the gunk out of a narrow vase.  Hmm, vase..old bottles..similar right?  I had a few old glass bottles that my dad found on our property in "the country", and a box of Alka Seltzer that I couldn't stomach, so I thought I'd give it a try.  

1. Fill bottle/vase half full with warm water.

2. Drop in 2 Alka Seltzer tablets.  These are the kind I had:

I had to break the tablets into pieces to fit into the opening.  

3. Cover the opening and give the bottle/vase a good shake.

*Use caution.  My shirt looked like this after shaking:

According to the internet, you just rinse and voila, it's miraculously clean.  Since these bottles have been sitting on the side of Highway P for Godonlyknowshowlong, I let them soak for about 30 minutes.  After changing my shirt, I went back to my bottles and repeated steps 1-3.  Round 1 had loosened a little bit of the gunk, but nothing noticeable.  After round 2, I decided to use a q-tip to wipe out what I could reach.  This helped, but still no miracle was happening.  I squirted dishwashing soap and hot water in each bottle and let that sit for another 30 minutes.  Looks like I'll be buying a bottle brush.  :)

This may work better on a freshly used vase, and maybe it was the type of Alka Seltzer that I used.  I also found a pin that said it could be used to clean your toilet.  Guess what I'll be trying next!  And no, I will not be sharing those before pics.