tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-309116002011-12-17T06:35:37.883-05:00This Blog has been created to document my journey through Breast Cancer.Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.comBlogger441100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-91807209647109986242007-05-31T11:24:00.000-05:002007-05-31T12:10:26.828-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks, we've had several anniversaries around here. All are important. And they all signify life-changing events. This last year has been awful and amazing. The illness - awful. God's provision - amazing.On April 27, 2006, our precious daughter Danielle was in an awful accident that could well have taken her from us. The shock of that accident served as a

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-4362678511594055212007-05-06T18:26:00.000-05:002007-05-07T06:12:23.597-05:00

It has been so very long since I have posted. On the one hand, that's a really great thing because it means I'm living again. On the other, it means I'm a horrible friend to all of you who have been so faithful to check in with me and my blog. My hysterectomy went extremely well. Okay - as well as things can go when they take out parts that have been with you for 48 years. But I was back to

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-46910819378053847212007-03-13T07:27:00.000-05:002007-03-13T07:36:03.668-05:00

Greetings everyone! Last week I met with a new oncologist who will replace the doc that treated me through chemo. When I went through my first round of followup testing, I found out from the nurse that my liver scan showed an abnormality and was told that the doc had to discuss it with me. As I waited for her call, I got more and more nervous. When her call never came, I made a series of

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-22491248193613069502007-02-23T20:45:00.002-05:002007-02-24T08:02:24.499-05:00

Okay - let me begin by apologizing for my absence these last two months! Radiation is completely finished, but it was very time-consuming and energy draining! I went every day (except I got weekends off for good behavior) and it was so tiring, that most days I came home from work and just crashed. Still no excuse for not sharing.I am completely done with treatment, have been on my hormone therapy

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-27513956566983083702006-12-07T13:06:00.000-05:002006-12-07T13:18:22.339-05:00

Now that chemo is done, I get to begin a new adventure in cancer treatment. Radiation. 6 weeks - 25-30 treatments. So.....on Tuesday, November 28, just one day after having my port removed, I dutifully reported to the Radiation Center. The technicians took me back and showed me the daily routine. I come into the waiting area. My name will be called over the intercom. "Mrs. Watson,

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1165514073919719992006-12-07T12:33:00.000-05:002006-12-07T13:05:04.649-05:00

My dear friends,Please forgive me for being so remiss on not updating the site. Life is happening - and that's a good thing - but wonderful exercises like updating this site are behind. So let me try to catch up a bit...I went to see my oncologist the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It was SOOOOO strange to go to the cancer center and not go back to the chemo area. Strange in a very good way, of

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1163882831838256532006-11-18T15:17:00.000-05:002006-11-22T07:34:44.696-05:00

November 8 finally arrived. The day I had looked forward to and worked for throughout Chemo. The day Rick and I would make our annual trek up Mt. LeConte in Tennessee. We've done this every year since we've been married, and we plan it a year in advance. So when I was diagnosed, Rick said "well, I guess we'll be cancelling our plans for LeConte this year." And I said, "not so fast". "I'm not

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1163881064258460962006-11-18T15:08:00.000-05:002006-11-18T15:17:44.260-05:00

November 1, 2006, I sat through what I pray will be my final chemo ever! It was a beautiful day, and chemo was a breeze. My mom (well, she's actually Rick's mom--but I have adopted her as my own) took me to the treatment just as she took me to my first. She in her sassy stetson style hat, me in my Pink Harley doo-rag. What a pair! After chemo, we went to lunch before heading home.

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1163880447344835062006-11-18T14:36:00.000-05:002006-11-18T15:07:27.366-05:00

Catching up on posting.....so this happened the week of October 23......After having a phenemonal time at the 3-day, I unexpectedly ended up in the hospital for a day. I had been feeling really tired, which is unusual for me even throughout chemo. I'm talking REALLY tired - like I didn't care if I ate or anything. Then I had a strange twinge in my chest and then it became tightness. So I

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1162740492675751462006-11-05T10:27:00.000-05:002006-11-05T10:34:15.670-05:00

October 20-22, 2006, 2,250 women, including my Asphalt Angels, walked 60 miles over 3 days to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. My daughter, Danielle, her best friend Blakely, my cousin Julie, my good friend Jane, and my new friends, Tracy M, Tracy C , and Pat, made up the Asphalt Angels team.The team arrived at the 3-day opening ceremonies in style on Friday morning. Another team,

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1161264479479178112006-10-19T07:38:00.000-05:002006-10-23T19:31:34.866-05:00

Most of us, whether we've ever been to church or read The Bible, are familiar with the story of David and Goliath. You know--young boy, big giant, a little courage, some faith, and one small rock with a huge God behind it. Giant Falls, boy wins. The other night I was up far later than my family, and I was restless and decided to turn on the television for a bit. As I checked the guide for

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1161124557478889052006-10-17T17:29:00.000-05:002006-10-17T17:35:57.496-05:00

Just wanted to post a quick note to let you all know that I successfully completed Chemo #5 without too much of a problem. Great news is my counts were good and Dr. Austin very non-chalantly told me that after my next (and final) round, we'll get my port out and move on to radiation. Praise God! I can't begin to tell you how it felt to hear her say that we would get this port out. The

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1160483390810568362006-10-10T07:09:00.000-05:002006-10-10T07:29:50.823-05:00

Good morning my friends! What a gorgeous morning in Atlanta. These last few days as I prepare for Chemo Number 5 and just one month until the end of chemo, I have realized that this phase of our lives is not going to last forever. Except for the peeling skin on my fingertips which is a side-effect (I suppose) of the allergic reaction from Taxotere (my latest chemo of non-choice), I feel

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1159878439113269152006-10-03T06:41:00.000-05:002006-10-04T08:42:45.263-05:00

Mountaintops. We all love them right? I mean, many of us love to spend time up ON them, the spiritual or emotional ones anyway. I'll confess to you that I haven't been hangin' with the mountaintop crowd too much here lately. I've spent a good bit of time meandering around the valley, sometimes poking just one toe in to see how it felt, other times just diving right in.Most of us, if we're lucky,

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1159565433488146262006-09-29T16:02:00.000-05:002006-09-29T16:30:33.503-05:00

Greetings dear friends,I apologize that I've been remiss in writing of late. I've started to on a couple of occasions, but couldn't do it. It's been a rough week. I had my 4th chemo last Thursday (21st), and at first, it was amazing. No sickness. No bloating. Lots of energy. Then Sunday evening I started swelling and then on Monday I started getting a strange rash. By Wednesday,

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1158672156507102902006-09-19T07:48:00.000-05:002006-09-28T06:33:46.170-05:00

Rick, me, and DanielleMe, D, Brian and Debra - just before the screaming began!This past weekend, my older brother, Steve, and his family came to Atlanta so that I could baptize my Great Nephew (ugh....that makes me feel old!), Brian. Brian just turned two, and he is a bundle of little boy fun! Our first adventure was climbing the stairs from our foyer to our upper floor. It was a huge adventure

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1158243351877711732006-09-14T08:37:00.000-05:002006-09-17T20:28:38.943-05:00

Well, as I have admitted, this last chemo treatment was very difficult for me. At about day 5 of being swollen up (Rick likes to refer to it as the less intense-sounding, all inclusive female term of "puffy") and everything tasting and smelling bad, I told my nurse, Kathy, that I was over all of this. I was ready to say no more treatments - I'll take my chances with cancer thank you very much

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1158058906550868652006-09-12T05:53:00.000-05:002006-09-12T20:13:03.020-05:00

Greetings friends,First, let me apologize that it's taken me so long to write. Chemo #3 seemed uneventful at first, but then I had to have another shot of Neulasta for WBC (white blood count) and things got progressively worse. Back to looking like a blowfish and feeling really lousy. But alas, it's been a week or so since the worst of it and I'm headed down to my home gym to try my best

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1157027337436072192006-08-31T07:15:00.000-05:002006-09-09T00:15:30.516-05:00

This morning I head out to make the always fun trek down to Northside Hospital for Chemo #3. As I began to think about it last night, I laughed with Rick that just the thought of it makes me feel a bit quesy! It's difficult to explain the bag of emotions that I take with me into treatment. First, I'm so grateful that my cancer was detected and that I'm fortunate enough to have great

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1156419587863178852006-08-24T05:51:00.000-05:002006-08-30T15:31:05.460-05:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day! I arose as usual at 6:00 am and spent time with God in my prayer chair. I can't believe how long my prayer list has gotten. So many people to pray for, and so many blessing to lift up. Then I went on my walk and listened to some amazing praise music that D (Danielle) added to my new ipod. I think my neighbors have sort of gotten used to the bald lady who

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1156339852219730592006-08-23T08:24:00.000-05:002006-08-23T20:38:56.173-05:00

As many o f you know, my daughter Danielle will be walking this year in the Atlanta 3-Day, a 60 mile walk to benefit the Susan Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer. My cousin, Julie and her friend are also walking. And now my good friend Jane Densmore and Danielle's friends Blakely and Christy have joined the "team". In years past, I've done some walking myself to beneifit this cause and

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155847382605390032006-08-17T14:45:00.000-05:002006-08-21T17:03:46.483-05:00

Last night, I had the absolute best time. I got to go to Hickory Flat and co-lead a class called Beginnings. Our discussion topic was "is this all there is?" We pondered upon the notion that each of us in this life has faced a disappointment or two - or longed for something and when we finally got it, we had to ask the question "is this all there is?". We were asking the question in the

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155725558923569762006-08-16T05:29:00.000-05:002006-08-21T16:58:20.206-05:00

I apologize that it's been so long since my last post. Chemo #2 went so much better than the first. I didn't take all the meds presribed for side effects, and I was much more capable of functioning! But one of the really neat (yeah right) side effects of chemo is that the side effects seem to change from treatment to treatment. I awoke on Monday thinking I'd be back with the world only

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155400971978615162006-08-12T11:28:00.000-05:002006-08-21T20:09:27.316-05:00

Greetings everyone! Well, it's day 3 after chemo 2, and I'm doing pretty well. Did a complete circle walking in my neighborhood today (maybe 1 mile). Just a few minutes ago we had to go to Northside to get a shot of Neulasta because my white blood counts were very low on chemo day. This makes me susceptible to infection, and without the shot I may become ill and/or not get my next chemo on time.

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155135158438264272006-08-09T09:49:00.000-05:002006-08-11T11:22:18.176-05:00

I got this from a friend and it's worth the read...Ten Guidelines From God:Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU needto make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promisesto you to grant you peace, joy and happiness inthis life. I apologize for any inconvenience,but after all that I am doing, this seems verylittle to ask of you

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155125912130622562006-08-09T06:57:00.000-05:002006-08-11T11:19:04.180-05:00

Good morning everyone. Is anyone still out there reading these posts? Just know that if you post a comment as anonymous, I don't know who you are to respond. And I can't respond back to the post directly, so if I don't have your email address, I can't send you an email offline. I truly enjoy reading your comments, and I"m sure they're entertaining for everyone else also, so keep posting my

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1155039197856811502006-08-08T06:54:00.000-05:002006-08-11T17:48:53.503-05:00

I learned alot this weekend about Rock Climbing. First and foremost, I learned it's hard and it's scary! The most risky part falls on the shoulders (literally) of the lead climber in traditional climbing. The lead climber has to go up the wall of stone without a "net" so to speak. He/she climbs up and places the anchors that are used to attached the rope that will ensure the climbers coming

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154955900097914872006-08-07T07:27:00.000-05:002006-08-09T07:30:59.783-05:00

Travelling. One of my favorite things. Going out in the woods. Definitely the most peaceful place I can think of. This weekend, I got to do both! Since I have been feeling much better (and before my next Chemo treatment), Rick thought this weekend would be a good time to get me out of the house. So we planned a quick trip to Chattanooga with friends for rock climbing.Our 16 year-old daughter

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154719590268254092006-08-04T14:25:00.000-05:002006-08-04T14:26:30.290-05:00

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154719108369608852006-08-04T13:50:00.000-05:002006-08-04T14:18:28.413-05:00

Good afternoon everyone! What a wonderful day it is! I started my day as usual with my 6:30 a.m. walk around the neighborhood. What a gorgeous morning. I'm now up to over 2 miles a day - we have slowly added hills to the walk, knowing that next week after chemo we'll be back to counting mailboxes and measuring progress in steps, not miles. But for now, I'm celebrating every step I make!

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154429347311726992006-08-01T05:30:00.000-05:002006-08-01T05:49:07.360-05:00

Great morning everyone! It's 6:30 am, I'm having my coffee, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful day. Yesterday, I got to do the best thing -- I went back to work at the church! Oh my goodness, it felt so good to get up and get dressed (in real clothes) and get in my car, crank my tunes , and drive to Hickory Flat. When I arrived, I was so happy to see all of my friend and

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154296895490752652006-07-30T16:56:00.000-05:002006-07-30T17:01:35.506-05:00

Okay, one more ridiculous post of my friend Ellen's sick sense of humor for all of you who are enjoying making fun on my hairless predicament......She calls this oneCHEMOSABE...

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154291691720211532006-07-30T15:21:00.000-05:002006-07-30T15:34:51.736-05:00

Okay - here's the real me without Ellen's edits and special effects. Last Thursday, my good friend Ellen came over and shaved my head for me. I was a bit traumatized until she and Danielle (my sweet daughter) started laughing and I decided this was just going to be okay. Every day, my precious girls rub my head like I'm a pet or something (can you say chia) and tell me it's thinning out. I call

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1154014750080902462006-07-27T10:24:00.000-05:002006-07-27T15:26:28.036-05:00

Praise God! I actually know what day it is, I can walk and talk, and water tastes good again!Yesterday I went back to the doc because I was beginning to believe that I was going to pass to the other side....and they gave me a bag of fluids, lots of tlc, and sent me home. Today I woke up and walked and thus far am functioning like a real person! Huge thanks to my good friend Carolynn for getting

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1153922170229780222006-07-26T08:45:00.000-05:002006-07-26T08:56:10.250-05:00

Good morning all! Well, I hope I'm a little more coherent today. I want to thank all o f you for everything. The last week has been a complete fog - but this I know....God is right here with me--present through all o f you. It's hard to feel this weak and not think that you're going to die (or wish it!), but I know I'm coming out of it. Rick and I had our walk this morning as the sun

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1153827111312255052006-07-25T06:18:00.000-05:002006-07-25T06:31:51.326-05:00

Good morning everyone. Well, my wonderful husband Rick tells me today is Tuesday, so I'll go with that. This morning I woke up crying which Rick says is good since before that all he said I could do was stare into space. So I guess we'll be thankful for tears!What a crazy journey this is. The past 5 days are like a complete fog to me. There is just no way to describe the way these

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1153655679295224672006-07-23T06:37:00.000-05:002006-07-23T07:05:09.003-05:00

Well, at least I think it's Sunday. It's all been a fogg to me, but I got a birthday baloon this morning so that must mean it's my birthday which would make it Sunday! Woo Hoo! Partying here I come!Words cannot express how grateful I am to each and every one of you right now. Your prayers and food and hugs and kisses are life-sustaining for me right now. Im having alot of trouble thinking and

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1153275054876816852006-07-18T21:00:00.000-05:002006-07-18T21:13:38.976-05:00

Today has been an amazing day. I'm mostly amazed at the outpouring of God's love that is coming my way. I know it's totally God's love, because I don't deserve all that I'm receiving. Truly. I have received chemo caps crocheted by the hands of a young mother with 3 small children (who has much better things to do and must be doing it in her sleep), I've received wigs from delightful friends who

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1153091392510282502006-07-16T17:44:00.000-05:002006-07-16T18:09:52.523-05:00

Good Sunday afternoon everyone! What an amazing weekend God has given me! Saturday morning we held a Women's Brunch entitled "Women's Health" at Hickory Flat that had been planned for months. It was amazing! Jackie Patrick, a good friend who was diagnosed with lung cancer last August (not a smoker - no exposure to any agents that would have predicted this) and after undergoing surgery and

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1152896007742066962006-07-14T11:46:00.000-05:002006-07-14T11:53:27.753-05:00

I've now had 48 hours with my new port, and I have to say it's been a bit challenging. Mostly I'm having trouble resting due to the discomfort (okay - pain!). I was able to take my bandage off today and see it - and it's very bizarre to see something poking up from underneath your skin! It sort of looks like a very thick button under there. I guess since I'm somewhat small in the chest area

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1152794099764919062006-07-13T07:27:00.000-05:002006-07-13T07:34:59.776-05:00

Okay, so yesterday, I got the all-important port! Everyone kept referring to "installing the port". I laughed with mom yesterday while waiting for my "install", because I felt like I was going in to see an electrician to get an outlet added or to see a computer tech to get my dataport installed. What a hoot! The good news is that it went very smoothly. They didn't put me completely under

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1152621681538482702006-07-11T07:09:00.000-05:002006-07-11T07:41:21.556-05:00

This morning I went prayer walking around my neighborhood. I've been doing a bit of this lately and plan to do it everyday that I can after chemo starts. Walking will be my new form of exercise, replacing the more energetic forms I've been doing for the past 6 years or so. Prayer walking is great for those of us who love to multi-task - but for those of you who have trouble walking and

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1152548025154757022006-07-10T10:58:00.000-05:002006-07-10T11:19:12.583-05:00

Okay, let's go back to the beginning. On April 27, my sweet girl was in an automobile accident. By God's grace, she had minimal injury when an F-250 pickup truck hit her pretty much head on. That day, I felt a fear that's hard to describe, and it led me to all kinds of thoughts of the future. I had been feeling a lump in my right breast for about 3 months. Rick and I had talked about how I needed

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30911600.post-1152532643650427072006-07-10T06:50:00.000-05:002006-07-10T06:57:23.660-05:00

Welcome to my blog. I'm creating this as a way to share my thoughts (ramblings), fears (oh yeah), joys, concerns, prayers, and discoveries as I travel the journey of breast cancer. I discovered early on that this is a journey that God will not have me make alone or even just with Him. He's showing me very clearly that all of you, my friends and family, will be making this one with me

Rene Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09513750544759962267noreply@blogger.com6