How to Lose 10 pounds in 10 days

I've got a new diet for you. I am pretty sure none of the celebs are willing trying it, and I would not recommend it. It was a diet that found me, I didn't look for it. I like to call it the "Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Diet." Step one....try to lose weight by doing all the right things like exercise and diet after you have two kids. Step two....resign yourself to your permanent post baby weight and embrace the new you. Step three...get a nasty phone call that brings your life to a screeching halt, telling you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Step four...be so sick to your stomach that you can't imagine putting any fattenting food in your mouth for fear that it will "feed" the cancer. Step five...go to the doctor the day before your surgery and find out you've lost 10 pounds in 10 days since diagnosis.

I know some of you may not appreciate by dry sense of humor, but it helps me cope. Yes, I have been eating, I just frankly have very little appetite and have to remind myself to feed when meal time rolls around. I am not that concerned about it, as I hear that you gain weight when chemo rolls around.

So today is the last day before my big surgery tomorrow. I remember the last two times I entered the hospital, I was excited that despite coming into the hospital to "go under the knife" I got to come out with a prize in the end, my two kids. All the pain seemed just a minor nuisance to getting my kids into the world. I don't feel like that with this one. Though I am trying to convince myself I am just getting a boob-job tomorrow, the voice of reason kicks in and reminds me that I never wanted a boob-job, and oh, by the way, I have cancer.

Today we walked into Lewis-Gale Hospital in Salem, VA for the first time. I have only been in this hospital one other time and was to visit my sister when she was having one of her kids. I felt sick the moment we walked in. It was probably not the smartest thing in the world that I had not eaten breakfast, but I would not have been hungry for it anyway. I fought the urge to vomit the whole time we were there. Jeff and I went to the hospital so I could do all my presurgery tests, blood work, xrays, etc. I signed every consent form imaginable. (I am not completely sure but somewhere in there I think I agreed to run for office) After promising my first born, donating time to the blood taker people, (they are officially called phlebotomists, which I think is such a fun word to say) and hearing about every possible side effect or danger with the surgery I was about to embark upon. (I'll admit I didn't read every line of every form, so hopefully I am not agreeing to let them perform medical experiments on me) We left.

Today, I feel heavy hearted. My heart aches to get the best possible news. My heart aches to hear all the cancer is out, the margins are clear, the lymph nodes are clear, and my uninvited guest has been kicked to the curb, with its bags sitting next to him.

I will have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am tomorrow. I will leave my house at 5:00 am. I haven't had to rise that early since my Northern VA Starbucks days (a special sentiment goes out to my dear Manassas Junction Starbucks friends that have sent me such heart-felt love. ) For those of you who don't realize it, Starbucks may be expensive, but you can receive a ton of love with each one of those lattes, I know that first hand. To my prayer warriors out there, I wish I could give you some special code to go to your local starbucks and get a coffee on me when you get up to pray tomorrow. Just know that I would be happy to send a pound of coffee to anyone who asks.

Dear Lord, I pray that your peace will meet me at the door of the hospital, that Drs. Williams & Breiner will be guided by you as the ultimate healer, that even if they can't see it, they will instinctively remove all cancer and with it all the fear in my heart. Lord, I ask that you be with my dear kindred family and friends that they would not feel anxiety, but feel your arms embrace them in the best hug ever. Lord, I pray for my kids that they may never know the fear of losing a parent too early, or the ache of a cancer in their bodies and that my life could serve as a light to those near and far that each one who knows me would know that I serve a God who knows, loves and cares for me dearly. Amen

Stay tuned tomorrow, for a special presentation from my guest blogger and world-renowned husband, Jeff. He will try to put an update up for all of you tomorrow night. Until then I am thankful for sleeping pills and pain killers. -- Kat