"Invincible" By Teresa Anne

I got up today and felt "invincible", so much so, that I had even stopped taking my depression pills the night before. I got my new wig and felt like a woman again, so I was in full "let's go on a date" mode. Larry eagerly agreed since he has been a slave to my every need since my diagnosis. Other than his bowling nights out with my eldest son Ben, he has been a hermit in our house since before Christmas. Thank God for Ben's bowling competitiveness against his Dad. Ben says he lets his dad win, but its Ben who breaks a sweat, ha-ha! God bless you son for getting Dad out of the house.

The afternoon and evening of our date went well until we decided to go window shopping and the temptation of all the beautiful spring attire got the best of me. I tried on a few things until I became so weak and tired I needed to sit and regain my strength. Sitting there I trembled - what is this unusual feeling I am having? Larry said I looked pale and to just sit there for awhile, but I was frustrated, thinking this is NOT me. I am strong, I shop till I drop, and “I am invincible". But not today.

On the way home it all became too much for me to handle and tears streamed down my face. How will I work Monday? How will I make it through a whole day for Ben and Ashley's wedding? I can't even go on a date and try on some new clothes. What's up with that? After hours of uncontrollable crying, I came to my senses and realized I abruptly stopped my depression medicine, and maybe that explains the despair. But wait - I DON'T NEED depression medicine. I am Teresa Anne - "I am invincible". Well, maybe stopping the medication was a stupid thing for me to do right now since the medicine helps you forget that cancer makes you helpless.

I sit here in amazement. I sit and think how fragile life is and how things can change in an instant. A member of my family sat and told me about a little boy only eleven years old who was taken from his family due to a fatal seizure. I sat listening and just shaking my head wondering why that little boy was called to heaven. She told me about the hundreds and hundreds of supporters that attended his funeral to be with his parents, his younger sister and other family members who were all in shock and asking why this happened. I ponder and ask why. I ask God what would have happened if I had not felt that lump which was in a "hard to find location" in my right breast. Why was I spared? If it grew from nothing in less than a year to a tumor the size of a tangerine, what damage could it have done had I not found it? Would it have spread to surrounding organs, bones, or to my brain? I thank God that is not what happened and that the cancer was caught in time.

I can do this! I can get through the shakes, the crying spells, the sore mouth, the fatigue, the bald head, the fragmented thoughts, the disfigured body (its never been perfect to begin with), and I can even handle the poison they put into my body every other week. I can do this! "I am invincible" - I am Teresa Anne.

By Teresa Anne

I am so proud of you mom! You are my inspiration. I love you! Love, Emily Jo

Here is my mom with her new wig. JUST JOKING! This one was for laughs. (Good one Drew & Tara!)
This is really my mom's new wig! Pretty, huh? She is afraid that when her hair grows back she won't like it as much as the wig since the wig is very thick, full and requires little maintenance.
Evelyn with Mum - She is writing her another love letter. That is her favorite thing to do - make Mum cards.
Evelyn trying on Mum's wig.
This pic my mom's friend Kim took while they were out to dinner. Evelyn let Mum borrow her plastic fork since metal forks make my mom's food taste like metal (chemo side affect).