The Journey Continues...

 

An update on my Breast Cancer journey...

I finally had my MRI done 2 weeks ago. While my husband was being seen by our physician, the doctor saw that I was in the waiting area. So he had his nurse call me in. Basically, it was for the results of my MRI. According to the Radiologist, there is still a 2.2 cm mass at the front center of my right breast. Left breast was fine. Ultimately, I will have to have another ultrasound done and then another breast needle biopsy. Since the mass is so small, they are hoping that this procedure will take all of it out, without having to go through another surgery. 

I was planning to travel for Spring Break and visit family. But, that trip will have to wait now. This needs to be done first. The good news is that it can be removed and done with out major surgery. So, I am trying to stay positive. 

Make sure to get your mammogram annually, it can save your life! Breast Cancer Sucks!!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

On a Roll...

 I have been on somewhat of a roll the past few weeks... I've found so many rare kitsch cuties, I am a little freaked out!! Here's what I mean...

The Edward Mobley Rajah I found, and the red Fur Kitty too in my last post here!! A few others that haven't arrived as yet...

Now, I found a Lapin con bank that a few of my fellow collector friends have shared a few years now, and I don't often see them. They have mostly been found out in the wild by them. But, recently, I found one and it is an awesome feeling to finally be able too as well!! Yay me!! She is in amazing condition, and is a bit smaller then the versions I've located in France or Japan. The thing is this one is made in Taiwan! But, looks so much like the others and is well made also! She is a coin bank and just too cute!!

I also, found this cutie off Ebay. He's an egg cup. I had seen him before from a fellow collector. Now, to find his partner. I also made his little snow cap from a baby sock!! LOL He's a keeper for sure!

Update on my Breast Cancer journey. My labs results came in and well... There's good news and bad news. The good news is that my lymph nodes came back negative for any cancer cells. The bad news, Doc has to go back in and remove the outer lying tissue of where they found my cancer to make sure they got it all. Ugh. Either that or chemo therapy. I'd rather him go back in and get it done! Now, the wait for my next surgery date. Please make sure to get your annual mammogram. Trust me it saved my life!!

You all be safe and take care!

Thank you for taking a look! ~ ggsdolls

On The Mend...

 

Thank you all for the well-wishes and prayers. I truly appreciate them. This breast cancer journey has brought me some interesting experiences. In the end, I am very fortunate the cancer was found and removed. Here is how my journey went that morning...

We left the house early, about 7am, because my surgery was moved up an hour earlier. This was the rainbow we saw on the drive up to the Guam Radiology Center. I had to go there first to have pins put in to show my surgeon where to take out the cancerous tissue from my right breast. When we got there it was early and I was taken into a Mammogram x-ray room. They used this device to pinpoint the area. I had just local anesthesia put in and the wires were placed. This is the wall decorated by other cancer survivors, by the waiting area. It gave me some hope, seeing this. God definitely sent many signs of hope to me, that morning.

Afterwards, my husband drove me to GRMC, our newer hospital and the place where my actual surgery would be done. I checked in and upon admissions, was taken to get undressed and put on the lovely attire for surgery... Sam could not stay and wait for me because of COVID protocols. So, he waited for me at our friend's apt. with our daughters.

After being told to take off everything and put on a gown, booties, head cap. I was walked into the area to wait for my surgeon. IV was put in and all the necessary vitals taken. I met all the important people that would be handling my procedure. My anesthesiologist, John, Wilton the nurse who put in my IV. Nurse Sarah, just to name a few. At least, those I remembered the names of. LOL It felt like I was in some hospital in the States. There were 2 local nurses in my team. It was quite a long wait actually. When I was ready for the OR, they wheeled my bed in. I couldn't help but feel like I was in one of those movies, where, the actor was being rushed in because of some life-saving surgery. LOL My mind was like, I should take video of this moment! We were allowed to keep our phones with us! Haha! No, I didn't take any video of it. LOL

I was greeted by an awesome OR staff of people. Each of them were so kind and very helpful if I had any questions. I was given the gas mask and told to take deep breathes. In the process, I was wearing a United Airlines face mask and the only female nurse asked if I worked for United. We made the connection and found out that both our husbands work the same shift and department. She was so kind and held my hand and told me she would take great care of me, they all would. After my third deep breath I was out!

The last thing I remember, is being woken up by the recovery nurse Laura, because my blood pressure was too low. Slowly, she chimed in every 2 or 3 minutes asking if I could hear her as she raised my head side of the bed up. She asked if my husband was close by, I nodded. By about 2:55pm, Sam and the girls were downstairs and ready to pick me up. I was dressed and wheeled out. Finding out, that Nurse Laura's husband was an airline Pilot for United as well!! Haha! She spoke with Sam about that for a bit. I was given my prescriptions and we left.

I didn't feel too much pain, mostly light throbs. My Doctor had made two incisions, one just below my breast, and the other by my armpit. So far so good, is what I was told. Now, a follow up appointment will be needed.

Now, I guess I can say I am a breast cancer survivor.

Enjoy your weekend and thank you all again for your prayers. I truly appreciate you all.

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls

Time to Prepare!

 

I got the call today for my actual surgery date. Almost 2 months since my biopsy.  I've been keeping busy, and just trying not to think about what is going to happen and all that the surgery entails. LOL Sometimes my mind likes it that way, so I am not stressing or overthinking. Maybe a good thing. I've been trying to sell some items to help with the upcoming hospital bill. Mostly rare cherished items I have sold, and it will help a lot. At the same time, I've also found some items in hopes of reselling, to make a little as well.

I'm not going into too much detail as to date, time, place etc. for my surgery. But, I will do a post-op update, if I am able to, later on. So, before stuff gets hectic here. Let me share some of the finds I recently got in the mail...

 

Found this adorable Valentine's Furry Poodle, with sadly no markings. But, I think she may be Herman Pecker? Cleaned her up and I will add her to my shop after the surgery. She has, "Be My Valentine" foil heart on front and a cute felt heart on her tail. furry ears and body. Quite unique and fun! Next, via Instagram, I was able to snag a few goodies!! This lovely, Wood House box for recipes, and includes recipe cards inside too! My friend VintageUnicorn also added this adorable bottle brush tree!!

This lovely minty Striped Gund plush bunny, and Frosty Boy pillow, both finds from vintagethisorthat! I just simply fell in love with. She also had another Gund bunny up for grabs, but this one just stole my heart! Ears have wire in them for posing, and he also has the same buttons on him pants like my Rushton bear with tiny bear! "Frosty Boy" has been an iso for sometime. In Japan, he is called, "Nikkun" for Nissei Ice Cream Co., and sadly very expensive for their vtg pillows. So, to find him stateside, was nice and for a decent price too! Yay me!!

I took my little mamekobo bunny outside for some outdoor pics. Now, to just focus on this surgery. I truly appreciate all the prayers and kindness. I will be back to let you all know, how it went. I will close my Etsy shop for the duration of the surgery and healing process. Thank you for your kind understanding.

Stay safe and well!

Thank you for looking! ~ ggsdolls

Updates on Situation and More Finds!

      Hey, its meh! Okay, so I wanted to post sooner, but decided it would be best to wait until have my consultation with the doctor. I had my MRI last week, and was supposed to have my consultation yesterday, Monday, but that was cancelled, because my doctor is a very busy guy. He was meeting with the Governor. 

So, MRI never fun, never had one, and now that I have... it reminded me of that scene in Exorcist! When, Reagan(Linda Blair's character) was in the same situation, but it was her brain they were checking... She looked like she was in pain, so now I know why. Well mine was mah boobs. Yup, had the IV pin in my hand not my neck, whew! Still not fun, and very, very loud even with earphones on. Anywho, fast forward, I did have my consultation today. Doc basically said, I have Stage One Breast Cancer or not even One, more like between zero and one. Because the cancer was just beginning. They basically found it at its earliest stage he said. Whew! Okay, so I will still have surgery as it is the best option to remove it completely and hopefully it hasn't spread anywhere else. The when and where will be planned, etc. So for now, some more waiting. This news is a blessing, honestly, the cancer could've been a lot worse. So, I truly appreciate all the prayers and good vibes, they have helped me out a lot. So please continue, and thank you so very much. My doctor was very personable and made me a lot less afraid about the whole situation.

On a different note, some finds that came in...

I found this lovely vintage ceramic set of deer Mother and babies chained. I actually found this set once before. I added it to my shop earlier today and it sold in like 22 minutes! Whoa, was not expecting that. Definitely happy about that. I also finally bought a few of these adorable rubber face ladies with different hats. I thought they would be a bit larger in size, but they aren't, like less than 2 inches tall. Still I am working on something using them... More soon!

Next, I found my fourth vtg Ninohira puppy brooch, this time with red fur hair! I added him to my Etsy shop and he was snapped up in like 3 minutes!! Yay for the happy buyer! All proceeds will help with my medical bills. I truly appreciate those who have purchased items the past two weeks, you've greatly helped me and my family. I truly appreciate it! Then, this lovely vintage Morinaga cookie tin. I love the posedolls on it! How adorable is that?! I am deciding if I will add it to my shop as well... Sorry, I thought of using it as a container for my ribbons and other bits... It's just too cute for words!!

This vintage celluloid bead doll rattle toy I just could not resist. I found it through Ebay and for a lot cheaper then most that I've come across. So happy too. I will keep for now. Next, this adorable wall pin ups for your nursery of a Hot Air Balloon with a baby angel. It needed a bit of fixing in some areas, but oh my goodness, I love the colors most of all! Add some pompoms, and gold trim, I am hooked!! I've already put it up on my wall too! Haha!

Last, this adorable vintage pink frosted Libbey glass tumbler? So, it says on the seller's listing. But it's quite odd that the print of the cute nursery animals are upside down when you turn the glass right side up?!! Perhaps it is a lamp shade? Any ideas? Still, it is too freakin' adorable! You can drink out of it. But,  it looks so much better as decor with all its atomic kitschy cuteness!!

Well, that is all for now my friends. Stay safe, get vaccinated, get your mammogram done, if you haven't. Because early detection saves lives!  Sending prayers and hugs to my dearest friends in Germany who have suffered from the recent flooding. Until my next update!

Thank you for reading! ~ ggsdolls