#thinkingthroughpink | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thinkingthroughpink · 1 year

Photo

This is my brave!! *another ☝🏾 Ten years ago… she/her was smiling through the pain! This pic was an example of that tenacity I had whole fighting for life!! But on Valentine’s Day 2013 - it was finished ❤️ Yes it’s the day of Lovers…but for me it means SO MUCH MORE!! This girl right here…with her hair growing in & burnt skin (it got worse) - but I made it to last daily radiation treatment for stage 2A idc #breastcancer on Valentine’s Day 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ NOW 10 years post active treatments I CELEBRATE her/she/ME 🙌🏾🎊🥳 Body worn out from fighting for 11 MONTHS!! Double mastectomy with muscle expanders placed, 6 cycles of aggressive chemotherapy infusion every 3 weeks for 3 months, breast reconstruction surgery with implants, and finally daily radiation treatments 😲☹️ But God!!!! Bruised, peeling, hurting, discoloration, fatigue, white meat, ointments, bandages & all!! God covered & kept me!! He’s STILL doing ‼️🙌🏾 Another bc milestone met, I’m proud of you Jessica Nicole 💞💗💕💓😘🥰 I know Mommy & Daddy would be too!! 😭 Look at me Mama, I’m making it 🙌🏾 🥹 #HappyValentinesDay #Brave #SurvivorStatus #Survivor #ThinkingThroughPink #TenYears #Thriving #Grateful #Blessed #Healed #Remission #GodDid (at Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoqNonnrMAk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#breastcancer #happyvalentinesday #brave #survivorstatus #survivor #thinkingthroughpink #tenyears #thriving #grateful #blessed #healed #remission #goddid

2 notes · View notes

thinkingthroughpink · 2 years

Text

⭐️ Life Update (kinda long) ⭐️ I’ve been officially flying high in the friendly skies for the BEST airline since October 2021!! God has been faithfully blessing me on my Delta journey since I applied in July 2019 🙌🏾

Not many people know the WHOLE story! All the joy from extreme highs and the depression that came from the extreme lows of 2020! I’m beyond grateful for my life and health and promising career! I went through a longer than normal process to get into my passport plum to be able to ✈️ the world!

⭐️ Abridged version ⭐️ My process started with my application for Delta’s “historic” Class of 2020 in July 2019 with my application, next candidate assessment, then a recorded video interview, live internet interview and finally I received an invite to the final F2F (Face to Face) group interview in December 2019 that resulted in my CJO (conditional job offer) on the spot! 🙌🏾 By Christmas 2019 I received my training class date and starting prepping for my journey to begin the first week of March 2020!

On March 2nd, started with my “I” classmates and we were set to graduate 6 weeks later in April 2020. But then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and the world stopped and masked and quarantined globally! And after 3 weeks of rigorous training we were sent home because the pandemic - suspended for 18 months - without any notice it was over and no restart date in site! It was devastating after all the hard work we put in and the jobs we left to go back home without our wings and it wasn’t anything we could do about it 😢😩 But in true form and following it’s core values Delta brought us back and I started with “C” class 2021 in the beginning of September 2021 and after starting over for 6 MORE long, rigorous, stressful, challenging, but rewarding weeks I EARNED MY WINGS and became a certified flight attendant for Delta airlines. God did it!!!

I never knew what the future would hold when I applied for this dream job…career with Delta. But God!! I was able to met my forever friends/fam in 🔺 and I’m traveling the country and soon the world every week! In a year like NO OTHER! I MADE IT 🙌🏾 I’m still surviving and thriving and racking up air miles, pictures, magnets, hotel points, souvenirs, new experiences and memories while I travel to sometimes anywhere between 1-3 cities a day, multiple states weekly and I’m loving it!! It’s tiring but worth it! I’m losing my pandemic pounds from all the walking and hustling with my luggage through airports! I’m able to stay in some really nice hotels on my layovers and I’m meeting interesting customers and a good amount of fun coworkers. I’m a wiser traveler and still learning my best practices for working an energy draining job where you spend most of the time in the skies! I’m stronger mentally than I was in April 2020 and I’m happier because I’m living the life I dreamed of for the greater part of two years!

⭐️ Summing it up⭐️ Just look at me now! It’s 2022!! I’m just two days shy of 4 months “on the line” and enjoying racking up thousands of sky miles, flew SO many states, 2 countries, touched down in over 22+ airports, in over 22+ cities, and one continent! Sometimes I fly from one time zone to another and have to remind myself where I am…what state did I wake up to and where will I sleep at night. I spend way more time in hotels then in own my bed. But I’m enjoying it! So here’s to flying MANY more cities, states, countries and continents in ‘22 and beyond!!

Thank you God for this opportunity!! And Jesus please continue to cover and keep me as I travel, work, play and experience new things all over the world ✈️❤️💜

#survivorstatus #blessed #teamjessica #thinkingthroughpink #thankful #grateful #FAlife #DeltaProud #FlyingHigh #BabyWidgit #KeepClimbing #ComeFlyWithMe

4 notes · View notes

thinkingthroughpink · 4 years

Text

My Chemotherapy Essentials 2020

*Making this post because over the years I’ve been asked my opinions about what to do/have/give to/for someone going through chemo. My hope is this is helpful and can be used as a checklist. It is a “living” list that can be modified to your liking.

*FYI I had chemotherapy treatments once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, from July 12, 2012 - October 25, 2012 (which was almost 8 years ago 🙌🏾). I will also say I believe I still have “brain fog” aka “chemo brain” sometimes I forget things. But I hope this list is thorough enough and provides good tips!

**These are my views/recommendations and yours could vary. I also added commentary with my tips 😉**

*My Recommendation: all items should be fragrance free and all body products should be free of chemicals; the key is simple ingredients and “7 free” items - avoid harsh chemicals!

*FOR BATH/BODY & CLOTHES (Accessories):

**Wear what makes you comfortable**

•Lip gloss or balm (fragrance free) - i.e. Burts Bees original or Chapstick brand original (I preferred cherry just because I that was always my go it)

•Vaseline

•Aquaphor ointment

•Bio Oil

•Soap (fragrance free) - I preferred Dove brand

•Sunscreen - SPF 50 or above

•Body Pillow (mine was ESSENTIAL, amazing and a huge comfort)

•Slippers “house shoes” (with grips, comfortable and open or closed toe)

•Wig(s) - (if preferred, but hot flashes or scalp irritation could occur) - I had 2 wigs I barely wore because of those things but I wanted the option.

•Hats (Baseball caps “Dad hats”, floppy hats, your choice)

•Scarves or head wraps (for if/when you become bald) - soft materials/washable

•Zip Hoodie and or open front jacket (Long story short - despite my hot flashes I had on with me for ALL my Doctors appointments and treatments at the hospital. I always carried one because those places are notoriously cold and my Mother would always recommend it (she never left home even when it was over 80 degrees, lol!)

•Lounge wear - especially pants, leggings, joggers (Comfortable/cozy/soft/loose)

•Tank Tops - (I hoarded Old Navy ones 😬) - because of hot flashes I wanted to wear as less clothes as possible and they were affordable and carry a variety of patterns!

•Button up/front shirts or jackets (easy on/off)

•Uggs (“Baby Clouds are what I called them) - easy to wear and comfortable outdoor shoes

•Sneakers (tennis shoes) - slip-ons are great, comfort is key!

•Socks and or Slipper Socks (soft, comfortable)

*Pajamas: (separates or one pieces, gowns) cotton, satin, or silky materials - button front, shorts or long pants

*FOOD & DRINKS:

**Be mindful that taste buds can/will change and your mouth may be sensitive, sores could form**

•Large stainless steel water bottle (i.e. Bubba or similar brand, I carried around a purple 64-72oz Bubba water bottle jug)

**You have to stay hydrated! Drink LOTS of water!**

•Reusable Straw - metal/glass

•Apple Sauce

•Saltine Crackers

•Peanut Butter Crackers

•Jello/gelatin

•Shaved Ice/Italian Ice

•Pudding

•Comfort Foods (whatever makes you feel good & full) I loved carbs! My favs were mashed potatoes, pasta, soup and also turkey sandwiches 😋

•Nothing raw (fruit & veggies NEED to be thoroughly cleaned)

•Avoid porous foods (fruits and veggies - i.e. strawberries) that aren’t easy to be cleaned

•Ginger ale

•Apple Juice (100% juice)

*Orange Juice (100% juice)

•Mints (soft or hard)

•Candy (something to combat dry mouth) - nothing spicy or sour!

•Protein shakes (fruit and or plant based)

•Ensure (or similar)

*FOR YOUR COMFORT:

•Soft blanket (fleece or Sherpa)

•Portable/Table Fan (and a mini one for your bag i.e. battery operated or hand held, accordion - “Asian/Chinese” fans were my go to)

•FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT:

•iPad/tablet (for games, reading or watching movies)

•Books (Bible, Inspirational, Self Help, Humor)

•Magazines

•Laptop

•Movies: DVDs, streaming services (Netflix, HULU, etc.)

•Music (your favorite variety): music player, stereo, Alexa or similar device

•Headphones - wireless are great, ear pods (AirPods or similar)

•Journal/Notebook with ink pen (put your thoughts, prayers, hopes & dreams on paper)

•Adult coloring books (colored pencils, markers)

•Encouraging words: greeting cards or letters from family or friends, scriptures, posters, etc.

*Keep a positive attitude, prayers, sense of humor and FAITH!! All those things got me through; as well as my strong support system. Know that you GOT THIS!! I’m rooting for you!! 🙏🏾❤️

~Jess

5.12.2020

(*Sidenote: Happy Birthday to my big bro!! One of the awesome members of my support system and my first best friend EVER! Love you SMS jr.!!)

#Chemo #Chemotherapy #ChemoEssenstials #SurvivorStatus #YouGotThis #FightLikeAGirl #Cancer #CancerSurvivor #ThinkingThroughPink #Checklist #ChemoChecklist #ChemotherapyEssentials

1 note · View note

thinkingthroughpink · 6 years

Photo

Thinking Through Pink 💭 My blog www.ThinkingThroughPink.tumblr.com *This IG post is a little all over the place. I have the heart to share some thoughts from a new blog post that I’ll post soon* The reason why I’ve sort of M.I.A on social... There were times when I felt so bubbly & happy...I would post, tweet, & blog...about anything. If you know me I’d even # hashtag this and that just because! I shared so much about my life & my journey with breast cancer. But for a good chunk of time (about a year or more) I’ve felt like ________ (insert adjective). It’s been 6 years (since my diagnosis in March 15, 2012) & 5 years (since the end of my treatments on February 14, 2013). Thank you Jesus 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Things have changed so much in my life, health, body and mind since March 2012. The growth I’ve experienced has been hard. I am surviving, but I still hurt... 😢😔😏 Now I guess I should share my journey again... It’s been a trying time cause my Mommy is now going through her journey with cancer (and it’s not breast cancer). It’s been about 5 months that I’ve held this in... I’m so emotional about it but I’m trying to be so strong. For her, for my bro, for my own spirit. Some times I feel like I’m all out of sorts. I just don’t understand why, how, WHY Lord?! All I will say is SHE is a true solider!! Her faith and strength keep me going 😘😄 And if you know us in real life and I haven’t told you I’m sorry. It’s just hard. But she is my heart...my Mommy, she’s the only parent I’ve had since 2003 when Daddy passed 😢 AND SHE WILL WIN!! She is surviving and her faith is AMAZING!! Please pray fam that she will beat this, just like I did. By the GRACE OF GOD!! 🙏🏾🙌🏾 You see the light peaking through this pic?? Remember there is always light & love peeking through your situations. I just have to remind myself: MY BEST IS STILL YET TO COME!! 💓💗💞💕💖💚 ❤️ When you have these tests & trials, it just makes you stronger. But for real getting “there” is still hard... #WeNEEDACure #CureCancer #LoveMyMommy #MommyDaughter #PrayersWanted #VictoryInPink #VictoryOverCancer #Survival #TimeHealsAllWounds #GodMyHealer #GodHerHealer #MyScarsHaveStories #InThought #ThinkingThroughPink #SurvivorStatus #FCancer #LifeAfterCancer #CancerSucks #YouAreNotAlone #MineAreFake #CheckYourBoobies #BCA #YoungSurvivor #CancerCaregiver

0 notes

thinkingthroughpink · 7 years

Photo

#Repost ...When bae @treysongz #Tremaine tags you in an IG post to thank you for a heartfelt/handwritten thank you card/note you gave him 2 days ago 😳🙌🏾😭😬😁😍☺️ And gives you a compliment too "now she's cancer free with a head full of beautiful natural hair 😍😍" OMG 👀💋 I had to pull over in the country to read it and I was SO shook, shocked and happy that he took the time to acknowledge it and me...for real ME 😊🙂 Plus #shoutout Gods word in the process #Isaiah4031 🙌🏾👌🏾 Equally crazy that my replies, likes & follows have been alerting me ALL day!! 😳 Even though Trey tagged me without the "i" in Jessi... people still made sure to @ me in the comments (*Thank you all 😘) And my social media savvy lead me to make that my IG account as well 😄😜@jess_nicki = me now too!! #TreySongz will forever be my FAV!! And for all those who doubt that an artist can be real and love there fans too... 🙅🏽 miss us with that!! #PresidentOfLargoTreysAngels 😇 #Grateful #Thankful #LifeIsGood #GodIsGreat #TreysAngels #SurvivorStatus #ThinkingThroughPink #SeeYouInMayBae #OkIKnowItsRealWhenImTaggedOnHisIG #IRL 😂 And let's be clear... "Christians, Church girls, etc" Like R&B too!! #TakeYourShot and add God to the mix 🙌🏾😁 (at Largo, Maryland)

#seeyouinmaybae #thankful #tremaine #grateful #isaiah4031 #repost #okiknowitsrealwhenimtaggedonhisig #takeyourshot #treysongz #thinkingthroughpink #godisgreat #shoutout #treysangels #presidentoflargotreysangels #survivorstatus #irl #lifeisgood

0 notes

thinkingthroughpink · 7 years

Video

youtube

5 YEARS LATER… & Happy 5th Birthday Thinking Through Pink!!

**Song lyrics from “He Turned It” from the album Greater Than (Live) by Tye Tribbett**

“Yes there were time in my life when I thought I would NEVER make it

I almost went down

I was out for the count

I was through.

But it was then when i thought it would END that I stood again

What hell meant for evil

God turned it around for my good

The devil thought he had me

Thought that my life was over

He thought by now I’d give up

He thought I had no more

But that’s when SOMEONE

GREATER

Stepped in my situation

My morning has now begun…

HE TURNED IT!!

Sometimes I look back and I don’t know how in the world I made it

All of those nights I would cry my heart SO filled with pain

WORRY consumed me

My whole life revolved around FEAR and STRESS

I was tired and weak

I could not compete anymore…

The devil thought he had me

Thought that my life was over

He thought by now I’d give up He thought I had no more

But that’s when SOMEONE

GREATER

Stepped in my situation

My morning has now begun…

HE TURNED IT!!

He turned my mourning into dancing!!

He turned my sorrows into JOY!!

HE TURNED IT!!!!!

*insert PRAISE break: clapping, dancing, shouting*

HALLELUJAH!!!!! I mean REALLY this song says it all!! I wanted to make a really poignant/reflective post to celebrate this milestone, but this song was the first one on my “God Revolution ‘17 Spotify playlist this morning. It has been on repeat for hours now. I feel the urge in my spirit that I NEED to share it because it’s been on repeat since around 9am. I woke up a few times earlier this AM looking at my cell phone clock counting down the hours and minutes to 9:08am (that’s the time I was diagnosed in March 2012). I really didn’t sleep well last night thinking back to this day to 5 years ago. Back to those emotions, that sorrow, the worry, the heartache every time I had to call my family members and extended family (close friends) to tell them I had cancer. It was one of the worst days of my 27 years of life…right up there with the day my Daddy passed away in 2003.

I know I woke up from a few weird dreams, you know the ones that seem too real, but you know you’re dreaming. When you’re in the dream you can remember seeing faces, places, and things…and when you wake up you forget them all.

After a while, I texted one of my bffs because she was in one of them…although I don’t really recall what the dreams were about I do know in one we were going on a trip to the beach with my family. I think my subconscious knows I’m craving a beach vacay!!

Anyway… we exchanged texts off and on this morning from 8:51am to around 10am. What started off as small talk about her being in my dreams, lottery winning, being rich, and the small amount of snow we received in middle/southern Maryland from “storm Stella” turned into her encouraging and lifting my spirits. I’ve been thinking about health and employment stuff a lot lately and it’s been making me anxious. I don’t want to go into all of that right now, but one of things I will share from our exchange I feel I should share because she really spoke to my situation…

“…what a testimony u have though. God has provided and carried u THIS long. a few more weeks is not going to kill your soul…u could have given up a long time ago but you kept going. u kept getting up. u kept praying. u kept going to treatment. u kept going to work. u kept trying so He will keep u. your blood flows w the tears of your ancestors…this ain’t (ish) compared to your testimony.”

Can she get an AMEN!! I needed that TODAYYY okayyy!!

She may not know how much that really meant to me, she REALLY encouraged my soul!! Tears welled up in my eyes as I said thank you God!! And thank you angle “angel” E!! :-D Reminds me of this scripture an awesome scripture in Thessalonians and I’ll share two bible translations>>

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV) “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing”

I’ve been told my journey, testimony, story is an encouragement but truthfully (sometimes) the encourager needs to be encouraged. And that encouragement fills the spirit and soul to keep on pushing…keep on fighting…keep on encouraging!

So… 5 years after diagnosis…I AM STILL HERE!! Cancer FREE!! I may have scars, gained weight, lost some parts/things/people along the way… but my life was changed for the BETTER 5 YEARS AGO TODAY!! God did it!! To God be the GLORY!!

Here’s to another Cancer-versary my dear Jessica!! And Happy 5th Birthday to my blog “Thinking Through Pink”!! Please go back and read my archives and check out my FIRST blogs which were birthed from my diagnosis on March 15, 2012. I am thankful and grateful to my support system #TeamJessica for EVERYTHING!! WE MADE IT!! I have an awesome testimony and complete J-O-Y over this situation!!

J - esus

O - ver

Y - ears

(Just made that up…hahaha)

Love you all so much!! Thank you for your prayers, love, support, and staying on this journey with me!!

<3,

Jessi

“My Journey is the Reward”

P.S. My website is coming soon!! :) #SurvivorStatus #ThinkingThroughPink

#HappyBirthdayBlog #HeTurnedIt #SurvivorStatus #ThinkingThroughPink #Healed #5YearsLater #BreastCancerSurvivor #Survivor #YoungSurvivor #Joy #TeamJessica #GospelMusic #TyeTribbett

0 notes