August 25th

Good morning!

Good news... sounds like my mom may be discharged from the hospital this morning. I know my mom would rather go home, but she will be going to Carondelet Assisted Living for anywhere from 10-30 days. As that Dorothy girl from Kansas said, "There's no place like home". My personal thought is Carondelet is for the best. She's still extremely weak and with the continued therapy, hopefully her strength will quickly return. It's amazing what a little time can do when one is recovering.

I started my chemo on Monday. So far, so good. I'm a bit tired, but that's nothing a little sleep can't fix. I'll have chemo today, Thursday and Friday, and then be off for 3 weeks before the next go around. 4 series of this and then I'm done. Had a follow up yesterday with my surgeon. He's quite pleased with everything and discharged me from his care. Yeah! Two doctors down, one to go. Unfortunately, I'll have to see my oncologist off and on for at least a few years for blood work, pt scans, annual colonoscopies (oh joy!) and other tests. Had blood tests on Monday, and my blood levels were "excellent". Yeah!

The heat in KC has broken. It got down in the 50's last night, and today's high is forecasted to be 80. Sounds like we are going to have a beautiful week, but the heat will return over the weekend. So happy to be done with the 100+ heat index days.

All- take care and prayers for all!

August 17th

It's official... this is the summer of the hospital. Something I didn't share previously is when I was in the hospital, two of my sister-in-laws were also in the hospital. One for a sudden and severe heart issue that she is lucky to have survived and the other for an emergency gallbladder removal. Well, now my mom is in the hospital. She had been feeling less than great the past week... trouble catching her breath, nausea, dry heaves, some vomiting, fever, etc, etc. Finally on Sunday, I convinced her to go to the doctor on Monday. The plan was I would take her following my chemo session. Well, she called yesterday AM at 730 AM and asked me to take her to the emergency room. Called Randy and then headed to her house. Randy arrived before I did, and they had called 911 before I arrived. The paramedics showed up quickly and both her oxygen level and blood pressure were extremely low. Arrived at ER at about 830 AM. Once there, the docs did a bunch of test. I know my mom was fearful that something was wrong with her heart or lungs. They finally determined that she had a bunch of blood clots in her lungs which was stopping the oxygen from getting into her blood stream. The doctor admitted her to ICU. This AM, the doctor wasn't real thrilled with her response to the meds and her blood pressure was still extremely low so they decided to do surgery to "squash" the clots and put in filters in case more clots form. The filters will prevent any clots from reaching her brain or heart. The procedure went very well and her blood pressure immediately normalized. She's extremely weak and groggy, but from what I am understanding, she will make a full recovery with time and a lot of rest. I know I've asked for a lot of prayers this summer but will you please add my mom to your prayers.

Regarding my chemo, my doctor's office was surprised to see me show up yesterday without my mom because she has been with me for all of my appointments. When I told them my mom was in the hospital, they decided to postpone my treatment for a week. They were afraid that since I'll be receiving a larger daily dosage that I might have some side effects and nausea, and they didn't want me feeling less than great with having to do additional driving to see my mom and for my treatments. I was more than relieved that they suggested this.

As always, take care!! Love you all!

August 16th

Another week has passed. Feeling remarkably well. It's really is amazing what a little time can do. The Kansas City heat has broken. Cool front came in Saturday night. Went to Wal-mart late yesterday afternoon (yes, I know, exciting stuff), and I could feel a cooler breeze coming from the north. I absolutely adore summer and the heat, but I haven't been able to get out or visit the pool daily like normal so I'm actually looking forward to fall.

Post-surgery chemo starts today. This time instead of wearing a pump 24/7, I will actually sit in the infusion room and get an IV. I do this Monday-Friday for about a half hour each day and then will be off for 3 weeks... this will go on for 4 series (16 weeks), then I should be done! Fingers crossed I don't experience many side effects this go around. Since one of the side effects of the chemo is skin and sun sensitivity, I went to the pool yesterday as a final hoorah. The weather was perfect. Mid 80's, low humidity, and sunny!

I am anxious to get back to work. I really miss working and interacting with people!!! Thank God for my family and friends... especially my mom. They've been great at listening to me chatter endlessly. :-) Take care all!

August 1rst

Another week has passed... for someone who isn't doing much, I don't know where the time goes. Overall the week was good. Each day I feel a bit better and am able to do more each day. Had a great day on Friday. My mom and niece came over and we watched movies, made tacos, and made jewelry. I was actually up for the full day. Wow, that's an accomplishment. The weekend has been quiet. Don't know what happened last night, but I didn't sleep a wink. Watched TV all night... Runaway Bride, Larry King, Nancy Grace, Joy Behar, a couple hours of Lockup. At least night time TV is better than daytime TV. Been napping off and on all day. Watched the 40-year old virgin earlier. LOL funny!

My stitches are all starting to dissolve, and my stomach incision is looking better than I thought it would. My tummy is still swollen, but it's almost back to normal. Drove yesterday. First time to drive since June 30th. Felt like I should have had an adult driver with me to supervise. Can't believe it's already August and just cannot believe I missed July. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer and keep in touch!

July 23rd

I am feeling SO much better... amazing what a few days can do. Went to the doctor on Tuesday and he said I'm healing beautifully. He also mentioned, his exact words were, "you will feel like a new girl in 4 weeks." Yeah! Doctor gave me some new pain meds and something for anxiety and said to take as needed. Mainly taking one of the pain meds before I go to sleep, and it's helping me sleep. It is so wonderful to wake up after sleeping the night thru and feel rested. I think I was so sleep deprived that it was making me looney. My home nurse stopped by yesterday and she mentioned I looked "great", and I about hugged her.

Besides sleeping better, I'm actually feeling a bit of my stamina returning. Last week, it was all I could do to sit up. Now I'm actually sitting up with out as much pain and am walking more each day. Getting out of bed or getting off the couch was an absolute chore. I felt like a rolly-polly trying to sit up. Now I'm able to get out of the bed or off the couch without much struggle. I know these things sound minor, but we forget how many things we take for granted.

July 20th

Slept very well last night with the little help of some Tylenol PM. Have had a few more emotional days recently, and I'm soul searching for answers. I am usually extremely stable and optimistic, but I'm currently all over the place. I am so angry this has happened to me. I just don't understand how I can go from being so healthy to two surgeries and bed-riden. Randy and my mom and I discussed this during dinner last night. Heard a couple things that I hadn't heard before. Randy said my surgeon said if this cancer had not been found, I would not have lived to be 50. My mom mentioned that my surgeon said if this second surgery would not have taken place that the cancer would have returned and nothing could be done at that point... just the pain would be slow certain torture and death. I have so many different emotions going thru my head. I hear things like this, and I am grateful. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a strong loving family, a relationship with God, a beautiful, safe home, friends that love me, doggies that love me, etc, etc. I just continue to question why this happened to me, and I need to accept the fact that I could not have done anything to change things.

July 14th

After 12 days in the hospital, I am home. Came home Sunday afternoon. The last couple days in the hospital about put me over the edge. I have to thank Teresa again for her words of wisdom saying break downs lead to break thru's. It helped me accept that my moments are ok, and I have to remember that I am not in control. Anyway, it's true, there is no place like home. I am on complete bed rest for 2 weeks followed by two weeks of limited activity. Feeling a bit better each day, but I am still extremely weak and swollen. My mom has been cooking, and it's been a welcomed treat after not eating for 9 or so days followed by the days of soft hospital food.

I had the funniest thing happen to me at the hospital after they gave me some Ambien (sleep aid). I slept soundly for about an hour only to wake up and buzz the nurse and ask the nurse where the Ambien was for my husband, doggies and kitties. The nurse then came to my room and asked me again what I was needing... and I told her that Randy and my dogs and cats needed their Ambien. The third time around, I realized I was sleep talking and woke up. I laughed and laughed and laughed. It felt so good, and I understand the nurses got a good laugh from it too.

As always, I love hearing from everyone! Stay cool!