Well, as some of you know, my hair is gone... I'm bald. I wasn't sure how I'd handle this, but in all actuality, it's quite liberating. It is what it is, and I can't do anything about it. The wonderful thing about it is the cheering and support I've had from my circle of friends/family and other cancer patients and survivors. Randy and I were out to dinner last night, and I was approached by a woman who is a cancer survivor and she immediately recognized I was going thru treatment because of my hair (or lack of). She shared her story, and I was warmed by her positive spirit and well wishes. Then at Wal-mart this morning, I ran into a gal with similar hair who is going thru treatment and we shared our stories and well wishes with each other. I feel so loved, blessed, and am humbled by everyone's support and am shocked by how many people are affected by this crazy disease!
Tomorrow starts my last round of chemo and then I am done! I know I'll be chemo sick for a couple weeks following this week, but I am so excited to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I just pray daily that I never have to revisit this disease. It's been a crazy ride, but I survived. Wow... I can't believe it's almost over. I'll have to have PT scans and continue seeing my oncologist this next year, but no more treatments or chemo sickness. Hallelujah!
I'm so looking forward to December and enjoying the Christmas season. I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving. I know I have a lot to be thankful for and hope everyone struggling with everyday life can find some goodness in the craziness of it all. Love and prayers!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
October 21rst
Day 4 of round 3 of post surgery chemo... so far so good. I'm usually feeling some side effects by now but am only feeling a bit nauseous and still watching my hair fall out. I'm mortified by this hair thing. I've tried a couple wigs, and I can honestly say, I'm not a wig girl. They just don't do me any justice. I bought a really cute hat that has some bling on it so it's my mainstay. My doctor suggested I cut off what hair I have remaining, but I just can't do it.
Our trip to North Carolina was fantastic. Randy and I stopped on our way to NC in Atlanta to see Sue. That was great. Hadn't seen her in a year and a half. Good things never change. Then we were picked our by dear friends Tom and Kim in Atlanta and drove the rest of the way to Emerald Isle, NC. Lovely, lovely, lovely. We had beautiful weather, ate good food, drank a bit and just enjoyed life. I was sorry to see the trip end so soon. Luckily we are having some lovely fall weather here in KC. Randy is back in NC this week for his brother's promotion ceremony. He was promoted to a 2 Star General. Very exciting stuff.
Hope everyone is doing well. Love you all~
Our trip to North Carolina was fantastic. Randy and I stopped on our way to NC in Atlanta to see Sue. That was great. Hadn't seen her in a year and a half. Good things never change. Then we were picked our by dear friends Tom and Kim in Atlanta and drove the rest of the way to Emerald Isle, NC. Lovely, lovely, lovely. We had beautiful weather, ate good food, drank a bit and just enjoyed life. I was sorry to see the trip end so soon. Luckily we are having some lovely fall weather here in KC. Randy is back in NC this week for his brother's promotion ceremony. He was promoted to a 2 Star General. Very exciting stuff.
Hope everyone is doing well. Love you all~
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October 5th
Once again, where does the time go? I cannot believe it is already October. Put out some Halloween decorations over the weekend. Soon it will be Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am doing ok. Hanging in there with my post-surgery chemo. This has been much more than I expected. I did so well with the pre-surgery chemo and was anticipating the same. I've been sick quite frequently, extremely tired, and my hair is now falling out. Doctor didn't expect for me to have as much hair loss as I'm having, but I'm definitely losing a lot. I cut off about 10 inches a couple weeks ago thinking it would help it look fuller. Not sure if it helped or not, but now my hair is right above my shoulders. I'm wearing lots of hats. Doc said hair should start coming back in about 6 weeks following my last chemo session. I have two more to go and should be finished right before Thanksgiving. Instead of "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth", it will be more like, "All I want for Christmas is my hair to grow back".
My mom is doing quite well. She's driving again, and as I can attest to, when you can start driving again, it's a good feeling because you regain some of your freedom. I'm so relieved she made it thru her ordeal without any lasting issues. She still gets tired easily, but with time, I think she'll recover completely.
Chiefs are 3-0. Only undefeated team in the NFL. Go Chiefs! Leaving for North Carolina on Thursday. Flying into Atlanta. Randy and I are meeting Sue (former colleague) for lunch, and then we are meeting some friends in Atlanta and driving onto NC from there. Have someone coming to watch the dogs and I hope all goes well with that. So excited for the weekend. Will be on the beach at least one full day. I'll be wrapped up from head to toe since my skin is so sensitive to the sun because of the chemo, but I'm so looking forward to just sitting under the umbrella/tent and watching the ocean. Randy's class reunion is this weekend and then his brother has his 2 Star General promotion ceremony the following week. Very exciting stuff!
I just heard that a classmate of mine's son was killed in a car wreck. So sad. Don't know any details, but this reminds me how quickly one's life can change. Live, live, live!!!
My mom is doing quite well. She's driving again, and as I can attest to, when you can start driving again, it's a good feeling because you regain some of your freedom. I'm so relieved she made it thru her ordeal without any lasting issues. She still gets tired easily, but with time, I think she'll recover completely.
Chiefs are 3-0. Only undefeated team in the NFL. Go Chiefs! Leaving for North Carolina on Thursday. Flying into Atlanta. Randy and I are meeting Sue (former colleague) for lunch, and then we are meeting some friends in Atlanta and driving onto NC from there. Have someone coming to watch the dogs and I hope all goes well with that. So excited for the weekend. Will be on the beach at least one full day. I'll be wrapped up from head to toe since my skin is so sensitive to the sun because of the chemo, but I'm so looking forward to just sitting under the umbrella/tent and watching the ocean. Randy's class reunion is this weekend and then his brother has his 2 Star General promotion ceremony the following week. Very exciting stuff!
I just heard that a classmate of mine's son was killed in a car wreck. So sad. Don't know any details, but this reminds me how quickly one's life can change. Live, live, live!!!
Monday, September 13, 2010
September 13th
Where does the time go? The week following my chemo was not the best. I pretty much slept the week away while trying to deal with the nausea and mouth and skin issues. Thankfully the side effects have gone away and last week was a pretty good week. I saw my oncologist last week and he's agreed that my side effects were pretty severe so they are going to cut my chemo back by 20%. He also did a blood test to see if I'm missing an enzyme that helps break down the chemo. I'll know more when I start my next round next week. Right now, I'm feeling good so this should be a good week. Hopefully the next go around is better!
My mom is home. She's doing remarkably well considering how she was doing. We went to breakfast yesterday and then to the grocery store. She was beat by the time we got home, but I was so happy to see her up walking and feeling like her normal self. Thank you for all the prayers... they did their job!
My aunt and uncle are coming thru KC today. They are heading south for the winter. They are Winter Texans. Wish I could go. It will be great to see them as always!
Tonight's the Chiefs Home Opener on Monday night football!!! Go Chiefs!
My mom is home. She's doing remarkably well considering how she was doing. We went to breakfast yesterday and then to the grocery store. She was beat by the time we got home, but I was so happy to see her up walking and feeling like her normal self. Thank you for all the prayers... they did their job!
My aunt and uncle are coming thru KC today. They are heading south for the winter. They are Winter Texans. Wish I could go. It will be great to see them as always!
Tonight's the Chiefs Home Opener on Monday night football!!! Go Chiefs!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
August 31rst
A lot has happened since my last post. My mom is still in the hospital. Her blood work was out of wack the morning they were thinking she might be released. She's had a lot of ups and downs, but fortunately, she keeps rebounding. Yesterday she had a heart issue where both her heart rate and blood pressure shot quite high. Why? Not sure, but no sign of stroke or heart attack. She's still extremely weak, but she has been up walking which is a great sign.
First week of post-surgery chemo. Done. I was thinking I was going to make it thru without any side effects but some nausea, but NO, couldn't be so lucky. My lips started feeling funny Thursday night and then by Friday, my mouth, throat, and skin were completely irritated and fatigue had set in big time. Went to see my chemo doc's nurse practitioner yesterday. I was put on an IV for fluids since I hadn't been drinking much. Liquids/food are difficult to swallow. Plus an IV with some sort of anti-nausea drug. Gotta say, the nausea is better, but it's going to take time to get the mouth, throat, and skin issue back to normal. I haven't done much since Friday except sleep and watch football plus a few movies. Watched "8 Men Out". Great movie. Thanks Gretchen for the suggestion! That is two for two! :-)
I'm feeling a bit bummed as I was feeling SO good, but I know this too shall pass. I keep reminding myself this post-surgery chemo is like insurance. You gotta have it.
First week of post-surgery chemo. Done. I was thinking I was going to make it thru without any side effects but some nausea, but NO, couldn't be so lucky. My lips started feeling funny Thursday night and then by Friday, my mouth, throat, and skin were completely irritated and fatigue had set in big time. Went to see my chemo doc's nurse practitioner yesterday. I was put on an IV for fluids since I hadn't been drinking much. Liquids/food are difficult to swallow. Plus an IV with some sort of anti-nausea drug. Gotta say, the nausea is better, but it's going to take time to get the mouth, throat, and skin issue back to normal. I haven't done much since Friday except sleep and watch football plus a few movies. Watched "8 Men Out". Great movie. Thanks Gretchen for the suggestion! That is two for two! :-)
I'm feeling a bit bummed as I was feeling SO good, but I know this too shall pass. I keep reminding myself this post-surgery chemo is like insurance. You gotta have it.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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!
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!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
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!
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!
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