Well, I am back to work. It was great to see all of my students. So many of last year's 5th graders came up to me to welcome me back. As the word got out that I had returned, students who had moved on to middle school also came back to see me and welcome me. Last Thursday night was our parent meeting about camp. Many of my parents from last year were there and were also very welcoming. And of course, the staff was amazing. It feels good to be back at work although I was grateful for the 3 day weekend this week.
I have done well with both the move and being back to work. I realize that I am tired out much more easily so I try to remember not to push myself. I have gone to bed early each night and do very little once I get home from work. On the weekends,
Last weekend, Pat and Ray came to go to their grandchildren's games. Ric also came with his kids. I spent my Saturday going to games. Ella happened to be playing near my Dad's so I picked him up to go watch Ella's game. After taking him home, I went to see Alisa play softball and then to Robert's football playoff. I ended my afternoon by going to Hannah's soccer game. When all the games were done, we all met up for pizza. The grandkids (both mine and Pat's) had a great time together. It is always so fun to spend time with any of my family.
This weekend, I got to see Ella score her first goal for this season. The best part was that her team won the game, 1-0. They will be going to playoffs on December 1. Hannah also had a game.The pee wees are always fun to watch. They just love playi8ng and really don't care about the score.
My house is coming along. I have not touched the scrapbooking boxes at all and don't plan to for a while. But my room is completely put together and the kitchen is done except for finishing up the desk. My legs are getting used to the stairs and I am remembering to take everything either up or down with me so that I don't have to make a lot of extra trips. The neighbors are very nice. At first, only Einstein would go up or down the stairs in the house. It took Newton about 4 days to figure it out. Neither dog would use the stairs from the balcony to the yard. Newton mastered those first and I had to take Einstein up and down a few times before he would go alone. That has made it easier because before I had to put them on their leashes and take them out the driveway to the yard. They seem to be adjusting well to the new surroundings.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
October 21, 2012
Well, I'm going back to work! I'm excited and anxious at the same time. I'm excited to have clearance to go back and excited to get my life back to normal but I know it is going to be tiring. I'm excited to see my students again. I have missed them. I have 8 students from last year and then I will get to meet a whole new group as well. I will go back to work on November 1. We also have a 6th grade camp meeting that night so I will also get to see some of the parents.
As far as my cancer goes, I am free of cancer at this time. Of course, I will have to be monitored for the next 5 years to be considered cancer free. I will repeat the colonoscopy in December and have another CT scan in January. I will follow u with blood work and seeing the oncologist every 3 months. Right now, my bloo9d work was good. My count for fighting infections was very good so I was happy to hear that. I've had my pneumonia vaccine and my flu shot so hopefully I will stay healthy. I am also getting monthly B12 shots to boost my energy. Because my cancer was stage 4 I am at greater risk for it to return (although I have great faith that it won't) so I have to leave my port in "for a while." When I asked how long a while is, the doctor told me as long as possible. Because of leaving it in, I have to go get it flushed every month. She said that if it starts clotting, we will have to remove it but she wants to leave it as long as possible. At least the people in the infusion lab are nice and kind so i won't mind seeing them. And it is something that I can do around my work so I won't have to miss days for it (nice, since have been out of sick days for a while).
I got to have my 3 oldest grandchildren for a visit 2 weeks ago. They have a fall break in Arizona so they came and stayed with me for the week. Although the drive to pick them up was tiring, I had a great time with them. We went ice skating and to the drive-in movie. Of course, Ella and Hannah went with us and we had a big sleepover on Saturday night before I met Jessica to return them.
I also got to see 3 of my 4 sisters last week. One of my cousins passed away from breast cancer so Rhonda, Pat, my dad, and I went to the memorial. It had also been a while since I had seen my cousins so I was glad to see them,though I wish it had been under different circumstances. Then Diana and her husband came to visit Dad so Ronda and I joined them for lunch one day. We enjoyed the visit. I wish we all lived closer so that I could see my sisters more often. But I know they are always there for me and I appreciate them so much! I am so lucky to have such wonderful family.
I also got to see Jennifer and her children, including the newest grandso9n! Maddie and Kinsey are getting so big and it's nice to have another baby in the family. Jackson is so cute and seems to be a very good baby (Jennifer says he is, too). We enjoyed our visit with them. (Chuck was home the day they came to visit)
My other big news is that I am moving tomorrow. I really was having a difficult time packing. We have had so many days over 90 degrees that it was too hot to do anything and I was getting really worn out. I am also having a lot of problems from the nueropathy. I am finding it difficult to hold things and my hands and feet always hurt. So I decided to take the money I would have spent to go to Hawaii for a week and spend it on movers I found a company that will come pack up everything, move it to the new house, unpack and put away everything. I felt like that was a better use of my money right now. Hawaii will always be there (although my sister-in-law won't) and I won't be worn out. Now that I know I am going back to work it seems like an even better decision. I will have plenty of room for visitors if anyone ever needs a place to stay! Also, we signed an offer on our house so hopefully everything will go through without any problems. I will miss my neighbors but I won't miss being on this corner! My new neighborhood is very nice. It's off all busy streets and I am looking forward to meeting all my new neighbors. My old neighbors have all told me I have to come back for our annual 4th of July block party and I am sure my grandchildren will all want to. At least it's close enough that it will be easy to come3 visit. Cole has some good friends in my neighborhood that he is sad to leave so I promised him we could come back when he's here to visit them.
I guess that's all my news for now. It may be a while before I blog again since I will be working. I want to again express my thanks all of my friends and family who have helped me through this past year. Your love, support, and prayers have made a difference.I truly appreciate every one of you!
As far as my cancer goes, I am free of cancer at this time. Of course, I will have to be monitored for the next 5 years to be considered cancer free. I will repeat the colonoscopy in December and have another CT scan in January. I will follow u with blood work and seeing the oncologist every 3 months. Right now, my bloo9d work was good. My count for fighting infections was very good so I was happy to hear that. I've had my pneumonia vaccine and my flu shot so hopefully I will stay healthy. I am also getting monthly B12 shots to boost my energy. Because my cancer was stage 4 I am at greater risk for it to return (although I have great faith that it won't) so I have to leave my port in "for a while." When I asked how long a while is, the doctor told me as long as possible. Because of leaving it in, I have to go get it flushed every month. She said that if it starts clotting, we will have to remove it but she wants to leave it as long as possible. At least the people in the infusion lab are nice and kind so i won't mind seeing them. And it is something that I can do around my work so I won't have to miss days for it (nice, since have been out of sick days for a while).
I got to have my 3 oldest grandchildren for a visit 2 weeks ago. They have a fall break in Arizona so they came and stayed with me for the week. Although the drive to pick them up was tiring, I had a great time with them. We went ice skating and to the drive-in movie. Of course, Ella and Hannah went with us and we had a big sleepover on Saturday night before I met Jessica to return them.
I also got to see 3 of my 4 sisters last week. One of my cousins passed away from breast cancer so Rhonda, Pat, my dad, and I went to the memorial. It had also been a while since I had seen my cousins so I was glad to see them,though I wish it had been under different circumstances. Then Diana and her husband came to visit Dad so Ronda and I joined them for lunch one day. We enjoyed the visit. I wish we all lived closer so that I could see my sisters more often. But I know they are always there for me and I appreciate them so much! I am so lucky to have such wonderful family.
I also got to see Jennifer and her children, including the newest grandso9n! Maddie and Kinsey are getting so big and it's nice to have another baby in the family. Jackson is so cute and seems to be a very good baby (Jennifer says he is, too). We enjoyed our visit with them. (Chuck was home the day they came to visit)
My other big news is that I am moving tomorrow. I really was having a difficult time packing. We have had so many days over 90 degrees that it was too hot to do anything and I was getting really worn out. I am also having a lot of problems from the nueropathy. I am finding it difficult to hold things and my hands and feet always hurt. So I decided to take the money I would have spent to go to Hawaii for a week and spend it on movers I found a company that will come pack up everything, move it to the new house, unpack and put away everything. I felt like that was a better use of my money right now. Hawaii will always be there (although my sister-in-law won't) and I won't be worn out. Now that I know I am going back to work it seems like an even better decision. I will have plenty of room for visitors if anyone ever needs a place to stay! Also, we signed an offer on our house so hopefully everything will go through without any problems. I will miss my neighbors but I won't miss being on this corner! My new neighborhood is very nice. It's off all busy streets and I am looking forward to meeting all my new neighbors. My old neighbors have all told me I have to come back for our annual 4th of July block party and I am sure my grandchildren will all want to. At least it's close enough that it will be easy to come3 visit. Cole has some good friends in my neighborhood that he is sad to leave so I promised him we could come back when he's here to visit them.
I guess that's all my news for now. It may be a while before I blog again since I will be working. I want to again express my thanks all of my friends and family who have helped me through this past year. Your love, support, and prayers have made a difference.I truly appreciate every one of you!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Well, I finally did it! I had my last chemo treatment yesterday. All I have to do now is get my pump disconnected tomorrow. My sister, pat, came from Blythe (actually, she was in San Diego babysitti8ng grandkids) to help me celebrate. My niece, Cami, works in an oncology office in Virginia. They celebrate every patient's last round so she gave her mom the idea. The button was actually a Mickey Mouse button and my other niece, Brandi, decorated it for my last round. I was the center of attention in the chemo room! All the nurses thought it was so cute. I plan to wear everything again tomorrow when i get the pump disconnected. Michael, the receptionist in the infusion lab, will really get a kick out of it!
I am so grateful for all of the support and love I have had from all of my family, friends, and even people I didn't know before all of this. It is definitely what has gotten me through this last year. I am now resigned to the fact that my health is going to dictate when I can return to work. My doctor is having me get B12 injections now to try to help the numbness and tingling in my hands and feet and also to increase my energy level. Right now, the numbness is not going away at all. It used to go away about 5 days after I got the pump disconnected,. Now it is constant. I can't drink anything cold (which has been hard with our heat wave) and I can't get things out of the refrigerator or freezer without using a towel or hot pads. It is also making it difficult to pack. My reactions are much slower when typing because of it. But i know that I have actually been very luck about my side effects.
I have learned many lessons throughout this journey. First of all, if you are at the age to get a colonoscopy, do it! Don't put it off. Colon cancer can be very aggressive. Recently my primary care physician tested me for diabetes. It runs in our family and I have the body type for it. I have never tested that I have it but because of the steroids I guess it becomes more of a risk. My tests came back that I still don't have it but I am now consciously working on losing more weight and exercising more to keep from getting it. My blood pressure has been excellent throughout the journey, probably because I'm not working, but also, I have lost weight and I'm not in pain any longer. I am so glad I listened to my body and that I had doctors that listened, really listened, to me.
I wasn't going to do it yet, but I got a second dog. I went in to the same adoption place to look at another Shih Tzu but she growled at Hannah and at Einstein so I knew they weren't a good fit. Well, there was a cute terrier there, too. He and Einstein get along well and he liked the kids. I named him Sir Isaac newton but we call him Newton. He is one year old and loves to be in your lap. He will take a toy or treat right from Einstein and most of the time Einstein will just let him. I have to say, I wish I had thought about the fact that 1 year old is still a puppy. He loves to chew! He got one pair of my sandals so I have gotten better about putting my shoes up.He will grab socks left laying around but just takes them to other places in the house. The most frustrating is that he chews on all the boxes I have packed and also the empty ones waiting to be packed. He even got into one box of books and I caught him chewing up one of my books. He is a sweet dog, though, and he and Einstein play together well.
As far as our house and move go, our house has not sold yet. We are waiting on the new house to move but that should be happening soon. It gives me something to do right now so that is helpful. I'm also going to Ella and Hannah's soccer games each week and Jessica's kids have fall break coming up in October so they may come stay with me. I am looking forward to being well enough to do something with them when they are here this time!
I am so grateful for all of the support and love I have had from all of my family, friends, and even people I didn't know before all of this. It is definitely what has gotten me through this last year. I am now resigned to the fact that my health is going to dictate when I can return to work. My doctor is having me get B12 injections now to try to help the numbness and tingling in my hands and feet and also to increase my energy level. Right now, the numbness is not going away at all. It used to go away about 5 days after I got the pump disconnected,. Now it is constant. I can't drink anything cold (which has been hard with our heat wave) and I can't get things out of the refrigerator or freezer without using a towel or hot pads. It is also making it difficult to pack. My reactions are much slower when typing because of it. But i know that I have actually been very luck about my side effects.
I have learned many lessons throughout this journey. First of all, if you are at the age to get a colonoscopy, do it! Don't put it off. Colon cancer can be very aggressive. Recently my primary care physician tested me for diabetes. It runs in our family and I have the body type for it. I have never tested that I have it but because of the steroids I guess it becomes more of a risk. My tests came back that I still don't have it but I am now consciously working on losing more weight and exercising more to keep from getting it. My blood pressure has been excellent throughout the journey, probably because I'm not working, but also, I have lost weight and I'm not in pain any longer. I am so glad I listened to my body and that I had doctors that listened, really listened, to me.
I wasn't going to do it yet, but I got a second dog. I went in to the same adoption place to look at another Shih Tzu but she growled at Hannah and at Einstein so I knew they weren't a good fit. Well, there was a cute terrier there, too. He and Einstein get along well and he liked the kids. I named him Sir Isaac newton but we call him Newton. He is one year old and loves to be in your lap. He will take a toy or treat right from Einstein and most of the time Einstein will just let him. I have to say, I wish I had thought about the fact that 1 year old is still a puppy. He loves to chew! He got one pair of my sandals so I have gotten better about putting my shoes up.He will grab socks left laying around but just takes them to other places in the house. The most frustrating is that he chews on all the boxes I have packed and also the empty ones waiting to be packed. He even got into one box of books and I caught him chewing up one of my books. He is a sweet dog, though, and he and Einstein play together well.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
August 30. 2012
Chemo session #11 in the books! Only one more session to go. In just 15 days (hopefully) I will have done my last session and get my pump disconnected for the last time! It seems like it's been a long time coming but at least now i really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I asked the oncologist what the plan will be after session #12. I will have a follow up with her 2 weeks later to check my blood work and then I will follow up every 3 months with her and do blood work. In December, I will have another colonoscopy.
Jason had a family gathering here in So. California last weekend. He brought the girls with him but Cole had come down with strep throat so he and Jessica stayed home. I didn't get to see much of them, but I enjoyed a sleepover with Baily, Lindsay, Ella, and Hannah on Friday night. Then on Saturday, we joined Jason's parents on Saturday night. Bailey turned 13 on Tuesday. I can't believe I have a teenage granddaughter.
On August 19, our 9th grandchild arrived. Jackson Robert (called JR) was born to Jennifer and Chad. He was 6 lbs. 4 oz. and only 18 3/4" long. We are hoping to get to see him soon.
Chuck is going to become a driver trainer for new employees who just graduate from trucking school. He will get a truck upgrade. He has to go to a training and we are hoping it will be in Phoenix so that I can join him. That will give us a chance to meet JR and see his sisters.
I am doing well on my own so far. I have been busy packing. Our house is officially on the market and we've had an open house already. The new house isn't ready for us to move into yet but it is coming along beautifully.
I did get to go to Randi's first day of school. She was so excited! The teacher called on her as an example of how to sit at your desk, push your chair in, and how to put your finished papers in the box.She thought she was really important. Her class is a K/1 combo.I know she is going to have a great year.
I also have met with friends several times this week. On Sunday, I got to shop with 2 former Ramona teachers at the outlet mall in Camarillo. On Monday I met some retired Ramona teachers and a former Ramona teacher for coffee. Then I met some Las Flores teacher friends for lunch. On Wednesday, after che3mo, I met with 4 of my cohorts from Ramona. I also found out that the sub who is going to start my class is one of my favorite subs. She is the daughter of our case manager wh0o used to be my aide. I have known Sidney since she was just a little girl. I am excited for her to be starting my class for me.
I am going to try to go visit my sister-in-law in Hawaii in October if my health permits. (Dinah, if you're reading this, sorry I haven't let you know yet). She is moving back to California in November so I figured it would be fun to go relax there while I still have a place to stay. I need to be sure I am up to the five hour flight and I won't be able to do as much as I usually do, but it will be a good way to prepare for going back to the classroom.
I still appreciate all of the prayers, phone calls, cards and messages I get from all of you. I would not have made it through these past 8 months without all of the support. Please continue to pray that I will get my last treatment on schedule and that all of my test results will come back showing that this has worked.
Jason had a family gathering here in So. California last weekend. He brought the girls with him but Cole had come down with strep throat so he and Jessica stayed home. I didn't get to see much of them, but I enjoyed a sleepover with Baily, Lindsay, Ella, and Hannah on Friday night. Then on Saturday, we joined Jason's parents on Saturday night. Bailey turned 13 on Tuesday. I can't believe I have a teenage granddaughter.
On August 19, our 9th grandchild arrived. Jackson Robert (called JR) was born to Jennifer and Chad. He was 6 lbs. 4 oz. and only 18 3/4" long. We are hoping to get to see him soon.
Chuck is going to become a driver trainer for new employees who just graduate from trucking school. He will get a truck upgrade. He has to go to a training and we are hoping it will be in Phoenix so that I can join him. That will give us a chance to meet JR and see his sisters.
I am doing well on my own so far. I have been busy packing. Our house is officially on the market and we've had an open house already. The new house isn't ready for us to move into yet but it is coming along beautifully.
I did get to go to Randi's first day of school. She was so excited! The teacher called on her as an example of how to sit at your desk, push your chair in, and how to put your finished papers in the box.She thought she was really important. Her class is a K/1 combo.I know she is going to have a great year.
I also have met with friends several times this week. On Sunday, I got to shop with 2 former Ramona teachers at the outlet mall in Camarillo. On Monday I met some retired Ramona teachers and a former Ramona teacher for coffee. Then I met some Las Flores teacher friends for lunch. On Wednesday, after che3mo, I met with 4 of my cohorts from Ramona. I also found out that the sub who is going to start my class is one of my favorite subs. She is the daughter of our case manager wh0o used to be my aide. I have known Sidney since she was just a little girl. I am excited for her to be starting my class for me.
I am going to try to go visit my sister-in-law in Hawaii in October if my health permits. (Dinah, if you're reading this, sorry I haven't let you know yet). She is moving back to California in November so I figured it would be fun to go relax there while I still have a place to stay. I need to be sure I am up to the five hour flight and I won't be able to do as much as I usually do, but it will be a good way to prepare for going back to the classroom.
I still appreciate all of the prayers, phone calls, cards and messages I get from all of you. I would not have made it through these past 8 months without all of the support. Please continue to pray that I will get my last treatment on schedule and that all of my test results will come back showing that this has worked.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
August 18, 2012
Well, all I can say is that it's a good thing that I only have 2 more treatments to go. The nausea has been so bad these last two times that I don't know that I could take it if I wasn't so close to the end. I did have chemo this week. Thursday started out pretty well. I even felt well enough to go meet Chuck in Chatsworth where he was waiting for a run. That's a story in itself which I will go into in a while. But Thursday night became pretty bad. I also saw my primary care physician on Wednesday so my day at Kaiser was pretty full. But at least i didn't have to make a separate trip up there!
Chuck was home last week on the 7th. He was due to go back to work on the 12th. He recently got a "new" truck and it needed some work. So he checked it into the shop before heading home. On the 11th, they finally took the truck into the shop to start repairs. Needless to say, it wasn't ready when he was supposed to report at 9 AM. They said it would be ready about 5 PM. He headed out there, got his truck (it was done) and started out of the yard. The truck started emitting smoke and making noises so he took it right back to the shop. They had it fixed by Tuesday night and he had to make a pick up in Chatsworth Wednesday morning. He got to the loading dock to pick up his load. When he went to pull away from the dock, the truck wouldn't start! And, he was blocking the company's loading dock. They sent a mechanic out after having Chuck check all the fuses. It was finally fixed Wednesday evening but now he was stuck where he was till he had hours again. That's when I decided to meet him and maybe go to lunch. I knew if I did, he'd get a run and sure enough, after being there about 10 minutes, he did. But it was to pick up in Santa Ana Friday morning so he got to come home for another night. It has been nice having him here. We signed papers to list our house and even started packing some things.
We will be moving later this month or the beginning of September. We are just moving about 3/4 of a mile from where we are now but we won't be on the corner lot on the main street! I am looking forward to that. I know that I will feel a lot safer. It's a bigger house, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room. For most of the time, it will be big but when family come to visit it will be nice. When Jessica's kids were here last month for a week, it was awfully crowded. The older the kids get, the more crowded it becomes!
Einstein is doing great! He misses all the commotion with Jordan, Amity, Randi and their dogs but he loves to follow me everywhere. He's even getting pretty good at chasing a ball. I am going to get a second dog to keep him company before I go back to work.
I am going out to Jordan's new place tomorrow to see it. I will spend the night and get to go with Randi to her first day of school. She is really excited and can't wait to show me her school. They have had fires this past week and some people had to evacuate but they were ok. They are expecting some more lightning strikes this weekend so we are praying for no more fire!
I am obviously not thinking too well right now so I think I'll end this. Thanks again for all the prayers, love and support. It really does help!
Chuck was home last week on the 7th. He was due to go back to work on the 12th. He recently got a "new" truck and it needed some work. So he checked it into the shop before heading home. On the 11th, they finally took the truck into the shop to start repairs. Needless to say, it wasn't ready when he was supposed to report at 9 AM. They said it would be ready about 5 PM. He headed out there, got his truck (it was done) and started out of the yard. The truck started emitting smoke and making noises so he took it right back to the shop. They had it fixed by Tuesday night and he had to make a pick up in Chatsworth Wednesday morning. He got to the loading dock to pick up his load. When he went to pull away from the dock, the truck wouldn't start! And, he was blocking the company's loading dock. They sent a mechanic out after having Chuck check all the fuses. It was finally fixed Wednesday evening but now he was stuck where he was till he had hours again. That's when I decided to meet him and maybe go to lunch. I knew if I did, he'd get a run and sure enough, after being there about 10 minutes, he did. But it was to pick up in Santa Ana Friday morning so he got to come home for another night. It has been nice having him here. We signed papers to list our house and even started packing some things.
We will be moving later this month or the beginning of September. We are just moving about 3/4 of a mile from where we are now but we won't be on the corner lot on the main street! I am looking forward to that. I know that I will feel a lot safer. It's a bigger house, 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, family room. For most of the time, it will be big but when family come to visit it will be nice. When Jessica's kids were here last month for a week, it was awfully crowded. The older the kids get, the more crowded it becomes!
Einstein is doing great! He misses all the commotion with Jordan, Amity, Randi and their dogs but he loves to follow me everywhere. He's even getting pretty good at chasing a ball. I am going to get a second dog to keep him company before I go back to work.
I am going out to Jordan's new place tomorrow to see it. I will spend the night and get to go with Randi to her first day of school. She is really excited and can't wait to show me her school. They have had fires this past week and some people had to evacuate but they were ok. They are expecting some more lightning strikes this weekend so we are praying for no more fire!
I am obviously not thinking too well right now so I think I'll end this. Thanks again for all the prayers, love and support. It really does help!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
August 8, 2012
As you may be able to tell from the time of this post, I am not able to get chemo this week. My counts are low again and my protein is also low. However, my hemoglobin is staying stable so that means so transfusion. I had said over the weekend that my energy level was low and I didn't think I would be able to get chemo so aat least I wasn't totally disappointed. Also, Chuck is home so that means I don't have to give up my whole week to chemo while he is here.
I spent 5 hours at kaiser yesterday. The nurse had difficulty with my port again. She called the doctor to get the ok to declot but by the time she got approval, her shift was over. When another nurse took over, I asked her if we could try one more time. This time, it worked. But the doctor had decided that I needed to be hydrated. So I received IV fluids over the next two hours. In the meantime, Chuck had a delivery to make so he left me there to finish.
Now that I know I will not be starting the school year, my goal has become to improve my immune system so that I don't have to miss any more time when I do return. After this last postponement, November 1 is not looking unreasonable. Ala in all, my side effects seem to be lasting longer as I get further along in the process. This last 2 weeks, I have had side effects for 10 days or so.
Jordan, Amity, and Randi have moved back to the Temecula area. It is very quiet around here without them. Even Einstein misses them and their dogs. He has created a new game to entertain himself. He takes one of his toys and drops it in the basket that I have for grandkids to put their things when they come over. The problem is, he isn't tall enough to get his toy back out. So then he barks, just once, for me to get it for him. Of course I do and the whole process starts over. I am looking forward to seeing their new place and going out for Randi's first day of kindergarten.
I spent 5 hours at kaiser yesterday. The nurse had difficulty with my port again. She called the doctor to get the ok to declot but by the time she got approval, her shift was over. When another nurse took over, I asked her if we could try one more time. This time, it worked. But the doctor had decided that I needed to be hydrated. So I received IV fluids over the next two hours. In the meantime, Chuck had a delivery to make so he left me there to finish.
Now that I know I will not be starting the school year, my goal has become to improve my immune system so that I don't have to miss any more time when I do return. After this last postponement, November 1 is not looking unreasonable. Ala in all, my side effects seem to be lasting longer as I get further along in the process. This last 2 weeks, I have had side effects for 10 days or so.
Jordan, Amity, and Randi have moved back to the Temecula area. It is very quiet around here without them. Even Einstein misses them and their dogs. He has created a new game to entertain himself. He takes one of his toys and drops it in the basket that I have for grandkids to put their things when they come over. The problem is, he isn't tall enough to get his toy back out. So then he barks, just once, for me to get it for him. Of course I do and the whole process starts over. I am looking forward to seeing their new place and going out for Randi's first day of kindergarten.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
August 1, 2012
I was able to get chemo on time last week, #9, so I am 3/4 of the way done! The side effects have been pretty awful this time. Not a lot of them, but lasting longer than usual and a little more intense. I still can't rally complain. If nausea, diarrhea, and tiredness are all I have, that's not so bad. The meds just don't seem to be working as well this round. Hopefully I will get to do the last 3 treatments on schedule (I always hope that, unfortunately it just doesn't always go that way). The doctor also changed my back to work date until November 1. After the huge disappointment last month of having the last treatment moved to September, I am ok with this. She said if my counts come up quicker, she can always change to an earlier date. I realized that if I'm not going to be back for the first day, it really doesn't matter when I return as much as being VERY healthy does so that I don't miss more school once I do return.
I had a fun week with Jessica's kids. We really didn't get to do anything but I enjoyed having them. They are getting so big and grown up! Bailey is only about 1/2" shorter than me and is going innto 8th grade. Cole is about 2" shorter than me and going into 6th grade. Lindsay is still quite a bit shorter than me and going into 4th grade. She wants to be the next Taylor Swift and she and Ella spent a lot of time looking up Taylor on the internet, reading Tiger Beat, and writing their own songs. I love watching how they grow and change. I'm still waiting for the day they don't want to come spend time with me but very glad they still love coming to Grandma's.
I got to go to the OC Fair with Jordan & his family and Ella & Hannah. I rented a scooter for the day because I knew I couldn't walk in the heat all day. We happened to go on a kids free day, someone handed us an adult ticket, and I get the senior price. Then we bought wristbands for the kids and Jordan so it was a pretty cheap day. We had a blast and I love watching the kids have fun.
Jordan, Amity, and Randi are moving back to the Temecula area this weekend. Randi will start school there in a couple of weeks. I will be sorry to see them go but I am in a much better place now and feel like I can take care of myself.l Plus I have Josh & Angie close by and my niece & nephew are close by, too. I also may be moving. I have a place to move just 1/2 mile from here. I've been trying to work with our mortgage company to do a loan mod and I am getting the run around that everyone warned me I would get. With the thefts we've had in the last 2 years, I don't mind short selling. There are also a lot of foreclosures in my neighborhood so I know my property value has plummeted!
I finally got a new dog. Now I'm really not a small dog person. I love a big dog that can really play with you. But I got a Shih Tzu. His name is Einstein and he is the cutest thing! He looks at me with his sweet little face and I melt! He's allowed on the furniture and even sleeps in my bedroom (but not on my bed! I haven't gone that far yet!) He loves to be with me or anyone else who happens to be around.
I also got to go to concerts in the park with all of our old neighbors last Wednesday. I am hoping to go again tonight. It was so nice seeing all of them. I think I'm just glad to be well enough to be able to do some activities, too.
Yesterday Jordan and I drove to Rancho Mirage to meet my sister, Pat and niece, Amy. Pat had a consultation for a colonscopy and I wanted to be sure her doctor had my history. It worked out to be great for me because I basically got a second opinion for free. He basically said all the things my oncologist has been telling me and would do the same treatment so it reassured me that I am doing the right thing. There are times when I wonder how I know this is worth it. After we went to lunch and enjoyed talking for a couple of hours. On the way home, it was pouring rain all the way to Palm Springs/Cabazon. Going the other way, back to Blythe, Pat and Amy had flash floods and worse all the way to Desert Center. But it was a nice day, although I was completely worn out by the time I got home.
I also got to go with my sister, Rhonda, to take my dad to lunch last week. It was great to see him. He is doing much better and is getting involved with more activities at the home. I am glad to see his spirits up a little, although I am sure he still has his moments. We had a nice time and, again, it was good to get out.
Chuck's sister, Dinah, was also here in July for a visit so I got to see most of Chuck's family.
All in all, my spirits are better and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel at this point. I have to say, I am looking forward to being done but I'm glad that at least I can do some things now. I even went scrapbooking last Saturday! I didn't make it for the whole time but it was fun! Thanks for all your continued prayers and support.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
July 5, 2012
This has been another disappointing week. I got my bloodwork done on Monday morning. I called Monday afternoon to check if my counts were ok for chemo. I was told they were. Then I saw my doctor on Tuesday. Evidently my neutrophils were too low. That is the count that landed me in he hospital in April. So that count, combined with the white count, meant I could not get chemo. On a brighter note, my protein level is continuing to climb. It's still low, but getting clse to being in the normal range.
There have been some good parts to this week, too. We had a very lovely memorial for my mom last Saturday. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren sang "I am a Child of God" and impressed all of the older folks from the home. It was awfully impressive to see all of those grandchildren/great grandchildren standing there ( and only about 1/2 were there!). We had a nice lunch/dinner for the family after and enjoyed seeing cousins we haven't seen in a while. The great grandchildren all let balloons filled with helium go.I am so glad I had the support of all of our family. It's nice to be from such a large family at a time like this. My dad did very well, too. I was really tired and thought it was just all the emotion but now I know part of it was my counts. We capped the evening by watching the City of Lakewood fireworks show from our front lawn.
Yesterday we had a block party. We have not been able to get a permit for the last three years due to a knucklehead neighbor letting off illegals. (He then lost his house a couple of months later). But we blocked off the street, had a great water slide and a great jumper. We had more food than we could possibly eat and of course, lots of family and friends. It seems like more people had fireworks so the show went on and on. My 3 Arizona grandkids got to stay the week with us. Their other grandparents are picking them up Saturday but I didn't think I was going to get any time with them this summer. We've just been hanging out but today the kids went with me to try to find a dog. No luck yet, but it took me about 10 trips to the animal shelter to find Axel.
Now it's just a case of getting enough rest so that hopefully I can get chemo next Wednesday.
There have been some good parts to this week, too. We had a very lovely memorial for my mom last Saturday. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren sang "I am a Child of God" and impressed all of the older folks from the home. It was awfully impressive to see all of those grandchildren/great grandchildren standing there ( and only about 1/2 were there!). We had a nice lunch/dinner for the family after and enjoyed seeing cousins we haven't seen in a while. The great grandchildren all let balloons filled with helium go.I am so glad I had the support of all of our family. It's nice to be from such a large family at a time like this. My dad did very well, too. I was really tired and thought it was just all the emotion but now I know part of it was my counts. We capped the evening by watching the City of Lakewood fireworks show from our front lawn.
Yesterday we had a block party. We have not been able to get a permit for the last three years due to a knucklehead neighbor letting off illegals. (He then lost his house a couple of months later). But we blocked off the street, had a great water slide and a great jumper. We had more food than we could possibly eat and of course, lots of family and friends. It seems like more people had fireworks so the show went on and on. My 3 Arizona grandkids got to stay the week with us. Their other grandparents are picking them up Saturday but I didn't think I was going to get any time with them this summer. We've just been hanging out but today the kids went with me to try to find a dog. No luck yet, but it took me about 10 trips to the animal shelter to find Axel.
Now it's just a case of getting enough rest so that hopefully I can get chemo next Wednesday.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
June 21, 2012
This has been a crazy week. I woke up Sunday morning and was feeling great. I went in to get dressed for church when all of a sudden, the room began to spin. I laid down to rest but the spinning continued. I slept for about 4 more hours but when I awoke, the room was still spinning, even as I laid in bed. After checking my notebook for specific symptoms, Amity called Kaiser. After speaking with the nurse, I went to the emergency room. The doctor ordered a CAT scan, blood work, and gave me an IV. In the end, the outcome was that I had vertigo. I was given medication through the IV to control the vertigo and got to go home.I am still experiencing some vertigo, but it is not constant like it was on Sunday.
Tuesday I went for my normal before chemo labs. As the nurse flushed the port, she could not get the blood to flow back after the flush. I have had similar problems before and they have had to use heparin to get the flow going. However, heparin was not working, The port was clogged. Another medication was put in the line. It has to sit for a half hour before they can try to access the port again. By now it was time to see my oncologist so I saw her while waiting the half hour. She decided that my counts were high enough on Sunday to complete my chemo on Wednesday. I went back to the infusion lab to check the port. There was still no flow. It takes 2 hours for the medication to completely go through the system before anything else can be done. So I had to sit in the lab for another hour and a half. After that time, they were going to try another dose of the medicine. Luckily I had remembered to grab my Kindle! Now on a normal Tuesday before chemo, I go to the infusion lab for blood work and my oncologist appointment is 2 hours later. During that break, I go get some breakfast. So I had not eaten at all and had this vial hanging from my port so I was stuck. When the 2 hours had passed, the nurse came in again and there was still no blood flow. she prepared the medication to try again. When she began to disconnect the vial to put on the new one, all of a sudden the vial filled with blood! So I didn't have to have the second medication. But the 2 1/2 hours I usually spend at Kaiser had turned into 5 hours. At least I didn't have to have any more blood drawn!
Yesterday I went for my treatment. The nurse flushed the line and the blood flowed so obviously everything the day before had worked. I asked if the clogging was normal or if it was because I have the history of blood clots. She assured me that many people have their port clogged at least once during the course of treatment. That was a big relief. And now I have passed the halfway mark for treatment. I am done with 7/12 of my treatments!
Last night I opened Amity and Jordan's rock. They reminded me of how much they love me and that together we are going to beat this! I am so thankful for all of my children and grandchildren and the love and support they always show me.
Last week was a great week. I got to go to a coworkers retirement party on Tuesday and saw so many of my Ramona family. I felt so much encouragement from all of them. I miss working with them and it felt great to be with them.
On Friday, Amity, Jordan, and I kept Ella and Hannah. Ella's friends always get together the day after they get out of school for a bbq at the park and a water balloon fight. We filled 100 water balloons (as did all the other kids that came) and then headed over to the park. It was a blast! then that evening, Amity, Angie, Randi, Ella, Hannah and I enjoyed a girl's night out at the movies. We went to see Madagascar 3 and enjoyed each other's company.
I have spent much of the last week planning with my sisters for our mom's memorial on the 30th. We have been to see our dad and he is trying to get back into his regular activities. Yesterday was Mom's birthday. She would have been 80. It was a difficult day but we did survive. All of us have received many phone calls from family and friends offering help. Many of my nieces and nephews are coming to California for the memorial and I look forward to seeing all of them. I have enjoyed getting to know them as adults and parents. Sharing our memories will be bittersweet, I'm sure. The one thing I am sure of is that I am lucky enough to have a very large extended family that loves each other. My parents have 26 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. When we do get together (which isn't nearly often enough anymore as we are spread out across the country), it is like we have never been apart. I am so blessed to be a part of the Parkins family. I know my mom was met by her parents and our son along with all of the other family members that have gone before her. It is comforting to know that we will all see each other again when our time comes.
Tuesday I went for my normal before chemo labs. As the nurse flushed the port, she could not get the blood to flow back after the flush. I have had similar problems before and they have had to use heparin to get the flow going. However, heparin was not working, The port was clogged. Another medication was put in the line. It has to sit for a half hour before they can try to access the port again. By now it was time to see my oncologist so I saw her while waiting the half hour. She decided that my counts were high enough on Sunday to complete my chemo on Wednesday. I went back to the infusion lab to check the port. There was still no flow. It takes 2 hours for the medication to completely go through the system before anything else can be done. So I had to sit in the lab for another hour and a half. After that time, they were going to try another dose of the medicine. Luckily I had remembered to grab my Kindle! Now on a normal Tuesday before chemo, I go to the infusion lab for blood work and my oncologist appointment is 2 hours later. During that break, I go get some breakfast. So I had not eaten at all and had this vial hanging from my port so I was stuck. When the 2 hours had passed, the nurse came in again and there was still no blood flow. she prepared the medication to try again. When she began to disconnect the vial to put on the new one, all of a sudden the vial filled with blood! So I didn't have to have the second medication. But the 2 1/2 hours I usually spend at Kaiser had turned into 5 hours. At least I didn't have to have any more blood drawn!
Yesterday I went for my treatment. The nurse flushed the line and the blood flowed so obviously everything the day before had worked. I asked if the clogging was normal or if it was because I have the history of blood clots. She assured me that many people have their port clogged at least once during the course of treatment. That was a big relief. And now I have passed the halfway mark for treatment. I am done with 7/12 of my treatments!
Last night I opened Amity and Jordan's rock. They reminded me of how much they love me and that together we are going to beat this! I am so thankful for all of my children and grandchildren and the love and support they always show me.
Last week was a great week. I got to go to a coworkers retirement party on Tuesday and saw so many of my Ramona family. I felt so much encouragement from all of them. I miss working with them and it felt great to be with them.
On Friday, Amity, Jordan, and I kept Ella and Hannah. Ella's friends always get together the day after they get out of school for a bbq at the park and a water balloon fight. We filled 100 water balloons (as did all the other kids that came) and then headed over to the park. It was a blast! then that evening, Amity, Angie, Randi, Ella, Hannah and I enjoyed a girl's night out at the movies. We went to see Madagascar 3 and enjoyed each other's company.
I have spent much of the last week planning with my sisters for our mom's memorial on the 30th. We have been to see our dad and he is trying to get back into his regular activities. Yesterday was Mom's birthday. She would have been 80. It was a difficult day but we did survive. All of us have received many phone calls from family and friends offering help. Many of my nieces and nephews are coming to California for the memorial and I look forward to seeing all of them. I have enjoyed getting to know them as adults and parents. Sharing our memories will be bittersweet, I'm sure. The one thing I am sure of is that I am lucky enough to have a very large extended family that loves each other. My parents have 26 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. When we do get together (which isn't nearly often enough anymore as we are spread out across the country), it is like we have never been apart. I am so blessed to be a part of the Parkins family. I know my mom was met by her parents and our son along with all of the other family members that have gone before her. It is comforting to know that we will all see each other again when our time comes.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
June 12, 2012
The last few weeks have been rough. My side effects have been a little worse but I really believe it is a combo of the chemo and the stress of my mom. The lack of sleep probably hasn't helped, either.
Most of this blog will be about my mom. She would have been 80 years old the 20th of this month. It has been hard to make the decisions we have had to make but honoring her wishes made it a little easier. The hospice we placed her in on Friday was beautiful and very peaceful. The staff was excellent. They gave my mom a spa day on Saturday. Each room had a private courtyard outside. My mom's courtyard had a wind chime and a humming bird feeder. For those who don't know, those were 2 of my mom's favorite things in her own garden.
I have gained great strength from all of my friends who have posted that they have had to make these same decisions, some of them 10-20 years ago. That has helped me to realize that I have been lucky to have my mom for 60 years. I have been remembering all the fun times we had as children, living on Gundry and how our mom used to play with us out on the front lawn during the summer. We always wore a dress when traveling because you never knew what adventure we might come upon to explore. I have probably seen more missions than most people. We always participated in the wheels parade at Longfellow. Mom was my Bluebird leader and always taught us to have fun. I attribute my love of life to that. I can't imagine the challenge of raising 5 daughters.
My dad is holding up pretty well. I have been married 36 years and can't imagine life without Chuck so i really can't imagine how difficult it must be to lose your spouse of 61 years. I have to say, in the hospital, we saw the tenderness between our parents. They have been an excellent example to my sisters and I of what it takes to stay married. Between all of us, we have over 150 years of marriage! That's a lot in this time!
Our entire family is grateful for all the love and support we have received over the last week and a half. I am truly grateful for my sisters and the time we have been able to spend together during this time. It has helped to be able to talk about our memories and fell each other's love an support. I say all the time in my cancer blogs that i have the best, most supportive family. I am truly blessed to be a part of the Parkins family.
My sisters had planned a surprise party for my mom's birthday on June 30th. We will now celebrate her life in a different way on that day. We had ordered a Mother's ring for her and were able to present it to her in the hospital. The staff was gracious enough to turn their backs on more than 2 people in the room and cell phones in the room so we were able to do it all together and even get some pictures. Dad has now had the ring sized and will wear it. We are so grateful that we have our dad and that we can share more time with him. I look forward to seeing many of my nieces and nephews and all of my sisters again at the end of the month.
Most of this blog will be about my mom. She would have been 80 years old the 20th of this month. It has been hard to make the decisions we have had to make but honoring her wishes made it a little easier. The hospice we placed her in on Friday was beautiful and very peaceful. The staff was excellent. They gave my mom a spa day on Saturday. Each room had a private courtyard outside. My mom's courtyard had a wind chime and a humming bird feeder. For those who don't know, those were 2 of my mom's favorite things in her own garden.
I have gained great strength from all of my friends who have posted that they have had to make these same decisions, some of them 10-20 years ago. That has helped me to realize that I have been lucky to have my mom for 60 years. I have been remembering all the fun times we had as children, living on Gundry and how our mom used to play with us out on the front lawn during the summer. We always wore a dress when traveling because you never knew what adventure we might come upon to explore. I have probably seen more missions than most people. We always participated in the wheels parade at Longfellow. Mom was my Bluebird leader and always taught us to have fun. I attribute my love of life to that. I can't imagine the challenge of raising 5 daughters.
My dad is holding up pretty well. I have been married 36 years and can't imagine life without Chuck so i really can't imagine how difficult it must be to lose your spouse of 61 years. I have to say, in the hospital, we saw the tenderness between our parents. They have been an excellent example to my sisters and I of what it takes to stay married. Between all of us, we have over 150 years of marriage! That's a lot in this time!
Our entire family is grateful for all the love and support we have received over the last week and a half. I am truly grateful for my sisters and the time we have been able to spend together during this time. It has helped to be able to talk about our memories and fell each other's love an support. I say all the time in my cancer blogs that i have the best, most supportive family. I am truly blessed to be a part of the Parkins family.
My sisters had planned a surprise party for my mom's birthday on June 30th. We will now celebrate her life in a different way on that day. We had ordered a Mother's ring for her and were able to present it to her in the hospital. The staff was gracious enough to turn their backs on more than 2 people in the room and cell phones in the room so we were able to do it all together and even get some pictures. Dad has now had the ring sized and will wear it. We are so grateful that we have our dad and that we can share more time with him. I look forward to seeing many of my nieces and nephews and all of my sisters again at the end of the month.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
June 7, 2012
I made the half way mark!mm Yeah! Now I am just hoping that the lower dosage allows me to go every 2 weeks instead of always having to wait another week. I should have been done August 1 but now my last chemo (if I stay on the 2 week schedule) is August 29. Then i still have to give it another month to get my immune system back up to where I can be around students. But so far I have no side effects this time. I'm sure they will come but so far so good.
My rock this week was from Bailey (my oldest granddaughter for those of you who don't know). She reminded me that no matter how bad it is, it will get better. Sometimes kids just say the right things! I really have the BEST grandkids on earth!
Being on disability really sucks! It seems like everything that can go wrong and costs money is happening right now. I just took my car in for an oil change and because the service air bag light is on. They are showing my warranty has expired 500 miles ago. I know that's not right since we just bought the car in September but it took forever just to get it checked in.Then of course, there are services needed that aren't covered under warranty for a total of $850! It doesn't help that I really don't like this dealer and I'm not totally happy with the car. I am really thinking I want to trade it in and I would even get a smaller car. With the price of gas, and not needing the bigger car all the time, I think I might be happier. We could just rent a big car when we need it.
Well, Im have a busy day ahead of me. I am meeting all of my sisters at the hospital to celebrate Mom's birthday and Father's Day before one sister leaves this afternoon. I will miss having all my sisters here. Then Ella has a class play tonight and Hannah graduates from preschool tonight. A hectic day and I will probably miss my nap but the grandkids grow up so fast! m It seems like they are growing faster than my own kids did. If only there was a way to keep them little longer.
Thanks to all of you who have been adding my mom to your prayer list. She is showing improvement every day but she is still in ICU. The doctor thinks dialysis may just be a temporary thing and they have stabilized her heart rate. Those are the 2 biggest problems at this point. So the prayers are definitely helping!
My rock this week was from Bailey (my oldest granddaughter for those of you who don't know). She reminded me that no matter how bad it is, it will get better. Sometimes kids just say the right things! I really have the BEST grandkids on earth!
Being on disability really sucks! It seems like everything that can go wrong and costs money is happening right now. I just took my car in for an oil change and because the service air bag light is on. They are showing my warranty has expired 500 miles ago. I know that's not right since we just bought the car in September but it took forever just to get it checked in.Then of course, there are services needed that aren't covered under warranty for a total of $850! It doesn't help that I really don't like this dealer and I'm not totally happy with the car. I am really thinking I want to trade it in and I would even get a smaller car. With the price of gas, and not needing the bigger car all the time, I think I might be happier. We could just rent a big car when we need it.
Well, Im have a busy day ahead of me. I am meeting all of my sisters at the hospital to celebrate Mom's birthday and Father's Day before one sister leaves this afternoon. I will miss having all my sisters here. Then Ella has a class play tonight and Hannah graduates from preschool tonight. A hectic day and I will probably miss my nap but the grandkids grow up so fast! m It seems like they are growing faster than my own kids did. If only there was a way to keep them little longer.
Thanks to all of you who have been adding my mom to your prayer list. She is showing improvement every day but she is still in ICU. The doctor thinks dialysis may just be a temporary thing and they have stabilized her heart rate. Those are the 2 biggest problems at this point. So the prayers are definitely helping!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
June 5, 2012
I have had several people email me because I haven't blogged so I thought I better get busy and do a post. I didn't blog last week because my labs were not good last week and couldn't get chemotherapy. I was really down for a few days. Then on Friday night, I got a call about 11:00 that my mom was in ICU and that they were going to put her on a breathing tube. I have been at the hospital every day in Pomona.
First of all, my labs today were good and I will be at my halfway mark when I do chemo tomorrow! Yeah! I am really excited about that. I feel like it has been a long time coming since I should have been at this point several weeks ago.
My biggest concern has been my mom.She has acute renal failure. They have been able to take her off the ventilator and her lab numbers have come back better every day. She sleeps a lot but we do see improvement every day. She is receiving dialysis but the doctor is hoping that it will be temporary. Today she got to eat for the first time. She didn't eat much but she is drinking Ensure. It's also been nice because all of my sisters have been there. I always like spending time with them.
Well, I know this is a short post but I am exhausted from my day. Thanks for all your continued prayers and good thoughts for my recovery.
First of all, my labs today were good and I will be at my halfway mark when I do chemo tomorrow! Yeah! I am really excited about that. I feel like it has been a long time coming since I should have been at this point several weeks ago.
My biggest concern has been my mom.She has acute renal failure. They have been able to take her off the ventilator and her lab numbers have come back better every day. She sleeps a lot but we do see improvement every day. She is receiving dialysis but the doctor is hoping that it will be temporary. Today she got to eat for the first time. She didn't eat much but she is drinking Ensure. It's also been nice because all of my sisters have been there. I always like spending time with them.
Well, I know this is a short post but I am exhausted from my day. Thanks for all your continued prayers and good thoughts for my recovery.
Friday, May 18, 2012
May 18, 2012
First of all, can I just say that I really like my oncologist. I asked her on Tuesday what would happen if I just quit doing chemotherapy. Her answer? "That would not be smart." Then she proceeded to remind me what a great support system I have. She's met Chuck, Angie, Jordan, and Ella. But I just needed to hear that this is a necessary part of my recovery. I was just frustrated with how many times I've had to postpone treatment.
I did have chemo on Wednesday and the doctor has deleted one of the meds that UCLA does not use in their treatment. Hopefully it will make a difference in my white count. My white count was good but my red count is low. If it drops to 8 I will need to have another transfusion. I know that transfusions are much safer than they were even 10 years ago but I really don't like needing to get blood. My protein level stayed the same, so at least it didn't drop any further. Angie found a site that listed the most efficient proteins so I used that to try to help build my protein levels.
My rock this week was from Josh & Angie. Josh wrote a quote by Vincent Peale about how it is never a good time to give up. Angie reminded me that we need rain to have rainbows. The messages on the rocks really do encourage me.So do all the kind messages, cards, phone calls and emails I receive. My doctor is right. I do have a great support system!
I did have chemo on Wednesday and the doctor has deleted one of the meds that UCLA does not use in their treatment. Hopefully it will make a difference in my white count. My white count was good but my red count is low. If it drops to 8 I will need to have another transfusion. I know that transfusions are much safer than they were even 10 years ago but I really don't like needing to get blood. My protein level stayed the same, so at least it didn't drop any further. Angie found a site that listed the most efficient proteins so I used that to try to help build my protein levels.
My rock this week was from Josh & Angie. Josh wrote a quote by Vincent Peale about how it is never a good time to give up. Angie reminded me that we need rain to have rainbows. The messages on the rocks really do encourage me.So do all the kind messages, cards, phone calls and emails I receive. My doctor is right. I do have a great support system!
Monday, May 14, 2012
May 14, 2012
This has been a roller coaster week for me. First, I was sure my counts were high enough to do my chemo round. I had not been feeling that fatigued and I had no fever. But when I went for lab tests, the counts were too low. I was extremely disappointed. My last round should have been August 1 and now we are up to August 22. There are times it leels it is never going to end.
Next, my mom had to go to a rehab hospital. She fell for the 2nd time in a month so that are giving her therapy to strengthen her body so that, hopefully, she will be able to walk without a walker.The frustrating part is that I can't go see her and I had tried calling her 3 or more times a day and couldn't get her. I finally found out yesterday that I was calling the wrong number! I had the last number wrong. So I did get to have a great conversation with her for Mother's Day.
Now for some of the better things that have happened. Chuck has been home since Thursday night and goes back to work tomorrow morning. Usually when he's home it is just for a day or 2 and there are so many people to see that I always feel like we don't get a lot of time for just the 2 of us. Well, this time we have. It's been wonderful to have him here. He went to Ella's soccer game with me, church with me, and then we spent some quality time seeing his mom for Mother's Day. His sister, 2 brother-in-laws, and our niece and nephew that just moved back from Hawaii were also there. Also, Josh, Angie and the girls came over. And of course we got to spend time with Jordan, Amity, and Randi. I got sweet phone conversations with Bailey, Cole, and Lindsay. They only have 9 days left of school and are looking forward to coming for a visit. I, too, am looking forward to that. I will truly miss having them for the whole summer like I usually do but a visit will be the next best thing!
I also got some sweet cards from my class, both get well and Teacher Appreciation. It helps to know that they really miss me like I miss them. Their little messages and emails and phone calls do a lot for my spirit. The fact that they care makes me feel like I've done something right with them. That helps when I am feeling like I let them down by being gone. I have always said this year that I have the best 5th grade class and that they do have good hearts.
I have been pretty discouraged this week, to the point that I have even thought about talking to the doctor about stopping chemo. But after my joys this last week, I am ready to go on again. I still need and want all your prayers and good thoughts.I do feel them in my times of doubt. I am so thankful for my faith in the Lord because that also helps keep me strong. I just keep reminding myself that He has promised that He wold never give us more than we could bear and that when one door closes, a window opens. We just have to believe and look deep inside ourselves for that open window.
It's a new week and labs will be Tuesday. Hopefully my counts will be higher and hopefully my protein will start going up. Angie found a chart for me listing the most efficient proteins so I am trying that. I appreciate all the suggestions I get from all of you. And mostly, I appreciate your love and support. I have the best support system anyone could ask for with all my family and friends.
Next, my mom had to go to a rehab hospital. She fell for the 2nd time in a month so that are giving her therapy to strengthen her body so that, hopefully, she will be able to walk without a walker.The frustrating part is that I can't go see her and I had tried calling her 3 or more times a day and couldn't get her. I finally found out yesterday that I was calling the wrong number! I had the last number wrong. So I did get to have a great conversation with her for Mother's Day.
Now for some of the better things that have happened. Chuck has been home since Thursday night and goes back to work tomorrow morning. Usually when he's home it is just for a day or 2 and there are so many people to see that I always feel like we don't get a lot of time for just the 2 of us. Well, this time we have. It's been wonderful to have him here. He went to Ella's soccer game with me, church with me, and then we spent some quality time seeing his mom for Mother's Day. His sister, 2 brother-in-laws, and our niece and nephew that just moved back from Hawaii were also there. Also, Josh, Angie and the girls came over. And of course we got to spend time with Jordan, Amity, and Randi. I got sweet phone conversations with Bailey, Cole, and Lindsay. They only have 9 days left of school and are looking forward to coming for a visit. I, too, am looking forward to that. I will truly miss having them for the whole summer like I usually do but a visit will be the next best thing!
I also got some sweet cards from my class, both get well and Teacher Appreciation. It helps to know that they really miss me like I miss them. Their little messages and emails and phone calls do a lot for my spirit. The fact that they care makes me feel like I've done something right with them. That helps when I am feeling like I let them down by being gone. I have always said this year that I have the best 5th grade class and that they do have good hearts.
I have been pretty discouraged this week, to the point that I have even thought about talking to the doctor about stopping chemo. But after my joys this last week, I am ready to go on again. I still need and want all your prayers and good thoughts.I do feel them in my times of doubt. I am so thankful for my faith in the Lord because that also helps keep me strong. I just keep reminding myself that He has promised that He wold never give us more than we could bear and that when one door closes, a window opens. We just have to believe and look deep inside ourselves for that open window.
It's a new week and labs will be Tuesday. Hopefully my counts will be higher and hopefully my protein will start going up. Angie found a chart for me listing the most efficient proteins so I am trying that. I appreciate all the suggestions I get from all of you. And mostly, I appreciate your love and support. I have the best support system anyone could ask for with all my family and friends.
Friday, May 4, 2012
May 4, 2012
It has been a strange round of chemo! I have had a lot of nausea the past 2 weeks. Other than that, I've been feeling well. Tuesday, May 1, was a very good day. I have gotten to spend more time with Randi, my granddaughter that is living here, than I usually do because I have felt better. She is a joy to have around because she can make me feel better just by her smiles and hugs!
Last weekend my sister and her family came to visit and I enjoyed that. My brother-in-law gave me a blessing which I am sure is why this week has been so good. A second sister also came over Saturday night. There is nothing like family to make you feel better! I did not hang out with the extended family (too tired) but I did get to see them for a while. I would have liked to have been there to see my grandkids playing with my sister's grandkids but I knew it would be too much for me. But it was a fun, heartwarming weekend.
Last weekend my sister and her family came to visit and I enjoyed that. My brother-in-law gave me a blessing which I am sure is why this week has been so good. A second sister also came over Saturday night. There is nothing like family to make you feel better! I did not hang out with the extended family (too tired) but I did get to see them for a while. I would have liked to have been there to see my grandkids playing with my sister's grandkids but I knew it would be too much for me. But it was a fun, heartwarming weekend.
Friday, April 27, 2012
April 27, 2012
This has been a roller coaster week. I spent the weekend trying to stay healthy enough to get my chemo treatment on Tuesday. When I saw the oncologist, my levels barely met the minimum to receive chemo but she did decide to proceed so I didn't have to skip another week. But it was extremely discouraging because I had worked so hard to stay healthy enough. My protein level is still dropping. It should be a 3. Last time it was 2.9 and this time it dropped again to 2.7. I am drinking protein shakes, making sure I eat at least some protein every meal, and eating at least meals a day. Sometimes, the 3 meals are hard to do! I'd been told that I might get to where everything tastes like metal and that does happen sometimes so nothing tastes good. We talked again about revising my doses or even taking out one of the meds but at this time, she left everything as is. The nausea has been extreme this week. I have had to take 3 different meds for it on some days. The third med makes me very shaky so I don't like to have to get that far.
My rock this week was from Ella. Josh, Angie, Ella, and Hannah came over to watch me unwrap the rock. Ella was hoping I'd pick hers. Her message said, "Remember all you need is hope." It was so sweet and cheered me up.
Another bright note this week was when I received a package from my sister-in-law, Dinah, from Hawaii. I have a favorite clothing line that you can only buy in Hawaii. She sent me a dress to lounge around in from that store. If you don't know, I love Hawaii (who wouldn't) and since she has moved there we have gone almost every year. So the dress also cheered me up! She's planning to move back to the mainland at the end of this year so I definitely want to try to go before she leaves.
I am missing my class right now and thinking of them as they get ready to do state testing next week. I am so grateful that one of my very best friends is their substitute because I know she has worked hard to help them continue on the scholarly path we started on in September. Thanks Tricia! You give me less to worry about!
The best part of this week is that I am 1/3 of the way through treatment! It doesn't sound near as bad when I say it that way! I am also looking forward to a visit from at least one and maybe two of my sisters this weekend. Life continues to be good and the Lord continues to bless me. I feel all of your prayers, love and support. Thank you!
My rock this week was from Ella. Josh, Angie, Ella, and Hannah came over to watch me unwrap the rock. Ella was hoping I'd pick hers. Her message said, "Remember all you need is hope." It was so sweet and cheered me up.
Another bright note this week was when I received a package from my sister-in-law, Dinah, from Hawaii. I have a favorite clothing line that you can only buy in Hawaii. She sent me a dress to lounge around in from that store. If you don't know, I love Hawaii (who wouldn't) and since she has moved there we have gone almost every year. So the dress also cheered me up! She's planning to move back to the mainland at the end of this year so I definitely want to try to go before she leaves.
I am missing my class right now and thinking of them as they get ready to do state testing next week. I am so grateful that one of my very best friends is their substitute because I know she has worked hard to help them continue on the scholarly path we started on in September. Thanks Tricia! You give me less to worry about!
The best part of this week is that I am 1/3 of the way through treatment! It doesn't sound near as bad when I say it that way! I am also looking forward to a visit from at least one and maybe two of my sisters this weekend. Life continues to be good and the Lord continues to bless me. I feel all of your prayers, love and support. Thank you!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April 24, 2012
Well,, I thought this week was a lot better but that's not what my labs say. My protein is still going down and I don't see how that is possible. I am eating protein for 3 meals a day and drinking 2 protein shakes (with double protein powder). Now she wants me to try drinking a green juice every morning that doesn't sound to good. But I'll try it.The good new is that my count was barely high enough but I can do chemo tomorrow. So hopefully all will go well. At least I'm not completely fatigued this time. The next 3 days are usually easy for me so I hope they continue in that manner.
My kids did a really nice thing for me. They got a vase, each painted a rock (with Uncle Josh's help) and then wrote a reason I am doing the chemo.I guess on the other side of Chuck's there's a place for me to write a reason. As a do a session I get to open one rock (they're all wrapped now) and after I read it I have another vase to put it in. It's a great visual and it's nice to see the open rocks get fuller! Their reasons are pretty cheery, too!
Unfortunately, we missed seeing Kinsey & Madison this weekend because a fever kept coming and the going away. I haven't seen those 2 little ones in quite a while. Hopefully I'll be better on the next visit!
My kids did a really nice thing for me. They got a vase, each painted a rock (with Uncle Josh's help) and then wrote a reason I am doing the chemo.I guess on the other side of Chuck's there's a place for me to write a reason. As a do a session I get to open one rock (they're all wrapped now) and after I read it I have another vase to put it in. It's a great visual and it's nice to see the open rocks get fuller! Their reasons are pretty cheery, too!
Unfortunately, we missed seeing Kinsey & Madison this weekend because a fever kept coming and the going away. I haven't seen those 2 little ones in quite a while. Hopefully I'll be better on the next visit!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
April 18, 2012
This has been a good week so far. I have been stay8ing in on the weekends to avoid crowds (why shop when it's crowded when you can do it during the week in the morning?) I've found that if I do a couple of things in the morning and then just take it easy for the rest of the day it is helping. I've worked on eating,, even when I don't feel like it.
I want to thank everyone who has sent me comments about my blog. It has encouraged me to keep my friends and family updated and the comments also give me the support I need right now. One of my friends told me the cure is worse than the disease. I think I agree with that! I asked the doctor last week how we know it's working. She reminded me that my entire tumor was removed and this is to prevent any cancer cells that were trying to hang out from catching hold. So in the long run, it is worth it.
I want to thank everyone who has sent me comments about my blog. It has encouraged me to keep my friends and family updated and the comments also give me the support I need right now. One of my friends told me the cure is worse than the disease. I think I agree with that! I asked the doctor last week how we know it's working. She reminded me that my entire tumor was removed and this is to prevent any cancer cells that were trying to hang out from catching hold. So in the long run, it is worth it.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
April 14, 2012
This has been a great week! We had all of Chuck's sisters and their families and his mom over fo9r Easter dinner. Amity cooked the ham and twice baked potatoes (a huge hit with everyone!) and then everyone else brought the rest of the meal. The weather was gorgeous and we ate outside. Our new little great-niece, Raelyn, was delightful and it was fun to see how she's grown.
I met with Dr. Yap, my oncologist, on Tuesday. We went over how poorly my chemo treatments have been going and discussed different options.I tend to get neutropenia about 10 days after my treatment. This means I am anemic, have a very low white cell count, no appetite, and sometimes a fever. After reviewing everything and discussing the last week, Dr. Yap decided we would continue as planned this round as scheduled. I am working really hard to keep my count up by drinking protein shakes on top of my meals, being sure I get enough green leafy vegetables, not eating any raw vegetables or fruits, and staying away from any crowds. My protein count has also been low, and gets lower each treatment. I don't mind the protein shakes but sometimes it's just hard to eat enough to keep me healthy. I think I miss being able to eat salad the very most! If I get sick again, we will 1) cut my dose again, 2) drop one of the medications, or 3) cut the number of treatments.
Tuesday night I met with the support group had found. It is a really nice group of women and it was great to be able to just talk about everything. One of the women in the group has a friend who has the same cancer I have (the women in the group al have different kinds of cancer). She asked if she could give this woman my number. Of course I said yes and that woman called me the very next day. It was great to talk to her because her experience was very similar to mine. She has now been cancer free for 4 1/2 years. She did have to drop 2 rounds of chemo but the fact that she is still cancer free gives me hope.
Wednesday was another round. As of today, I have had no problems. I think am learning to recognize the signs my bod gives me more and so I know when to stop and rest.
Yesterday I met friends from Las Flores for lunch. It was so nice to see all of them and to catch up. Some of them brought their children (it's spring break) and it was really nice to see the children and how big they've grown since we all worked together 2 years ago. It rained most of the day and I actually enjoyed being out in the rain for a wile. I ran a few errands while I was out but then recognized my body had had enough and came home to nap.
Life is good. I believe God has a plan for me and that he is guiding me all the way. He has put so many new people in my life to help me with this journey and I am grateful for the new friends I have met. I have had so many offers of help from my Ramona family! I feel truly blessed. I appreciate the prayers and support I receive from all of you and I truly feel your love and support. It's what gets me through each day!
I met with Dr. Yap, my oncologist, on Tuesday. We went over how poorly my chemo treatments have been going and discussed different options.I tend to get neutropenia about 10 days after my treatment. This means I am anemic, have a very low white cell count, no appetite, and sometimes a fever. After reviewing everything and discussing the last week, Dr. Yap decided we would continue as planned this round as scheduled. I am working really hard to keep my count up by drinking protein shakes on top of my meals, being sure I get enough green leafy vegetables, not eating any raw vegetables or fruits, and staying away from any crowds. My protein count has also been low, and gets lower each treatment. I don't mind the protein shakes but sometimes it's just hard to eat enough to keep me healthy. I think I miss being able to eat salad the very most! If I get sick again, we will 1) cut my dose again, 2) drop one of the medications, or 3) cut the number of treatments.
Tuesday night I met with the support group had found. It is a really nice group of women and it was great to be able to just talk about everything. One of the women in the group has a friend who has the same cancer I have (the women in the group al have different kinds of cancer). She asked if she could give this woman my number. Of course I said yes and that woman called me the very next day. It was great to talk to her because her experience was very similar to mine. She has now been cancer free for 4 1/2 years. She did have to drop 2 rounds of chemo but the fact that she is still cancer free gives me hope.
Wednesday was another round. As of today, I have had no problems. I think am learning to recognize the signs my bod gives me more and so I know when to stop and rest.
Yesterday I met friends from Las Flores for lunch. It was so nice to see all of them and to catch up. Some of them brought their children (it's spring break) and it was really nice to see the children and how big they've grown since we all worked together 2 years ago. It rained most of the day and I actually enjoyed being out in the rain for a wile. I ran a few errands while I was out but then recognized my body had had enough and came home to nap.
Life is good. I believe God has a plan for me and that he is guiding me all the way. He has put so many new people in my life to help me with this journey and I am grateful for the new friends I have met. I have had so many offers of help from my Ramona family! I feel truly blessed. I appreciate the prayers and support I receive from all of you and I truly feel your love and support. It's what gets me through each day!
Saturday, April 7, 2012
April 6, 2012
I woke up this morning as if nothing had been wrong again. We usually camp Easter weekend with Angie's family at Lake Skinner but I decided to forgo the trip this year and just stay home. Unfortunately, Ella broke her wrist last night, skating, so I decided to take her a movie to watch and then went shopping with Amity and Randi. While we were at Old Navy, the young girl checking us out had a buzz. I commented that I liked her hair style. She said she had done it for her grandma who was now in remission. We went to lunch and Amity and Randi went home. I needed to get buttons for dre3sses I had made for the girls so I went out again.
Later, I was at Target, looking for a game Ella could take to Skinner to play (since she can't do much else right now). A woman came up to me and asked if I was at the end of my chemo. I replied that, no, I was just beginning and had just had to postpone my 3rd round. Now, I truly believe that God brings people into your life in mysterious ways when you need them. As this woman and I stood in the aisle talking, she asked me if I would be interested in attending a woman's support group for cancer patients and survivors. I had just been online looking for such a group! She leads a group here locally (she's a 12 year survivor). As we were exchanging information, she mentioned that she works for Bellflower Unified schools. I told her that I taught for Bellflower at Ramona. She is an instructional aide for special ed and works directly with one of my very good friends that is a special ed teacher at Foster. We also talked about all the other teachers I know from Foster. What a small world! Then she mentioned that I must know another woman in the group. It is our speech teacher from Ramona who has been out all year with breast cancer. And the best part is that the group meets this Tuesday night, right before my next chemo round!
Later, I was at Target, looking for a game Ella could take to Skinner to play (since she can't do much else right now). A woman came up to me and asked if I was at the end of my chemo. I replied that, no, I was just beginning and had just had to postpone my 3rd round. Now, I truly believe that God brings people into your life in mysterious ways when you need them. As this woman and I stood in the aisle talking, she asked me if I would be interested in attending a woman's support group for cancer patients and survivors. I had just been online looking for such a group! She leads a group here locally (she's a 12 year survivor). As we were exchanging information, she mentioned that she works for Bellflower Unified schools. I told her that I taught for Bellflower at Ramona. She is an instructional aide for special ed and works directly with one of my very good friends that is a special ed teacher at Foster. We also talked about all the other teachers I know from Foster. What a small world! Then she mentioned that I must know another woman in the group. It is our speech teacher from Ramona who has been out all year with breast cancer. And the best part is that the group meets this Tuesday night, right before my next chemo round!
March 22,, 2012
I guess I must have been pretty bad. While I was sleeping, the kids decided to call my doctor. The doctor told them to take me to urgent care immediately. When we got to urgent care, they sent me immediately to the ER. I was admitted with a fever and a very low white cell blood count. I had also had diarrhea for about a week and no amount of Immodium AD was helping.
This time, I had to have another unit of blood. I stayed in the hospital until April 4th. At this point, Chuck had been gone for 6 weeks. He was due to make a delivery in Paramount on April 2nd so we had decided that I would meet him out towards Palm Springs on the 1st, we would stay at a nice hotel and celebrate our anniversary a few days early because I would have the pump on the 5th, our actual anniversary. Because I was admitted, he drove home to be able to be with me. I thought I was going to get to go home on the 3rd but the doctor decided she wanted to keep me at least one more day. This meant that, again, my chemo round would be postponed. That was very discouraging to me because all I could see at the time is that the end was also prolonged.
Luckily, the doctor discharge me on the 4th and I got to spend our anniversary with Chuck before he headed out again on the 6th. Amity mad a delicious Hawaiian meal of Kaluha Pork, macaroni salad and rice. It was better than any meal we could have gone out for.
It was hard to say good bye to Chuck when we didn't get to spend that much time together. He spent his days off getting our taxes done, running all the errands we usually do together when he's home, and coming back and forth to spend time with me (even though I slept a lot of that time). But it was nice to have hime there, holding my hand.
This time, I had to have another unit of blood. I stayed in the hospital until April 4th. At this point, Chuck had been gone for 6 weeks. He was due to make a delivery in Paramount on April 2nd so we had decided that I would meet him out towards Palm Springs on the 1st, we would stay at a nice hotel and celebrate our anniversary a few days early because I would have the pump on the 5th, our actual anniversary. Because I was admitted, he drove home to be able to be with me. I thought I was going to get to go home on the 3rd but the doctor decided she wanted to keep me at least one more day. This meant that, again, my chemo round would be postponed. That was very discouraging to me because all I could see at the time is that the end was also prolonged.
Luckily, the doctor discharge me on the 4th and I got to spend our anniversary with Chuck before he headed out again on the 6th. Amity mad a delicious Hawaiian meal of Kaluha Pork, macaroni salad and rice. It was better than any meal we could have gone out for.
It was hard to say good bye to Chuck when we didn't get to spend that much time together. He spent his days off getting our taxes done, running all the errands we usually do together when he's home, and coming back and forth to spend time with me (even though I slept a lot of that time). But it was nice to have hime there, holding my hand.
March 21, 2012
My second round! Again, my side effects were minimal. But then again, on March 31, the fatigue set in again. I went to Ella's soccer game in La Mirada. When I got to the field, I could not get out of the car and walk to where she was playing. So I moved my car to where they had parked and slept in my car until the game was over so that Ella would know I was there. I must have looked pretty bad, because Angie offered to drive me home in my car and Josh would follow. I told them I would be ok and drove home. As soon as I got home, I went to bed and slept most of the day.
March 17, 2012
I spent the week either sleeping or crying. I couldn't stay awake for more than an hour or 2 at a time. Today I woke up as if nothing had been wrong! It was like night and day. Angie had planned to make corned beef and cabbage for dinner. Due to my fatigue all week,k, we decided to postpone the meal until the 18th. On Sunday, their family, Jordan's family and I all enjoyed a wonderful St. Patrick's day meal.
Another thing I forgot to mention earlier, Jessica had come to visit and help me the weekend of February 3. Because her intention was to help me, she did not bring her kids. She organized my scrapbook room so that I could scrap when I felt up to it. But Lindsay, in particular, had been very worried so Jessica decide she wanted to bring the kids to see me before chem started. So she returned again the weekend of the 17th. While the kids were here, we decided to shave my head. All of the grandkids took part and of course, we took pictures to scrapbook! It was a lot of fun and I could tell that the visit did a lot to relieve any fears the kids had.
Another thing I forgot to mention earlier, Jessica had come to visit and help me the weekend of February 3. Because her intention was to help me, she did not bring her kids. She organized my scrapbook room so that I could scrap when I felt up to it. But Lindsay, in particular, had been very worried so Jessica decide she wanted to bring the kids to see me before chem started. So she returned again the weekend of the 17th. While the kids were here, we decided to shave my head. All of the grandkids took part and of course, we took pictures to scrapbook! It was a lot of fun and I could tell that the visit did a lot to relieve any fears the kids had.
March 8, 2012
All has gone well up to this point. I was scheduled to go to Arizona today until March 13. All of a sudden, I began feeling overwhelmed and would cry at the drop of a hat. I decided to change my flight to the 9th and to come home on the 12th.
I got to spend the evening with just the grandkids while Jessica and Jason enjoyed a date night. We just went out to dinner and I was exhausted by the time we got home.
Saturday was the All-state band performance. I was so proud of Bailey and enjoyed our outing. We all went to dinner after and I couldn't eat much. I was also experiencing extreme fatigue. When we came home, I went to bed and slept all night. The next day, I had a difficult time staying awake. On Monday morning, I decided to move my flight even earlier in the day. I just wanted to be home in my own bed.
On Tuesday the 13th, I went in for my labs and met with Dr. Yap. My white blood count was too low to do chemo the next day. The next round would be put off for a week.
I got to spend the evening with just the grandkids while Jessica and Jason enjoyed a date night. We just went out to dinner and I was exhausted by the time we got home.
Saturday was the All-state band performance. I was so proud of Bailey and enjoyed our outing. We all went to dinner after and I couldn't eat much. I was also experiencing extreme fatigue. When we came home, I went to bed and slept all night. The next day, I had a difficult time staying awake. On Monday morning, I decided to move my flight even earlier in the day. I just wanted to be home in my own bed.
On Tuesday the 13th, I went in for my labs and met with Dr. Yap. My white blood count was too low to do chemo the next day. The next round would be put off for a week.
February 29, 2012
This was my first round. I went in to have 2 of the chemo meds. At the end of the session, a 3rd med was given and I wore a pump home to deliver this med over a 41 hour period. I then returned to the infusion lab to have the pump disconnected. It really was kind of interesting how perfectly they had this timed. As I was waiting for them to call me in for my appointment, the pump went off to indicate that the infusion was complete. With the port, everything was very simple. My side effects were very minimal. I had some slight nausea, but nothing the medications I had been prescribed did not control. I forgot to mention that Angie and I had also met with the RN who case manages oncology patients and had been told every possible side effect, how to control it, and when to call the doctor. She was very efficient and thorough.
In the meantime, a decision had been made that I needed to have someone at home with me. Jordan and Amity agreed to move in to help me through this process. And then, of course, I had Josh and Angie just a mile away and Ray and Brandi (my nephew and niece) down the street. At first I was against having the help in the home. I thought I could do it by myself. But when I heard the relief in Chuck's voice to know that someone would be there at all times while he was on the road, I relented. They moved in on March 1.
In the meantime, a decision had been made that I needed to have someone at home with me. Jordan and Amity agreed to move in to help me through this process. And then, of course, I had Josh and Angie just a mile away and Ray and Brandi (my nephew and niece) down the street. At first I was against having the help in the home. I thought I could do it by myself. But when I heard the relief in Chuck's voice to know that someone would be there at all times while he was on the road, I relented. They moved in on March 1.
I met with the oncologist, Dr. Yap, for the first time. Angie had volunteered to go with me to be a second set (and probably better prepared to listen) set of ears. Luckily, Chuck also happened to be home that day and was also able to go. I really liked Dr. Yap right away. We set up a treatment plan and she even worked it out that I would be able to go to Arizona in early March for Cole's birthday and B9iley's performance in All-state band. My first round of chemotherapy was scheduled for February 29. I was also scheduled to have a port put in on February 13. Now, one thing I haven't mentioned is that one of my very dearest friends was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last September. She had her port put in and died in October. For this reason, having a port scared me to death. But it was necessary for my treatment and so we proceeded as planned. The port was put in, and chemo began.
Surgery day is finally here. My sister, Pat, came to stay with me and to help me through the first week of recovery. The doctor was able to do a resection by removing about 18 inches of the colon. The tumor had gone through the wall of the colon but no other organs were affected. He also took out 28 lymph nodes and so we waited for the pathology reports. In the meantime, I began the recovery from the surgery, itself. When pathology reports came in, 9 of the lymph nodes were affected. This meant definite chemotherapy.
My first indication that anything was wrong was in the beginning of 2011. I was having problems with what I (and my doctor) thought was constipation. My symptoms began getting a little worse in October. I compared some of my issues with a friend who had gone through colitis. When I went to the doctor in November, she thought that was a possibility but no for sure diagnosis at this time.
On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 my journey began in earnest. I had been having stomach pain since late October. I called before school to make a doctor's appointment for that afternoon. I went to school, did my 8:00 duty, and realized there was no way I could teach that day. Luckily, there was an extra sub on campus so I was able to leave right away, rather than waiting for a sub to show up. When I got to my car, I called and changed my appointment to the first one available that morning. When I saw the doctor, she thought I might have some kind of gastrointestinal infection. She ordered lab work, gave me a prescription and I went home and slept.
About 9:00 that night I was also vomiting and I noticed blood in my stool. I called Josh and Angie and Angie came and took me to ER. The ER doctor decided to admit me. Many tests were run but the most pressing issue was that I seemed to have some internal bleeding somewhere. I was, at this time, still on coumadin from the blood clot I had in August, 2010. The first thing was to get me off the coumadin. I was anemic due to the blood loss and needed a transfusion. I received 3 units of blood and 2 units of platelets to flush the coumadin from my system. I remained in the hospital for 2 days and many tests were run with nothing definite being found.
On December 8th, I had a follow-up appointment with the GI doctor. He was planning to have me do a procedure that had me swallow a capsule with a small camera in it. I would remain at Kaiser all day while a computer would read the camera as it traveled through my digestive system. As we were talking, the doctor asked me several questions and then told me that even though I had had a clean, routine colonoscopy in August, 2009, he thought he should do another colonoscopy. I replied that I had a couple of weeks off in a couple of weeks. He said he didn't think we should wait that long and asked if I could come in the next day. Luckily, Jordan was staying at my house, doing some work for us, and was available to take me.
We went in the next morning. After the procedure, Dr. Chui showed me the pictures and showed me the tumor. It seemed to be confined to the colon but a CT scan was schedule to be sure and I was schedule to meet with the surgeon. The CT scan showed that it had not spread to the liver (the next place it would go) but that there looked like some lymph nodes might be affected.I have to say, he told me from that very day that chemotherapy was almost positively in my future.
Because this was over the holidays, surgery could not be scheduled until January 27, 2012. It seemed so far away and the wait was hard to bear.
On Wednesday, November 9, 2011 my journey began in earnest. I had been having stomach pain since late October. I called before school to make a doctor's appointment for that afternoon. I went to school, did my 8:00 duty, and realized there was no way I could teach that day. Luckily, there was an extra sub on campus so I was able to leave right away, rather than waiting for a sub to show up. When I got to my car, I called and changed my appointment to the first one available that morning. When I saw the doctor, she thought I might have some kind of gastrointestinal infection. She ordered lab work, gave me a prescription and I went home and slept.
About 9:00 that night I was also vomiting and I noticed blood in my stool. I called Josh and Angie and Angie came and took me to ER. The ER doctor decided to admit me. Many tests were run but the most pressing issue was that I seemed to have some internal bleeding somewhere. I was, at this time, still on coumadin from the blood clot I had in August, 2010. The first thing was to get me off the coumadin. I was anemic due to the blood loss and needed a transfusion. I received 3 units of blood and 2 units of platelets to flush the coumadin from my system. I remained in the hospital for 2 days and many tests were run with nothing definite being found.
On December 8th, I had a follow-up appointment with the GI doctor. He was planning to have me do a procedure that had me swallow a capsule with a small camera in it. I would remain at Kaiser all day while a computer would read the camera as it traveled through my digestive system. As we were talking, the doctor asked me several questions and then told me that even though I had had a clean, routine colonoscopy in August, 2009, he thought he should do another colonoscopy. I replied that I had a couple of weeks off in a couple of weeks. He said he didn't think we should wait that long and asked if I could come in the next day. Luckily, Jordan was staying at my house, doing some work for us, and was available to take me.
We went in the next morning. After the procedure, Dr. Chui showed me the pictures and showed me the tumor. It seemed to be confined to the colon but a CT scan was schedule to be sure and I was schedule to meet with the surgeon. The CT scan showed that it had not spread to the liver (the next place it would go) but that there looked like some lymph nodes might be affected.I have to say, he told me from that very day that chemotherapy was almost positively in my future.
Because this was over the holidays, surgery could not be scheduled until January 27, 2012. It seemed so far away and the wait was hard to bear.
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