Well, since I can't sleep, I decided to blog. It's been a while. I was recently told that my blog was down. My gmail account was hacked so I think that is what happened to my blog. But it's back now. I do have a new email address. It is kcmiddough@yahoo.com. I have more than likely lost your email in the change, so please send me an email so that I can add you to my address book.
My retirement party was great! We had a taco lady and my daughters-in-law made guacamole and Amity's special dip to go with them. There were many "old" friends along with the people I work with now and lots of family. I felt very appreciated and loved. I enjoyed myself and appreciate all the effort that went into planning the party.
At the party, my principal asked if I would like to participate in the promotion. Of course I said yes. It was so good to be able to say goodbye to the students and parents. Again, I felt so special and could feel the love and support from them.
June brought several problems. First, I could feel myself slipping into depression. It was a combination of several things including family issues, my mom's passing a year ago (and her birthday was in June), and realizing that I am not going back to a job I love. When I realized what was happening, I did go talk to a therapist and I am doing much better. I'm glad I recognized what was happening (although it took me a few weeks) and was able to get help. I have also been having a problem with hearing. I had to put phones on speaker to be able to understand. It sounded like I was in a tunnel with everything echoing. I was blaming it on my phones until one day I was talking on the phone and changed to the other ear. I could hear fine! So I finally realized it was my left ear. I went for a hearing test last week. I have definitely lost hearing in my left ear. I have lost a little in my right ear but it isn't affecting me as much. I am seeing an ENT doctor on the 12th. They do think that my left ear may be (at least partially) due to chemo. My next CT scan is scheduled for July 15th and I will see my oncologist on the 23rd to go over the results. My last round of chemo made me really sick. I have been having to tak an extra dose of nausea meds about an hour into the first med. Two times ago, I had to take a second extra dose. Last week, I vomited during the chemo. We set up a plan for next time to see if we can prevent that from happening again.
I am enjoying having Chuck home so much more often. He leaves on Friday night and gets back Monday afternoon. We are trying to make a point of having a date night every week. We are also planning some small trips for now. It was difficult at first to have him home because we were so used to him being gone for such long periods of time. But we are all adjusting now and things are settling into a routine.
We are down to only 2 dogs in the house. Josh & Angie's older dog had to be put down in June. My dog, Newton, was having difficulty with so many animals in the house so I found a new home for him. I miss him but I also know he will be better off in his new home.
I guess I'm gong to try again to go to sleep. I will post again when I get the CT scan results.
