Another week

Since tomorrow is Tuesday, that means it's chemo day for me. I will be meeting with Dr. Simon and having my weekly blood test. Should have no issues since last week I was off from chemo. Even though I have never seem to get my energy back. Am going to mention that to the doctor, along with lack of uninterrupted sleep at night. I'm weaning myself off of the sleeping pill 'cause it just doesn't do it's job. I sleep for an hr. and then I'm up during the night. Maybe she can recommend another pill that has longer effect on me. Am also going to talk about the chemo with her. Wondering if there is a pattern. Not able to take all 3 dosages in each cycle due to low white blood cells.

My appt. is at 11:45 a.m.

Tim has 3 more days left of college. He's enjoying it a lot.

It's Tuesday, therefore it's blood work day

I had blood work today. It's my off week from having chemo. But had it been scheduled, I wouldn't have been able to get it again. Due to low white blood cells. I flunked the test again. I see a pattern forming. It's supposed to be chemo 3 weeks in a row, followed by 1 week without chemo. It's been every other week so far. I have an appt. with Dr. Simon next week and I'll be asking her questions about the treatment. Maybe they could reduce the amount of chemo, less side effects. Am always tired, don't ever seem to have energy. Oh, to be the energizer bunny! Patti drove me to this appt., and a special treat was a Dunkin Donuts coffee coolata. She was also kind enough to share some of her perennials with me. I just love flowers.

By the way, Barry got the results of his CT scans from Friday. No change. But he continues to have aches and pains. No mention of when he'll be having his next chemo. Geeez, it's been about 6 months.

Tim is 1/2 way done with his summer college class. He's enjoying the subject, and he seems to have a lot of homework. The way I look at it, not wasting the summer. Works in the afternoon for a teacher doing odds and ends, plus keeps the neighbors yard mowed and in good shape. Busy is good.

No relief from shoulder pain

It's been 2 days since I had the cortisone shots and I don't feel any relief. Dr. said it could take 3 days. If still no relief I will contact him next week. Not sure if I mentioned on this blog but I did hear from doctor that the x-rays showed nothing out of the ordinary. I still am not sleeping through the night even with sleeping pill. May have to look into doubling it.

We sold our 5th wheel. It was driven away by new owners this a.m. Due to health conditions we had not used it for 2 years. Barry actually had not been in it all last summer. He used to go out there at times and watch TV. Our dream of going up the top of Michigan camping never came to pass. Oh well, am glad it's out of the yard since we hadn't used it. My sister Eileen has lost her space when she comes to visit! I told her we still had a tent...to pitch in the backyard. Yes, Eileen, you were the person who last used it. You always chose that to sleeping in the house.

On my to buy list is a ranch style house with at least 3 acres. Having 3 floors and a basement is way too much room, especially with all the stairs to climb.

Tim went to University of Pitt with his 2 friends for a tour today. That and Penn State are two of the colleges he is interested in. Likes the idea of a big school.

Chemo side effects are back. flu like symptoms.

10 PM
Going to bed and will update blog tomorrow. By noon, my temp of 101.8 had been reduced thank God. Tim took me to rehab dr. for a follow up from after I got dischaged. I'm still not driving. Dr. told me that in order to drive I would have to be re evaulated to see how I reacted to situations. This is done at local hospital. Especially when you've had surgery on your brain. Was given 2 cortisone shots in my right shoulder area. Followed by xrays of shoulder/chest to rule out what needs to be ruled out. Dr. said 2-3 days for the shot to kick in. Asked me what my pain level number was. When I first got there it was 8, but by the time I left it was a frown/sad face of a 10. Praying very hard to finally feel some relief from the continuous pain. The dr. and I would be content to be 50% better. That would be a dream.

Chemo again today

I past the blood test. As I told the nurses today, I studied very hard for the test! And it worked. They laughed. We agreed that laughter is the best medicine.
This afternoon I took a nap. Since they give me a steroid as part of the pre-med, I have to grab a nap whenever possible. I remember the other time as being extremely tired but awake at the same time. Unable to sleep.

So as this chemo is going through my body, I'll be watching for similarities/differences. Not all treatments have the same results. Only time will tell.

Patti took me to get a Coolata as a treat. Someone recently questioned the cost of one of these, my remark: after you have suffered as much as I had, you deserve a treat!

Two families leave our town tomorrow. My neighbors Chuck and Janet W, and the Pres. of the College and his wife Jean. Since being positive is one of the things impt. to me, this is my thought. Now I will have 2 new places to travel and to visit. And I am good at emailing. So I didn't say bye to them, I said see ya! And that's my plan.

Friends are ....

I was just getting my jammies on for my afternoon nap. It was just about 4 p.m. And I noticed a minivan coming into my driveway that I didn't recognize. Went to see who it was and I was truly amazed: it was Jean W. (college pres.'s wife) with a bag of assorted cookies. When we met the other day she shared some frozen chocolate chip cookies, and knows I have a sweet tooth. Now this is a packing day for her and her husband. They are relocating to another state and I don't have to tell you how busy she must be. And to think she took the time to come to see me. I was truly surprised (but why should I be?). The day I came home from having brain surgery her husband came to see me (well, I was just zombied out in recliner) with so much ham.

And as expected, if it's a special moment in my life I take out my camera. The cookies are shown along with an updated picture of the veggies that Patti planted a few weeks ago.

Friends are.... priceless.

Friends are priceless. I have heard that what you give back, you get in return.

 

 

 

 

No energy and still arm pain

Am looking forward to seeing the rehab doctor this coming Thursday. Especially to ask him about the ongoing pain in my right arm. I was told by therapist that it could take couple months to get movement back but I'm impatient I guess. And don't get me wrong, I'm not "whining". But am tired of the continuous pain, even the painkiller doesn't kill the pain. I can't pinpoint the location of the pain, guess it's deep inside. I would be OK without the full movement if that meant the pain would disappear. At night I wake up every hour or so just to get comfortable. It's hard to describe the feeling, it's there all the time. Sort of like a pulling down effect as it rests. Doesn't help to have my chest hurt where the chest plate is from previous surgery in Nov. 07. As I type it's still there.

Been almost a week since I was told no chemo 'cause of low white blood cells. Still no energy.

OK. So I've told you my woes. If I don't write daily it's usually 'cause something's up.

The President's wife Jean enjoys drawing. This is just a few of her artwork that's in her kitchen.

 

Pres. Tom and his wife Jean. They will be missed.

 

Patti is like me. She loves to play in dirt, get her fingers dirty. Thanks Patti for planting my garden.

 

A dream come true. Pres. Tom, Jean and myself. A view of God's country.

 

Dreams do come true..

This morning a dream of mine came true. I was able to have a private tour of the President of the College where I work. He and his wife, along with a mutual friend Becky, gave this tour to me. This was truly a dream come true for me. I didn't take a lot of pictures 'cause I wanted to enjoy every word being spoken. They represent genuine caring people like so many people I have come to known. They will be leaving the town next week, beginning new lives in a new state. I will truly miss them. Their house overlooks the college and our small town. A picture perfect setting. I've been told that the new President is very nice.

Thanks Becky for arranging this Make a Wish day for me! And to the President and his wife for their hospitality and friendship I have come to known.

I failed the blood test. No chemo today.

Lisa brought me to my appt. I had blood drawn and the results showed the level too low to received chemo. Not surprised after fatigue I've experienced and flu like symptoms on Sunday. The number should be at 1200 and it was only 800. This is just another detour in my life, a precaution. I don't want to be totally down. Will just continue to rest and wait until next Tuesday.

Tim starts 1st summer college course today

Tim is taking advantage of dual enrollment that our high school and the college where I work has. He goes M-Th mornings I think for about 6 weeks. Said he wants to see what it's all about. There are only 5 students in his class, and he's the only one in high school. Good odds. I know he'll do as best as he can. You can't beat the price and experience.

I woke up when he did, just to make sure he got off as planned. Then I went back to bed until 10:30 a.m. I've now come up with a plan of keeping ibuprofen at bedside along with ear thermometer. This way I don't have to go downstairs when I'm not feeling well.

My next chemo is tomorrow @ 8:45 a.m. My friend Lisa asked if she could take me. I said yes, would give Barry a day off. Before I receive chemo, I'll have to have blood checked to see if levels are where they should be. Especially with the symptoms I had yesterday, along with the fatigue, these are crucial elements that come into play. And therefore chemo would be delayed. I don't want that to happen.

PS Last night I had just cleaned the bathroom sink. I then took the comb and combed the hair backwards. Was trying to find the area that was shaved from my brain surgery. I looked down into the sink and there was a lot of hair. The brochure I was given from oncologist did not mention this as side effect, but the drug's website does. 8 in 10 patients do have hair loss, not permanent. I don't know why they say not permanent. Because as soon as you stop the drugs that cause hair loss the hair grows back. Unlike in the past, I'm not going to shave my hair unless it comes out in CLUMPS.

Flu like symptoms-In bed all day

I woke up with side effects of chemo at 6 a.m. Chills and the need of heating blanket. Mostly flu like symptoms, had to call my oncologist at 9 a.m. Had a fever of 100.8 (100.5) is the grey area and a headache most of the day. Normallly you would go to ER but he suggested ibuprofen and wait about 4 hrs. for it to go down. And it did. I look a mess today because of sweating and restless since 6 a.m.
Didn't go to any graduation parties that I was planning on doing. My right shoulder continues to kill me. Had some percocet dr. told me I could take. So basically I've been in bed dozing all day. And trying to avoid my right side shoulder when laying down. Had a smidge of Subway, and two bowls of ice cream all day.

Am hoping for a better day tomorrow.

PS Tim was just finishing the lawn and started to rain, and then boomers came. Loud ones.

Ditto on not having any "umph"

I continue to lack energy, sleeping restlessly 'cause of right shoulder discomfort. It doesn't help where I had my chest surgery last November.

Right after I ate lunch, I slept from 2ish until 8:30 p.m. Tim came home from a graduation party and soccer practice at 4-5 p.m. I just lacked energy.

As you can tell, I don't like not having energy. Just a side effect from chemo drug I had on Tuesday.

That's it for my pity party..

No umph today

The title says it all. Just no umph today as a result of the chemo yesterday I assume. Slight headache also. Slept most of the day, just no energy.

I was reading the back of senior's picture. She spoke of Tim's strength, that made me cry. He noticed I was crying, and he said "what's up?" I explained that I was SO proud of his strength, and no teenager should have to go through what he is going through. His remark, "Mom, you're doing a great job!" I told him we are strong because and for him.

Cancer sucks.

Chemo is in my body once again..

Just came back from seeing Dr. Simon and then having chemo treatment. Went out to Mexican food with Barry. Now I'm getting into jammies for a nap. A bit tired.
Should sleep nicely with the rain falling gently.

I am scheduled for one day for 3 weeeks in a row for chemo, then off one week.

After a little detour, I return to chemo in a.m.

It was on April 11th that I had my first gemzahr chemo treatment. And then I got detoured because of my brain tumor. Well, I return to chemo tomorrow a.m. to get back on track, to fight the breast/lung cancer. The cancer has had a break, time to fight hard against it! And that's what I intend on doing. As I've said in the past and I continue to hold this positive thought, I may have cancer but cancer does not have me!

Torn between 2 churches today. Aren't I blessed?

There are 2 choices for churches today. One is the Baptist where one of the Pastors came to visit me in church, Pastor Greg. He doesn't preach often at this time. And the other is the Presbyterian. The mother of one Tim's friends is going to speak today, and he has told me that doesn't happen that often. But I've chosen to be with Tim at the Presbyterian church. Aren't I blessed to be torn between 2 churches?

Let me backtrack a couple of days. On Friday we went and had a tour of the main campus of Penn State. It's about a 3 hrs. away. We carpooled with Mike, Lisa and Tim's buddy Ben. It was the first college that I've been to. Tim and Ben had been there before for Science Academy. And it's huge! I could not get over how the town has been built around the campus, I didn't know that. That is something I learned. The boys seem to enjoy it a lot. In a few weeks, on a Saturday, we'll be visiting another choice college called Pitt. which is totally surrounded by tall buildings, in the city itself. Tim has been on campus there by visiting Ben's brother Luke who attends.

This is an email from Lisa: Hope you don't mind, Lisa.

..................................
We had a blast at Penn State. I have bragged to everyone I see about how well you did!! Make sure you put that on your blog. People are amazed how you could walk that far and do that many steps and keep up with it.
.................................

I still have not driven my new car and won't until I get OK from Physical Therapist later this month. My shoulder is continuously aching, but I don't mention it a lot. Just take vicoden and motrin, and use the hottub daily which seems to help. Am very greatful to God what has been given back to me. It takes many factors: strength, attitude, being focused toward ahead, friends who say you're doing great.
And a caring family, and God. Some people say I have 9 lives like a cat. That'll be nice.

Often you'll catch me crying. It's not for sadness, it's cause I realize how so lucky I am. So you'll just have to give me that extra hug..

Updated blog: 9:45 PM

I truly enjoyed church today, seeing the teenagers all sitting up front as a group.
A nice site to see, Tim right up there with him. I sat with Patti. And I made a time on Thursday morning for the Rev. Lisa to come visit. She has been so great to me these past few years. Even though it's not my church, they provided meals in the past for us.

I didn't do much today as it is God's day of rest. (good excuse) The longest part of the day, which took up the greatest amount of time, was I took a nice long 3-4 hours nap. I even dreamed which is not common lately. Felt great. I even cooked dinner tonight. Tim helped me plant 2 more bags of flowers for the deck. Would have taken me 2 days.

I'm headed to kitchen now. Tim went to store for me after dinner. Rocky road ice cream is calling for me. Ever since I was in the hospital, I'm hooked on ice cream.

Tuesday will be my next oncologist appt. followed by chemo. Barry's driving me.
I've been letting the cancer have a vacation, time to fight back again.