Blood work AOK

Thursday I went for my blood work in preparation for chemo on Tuesday a.m. All was OK. I was recognized by many in the office from the article in the paper, and from my recent brain tumor. Again, more angels.

My last and only treatment so far using gemzahr for the lung/breast cancer was on the weekend that I had issues with my brain. On April 11th, Friday, I received my first chemo of this type. Next day I did the Relay for Life. And by Sunday my brain started to play games. The rest is history, tucked away in memories I don't remember. Must be a reason for everything.

This a.m. I am going out to Dunkin Donuts with Patti for a special treat, a Coolata ice drink. Mmmm. Can't wait.

Updated 9:50 p.m.
After we went to Dunkin Donuts we came home to look at pictures. And Patti volunteered to plant my tomatoes and peppers. Would have taken me a couple of days. She's like me, likes to play in the dirt. I took a few pictures of her doing so. Have not downloaded them yet. She had never planted veggies, but has always done flowers. And dad, she knows about getting rid of footsteps when finishing the planting! Thank you, Patti.

Heaven is on earth, and I'm enjoying every bit of it.

 

 

 

Even swans have a family unit.

 

 

 

Family is the best medicine.

 

 

No more decadron

I took my last decadron pill yesterday p.m. It's a steroid that was given to me to take while going through the cyberknife radiation, for possible swelling. And the main side effect is that you are wide awake, you feel as it you have wide deer eyes unable to close, and the feeling that you want to rest but are unable to. Terrible feeling. And last night, I was up about 3 times to go to the bathroom. I always use my walker at night, because I know I have sea legs and don't want to fall. Afterwards I fall back to sleep. I've been falling asleep to my radio which I put on sleep timer. Never thought I could fall asleep like that. Plus I take a sleeping pill (down from 2).

Today I have about the energy that could be expected. I woke up at 10:30 a.m. and boy did that feel great. Since coming home from hospital I've not slept in. Therapy starts by 9 a.m. After planting some annuals in flower boxes with Tim's help, I got into my jammies and slept for over 2 hrs. I took an ativan because my heart was beating so fast, needed to calm down. Both Barry and Tim cut the lawn as I slept. I woke up to spareribs coming off the grill.

Forward.

Another detour in life accomplished

If you had asked me a few weeks ago about going throught cyberknife, just having to have the mask made and followed by an MRI of brain, after a long trip in ambulance from Greenville to Pittsburgh, without eating a lunch, and with lots of tears in my eyes and a splitting headache, I would have said no way. Not something I could have done. But I've just accomplished it this week. My life took another detour, and I'm on the road again. It's not always a smooth ride, believe me. But the key word is FORWARD. And it helps to have a plan.

When I got home today from treatment, I only had salad. And then immediately went to bed for a few hours. It was just an emotional week, tiring to get up and out so early, and just the not knowing what was going to happen. What else can I say?

Until we meet again. Adios. Am so glad we live near good hospitals.

 

 

 

 

As we left Pittsburgh, I took these pics for the fun of it.

 

 

 

 

Dr. B. and Nurse Annette, she is program manager for Radiation Oncology. She schedules appts. They work side by side.

 

My souvenir mask, and Dr. B.

 
 

After my last treatment, I consulted with Dr. B. who heads up the cyberknife. They willl contact me in 2 months to repeat the MRI brain.

 

2 of the technicians, angels who guided me through the process. They had so much patience.

 

I asked the technician to take this picture. It is how I lay still for about an hour today. One break for my head. Notice the tight fitting mask.

 

Colorful mural above where I lay down.

 

The cyberknife machine. It is so big, and powerful. Notice my blue hard head rest. My only complaint.

 
 
 
 

Shadyside Hospital-Hillman Center Office. It's my last treatment.

 
 
 
 

3rd and final cyberknife complete

and I'm headed to bed. Physically/mentally pooped. I hope the telephone doesn't ring.

Max Lucado: A Blessed Hope

This caught my eye as I was heading to bed now:

The power of prayer does not depend on the one who makes the prayer but on the One who hears the prayer.

God Bless You for your friendship/support.

Cyberknife #2 yesterday

Sorry for the delay in updating my blog from yesterday. First of all, before I forget it, I'm sure you heard another person was touched by the word cancer yesterday, Sen Ted Kennedy. It touched my heart, as it does whenever I hear that word. Cancer can touch any sex, any person, rich or poor, celebrity or not a celebrity. Hopefully there will be a cure. I don't like when I read a scandal like paper, for example NY Post. On today's headline it shows his picture and the words he has cancer, 6 months to live. Nobody should read negative words like that. I once heard this statement: listen to the diagnosis, not necessarily the prognosis.
Just look at me. Positive thoughts only. I was discharged from Presby, and coming home to the possiblity of hospice. Who would have thought I'd be able to blog again?
God is in control of when we will see Him. No one else. I pray that the Kennedy family find privacy during this period. Cancer truly sucks.

Now for me.

I must say that the anticipation of cyberknife was full of anxiety. Like anything new. But my only complaint, yes I do complain, was the hard head rest. My mask is connected to that area. Still unable to move my head for my own protection. I get to listen to XM radio, and yesterday I chose the 80s. Songs were more familiar. I mentioned the discomfort to the technician, and he placed some bubble wrap (small) on the head rest area. It worked for about 25 mins. and then I had to raise my hand to get his attention. And if I'm not being radiated, he will come into room and ask me what I want. I then got up, and placed a thin cloth of some kind in the place of the bubble wrap. It can't be thick as it would interfere with the mask, making it tight on my face. Tomorrow I'll ask for both, the bubble wrap and a cloth. I don't think that will be too thick. Of the whole treatment, this discomfort is my only complaint. My back of my head bothers me. I do take anxiety pills before the treatment. By the way, I'm taking the camera with me (as if you didn't know this was going to happen!) I've told him about my blog and educating others. He said it was no problem. The robotic arm circles my head and goes through a series of positions. And as it is in front of me, I say to it "Go ahead, blast away all the bad stuff. Give it to me. I can take it." I look at the eye of the machine and this is what I think.

Today I had two therapy sessions. Busy day.

I continue not to drive. Still under pain meds. When I have follow up visit with rehab doctor on June 18th I will ask him when I can drive. Right now I'm still having issues with my right arm, the range of motion has improved but still has some more to go. And I wouldn't feel comfortable driving at this time. It's a safety issue, for me and others on the road. I still climb stairs, aware of each step, not done naturally. But safely. Have to concentrate on the action involved. I don't need any broken bones.

I have scheduled my second chemo treatment. The first one was the weekend I was hospitalized. Everyone thought the symptoms I was going through was related to the chemo I had on Friday. So I've got it approved with my drs. in Pittsburgh that you should wait a week or two, so I'm scheduled for June 3. And can you believe that my local oncologist spoke to me personally last week. She showed concern to Barry when she was told I was in the hospital. Nice woman.

And that's that. More than a mouthful.
Again, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. It continues to be my therapy, and hopefully yours.

Update: Just saw online that Sen. Kennedy released from hospital. And home on Cape Cod where family is the best medicine! I know that first hand.

cyberknife #2 down, now to rest my brain.

headed to nap.


Dozed, stayed in bed until 3 p.m. Headed to see Tim in his chorus tonight. I sort of was out of it, unable to see his last band concert, so this is on my to-do list.
Will write about today's procedure later ? If up to it.

Since I got home from concert at 9 ish, and two of my favorite shows are ending this week, I am now watching one and have taped the other. Idol and Dancing with the Stars. So, no time for telling you of my treatment today. It will have to wait.
I hope Jason and Edyta win. If Kristi wins, she had an advantage being an Olympic skater. Not fair.

Pastors Ron, me and Pastor Matt. They then prayed for me. I was very greatful. Prayers are free, don't cost a cent and are powerful.

 

The first pix are of the man who signs at the Baptist Church. I enjoy watching him. The other shows Pastors Ron and Matt who came to see me.